Things To Be Aware of Before Moving Abroad

The human species was historically a nomadic one. Our early ancestors were hunter-gatherers, following animal herds and fertile wildlands all year round. Of course, as time went on, humans began settling down, usually near freshwater sources. Often settling in numbers (for protection against raiders), the earliest known cities date back several millennia. Today, their descendants are conditioned by the familiarity and comfort of their surroundings. But evolutionary instincts still remain hardwired, which is why every time you watch a great travel show on Spectrum TV you’re hit by the urge to travel. Things To Be Aware of Before Moving Abroad

What we know colloquially as wanderlust may very well be the vestiges of evolutionary nomadic instinct passed down over thousands of years. Many individuals, especially younger people, often succumb to this urge and spend years traveling the world. But that’s usually with the intention to return back home eventually. Permanent relocation can seem far more terrifying. But don’t worry. Armed with the right knowledge, you can make the transition a lot easier and safer for yourself. Read on to find out the three most important things you need to pay attention to before relocating abroad. 

Get Your Finances in Order

We all want to move around, travel the world, gain new experiences. There is no denying the growth and satisfaction that comes from exposure to different people, cultures, and ways of life. The world, despite all our human failings, is still beautiful, diverse, and just waiting to be discovered. But before you give in to your inner restlessness, you need to have certain safety nets in place. Having a sufficient financial cushion is one of these safety nets.

Whether you believe in open borders or controlled ones, international travel involves a lot of security. Given the number of tragic incidents like hijacking, bombings, and accidents, air travel in particular has several layers of security. With the rise in global terrorism, host countries are also a lot pickier when it comes to granting tourist, work, and residency visas. 

All the documentation and travel costs can cost a significant amount by the time you disembark at your destination. But that’s just the cost of getting you there. Remember, a foreign nation may not do things the same way the United States does. You may very well face language barriers, uncooperative government officials, and even the frequent tourist-fleecer. And with COVID-19, it will be a long time before we forget the fear and uncertainty of another pandemic following up. The risks of fraud, diseases or even economic collapse mean you should have a sufficient financial cushion to rely on. 

 Triple-Check Your Accommodations and Itinerary

There is no shortage of frauds and schemes in the United States. And it isn’t much different abroad. In fact, in certain countries with lax policing and regulatory control, it is far worse. Experienced fraudsters rely on your inability to track them down in an unfamiliar country. Therefore, you want to be prudent and prepared. When you arrange for advance accommodations, make sure you do everything to ensure the place, the realtor, and the owner are legitimate. 

Similarly, if you’re chartering a private cab from the airport to your new residence, or meeting a local guide, or even visiting local attractions, do everything you can to learn about them. There are enough missing travelers in the world to make anyone want to mitigate certain risks. And trusting complete strangers is a HUGE risk, even if it may be unavoidable at times. 

Read Up as Much as Possible About Your Destination  

Finally, educate yourself about the place you intend to relocate to. Again, many exotic destinations have very different laws, rules, customs, and social norms than the ones you are used to in the West. Certain tourist hotspots like Thailand or Bhutan may be more tolerant of tourists making mistakes. But you may not always find yourself so lucky. Countries like Saudi Arabia have very strict notions of propriety. Women cannot head out unaccompanied by a male, nor can alcohol be consumed. Doing so, and getting caught, could land you in a very tough place. 

Pay attention to travelogs about the place you intend to move to. Learn about their cultures and norms well in advance. That way, not only do you seem like a respectful new member of the community but you also gain more inclusivity among locals. You should also pay careful attention to the diplomatic relations the host country has with your home country. If relations are strained, or in danger of being cut off completely, you should immediately reconsider relocating. You don’t want to be caught in the middle of a diplomatic tug-of-war with the same probability of ending later in the day as it has of ending next year.