How to Move to Another Country: Guide By Someone Who Did It

About a million Australians call foreign countries their home and workplace. Starting a new life in another country appeals to many people who want a fresh beginning. Life in America can drain you, but moving across the world needs more than just wanting change – you need careful planning and good savings.

My own move taught me something important. Moving expenses add up fast when you cross borders. Most experts suggest having enough money saved to cover six months of expenses. You should also know what visas you need and have a job lined up before you make your move. Based on my experience, I want to share this detailed guide about the real challenges I faced and practical ways to handle a permanent move to another country.

Why I Decided to Move to Another Country

Like millions of Americans, the mounting pressures of daily life started to weigh me down. Moving to another country wasn’t a quick decision – my growing dissatisfaction turned into a detailed exit plan.

The breaking point that pushed me to leave

My quality of life kept declining even though I worked harder each year. Housing costs, healthcare expenses, and education debts piled up until the financial pressure became too much. Recent surveys show many Americans struggle with these rising costs.

Then came my “stuck phase” – that unmistakable feeling where neither my personal nor professional life moved forward. One expatriate put it well: “The feeling of being stuck has become all too familiar to me. So familiar that the second I get the feeling, I know I’m not in the right place and need to take action”.

Several factors pushed me to make this change:

Political polarization that left me feeling alienated
Rising crime rates in my neighborhood
The joy I found while traveling beyond my comfort zone
My search for affordable healthcare options

Brief trips abroad used to satisfy my international dreams, but that stopped working. One morning, I just knew there was “no more time to waste”.

Setting clear goals for my international move

My commitment to move abroad meant I needed clear objectives. Experts suggest using SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Instead of saying “I want to learn a new language,” I aimed for specific targets like daily Spanish practice and weekly classes.

I started by listing my personal motivations. Did I want career growth? Lower living costs? Better work-life balance? Maybe all three? Understanding my true goals helped me plan better. I also made a list of non-negotiables—things I couldn’t give up, whatever the location.

This exercise showed me what mattered most: finding affordable healthcare, a slower pace of life, and easy access to travel spots I dreamed of visiting. I also needed my savings to last longer while keeping a good lifestyle.

Researching potential destinations that matched my needs

My established goals led to methodical country research. This step matters greatly when planning a permanent move abroad. Several factors needed careful consideration:

Safety topped my list—I looked at crime rates, political stability, and security in each possible destination. The healthcare systems came next, both quality and cost mattered here.

Weather played a big role too. As one expat guide states, “Everyone has their own preferences, so there is no ideal country in terms of weather”. I had to figure out which climate suited me best and how well I’d handle extreme seasons.

Cost comparisons became my new hobby. I matched average wages against basic expenses like housing, food, and transport. Property prices and mortgage rates also helped me understand if I could buy a home later.

My research narrowed the choices to three countries. I dove into expat forums, joined Facebook groups, and talked to Americans living there. Their experiences helped tremendously, especially since “each person’s experience depends on their perspective”. A single person sees a city differently than a family does.

Through it all, I kept asking myself that vital question: “If there is one thing you could do right now (if nothing was holding you back), what would you do?” The answer always pointed to taking the leap—despite the challenges ahead.

Preparing for the Big Move Abroad

My real work started after picking my destination – figuring out how to move to another country. Moving internationally feels like conducting an orchestra of paperwork, finances, and logistics. My experience taught me that you need careful preparation to relocate successfully.

Creating a realistic timeline and budget

I found that there was a good reason experts suggest three to six months to plan an international move. This timeline makes sense with all the tasks you need to handle.

The financial reality hit me hard. Moving internationally costs about $77,000 on average. This has:

Home-finding trips: $7,500
Temporary housing: $15,000
Household goods shipment: $25,000
Travel costs: $7,500

My spreadsheet tracked every predicted expense plus a 10% buffer for surprises. That buffer saved me when unexpected customs fees showed up on my shipment.

Handling visa applications and legal requirements

Getting my visa turned out to be the most stressful part. Each country has different visa rules based on your goals—work, study, or permanent residence.

Americans moving abroad need specific documents:

Valid passport (with at least six months validity beyond arrival)
Proper visa application forms
Proof of financial stability
Health insurance documentation

Understanding my tax duties as a U.S. citizen became crucial. Living abroad didn’t free me from filing U.S. tax returns or paying taxes on worldwide income. The good news? You can exclude up to $108,700 of foreign-earned income through the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.

Downsizing possessions: what to keep, sell, or store

My belongings needed tough decisions. Shipping less meant lower costs and faster delivery. After several rounds of sorting, everything fell into three categories:

Take: Essential documents (passports, birth certificates, tax records), electronics, climate-appropriate clothing, and a few sentimental items.

Sell: Large furniture (most rentals abroad come furnished), U.S.-voltage appliances (which often don’t work overseas), and excess clothing.

Store: Family heirlooms, seasonal items, and important legal documents that I wouldn’t need right away. I found a low cost storage unit for these items.

Facebook Marketplace helped me sell most items, and a garage sale took care of the rest. This cut my shipping costs and gave me extra moving money.

Setting up finances for international living

My financial setup abroad needed careful planning. Opening a local bank account before leaving helped me avoid excessive foreign transaction fees.

I kept my U.S. accounts too—this really paid off when stimulus payments arrived during the pandemic. Better exchange rates came from specialized international money transfer services compared to traditional banks.

One of my best decisions? Linking accounts through a global banking service. This let me move up to $200,000 daily between accounts with zero transfer fees.

Tax implications mattered in both countries. Learning about bilateral tax agreements helped me avoid double taxation, and I researched my destination country’s tax year to report income correctly.

Finding Work and Housing in a New Country

Moving to another country comes with two big challenges right away – finding a job and a place to live. These practical matters became my top priority as soon as I landed with my suitcases.

Job hunting strategies that actually worked for me

Looking for work abroad needs different tactics than job hunting at home. I started by tweaking my resume to match what local employers expect. To name just one example, my UK applications needed “humour” instead of “humor” to match British spelling. My cover letters always mentioned that I’d move at my own cost, which showed employers I was serious about relocating.

The best results came when I stopped using online job boards completely. I reached out to hiring managers and recruiters on LinkedIn directly and asked to chat on the phone or meet for coffee. This personal touch worked much better than sending applications through websites.

Securing temporary housing for your arrival

Extended-stay hotels worked perfectly during my first few weeks. They offered everything I needed – kitchens in the room, private space, Wi-Fi, and laundry facilities. These basics helped me live normally while looking for a permanent home.

Corporate housing became my next step once hotel bills started adding up. These places come fully furnished and let you stay 1-3 months. Families might prefer subletting, especially if they need several bedrooms or want something that feels more like home.

Understanding rental agreements in foreign languages

Each country has its own rental rules based on local laws and customs. Most leases cover the basics – security deposits (usually one or two months’ rent), monthly payments, who fixes what, and how to end the lease.

Taking lots of photos and videos when I moved in saved me later. This careful documentation helped me get my security deposit back. I also paid a professional translator to handle the rental agreement rather than trust my basic language skills.

Remote work options when local employment falls through

Local jobs didn’t pan out, so I looked into working remotely. Many countries now welcome digital nomads with special visas. Costa Rica offers two years, while Estonia and Portugal give you one year.

Digital nomad work lets you earn from anywhere with good internet. These visas usually need proof that you work for a company outside your host country and earn enough monthly income. Living costs in developing countries make remote work even more appealing – your American salary goes much further in places like Thailand.

Navigating Daily Life in a Foreign Culture

Life abroad really kicks off after you settle into your new home. A move to another country goes beyond just finding a place to live and work—you need to navigate a whole new cultural world with its own social rules and daily routines.

Learning the language: expectations vs. reality

My arrival came with high hopes that language fluency would naturally follow. Reality hit differently. Adults need to put in more effort to learn a language since their brains prioritize survival over picking up new words. I found that progress wasn’t straightforward—it came with flat spots and sudden improvements.

My best results came from combining classroom learning with everyday practice. I stopped worrying about perfect grammar and focused on getting my point across. Even basic attempts to speak the local language showed I was willing to fit in and helped me build real connections.

Building a social network from scratch

Living abroad can feel lonely. To curb this, I quickly joined various social groups instead of sticking to just one. Online platforms like Meetup.com are a great way to get started—they host gatherings in over 179 countries with 610,000 monthly meetups.

My existing network turned out more useful than I thought. I reached out to distant contacts who often connected me with locals or other expatriates in my new city. One expat put it well: “The difference between knowing nobody and knowing one single person is massive”.

Adapting to different social norms and customs

Culture shock follows a familiar pattern. The “honeymoon phase” hits first—everything new feels exciting and thrilling. This shifts into the “rejection phase” where you feel frustrated and homesick. Knowing this pattern helped me see my feelings as temporary rather than permanent.

Basic customs often tripped me up—from how to greet people to personal space rules. Some countries require you to take off shoes before entering homes, while touching someone’s head can offend in others. I learned to watch carefully, ask questions respectfully, and adjust my behavior.

Finding familiar comforts in unfamiliar places

Making a home in a foreign country ended up being about finding the right mix of new experiences and familiar comforts. Small details made big differences—I brought favorite items from home, stuck to regular routines, and found a café that felt like my old hangout.

Smell played a surprising role in creating comfort. Using the same fragrance helped maintain a sense of stability despite changing surroundings. Exercise served double duty—it lifted my mood and let me explore my new neighborhood.

Success abroad boils down to accepting uncertainty. As one expat wisely noted, “When you move abroad it appears like you have less control, but it’s really just an illusion”.

Overcoming Unexpected Challenges Abroad

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” — Eleanor Roosevelt, Former First Lady of the United States

You can prepare all you want, but moving to another country will test how you handle unexpected problems. My journey taught me a lot about staying strong when things get tough.

When things go wrong: my biggest setbacks

My careful planning couldn’t stop certain problems from happening. I made cultural mistakes that led to awkward moments—like taking off my shoes at a business meeting when I shouldn’t have, or accidentally upsetting a neighbor by saying no to their hospitality. These mistakes helped me learn the culture faster.

Money problems became my next big challenge. The exchange rate changed overnight and cut the value of my savings. I had to change my budget completely. Being flexible helped me survive these tough times.

Healthcare emergencies in a foreign system

The foreign healthcare system became a real concern when I got bad food poisoning. I found out that Medicare doesn’t cover medical services outside the United States. Medical evacuation can cost more than $250,000 based on where you are and what’s wrong. This makes good international health insurance absolutely necessary.

Yes, it is hard to get complete healthcare coverage while living in another country—many expats see this as their biggest worry. One medical emergency without proper insurance can ruin you financially. My advice is to buy at least in-patient hospital care with medical evacuation options before you move.

Dealing with homesickness and isolation

Homesickness hit me hard after six months. Research shows this happens a lot—many expats don’t deal very well with feeling isolated. Feeling lonely can cause physical problems too, from more chronic pain to bad sleep and a weaker immune system.

The WHO says loneliness is now a global health problem that can harm you as much as smoking 15 cigarettes each day. To curb these feelings, I set up regular video calls with family, joined expat groups, and created routines that mixed familiar comforts with new experiences.

Resources that are a great way to get help in crisis situations

These practical resources helped me through tough times:

The nearest U.S. embassy offered emergency help 24/7, helping me find good medical care, move money, and contact family
International crisis helplines that gave confidential support during emotional problems
Expat Facebook groups that helped me meet others going through the same things

Remember, asking for help isn’t weak—it’s how you survive when you’re living far from home in a new place.

Conclusion

Living in a new country is one of life’s most challenging yet rewarding experiences. My own experience taught me that success comes down to solid preparation, having enough money saved up, and staying mentally strong. You’ll face unexpected hurdles – from visa issues to cultural mix-ups – but these challenges will teach you valuable lessons.

I learned that doing well abroad needs both practical planning and the right mindset. Saving money, getting visas, and finding a place to live are the foundations. But your long-term happiness really depends on making local friends and embracing cultural differences. On top of that, keeping in touch with people back home while creating new routines helps you balance the familiar with the new.

Note that setbacks come with moving to another country. Don’t see difficulties as failures – they’re chances to solve problems and understand different cultures better. The most important thing is to stay flexible and patient as you adjust to your new life.

Moving abroad needs real effort, but the personal growth and broader perspective make everything worth it. Research well, prepare properly, and build your support system before you move. Each challenge becomes an opportunity to learn and feel more at home in your new country.

We hope you found this blog post on How to Move to Another Country: Guide By Someone Who Did It, useful. Be sure to check out our post on 8 Important Things to Consider Before Moving Abroad for more great tips!