105: The questions you should be asking about moving abroad [replay]
The Questions You Should Be Asking About Moving Abroad
What are your biggest questions about moving abroad?
If you’re planning an international move, it’s important to start by asking the right questions about moving abroad. Knowing what to ask — and what to expect — can help you make smarter decisions, avoid surprises, and feel confident about your move.
In this post, I’ll share the most important questions to ask someone who’s already moved abroad, along with my honest answers based on my own experience.
What did you think would be hard about living abroad, and was it actually hard?
I thought I’d miss out on a lot — birthdays, dinners, small moments with friends and family. But honestly, I see them about as much as I would have if I’d stayed in the U.S. Everyone’s busy, and life moves fast no matter where you are.
I also thought fitting in would be difficult. But if you move somewhere with a good expat community, it’s easier than you’d expect to find people to connect with.
How did moving abroad meet or miss your expectations?
It’s been better than I expected. I didn’t think I’d settle in as well as I have. I get the best of both worlds — spending quality time in Texas while still living my life in London and traveling around Europe.
Have your relationships suffered with friends and family?
Not really. I make it a priority to go home twice a year for about two weeks each time. Those visits help me stay close to my family and friends.
What advice would you give someone considering moving abroad?
Do your research and visit for an extended time if you can. But don’t overthink it. You’ll never have all the answers before you go.
Let go of your expectations — things will be different, and that’s part of the experience.
What feelings surprised you about moving abroad?
I was surprised by how quickly it felt like home. I didn’t expect to feel so connected to my life abroad. And I’ve been able to maintain both worlds — life in London and time with family in Texas.
How did you know where to move abroad to?
For me, I just knew. But if you don’t, that’s okay. Visit potential cities, spend time in different neighborhoods, and see how it feels. Don’t overstress it — you’ll figure it out with a bit of time spent in each place.
What are the biggest things to get right when moving abroad?
A few things matter most:
- Get the right visa.
- Find a home where you feel safe and comfortable.
- Make sure you have stable income.
- Put effort into meeting people. This will make you feel like you belong and at home faster than anything else.
If you get those things right, everything else tends to fall into place.
What doesn’t really matter when moving abroad?
The small details. You can figure most things out once you arrive — phone plans, furniture, how to get around. Don’t let those small details hold you back or feel like you have to have everything perfectly organised before moving abroad.
What was the biggest thing that scared you about moving abroad?
Feeling lonely and not being there for my family when they needed me. But in reality, I can always book a flight and be there quickly if needed. Keeping an emergency fund for things like this helps a lot. I’ve had to book a last minute flight for emergencies a couple times. It feels good knowing you can get back home to loved ones within a few hours if you ever need to.
What are the biggest mistakes people make when planning to move abroad?
The first mistake: waiting for the perfect opportunity.
The second: saying you’ll do it “in two years.”
Life doesn’t wait. If moving abroad is something you keep thinking about, start planning now. There will always be reasons to delay, but you’ll never regret taking action.
How do you know if moving abroad is right for you?
If you’re reading this, listening to podcasts about moving abroad, or researching it in your spare time — that’s your sign.
Ask yourself: Will I regret not going?
If the answer is yes, it’s probably time to start taking real steps toward your move.
The best thing I’ve done for myself since moving abroad
Two things:
- Committing to go home twice a year.
- Putting myself out there to meet people.
Those two things have made a huge difference in making my life abroad fulfilling and balanced.
Moving abroad will challenge you, but it’s also one of the best decisions you can make for yourself! Trust me!
If you’re serious about moving abroad, grab my free guide — 5 Exact Steps to Move Abroad. It walks you through the exact process I used to make it happen.
