If you are planning on moving overseas and starting the next chapter of your life in new surroundings, you should know that choosing where to live is not an easy task. If you don’t know how to decide where to live, this article will help you make this whole process easier. It is super important that you take this task seriously, so you don’t regret your relocation.
Deciding where to move should be based on some of the most critical factors, such as the cost of living in that country, the real estate market, monthly salaries, and other similar factors. You should also figure out whether the overall vibe of the country and its culture is something that’s fitting for you.
If You Don’t Know How to Decide Where to Live – Start a Thorough Research
Deciding where to move is not an easy task. This requires a lot of time, and you need to be very smart when choosing a place to live in. Moving abroad is already a complex process, so you should do everything you can to make this process as easy as possible. If you choose a city that you just like and seems fun to you and don’t do proper research, there is a big chance that you will get disappointed.
That could unnecessarily cause you a lot of relocating stress. Our advice is to start your research months ahead, so you have enough time to gather all the information about the cities you wish to move to. That will help you with making the right decision.
Start With a Few Options and Research Each One of Them
When planning on moving internationally, you should consider creating a relocating abroad checklist to help you plan the whole move more easily. If you are not so sure how to choose where to live, start with a few options. Think about some places that are appealing to you and that you can picture yourself being a resident in.
What factors help you determine where to live? For starters, figure out whether you would move to a big city or choose a smaller town or village with less hassle instead. Once you have a few options written down, you can start planning and researching each one of them. When you are done researching, compare the results, and figure out which one is your best choice.
Of course, there are plenty of other factors to consider when researching a location you are willing to call your new home. This article will help you figure out which factors will determine where to move to.
Research the Job Market in That City and Affordability of That Place
When relocating to a different city, you need to figure out how you will afford a good life there. One of the most important factors to consider when thinking about picking a place to live is the job market. Unless the reason for your move is a job transfer, you must find a job that is going to provide you with money so you can pay bills and expenses while living overseas.
It is best to start researching the job market before the actual relocation. See which companies are hiring, how is the economic situation in that country, which industries are hiring the most employees, what it’s like to be working in Europe as an American, and other similar topics. You should figure out whether you are qualified for any positions and are the companies willing to hire foreigners.
Send Your Job Application to a Few Companies
If you find a few companies that you think you are qualified for and that have good conditions, consider applying for them. You should prepare a proper resume, maybe even a motivational letter, to show how much you are interested in getting the job. It’s always a good idea to send applications to a few employers, just so you can have more options. You will see that the relocation will be much easier once you have a job waiting for you overseas.
Think About the Cost of Living There
How to decide where to move if you don’t know the cost of living in certain countries? Well, you simply can’t. Living in another country sounds excellent, but only if you are able to afford it. You can not possibly decide where to move if you don’t know how high the local living expenses are. Especially if you are relocating on a low budget, you must think about this factor thoroughly before making any decisions.
If you are not sure how to pick where to live, compare the cost of living between the few cities you had in mind. That plus the average monthly salaries will give you a more accurate picture of what life in that country looks like. For checking average expenses and prices for transportation, groceries, utilities, and medical care, use websites such as Numbeo.
Figure Out What the House Market Looks Like
Still not sure how to choose a place to live? One of the most important factors to consider is the real estate market. Even if you’ve decided on which country to move to, you must be careful with choosing the proper city. Usually, bigger cities and the capital have much more expensive real estate markets. In some cities, it’s easier to rent than to purchase, which may potentially affect your initial plans. It’s a smart move to research the median home and rent price, and according to that, figure out what is a more affordable option for you.
Tips on Choosing a New Home to Live In
When choosing a home, you must be very careful and prepare yourself well with house hunting tips and relocating hacks. If you are not so sure how to pick a place to live, you might want to consider some of these tips:
- Work around your budget and find something that is affordable.
- Hire a real estate agent to assist you during the process.
- Location is super important, so be sure to research a few neighborhoods before making a decision. Figure out how close the markets, schools, your job, hospital, and other important points of interest are.
- Inform yourself on legal matters, or consider hiring a lawyer. You shouldn’t be signing any contracts you do not understand.
- Inspect the entire house, or the apartment, and every single room in it. If there’s something that seems off, tell your landlord immediately.
- Figure out the crime rates in that neighborhood. This is super important, especially if you plan on living on your own.
If You Have Kids – Inform Yourself About Nearby Schools and Education Possibilities
If you are planning on relocating with kids, then this whole decision-making process should include them as well. You always have to be careful with choosing the city you’ll call home, but this is especially important when you plan on raising a family there. You must research what are the best places abroad for life with family and raising kids.
Figure out how safe that place is, the crime rates, and which neighborhood is the most fitting for families with children. You should know what some of the best schools there are, which part of the city has the best educational possibilities for young ones and the reputation of those institutions. Keep in mind that your kids will probably be learning a different language abroad, so be sure to find schools that could assist them in that.
The General Characteristics of This Place Should Be According to Your Preferences
Once you figure out all these formal factors and essential questions, there are still a few different things that you might want to consider, especially if you want to find a perfect spot and quickly adjust to your new country. You might like to inform yourself on specific forums or even contact people residing there to ask them for honest opinions and thorough advice.
Is the Culture Right for You
When relocating overseas, you should keep in mind that the country you’re about to move into may differ from what you imagined. Culture shock is a real thing and something to get informed about on time. Some don’t have any problems adapting to new surroundings and cultural mindsets, and for those people, these situations aren’t challenging.
While for some other people, it can be pretty tricky trying to fit in with the rest of the citizens. Figure out which kind of person you are, and be prepared for certain types of scenarios that are common there.
What Is the Weather Like There?
Climate is a super important factor and should not be overlooked. You should figure out what seasons occur there, the usual temperatures during the year, and similar things. Think about which kind of weather is your favorite and which one you find appealing the most. If you like the climate in that country, it will be much easier for you to adapt to it.
Which Opportunities Does It Offer?
If you are wondering – “How do I decide where to live?” think about why you are relocating. Figure out what you expect from that relocation and does that country offer what you’re looking for. If you’re relocating to another country for love, you might not think about this.
But, if you’re willing to thrive academically, wish to grow professionally, or build a business, see if that country can provide you with what you expect. How else do you decide if moving is right for you?
You can also listen to some exciting YouTube videos on this topic. Take a look at this educational video about relocating overseas and how to make the process easier.
You Might Want to Get Professional Help From An International Moving Company
From this article, you have probably come to a thought of how complicated this entire process can get. However, even though it’s difficult, it’s necessary and will make sure you avoid any unnecessary relocating mistakes. With all the work you must do around preparing for the move, finding a home, researching schools, and finding a job, imagine having to do the entire packing for the move. It seems impossible!
This is why it’s a great idea to get assistance from an overseas moving company and book their valuable services that will make the whole relocation process a piece of cake. Booking packing services mean you won’t have to worry about a single thing, neither how to pack fragile items nor how to move large and bulky furniture. More importantly, you can experience the benefits of relocating with an overseas shipping company and their service for less money simply by booking an international move by sea.
Having professionals take care of all your belongings and shipping overseas, you will have much more time to focus on some other parts of the relocation process that are also very important. And if you work with a reliable company, there’s no doubt the whole process will save you from a lot of stress and worry.
Once You Do Your Research, You Are Ready to Go
Preparations and organization are the most critical step in every relocation process. The importance of researching, planning, and gathering important information must not be overlooked. If you do every step correctly, you will provide yourself with a stress-free and smooth relocation, allowing you to enjoy the move and have fun along the way. So once you are done with the research, book those relocating services, and you are ready to go.
