7 Common Mistakes Made When Moving Overseas
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Moving overseas is a monumental adventure, a chance to rewrite your story in a new corner of the world. But let’s be honest: international moving is also a significant undertaking that demands extensive planning, preparation, and careful consideration.
It’s not a decision to rush into, and last-minute arrangements are ill-advised. While the prospect of relocating abroad can be exciting, expecting a seamless transition to a perfect new life might lead to disappointment. Numerous challenges can arise when moving to another country.
To ensure a successful move, thorough research, proper planning, and organization are essential. Avoiding common mistakes made by expats during overseas moving can help streamline the process. Here are seven of those mistakes and how you can sidestep them.
Here are seven of those mistakes – and how you can sidestep them.
1. Insufficient Research & The “Vacation Mindset”
When moving abroad, it’s best to do it with your eyes wide open so you can easily work your way through any problems and be aware of any potential risks involved with settling overseas.
If your host country is on the other side of the world, you’ll be in for major changes and have to make numerous adjustments.
If you’ve never been to your host country before, looking at photos online before your trip might not be enough. If you’re moving from San Diego where it’s sunny and warm year-round to Moscow with bitter cold winters you might not realize just how cold it can get.
How to avoid it?
Go beyond tourist guides. Research the destination’s customs, culture, daily living conditions, and political climate.
A critical, often-overlooked aspect is healthcare. Research the local healthcare system: Is it public or private? What insurance is required, and what does it cover? Knowing how to find a doctor or dentist before you need one is crucial.
Furthermore, don’t just research the country – research the specific city and even neighborhood. As one expat learned, a “great apartment” in a city’s historic center might mean six flights of stairs with no elevator, which becomes a daily challenge.
Additionally, make an effort to reach out to fellow expats already settled there. They can give you the inside scoop, making your adjustment period much easier. Avoiding culture shock will be your biggest hurdle to overcome after an international move.
2. Financial Fumbles: Underestimating Costs & Tax Obligations
Estimate the total cost of the move, including initial expenses in the destination country like cost of living, transportation, furnishing a new home, etc. Budget accordingly to avoid financial surprises.
How to avoid it?
Create a detailed budget that includes a healthy buffer for unexpected costs. One of the biggest financial mistakes is not understanding your tax obligations.
The U.S., for instance, requires citizens to file taxes regardless of where they live. Research your tax liabilities in both your home and host countries.
Furthermore, give yourself a realistic financial runway. A major mistake is assuming you’ll find a job immediately. As one expat shared, “I thought I’d land a job within a month… it took five.” Having savings to cover 3–6 months of living expenses can be the difference between settling in and panicking.
3. The Logistics Trap: Poor Moving & Documentation Planning
Safety and reliability are crucial when transporting belongings overseas. Research and select a reputable and licensed company experienced in international moving.
Check for customer reviews and industry certifications. Moving abroad requires meticulous planning. Create a list of items to move and gather all necessary documents, such as passports, visas, medical records, and more.
How to avoid it?
Be exceptionally wary of moving estimates that seem too good to be true. Get at least three in-person or virtual video surveys and detailed, binding quotes.
A common and devastating error is not ensuring your passport has at least 6–12 months of validity remaining, as many countries require this for entry.
Also, make multiple, certified copies of every critical document and store digital scans in a secure cloud service. This includes academic transcripts, professional licenses, and birth/marriage certificates, which are often needed for visa applications, job hunting, and enrolling children in school.
4. Packing Panic: Bringing Too Much & The Wrong Things
Ensure that your belongings are properly packed and secured for transit. Pack essential items, such as important documents and valuables, to take with you on the plane. Consider using temporary storage if needed.
How to avoid it?
When packing, practice ruthless decluttering. Moving items you don’t need or love is a waste of money and space. Ask yourself if it’s cheaper to replace an item than to ship it.
One expat’s mistake was bringing sentimental but impractical items that didn’t fit in their new, smaller home, ultimately costing them in storage fees.
This is also the perfect time to digitize what you can, like old photos and paperwork, to reduce physical clutter.
5. Career Complacency: Not Securing Work or Validating Credentials
Assuming your career will seamlessly transfer or that you’ll easily find a job upon arrival is a recipe for stress. The global job market is competitive, and professional cultures vary widely.
How to avoid it?
If you aren’t being transferred by a company, secure a job before you move. If that’s not possible, have a robust financial cushion. Research the job market thoroughly for your field.
Another critical step is to investigate whether your professional qualifications or degrees are recognized in your new country. You may need to have your credentials translated or even take additional local exams to be able to work in your chosen field.
Network online with professionals in your industry who are based in your target country to get insider advice.
6. Social Isolation: Failing to Build a Local Support System
It’s easy to stick with other expats or retreat into your shell, but this can lead to isolation and homesickness. The “expat bubble” is comfortable but can prevent you from truly thriving in your new home.
How to avoid it?
Make a conscious effort to meet locals and other long-term expats. Put yourself in situations where you can practice the local language, even if you’re bad at it at first. People appreciate the effort immensely.
Join a club, volunteer, take a class, or frequent a local café. Building a diverse support system is not just about making friends; it’s about creating a sense of belonging and a network you can rely on for help and advice.
7. Unrealistic Expectations: Moving for the Wrong Reasons
Consider the practical aspects of living abroad, such as cost of living, language barriers, cultural adjustment, job prospects, and safety issues. Make sure the decision to move is based on realistic expectations.
How to avoid it?
Be brutally honest with yourself. Are you running to something or away from something?
A new country won’t magically solve existing problems like a failing career or a broken relationship; in fact, it can amplify them due to the stress of adaptation.
Ensure your reasons are rooted in realistic expectations and a genuine desire to adapt to a new culture, not just escape your current one.
As one expat wisely noted, moving abroad “enhances your life; it doesn’t define it.”
What to Do If You’ve Already Made a Mistake?
Stay calm and don’t panic. Even the best-planned moves can face setbacks, so it’s crucial to handle challenges rationally.
Evaluate the situation. Determine the severity of the mistake and its impact on your relocation.
Find solutions. Work on rectifying the mistake and consider adjusting your plans accordingly if necessary.
Often, the solution involves swallowing your pride and asking for help – from other expats, local friends, or professionals. The expat community is often incredibly supportive because everyone has been a newcomer at some point.
By being proactive, doing thorough research, and hiring reputable professionals, you can avoid the worst mistakes of international moving and ensure a smoother relocation process.
Remember that flexibility, patience, and a sense of responsibility are your most essential assets when moving abroad. With the right approach, you can turn challenges into unforgettable opportunities for growth and adventure.
FAQ’s
What are some mistakes people make on visa and immigration paperwork?
Expats often do not factor in times for processing and never apply early enough, or neglect to adhere to dependent visa requirements, or get a vital detail wrong on their applications which can delay the process dramatically. Always verify all entry and exit requirements with an official government source before you travel, as they change regularly.
How does cultural adaptation go wrong in the new country?
A mistake often made is just viewing them as nuisance cultural differences, and getting frustrated and isolated. A lot of expats also have the bad habit of comparing everything to “how we did it back home” and rather than opening themselves up to new traditions and a new way of life.
What housing blunders should I avoid when taking a job overseas?
Many are becoming long-term renters without understanding either the neighborhood or local rental markets, while others neglect to properly document pre-existing property damage. Always visit homes at various times during the day, research average utility costs and never sign contracts you don’t comprehend.
What are the mistakes related to schooling and education that families make when relocating overseas?
Parents also tend to see international schools as the only choice, and don’t realize that they can send their children to some very good local schools instead; or they forgo the need to look into curriculum differences and how – if necessary – credits transfer. Start investigating all education options early on, taking into account your children’s language skills, and long-term academic aspirations.
How do people make mistakes with their personal safety in new countries?
Foreigners are known to let their guard down in parts of the city that seem safe, showing off pricey electronics or jewelry, not bothering to memorize local emergency numbers and procedures. Always find out which neighborhoods are safe or unsafe, and find out what to do in case of emergency, but use much the same precautions you would around any other situation where you don’t know everything.