Get rid of stuff. Pack your bags. Research immigration. Figure out your money. Get on a plane. Then find a house and try to fit in.
Aside from immigration details, these are the same things you consider to move across town, right?
So that’s how you move abroad. Or at least that’s how I move abroad.
Everybody has their reasons for moving to a new country. Whatever the practical reason, I am a believer in the process. It's good for us not to get stuck. I think it keeps my mind sharp.
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| living in Thailand meant I could go on fantastic 2-day island vacations for cheap |
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| enjoying Southern Thai food after a quick vacation to Koh Ngai in the Andaman Sea |
Can everyone do it as easily as I have? Nah. I am aware of my privilege. I’m 33, college-educated, US passport holder, and I’m what they call a ลูกครึ่ง in Thai--a halfling. I’m a Latina with a white parent so I’m white-passing for most of the world. This all makes things easier on me. Everybody will have their own unique challenges.
I’ve snuck out a few back doors to avoid run-ins with the police. I’ve received a deportation letter. I’ve had my pocket picked. I’ve made some stupid decisions and I’ve had to learn some lessons. That said, all negatives pale in comparison to the experiences I've had while living abroad.
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| where will you move to? this is Lago Titicaca in Peru |
Your Partner
Having a significant other will notably HELP or HURT your chances at success. You've heard that couples shouldn't work together, right? Well moving abroad requires serious teamwork.
I’ve recently discovered how easy things are with the right person. If you’ve got somebody who shares your attitude and goals, making your way through these five steps can be a breeze.
I have an amazing girlfriend of 5 years who has made moving abroad 9,000x easier. We research together. We use each other as sounding boards. We trust each other’s ability to read people and to think on our feet in a sticky situation. As my tías said after spending a week with us: we are two peas in a pod, two halves of an orange. If you move abroad and your partner is not the other half to your orange, you will find out soon enough. 😝 Trust me, I've also been there before.
Just last week I followed these exact instructions and made another international move. After 4 years in Thailand, my girlfriend Stacy and I picked up and moved temporarily to Cambodia.
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| our short-term home in Siem Reap, Cambodia |
We are on the road for awhile around Asia and plan to settle in eastern Europe next summer. For now, we are enjoying the slow life in the countryside. We spend our days riding cruisers, speaking broken Khmer, and drinking amazing coffee.
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| riding bikes in downtown Siem Reap |
Final Thoughts
I am not an expert. There are people out there who are doing this better than I am. Jetsetters do it with style and migrant workers who make it happen on much less. I just want people to know they are capable.
In the United States, less than 5% of the population travels out of the country each year. If you are considering a move abroad, you might not hear a lot of encouragement. Despite all that, it's doable. In fact, my mantra is “Idiots do this all the time.”
I run into all kinds of bozos who didn’t plan it out. They didn’t analyze all the things that could go wrong. They just went and they are building successful lives in foreign places. While ‘smarter’ people stay home in hesitation, the clueless expats are the ones that give me positive reinforcement. If they are doing it, a decently capable person like myself (and you!) is going to be just fine.
So that’s all I’ve got--a million questions to ask yourself, some suggestions about research, and a push towards the door. Wherever you want to go, you can make it happen. Now go!
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| Ultimate Guide to Moving Abroad |
If you want to review the series, here's what I’ve included in my Ultimate Guide to Moving Abroad:
- Introduction
- Part I: Stuff
- Part II: Immigration
- Part III: Money
- Part IV: Shelter
- Part V: Lifestyle
- Conclusion
Did this blog series help you? Did you actually pick up and go? Do you have suggestions about things I’ve overlooked? I’d love to hear from you.
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