Are You Ready to Move Abroad?

I’ve always known I would never stay in one place. I love to travel and explore new places, and I’ve dreamed of living somewhere unfamiliar.

A year ago, my husband and I were given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to move to the US. While we knew the opportunity was something we could not pass up, we had to think long and hard before we made the decision.

If you’re thinking about moving abroad, here are five questions you need to ask yourself:

What is my motivation for moving?

Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you want to experience a different culture? Are you hoping to improve your career prospects? Your motivations will help you determine where you want to go and what you want to do when you get there. For us, our motivation for moving was a combination of personal, financial, and career goals. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and experience a new life. For my husband, the move would mean a significant boost in his career in tech. And for both of us, the money we would earn can help expedite our retirement savings plan.

How will this impact my personal and professional life?

When we moved to the US, I knew it would take us some time to find a new support group. We moved to a place where we didn’t know anyone. So we made the extra effort to get to know people in our area, find a Filipino community, and explore our new city. My job was also affected by the move. I had to quit my corporate job in Manila and find a new one in the US. This was a challenge as the job market in my field is very competitive. But thankfully, I am able to do freelance writing online.

What are the financial implications?

Moving abroad can be expensive. You’ll need to factor in the cost of housing, food, transportation, and other expenses. You may also need to pay for visa fees, and other costs associated with living in a new country.

We did a lot of research on the cost of living in the city we were moving to. We also made sure we had enough money for emergencies. If, like us, you also have a pet that’s coming with you, make sure to factor in the costs and pet importation rules as well.

How will I adapt to a new culture?

Adapting to a new culture can be overwhelming. Being open-minded and willing to learn about a new culture is important. I found that the best way to adapt to a new culture was to just go out there and meet new people. I checked out Facebook Groups and Meetup.com to find and meet new people. We also made an effort to do what locals usually do (hiking, weekend markets, etc.) and check out local events in our area.

Am I ready to leave my comfort zone?

Moving abroad is a big step. It requires you to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace the unknown. It’s essential to be prepared for unfamiliar experiences and willing to face them head-on. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared of living abroad. I was, but my excitement over the opportunity to experience a new place and challenge myself far outweighed my fears.

Final thoughts

If you’re considering moving abroad, it can be the best or the worst decision you ever made. But that will depend on what YOU want out of it.

That’s why you need to ask yourself those questions first. Because honestly, moving abroad is not for everyone.

Uprooting your life and starting over is not as simple as packing your bags and buying a one-way ticket. If it was that easy, then everyone would have done it by now. I know some people who have moved but ended up returning home for different reasons while others are thriving and living their best lives. Whatever your decision is, make sure that you know it’s the best for YOU.