You’re finally going to do it - you’re going to take the plunge and move abroad. Maybe it’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but it was never the right time. Maybe you’re going in search of adventure. Perhaps you want to boost your career, or take a new path completely. Either way, moving to new lands holds so many possibilities. It’s potentially one of the most exciting things you will ever do, and if you do return in the future chances are you’ll be returning as a very different person. Here are some of the practicalities to consider

Sort Out Your Current Home

Decide which (if any) of your home possessions you’ll be bringing with you. Decide what you will put into storage, and what you want to sell. This will probably take you a lot longer than you expect, and so start early on. You’ll need to decide whether you’re going to be selling your home to raise money for your adventure, or renting it out. If you’re after a quick sale, a company that pays cash for houses could be a good choice. This is a fast way to get it off your hands, without having to spend money on any repairs or renovations to make it appeal to buyers. 

Decide on a New Home

Where will you be living when you move abroad? If you are buying, be aware of the taxes and legal fees that will be required. If you’re planning on renting, you could travel light and stay in a hotel for a few weeks while you find something suitable. Decide whether you want to live alone or with roommates, and check at the kind of price points of homes in the area before moving out there. Once you have your new home sorted you could have any remaining possessions shipped over to you. 

Sell Your Vehicles

In most cases, it makes sense to sell any vehicles you own before you leave. Shipping costs can be expensive, and moving things like insurance can be complicated. And so you’re better off getting rid of it and buying a new one when you arrive in your new home country. Depending on where you are moving to and where you’re from originally, you’re likely to need to apply for a driving license or permit in the new country. So it’s worth researching this ahead of time if you’re going to be using your own transport to get around. 

Get Your Visas in Order

To live and work abroad, you need to apply for the correct visas and paperwork. To be able to work in some countries you have to either be sponsored by your workplace or have a skill which is needed- something to bear in mind when you’re considering places to move too. Often more remote areas will be easier to access since there are likely to be skills shortages. The exact procedure for obtaining visas largely depends on where you currently live and where you want to move to. So doing your research and finding all of the necessary information early on is vital.