The dream of living abroad has captured more imaginations than ever before.
From financial influencers documenting their journeys to Portugal and Mexico to remote workers discovering they can maintain their income while dramatically reducing their living costs, international relocation has shifted from fantasy to feasible reality for many Americans.
But behind the Instagram-worthy sunset photos and cost-of-living comparisons lies a complex decision that requires careful consideration.
Moving abroad isn’t just an extended vacation – it’s a life-altering choice that affects everything from your career trajectory to your family relationships.
Before you start researching visa requirements or browsing real estate listings in Lisbon, take time to honestly evaluate whether international living aligns with your goals, personality, and circumstances.
7 Things You Should Do Before You Decide on Moving Abroad
1. Examine Your True Motivations
Understanding why you want to live in another country is crucial for making a decision you won’t regret. Different motivations lead to different levels of satisfaction with international living.
Financial Reasons
Many Americans are drawn to countries with lower living costs.
Personal finance influencers Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung documented their journey to geographic arbitrage, showing how their savings stretch further in countries like Malaysia and Thailand.
While financial benefits can be substantial, money alone shouldn’t drive such a major life decision.
Geoarbitrage: 7 Valuable Questions Before Relocating to Save Money
Lifestyle Desires
Some seek better work-life balance, slower paces of life, or specific cultural experiences.
Countries like Denmark and the Netherlands consistently rank high for happiness and work-life balance, attracting those seeking different lifestyle priorities.
Adventure and Growth
The desire for personal challenge and new experiences motivates many expats.
This motivation often leads to higher satisfaction rates because it embraces the inevitable challenges of international living.
Escape Mentality
Moving abroad to escape problems – whether financial, professional, or personal – rarely leads to lasting happiness.
Your problems often follow you, and you may find yourself dealing with familiar issues plus the added stress of cultural adaptation.
Ask yourself: “What specifically am I hoping to gain that I can’t achieve where I am now?”
Your answer will help determine whether relocation is likely to meet your expectations.
2. Assess Your Financial Readiness
International moves require substantial upfront investment and ongoing financial planning that differs significantly from domestic relocations.
Emergency Fund Requirements
Financial experts recommend having 6-12 months of living expenses saved before moving abroad – significantly more than the typical 3-6 months for domestic emergencies.
This buffer accounts for:
- unexpected visa costs
- temporary housing
- employment gaps
- the inevitable expenses that arise when establishing life in a new country
Income Sustainability
Consider how you’ll maintain income abroad.
Remote work has opened possibilities, but ensure your employment arrangement is legally compliant in your destination country.
Some nations restrict remote work for foreign companies, while others have specific tax implications.
Healthcare Costs
Research healthcare systems in your target country.
While many developed nations offer better healthcare value than the United States, you may need private insurance initially or face waiting periods for public system access.
Hidden Costs
Beyond obvious moving expenses, consider visa fees, international shipping, temporary housing, language learning, frequent trips home, and potential double taxation scenarios.
Financial influencer Go Curry Cracker has documented the complex tax implications of international living, showing how advanced planning can optimize your financial situation while ensuring compliance with both U.S. and foreign tax obligations.
3. Evaluate Your Adaptability and Independence
Living abroad tests your adaptability in ways that vacation travel cannot. Honest self-assessment of your flexibility and independence is crucial.
Language Barriers
While English is widely spoken in many countries, daily life often requires local language skills.
Consider your willingness and ability to learn new languages, particularly for essential services like healthcare and government offices.
Cultural Flexibility
Every culture has different approaches to time, relationships, business practices, and social norms.
Americans often struggle with more bureaucratic systems, different customer service expectations, and varying approaches to punctuality and directness.
Problem-Solving Skills
When your internet goes out, your visa needs renewal, or you need specialized medical care, you’ll need to navigate these challenges in unfamiliar systems, often in different languages.
Consider your comfort level with ambiguity and problem-solving in challenging circumstances.
Social Needs
Building new social networks as an adult in a foreign country requires effort and patience.
If you depend heavily on extensive social connections for happiness, research expat communities and social opportunities in your target location.
4. Consider the Impact on Relationships and Career
International moves affect more than just your daily life – they reshape your connections to people and professional opportunities back home.
Family Relationships
Moving abroad means missing important family events, holidays, and everyday moments.
Consider how distance might affect relationships with aging parents, growing children, or close friendships. Time zone differences can make maintaining relationships more challenging than simple geography suggests.
Career Implications
Even if you can work remotely initially, consider long-term career prospects.
Will international experience enhance or hinder your professional development? Some careers benefit from global experience, while others rely heavily on local networks and presence.
Romantic Relationships
If you’re single, consider dating prospects in your target country.
If you’re married or partnered, ensure both parties are genuinely committed to the move rather than one person compromising for the other’s dream.
Children’s Needs
International moves significantly impact children’s education, social development, and cultural identity.
Research international schools, consider educational continuity, and honestly evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the challenges for your specific children.
5. Research Legal and Practical Requirements
Before falling in love with a destination, understand the practical realities of legal residence when moving abroad.
Visa Requirements
Tourist visits differ dramatically from residence permits.
Research visa options for your situation: retirement visas, work permits, student visas, or investment-based residency programs. Each has specific requirements, timelines, and limitations.
Healthcare Access
Understand healthcare systems, insurance requirements, and access to specialists or medications you currently use.
Some countries have excellent public healthcare but lengthy wait times for non-emergency procedures.
Banking and Finance
Research banking options for foreigners, international money transfer costs, and access to familiar financial services.
Some countries restrict foreign property ownership or have complex currency regulations.
Taxation
The U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income, regardless of residence. Understand potential double taxation scenarios, foreign earned income exclusions, and reporting requirements.
Consider consulting with tax professionals experienced in expat issues.
6. Test the Waters Before Committing
Extended visits provide invaluable insight beyond typical vacation experiences.
Extended Stays
Spend at least 2-3 months in your target location during different seasons.
Tourist experiences differ significantly from daily life realities. Live in residential neighborhoods, shop for groceries, handle mundane tasks, and experience the location as a resident rather than a visitor.
Reality Testing
Use extended visits to test practical aspects:
- internet reliability for remote work
- healthcare access
- transportation options
- social opportunities
Join expat groups and connect with both foreigners and locals to understand integration possibilities.
Seasonal Considerations
Many destinations appeal to visitors during specific seasons but present challenges year-round. Research climate patterns, seasonal employment fluctuations, and cultural rhythms throughout the year.
7. Create a Realistic Timeline and Backup Plan
Successful international moves require extensive planning and flexibility when plans change.
Preparation Timeline
Quality international moves typically require 12-18 months of preparation.
This includes visa applications, financial preparation, housing arrangements, and personal logistics. Rushed moves often lead to expensive mistakes and unnecessary stress.
Backup Plans
Consider what you’ll do if the international experience doesn’t meet your expectations.
Maintain connections to the U.S. housing market, keep professional networks active, and understand the costs and logistics of returning.
Trial Periods
Consider initial moves as extended trials rather than permanent decisions.
Many successful expats made multiple international moves before finding their ideal long-term location.
Financial Safety Nets
Maintain U.S. bank accounts and credit relationships, even if unused. Re-establishing financial relationships after an international absence can be surprisingly difficult.
Is It Time for Moving Abroad?
Moving abroad can be an incredibly rewarding experience that enhances your life, broadens your perspective, and provides financial benefits.
However, it requires honest self-assessment, careful planning, and realistic expectations.
The most successful expats are those who:
- move toward specific opportunities rather than away from problems
- research thoroughly rather than romanticize destinations
- prepare financially and emotionally for both challenges and rewards
If your answers to these seven areas suggest international living aligns with your goals, personality, and circumstances, you’re ready to begin the detailed planning process.
If significant concerns emerge, consider addressing them before making such a major life change, or explore alternative approaches to achieving your underlying goals without international relocation.
Remember, there’s no shame in deciding that international living isn’t right for you.
The process of honest evaluation often clarifies what you truly value and want from life, whether that’s in Kansas City or Costa Rica.
