Moving abroad can be a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it can also make you feel like a fish out of water. No matter where you’re thinking about moving or settling down, it’s important that you feel comfortable when you’re there.
And we’re not just talking about feeling comfortable with a cozy blanket or pillow, we’re talking about feeling comfortable in your new neighborhood, with your finances, with a new routine, and with new people.
If you’re preparing to move abroad, here are some tips for creating a comfortable living space in a foreign country.
Find a Job Before You Go
People rarely feel at ease when they can’t afford their lifestyle or pay their bills. If you plan to work in your new country, do yourself a favor and find a job before you go.
Depending on the destination country, this may be a requirement, as you may need to present proof of an employment offer along with the application for your work visa.
Before you search for apartments or homes abroad, search for jobs. In some popular destinations, such as Italy and Spain, expats often have a difficult time finding work. This can be due to high unemployment rates, the language barrier, or because the country already has plenty of locals capable of doing the job you’re qualified to do.
You’ll save yourself a lot of heartache and stress if you find a job before you move.
If you’re thinking about moving to Spain, read this article for more insight into why the Spanish job market is such a unique challenge for expats.
Find New Local Places to Frequent
In your home country, you probably have your favorite coffee shops, parks, bars, restaurants, and shops. Upon arrival in your new country, explore local establishments and find new places to make your new neighborhood feel like a homey, welcoming spot where you feel like you belong.
Once you find spots you love, visit them often. This can help you feel more connected to the community and help you make new friends.
Make New Friends
To really feel at home in your new country, make some local pals. Connecting with other expats is often the easiest way to start, as fellow immigrants with shared experiences may be easier to approach and warm up to. However, don’t limit your circle of friends to expats alone.
It’s important to find friends outside of your expat network. After all, it’s the locals that will give you the greatest exposure to cultural customs, traditions, and the hidden-known spots that only locals know!
Open yourself up to form new friendships with coworkers. Be gracious and friendly to your neighbors. Frequent the same cafés or coffee shops each morning and smile and say hi to the people you see there every day. Even brief, friendly moments can turn into lifelong friendships.
Decorate Your Space with Items from Home
Depending on the length of your stay, moving your favorite furniture, all your beloved books, and every potted plant you own might not be an option. However, if you’re planning to stay awhile, consider bringing at least a few small items from home to make your new space feel like you.
Even a few framed photos can transform a new, temporary space into a homey, comforting space.
It can be tempting to want to move to a foreign country and completely immerse yourself in the culture and surround yourself with all new people and things. That works for some people, but many find that bringing a few treasured items from home is the best way to feel at ease.
Carry On Old Traditions While Discovering New Ones
It’s unrealistic to think you’ll live the exact same lifestyle in a different country — and there’s no reason to. One of the main reasons that people move abroad is to have new experiences, discover new places, and embrace new cultures. But that doesn’t mean you have to abandon all your old traditions either.
If your favorite thing to do is read a book on a Sunday morning, keep that tradition. If you like to hit the gym or run every other day, keep it up. Moving abroad doesn’t mean you have to become an entirely new person or abandon all the things you already love.
Learn the Language
You’ll likely feel more comfortable if you can speak the native language. Knowing the language can make it easier to find a job, make new friends, and navigate not-so-fun experiences like opening a bank account or going to a doctor’s office.
If possible, try to learn some core words and phrases before you make your move. Once you’re in your new country, absorb the language, as well as the body language, communication style, and dialect of everyone around you.
Not sure where to start? Check out this article to discover the best language learning apps for 2024.
In Conclusion
Moving abroad comes with many challenges, but if you carve out a comfortable space for yourself, it can be an amazing experience.
Feeling comfortable in a new country goes well beyond feeling physically comfortable in your home or apartment. It also means feeling comfortable in the neighborhood and amongst new people.
So take the time to make new friends and experience new things. Learn the language, embrace the culture, and work your favorite old pastimes into a new routine. If you can do that, in a matter of a few weeks or months you just might want to make your new home your permanent one.