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Dreaming of a new life abroad is something that many people do. The draw of living in another country is often difficult to ignore, especially if you feel a little disillusioned with your home country. However, dreaming of moving abroad and actually doing it are two different things. It can be a lot more difficult to actually go through with moving to a new country when you begin to look at the practicalities. That said, people do it all the time, so it’s certainly not impossible. If you want to move abroad, there are several factors that you will need to take into account.
Routes to Residency
When considering a move to a different country, you first need to determine if it’s possible. Every country has different rules about foreigners moving in, although many of them will be similar. There can be various routes to residency and perhaps eventually citizenship for you to consider. You might gain residency through getting a job and a working visa or sponsorship. Some people have the funds to use a citizenship by investment program and invest in real estate or other economic projects. You might also have a family member who can be your ticket into another country if they already live there.
Affordability
Of course, you need to be able to afford the move to a different country. There’s the move itself and then there are the ongoing costs of maintaining your lifestyle in your new home. You might be choosing to move somewhere with a lower cost of living but you can also find yourself paying more compared to where you live now. Some things may be cheaper, while others could be a lot more expensive. It’s a good idea to create a budget both for the process of moving and for your monthly living costs.
Image from Pixabay – CC0 License
Finding Your Place
Once you’ve made the leap to live in a different country, settling in can be a long process. Some people may find it easy, while others can find that it takes longer for them to find their place. You might choose to live among other people from your country or other immigrants, but you might prefer to try and integrate with the locals. Getting settled in might involve learning the local language, getting involved with your community, looking for local activities to do or groups to join, or just finding your favorite places to go.
What’s Your Backout Plan?
One thing that you don’t want to ignore is the idea of having a plan for backing out and returning home. What if things aren’t working out for you? Or what if you simply decide it’s time to go home or move somewhere else? You might not have a solid plan right now, but it’s a good idea to consider how long you’re planning on staying and how you might return home if you decide that it’s the best option.
Starting a new life abroad can be tough, but it can also offer you a number of benefits. It’s worth it if you think it’s your dream.
