My top ten tips for moving to a new country

Moving to a different country can be both an exciting AND a daunting experience. For the project managers reading this I know you already have your pencils at the ready, you have a checklist and you´re plotting your dependencies. We do love a list!

But for everyone else here´s my top ten list of things to consider when planning your great escape! With a bit of harsh reality thrown in for good measure!

1. Research the culture: Take time to learn about the culture of the country you're moving to. Understanding cultural norms and customs will help you assimilate and feel more comfortable. When I first arrived in Spain it took a while to adjust to the slower pace of life (and the number of public holidays/saints days).

A bit of a contrast from the investment bank culture that I was used to in London and Edinburgh, ie everything needs to be done yesterday. I got really frustrated with local people being (in my opinion) so slow which just made things worse. Be prepared to adapt. Now I really appreciate the life before work culture. It´s changed my mindset.

2. Find out if you need a visa: Make sure you have the necessary documentation to legally live AND work in your new country. This will typically require obtaining a visa or work permit and it may take time.

Find out in advance so that you don´t find yourself having to leave and re-enter the country because your visa hasn´t come through as quickly as you had hoped. If you´re thinking about Spain check out my “how to” article here.

3. Plan your finances: Moving to a new country can be expensive. Make sure you have enough money saved up to cover expenses such as housing, transport, and living expenses. I would recommend that you have at least double what the guidebooks tell you that you can live on for the first 3 months because there is always something random that happens that costs money. I needed to rent a car when I got to Spain and it cost double what I expected to pay as I was living in a tourist area and it was high season..

And, if you´re thinking of moving permanently, think long and hard before you move your furniture and all of your belongings. Storage in your home country is a good option if you´re selling up and not sure if you will return. But also consider selling or donating it. A good clear-out is good for the soul and you might make some extra cash to add to the piggy bank.

I made the mistake of taking most of my worldly goods with me when moving to Spain which cost a lot to transport. It then became a pain in the bum every time I moved to a different rented house as most are already furnished. I had to use one bedroom for storage.

When we moved from Porto Santo island near Madeira, Portugal to Fuerteventura in the Spanish Canary Islands recently, I got rid of a lot of the stuff that we had accumulated but it still cost €12,000 to transport the equivalent of a 3-bed house.

With hindsight I would have left Scotland with a couple of suitcases and dumped everything else. What I´ve learned over the years is that I wasn´t just carrying stuff, it was literally emotional baggage. Think about why you want to keep/take all of your belongings. Remember, other countries have furniture shops too - if you need one!

4. Find a place to live: If you´re not AirBnBing then research housing options in your new country before you go. But consider renting a holiday let initially until you can go to see long-term rental options in person.

My husband is an estate agent and people will often try to secure a 6-month rental property before they arrive only to find they hate the area or something isn´t right when they get there and they then want to move after the first month. Which means losing their deposit and the rental fee which can run into thousands of euros. Which is why he doesn´t allow it anymore!

The other thing to be conscious of is the shortage of long-term (6 months+) rental properties available in most touristic areas, especially if you are bringing your pets. Everyone who has a spare room or property is taking advantage of the holiday let boom. I´ve found that any long-term rentals are either not great or really expensive. We had arranged a 4-month let for our arrival in Fuerteventura only to have the owner pull out 2 days before we arrived with all of 6 suitcases and 2 pets. We suspect they had a better offer for some shorter holiday lets. We then had to scramble around to find holiday lets which would take pets, a struggle even in January. Thankfully we found the farmhouse we are now renting but it´s not in the area we wanted to be.

5. Learn the language: If the country speaks a language different from your native tongue, take time to learn some of the basics. This will make it much easier to communicate and navigate daily life. Confession time…when I arrived in Spain I didn´t even know the days of the week. Luckily I met my husband straight away (yes, he was MY estate agent) and he spoke some English so we got by. But life would have been so much easier if I had known my numbers, days, months, time, and how to ask where and when.

6. Register with the local government: In many countries, if you´re staying more than a couple of months, you'll need to register with the local government upon arrival. Make sure you understand the process and any deadlines. You can usually find information on the consulate website but there will be local variations, eg in Spain it differs significantly be region. And check opening times. In Spain and Portugal most government offices close at 1 or 2pm and many don´t open for the rest of the day. And, as mentioned above, some countries have a lot of public and local holidays. It took me 4 attempts to register in our local town hall. You will probably be issued with an identity card or visa card which you will need when doing anything official from registering for healthcare to buying a car and even renting a house.

7. Healthcare: Look into the healthcare system in your new country. Make sure you understand how to access care and whether you'll need additional insurance.

Find out if you´re entitled to access the public healthcare system and what you can expect from it. In the European Union, for example, you should be able to access healthcare easily but you´ll need a card - check your own government´s website for information as it differs by country.

I was pleasantly surprised by the public healthcare system and hospitals in Spain. They were very well-equipped, clean and modern with excellent staff. But in Porto Santo we had to travel to Madeira if we needed anything other than a basic consultation or patch-up job. Oh, and don´t forget to check the number for emergency services as soon as you arrive! I had a break-in very soon after I arrived but didn´t know how to call the police. Luckily I had a trusty estate agent only a phone call away who came to my rescue!

8. Make new friends: Building a support network in your new country can make the transition smoother. You can usually find social groups or meet ups in local digital nomad Facebook groups. But if you plan to stay for a couple of months and find that everyone is moving on try and make some local connections as well.

I found a great way to meet people was through local animal charities. You will likely find English-speaking expats running them with English-speaking/multi-lingual volunteers. They always need help with everything from staffing the shop, to walking dogs or, if like me you´re really lucky, bathing puppies! Ask me for contacts in Spain and Portugal if that´s where you´re headed.

9. Embrace new experiences: Moving to a new country is an opportunity to try new things. Be open to new experiences and don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. I learned to make jewellery (loved it) and I went sea fishing (hated it). And this year I´m hoping to start art classes.

10. Keep in touch with loved ones: Moving to a new country can be isolating so make sure you maintain contact with friends and family back home, and try to make sure that someone always knows where you are, and where you´re going, just in case something happens to you.

Don´t be surprised if some of your friendships change. Travel changes us and changes our perspective on the world. It makes us grow as people as we learn about new cultures and find similarities and differences amongst our travel companions. But for the people we have left behind, their world stays the same, and you may find after a while that this has an impact on your relationship.

I definitely see things from a different perspective having lived outside the UK for almost 9 years now. For me, the biggest difference was in building my confidence. I came from a small town with a “that´s not for the likes of us”, or “who does she think she is” vibe if anyone did anything that might be construed as “getting above themselves”. I´m much less worried now about what people think, and I don´t let fear of judgement stop me from doing the things I want to do. Otherwise, I wouldn´t be writing this newsletter would I?

So take my advice, if you want to do something different ignore the naysayers. They are probably not paying attention anyway, and even if they are they will probably be jealous when they see you living your dream life. And me? I will be cheering you on from the sidelines!

So those are some of the key things to think about. Some other random things I have learned over the years…. Always turn your laundry inside out on the washing line if you live in a hot country as the sun bleaches your clothes very quickly. Only pharmacies sell medication in Spain, you can´t even buy paracetamol in the supermarket, and very few shops, if any, open on Sundays. Not even the big supermarket chains. Local food is always better, avoid tourist areas if you can, and avoid wine that costs less than €7 a bottle as it will likely give you a migraine!

Happy planning, and, as always, questions are welcome!