Bonjour lecteurs! Living abroad is one of the best experiences in my life. It’s been over 15 years that I am in the UK now and I am still in love with l’angleterre… Becoming expats can be one of the greatest experiences your family will have. It can also be a steep learning curve, one children can find unsettling. By planning in advance, you can ensure the process happens as smoothly as possible. But here are a few things to consider before moving abroad with your family. Bonne chance!
Crunch the Numbers
Thinking about moving abroad for a better quality of life? I don’t blame you! L’idée has been quite tempting recently and I see a lot of people mentioning it in forums like Mumsnet. Why not after all?
The prime reason for moving your family abroad should be for a better quality of life. That requires you to do some serious number crunching before you go.
Work out how much you will earn, along with your partner if you have one. Cross-reference this against the cost of living in the country, looking at everything from food to rent and bills. If you are coming out with less disposable income after the move, then you should have some other good raisons for making the change. In many ways, it may not be worth it.
Tie up any financial loose ends before you go. Trying to organise these from abroad can be a hassle, particularly with modern data protection laws. This can also give you a financial boost to get started.
If you have property, rent it out through an agency or consider selling it. An agency will handle everything for you but take a small fee. This is well worth it, as you don’t have to organize repairs, find clients, and do other small jobs associated with being a landlord.
If you do decide to sell, start the process early. Many people do not want the hassle while they are also trying to relocate. This is where we buy houses for cash style companies become useful. While they may give you a lower offer, you can have them immediately and sales can be turned around in as little as seven days. With guaranteed completion dates, they are very useful.
Get The Right Country
The next step is to get to the right country. This is not easy, and part of it won’t be apparent until you make the switch. Everything from laws to food and social norms can impact how well you take to a new home. Someone living in central London moving to Paris will probably have a bit of adjusting to do. Someone moving from suburban Manchester to rural China may find the changes are much bigger. This may have already been decided for you, perhaps with work or a potential job offer.
Make sure the move is right for you and your family. Will they be able to handle vastly cultures différentes and systems? You may want to plan an extended visit before you make the decision.
Where would you go if you were to move abroad? I think I would go for an English speaking country like Canada or the USA. But I would also consider going somewhere hotter in Europe like Italy or Spain. I went to La Costa Daurada this year and it was so lovely…
Get The Family Ready!
As a parent, you should explain everything and assume nothing. You may think you have it all covered but kids are naturally inquisitive and will blindside you. C’est très important to prepare children for the big move so that they don’t experience anxiety etc. Talk and listen to your children, no matter how trivial their questions. You need to reassure any doubts they might have so that they have peace of mind before going. If you don’t know the answer, look into it so that they are not worried.
It can help to think about how children understand time and distance, in that they very often have no concept of it. Be honest about this, explaining that Grandma may not be able to pop around, or they won’t be able to go to the same school. It may be tough, but it is better to be open.
Those 3 tips to consider before moving abroad with your family barely scratch the surface bien sûr, but they make a good conversation starter. Create a plan for going and one for arriving. Do it in conjunction with your family. Make them feel part of this fantastic journey you are going on. For the whole experience to be un succés, it’s all about making children feel part of this fantastic journey you are going on. This is such an unique adventure. Enjoy the expat life!
Disclosure: collaboration.
