Preparing to Move Abroad – Factors You Need to Consider

Whether you have accepted a job, found yourself financially independent, or are just feeling adventurous, preparing to move abroad can be arduous. As you prepare to move to a new country, many factors must be considered. We will look at some of the largest of these in detail here. If you are still looking to move abroad, make sure to check out our Pathways to Moving Overseas section.

An image of moving boxes. To move abroad means making difficult choices. — What will you take and what will you leave behind? (Photo by Michal Balog on Unsplash)

What Will You Keep & Where Will You Store It?

Deciding what to keep, sell, or store can be daunting as you plan to move abroad. We will discuss the items you might want to keep and/or store, the items you want to sell, and the items you want to bring with you.

Storing Your Belongings

Before delving into what you want to keep, you might discuss where to store it. Deciding on where you will store items as you move abroad can help you decide what you want to keep.

Many expatriates who store items go with one of three options:

Store items with a family member or friends
Rent a storage unit
Keep items at an owned home/condominium

Storing Items with Family or Friends

Storing items with a family member or a friend requires both a conversation and configuring space. By storing items with a familiar person you trust, you can guarantee someone will be around to make sure it’s safe. You can also rest assured that should you need someone to look through items (say, important documents), someone can do that for you. With someone familiar guarding your precious goods, you can have peace of mind knowing you’ll have access and your stuff will be safe. There are, however, some downsides to having a friend or family member take care of what you leave behind.

Leaving items behind with friends or family means having someone around to access them when you can’t, at least until they can’t access it. What if they go on a trip? Perhaps they need to move or are redoing part of their home? Any of these scenarios means your items may be inaccessible for an indeterminate amount of time. For many, this is not an overly important consideration as someone accessing your items sometimes is better than no one at any time. It is still something worth taking into consideration, though.

Another factor to consider is space. You can decide how much (or how little) space you’ll need by renting a unit to store items. However, a friend or family member may be limited in what they can offer. This can be good (if you’re looking to downsize) or bad (if you have many items you’d like to store).

Finally, by storing items with friends or family, you may be unable to recoup any losses should something happen to them. Your items are unlikely to be listed on the homeowner’s insurance if a fire, flood, or other accident occurs. This means you might be out of any possible compensation. If the home gets robbed, you may be left out in the cold regarding compensation. If items only hold monetary value and are easily replaced, then losing them is easier to handle. However, gaining some compensation can be somewhat soothing in case of loss, especially if they carry strong sentimental value.

Storing items with family or friends has several pros and cons. If you are considering it, sit down with them to discuss and run through these options. See what might work best for you and for them. Remember that should any sort of falling out occur, they may also toss your items out!

Renting a Storage Unit

A storage unit is a practical way of storing items you need to save or keep safe when you move abroad. Storage units are insured and temperature controlled. They are also under video surveillance (usually) and lock and key to prevent intruders. The simplicity of a storage unit means knowing your goods are safe and protected while you’re away and provides you with a strong peace of mind.

There are some downsides to using storage units. To begin with, they cost money. That means ensuring you have enough money back home to cover the monthly rental costs. They are also not often cheap. They can be as low as $50 a month but go far, far higher.

Unlike family or a friend, with a storage unit, your items won’t be immediately available. You will need to ask family or a friend to go into your unit and pick up any items you might need. This might mean leaving them keys or finding a way to get keys to them. Regardless, not having immediate access to your left-behind valuables might be a deal breaker for some.

Storing Items at Your Place

The last possible option for storing personal items is in a place you own and maintain. This could be a home, an apartment, or a condo. No matter what it is, you’ll have to decide whether the risk of leaving something unattended is worth it to you. This means no easy access or the possibility of strangers rifling through things if you rent your place while away (if going this route, always keep your items locked away, though it can severely limit space for storage).

By choosing to keep personal goods at a place you own, however, you can mitigate some risk by making sure they are included in your homeowner’s or rental insurance. While this means you might lose items in the event of a fire, loss, flood, etc., you can guarantee yourself some form of financial compensation.

If you opt for items at a place you maintain, you can also look into a management company that might be able to check in on your place. Storage at a place you maintain also means immediate access to your goods as soon as you get home.

Final Thoughts

Keeping items is dependent on personal decisions, sentimental value, and where you’ll be keeping them. Choosing a place to keep items can also influence what you want to store, which, as you’ll see, can almost certainly be less than one might imagine.

Keep, Sell, or Take? – Preparing to Move Abroad

Deciding on what to keep, take with you, or sell can seem overwhelming. How do you decide whether something is replaceable or not? Do you need to take an abundance of clothing with you? Can you easily sell what you what to neither store nor take?

Keeping

Keeping means using one of the above-mentioned options for storing items. Will you keep your place, fork out for a storage unit, or try and rely on friends and family? Deciding where you keep your belongings can help you focus on what to keep. Every person has sentimental items they won’t want to let go of.

However, much of what we own is very replaceable, even as you move to another country. Selling items means dealing with strangers, negotiating prices, and the stress that comes with it.

Selling Items

Selling your items comes with some definite bonuses. Selling items means you’ll be getting some money back to use however you see fit. Maybe it’s to add more adventure to a trip, maybe it’s to pay off debt, or maybe it’s to invest. This can be a huge boon for those who might be strapped for cash or just want that little bonus to have for a rainy day.

Choosing to sell your items also means you won’t need to worry about finding a place to store them or need to worry about them as you go abroad. That is certainly one less stress to have to worry about as you embark on a new adventure.

There are, however, some downsides to selling your wares before leaving. The first and most immediate is the stress of doing so. Listing items on eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace can be time-consuming, from taking pictures to writing descriptions. There is also the hassle of dealing with others who might feel like they should ‘get a deal’ on whatever you’re selling or being rude in general. And finally, you may get less for an item than you feel it’s truly worth or be forced to try again. All of these, especially as you plan on leaving, can take their toll.

The other downside of selling your items might be tax implications, at least for US citizens. In 2021, the US Congress passed a law stating that any money accrued via apps like eBay, PayPal, Venmo, etc., over $600 would trigger a tax form. This might include a family member paying you back for a trip. It could be a friend offering money to pay you back for dinner at a restaurant. It applies to any number of possible outcomes. Now this law has been suspended for the time being (and will hopefully be changed), but it is something to keep in mind if you plan on selling things as you prepare to move abroad.

Taking Items With You – Preparing to Move Abroad

If your employer (if that’s the route you are going) offers a shipping allowance, then taking items with you becomes more manageable. You can ship them via a company (usually by boat in a container) or tack on a fair bit of excess luggage on your flight. You can even look at shipping them via airline cargo.

However, depending on what you take, you still have a few factors to consider. Is it worth taking based on value, sentimentality, and/or size? Can it, or something similar, be purchased in your new location? Are you worried about it breaking? When you dig deep for these answers, you may decide an item isn’t worth bringing.

Your new location may also have restrictions that can be imported. Be sure to check any possible restrictions on importing goods into a country.

Taking your things with you can be nice and help you settle in more quickly. If you have pictures or decor you adore, it can make a place feel more like home in a shorter period.

Donating Items

A final option for many is to donate items to a good cause such as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul. Donation offers a chance for your goods to be resold and helps someone in need.

Managing Family & Friends – Preparing to Move Abroad

One of the most, if not THE most, difficult aspects of choosing to move to a new country is telling family and friends.

Once you decide to move abroad, you must tell your family and friends. Not every person will greet you with the happiness and joy you might be feeling about your new prospects if friends and families are happy great! Otherwise, read through how to frame your own mindset and enjoy your time with loved ones before moving.

Moving abroad is a major life decision, even if it’s only for a year. Living in a new country has the power to transform you, and your move may become permanent. As such, this is not a decision you initially broadcast across social media. Let those closest to you know first. This will help with mitigating any backlash you might get from your choice.

Moving Abroad is a Mindset

You likely choose to move abroad because it’s something you are excited about. But what happens if someone close to you isn’t excited? What if they’re sad, disappointed, or even angry at you? Receiving this type of feedback from someone you love and respect can make you second guess your decision, but don’t let it.

Often times our friends and family cannot fathom why someone would want to pack up and move to some far-off place. Maybe it’s parents upset about a lack of time with grandchildren. It could be a close friend who is worried about losing touch. Or perhaps it’s just a lack of understanding about where you’re actually going.

No matter the root cause, remember you made this decision for yourself. You are making what you feel is the best choice for you (and your family) and your own well-being. Does that guarantee it will be the right choice? Not at all, but we are all allowed to make mistakes. You get limited time on Earth, and it is your right to make the most of it. That doesn’t mean being mean or rude about it, but it is a thought to keep in your mind as someone you love disagrees with you. Remember: you made the best choice for you!

Planning to Spend Time with Friends & Family

Whether your loved ones and friends agree with your decision, preparing to move takes considerable time and energy. The time will also very quickly slip by. As such, take time to do these things:

Prioritize who you want to see. This sounds harsh and sure, you’re not leaving for Mars, but time will fly by, and you may regret not spending more time with certain people.
Sit down and schedule time to be with those people. Call, text, email, whatever you can do to make sure you get that time scheduled.
Make it to those scheduled slots. For some of us, scheduled events can feel burdensome, but again, seeing them every day for an after-work drink or dinner hang-out won’t be feasible once you’re gone.
Despite spending time with friends and family, schedule some time for yourself and your own family. You’ll need some downtime to reset and recharge amongst the chaos of getting ready to leave.

Again, not everyone you are close to will agree with your decision to move to a new country. They may try to dissuade you or even argue with you. As with anything, this is your choice, and you deserve to be happy, like all of us. Our rule for hanging out with family and friends during these times is no discussing where we are moving unless you have genuine questions.

You won’t regret carving out time for your loved ones before the big move, as the process can take up so much of your time and energy you might otherwise forget.

Mail and Finances

We will be brief in this section as you can check our page: Finances and Expats, for a detailed analysis of setting up your finances as your move abroad.

While we do discuss mail on our other page, it directly relates to finances. What about other mail? Packages? Correspondence?

You have a couple of options when discounting financial mail and addresses (again, see our Finances and Expats page). We do recommend setting up a virtual mailbox to handle mail. These affordable services offer free scanning and forwarding (up to a certain point).

These services can provide PO Boxes or physical addresses as well. A virtual mailbox can be great if you get the occasional letter or random piece of mail and don’t need the physical piece. They will open, scan, and shred mail for you. Beyond a set amount of mail, however, virtual mailboxes do charge for opening, scanning, shredding, or forwarding. We recommend Anytime Mailbox as they have many physical addresses available around the US.

Packages, on the other hand, can be more burdensome. If you need packages delivered, we advise that, like with items you want to keep, you speak with a friend or family member. If you have someone take care of this on your behalf and you know you’ll be ordering lots of packages, maybe buy them a nice gift as they take care of your items.

Pets – What Will You Do?

Pets are part of the family. There is no denying this. Yet moving abroad can mean making tough choices regarding the family pet. Many countries have tight restrictions about importing animals into their countries as it concerns the most common of pets: cats and dogs, to say nothing of other pets like rabbits or guinea pigs.

No one wants to leave a beloved family member behind, but there are considerations to factor in with pets as you move abroad.

Cost – Sometimes, pet importation to a new country can be prohibitively expensive. Often it’s not as simple as simply bringing a dog in a carry-on or with checked luggage underneath the plane. It can run in the thousands of dollars to have a pet imported. In our experience, we have seen it run as low as around USD$1,500 up to $5,000. These figures may not even include the necessary tests to import an animal.
- Testing – Many countries, the US included, have restrictions regarding pet importation. This means pets must be in good health and disease-free, specifically rabies.
Time – Another pertinent factor is time. Depending on where your pet is coming from, their health, and a myriad of other factors, your pet could arrive a week after you do or a year or more. What do you do if you can’t ship your pet with you right away? Can you afford to board a pet on top of import costs? Do you have family or friends willing to care for them? These are all important considerations as you move with a pet.
Health – Much like humans, moving to a new country can be an ordeal for a pet. Is your pet healthy enough to make the trek via a shipping company? Can you secure the necessary medications they might need?
Quarantine – While not every country imposes a pet quarantine, some may. Your pet may need to spend time in a 3rd country before entering or have to spend time in-country with an agency before being released. This may be an extra cost or put undue stress on your furry family friend.

The logistics of taking a pet can be costly and worrisome. Still, the benefits mean keeping your family fully intact if you have a pet and thoroughly researching destinations, restrictions, and costs.

Getting Your Visa – Time & Documents

Becoming an expat will require obtaining a visa (at least if you plan on not being nomadic and generally working and staying over 3-6 months). Acquiring a visa is often more of a sit-and-wait than a hurry, hurry, hurry kind of situation.

Gathering Documents

You’ll need some documents as you prepare to acquire that visa. Depending on the job, location, and family status, the types of documents needed and the verification will change. Let’s take a look at some of the common documents required.

Marriage Certificates – For married couples, this is a standard document many countries require when applying for their visa. They are relatively easy to acquire in the US as they can usually be done by mail (time, process, & cost will vary from state to state).
Degrees – This also depends on the job and location, but you may need to prove you’ve graduated with a specific degree. These are also, for the most part, relatively easy to obtain.
Birth Certificates – If you have children and they require visas, you will probably need proof of their birth. Again, these will be obtained easily enough, but time, cost, and process will vary from place to place or state to state.
Background Checks – This is a common requirement for teachers or anyone working in healthcare moving abroad (for child protection), but it might be something other jobs require as well. FBI and state-sponsored background checks, such as a Disclosure and Barring Check in the UK, are relatively simple to obtain. FBI checks require fingerprinting, which can be done at various offices and locations in cities around the US.
CV/Resumé – You may need to provide a CV or resumé to prove your work history, skills, qualifications, etc.
Proof of Income/Employment – For digital nomad visas, many countries require proof of income to show you will not be a burden on the state.

These are the most common documents you will need as you process your visa. Often though, simply having these documents is not enough. They need authentication. Let’s look at the most common types of document authentication.

Attestation – Documents may need to be attested to be sure they are genuine and authentic. This is most common with university degrees and transcripts. This is a slightly more expensive process.
Apostille – Apostille is the process of getting a document legalized (usually with a stamp or seal) as official by the government. In the US, it means sending documents to the Secretary of State where the document was issued. However, it usually cannot be shipped back abroad and must be initially sent within the US. If you are aboard, you’ll need a helper in the US with this. Birth and marriage certificates are two of the most common documents needing an apostille.
Translation & Evaluation – If you have a document from outside the US, it will need to be evaluated and translated first. This is not usually a cheap process, but not prohibitively expensive either.

Again, all of these are dependent on where you are going and your future employer, if you have one. They will be highly variable from person to person and situation to situation. They are all, however, worth knowing and having sorted out before you leave.

Final Thoughts – Preparing to Move Abroad

Every person is going to have a slightly different situation as they get ready to move to a new country. Whether you are being recruited, going the nomad route, or just want to travel and live in a new place, some of these factors will all likely play a role in your prep to leave.

We encourage you to take the leap and move to a new country. Yet, we also caution you to be mindful of everything you need to take care of prior to leaving, especially in dealing with family and friends. Moving abroad can be a life-changing experience, one which can make you a better person.

If you are in the process of moving abroad and are stuck, have questions, need advice, or stressed out, please contact us or schedule a 30-minute consultation.