A lot of people get fed up of their home and dream of living elsewhere. Starting a new life in a different country could change your whole perspective. If you’re thinking about moving away, one of the things you can consider is looking for somewhere to live the high life. You might not be able to afford luxury now, but moving to another country could help your budget go further. Or if you currently have a comfortable lifestyle, you could make it better. Relocating is no easy task, however, so follow this guide to get yourself a new home.

Consider Your Income and Assets      

Before you decide to move, you have to have a think about supporting yourself and your family. The main question is whether you’re going to be employed or if you’ll earn money in another way. For example, you might be self-employed, retired, or planning to live off your investments. You have to think about how your current way of earning money is going to translate to your new home. Will you find employment before or after moving? Is it just a question of moving your one-person business to a new country, continuing to run it online? The other important thing to consider is the cost of living where you want to go.

Decide on a Lifestyle

If you haven’t yet picked somewhere you want to live, start by thinking about your desired lifestyle. Perhaps you want to spend your days lounging on a beach. You might want to be somewhere remote, with no neighbors for miles around. Maybe you want to be self-sufficient and produce all your own food, energy, and more. Some people want to be in luxury apartments in the middle of a city. You have to decide what sort of lifestyle is right for you so you can identify your new home.

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Choose a Country

Once you’ve considered your income and lifestyle, you can look at possible places to move to. Where your money will be coming from is essential to consider before you choose. You might have your eye on a country with low living costs. However, if your aim is to be employed there, will your salary also be lower? Or will you be earning similar amounts to back home and so be able to get more for your money? If your money is coming from elsewhere, you need to think about exchange rates. You don’t want to lose lots of money on bad rates and bank transfer fees.

Of course, there’s more to think about than just money. But if you want to have a luxury lifestyle, it is one of the main things you need to consider. You might have some other priorities too. For example, accessibility to other places is important to many people. You might love the idea of living in Australia, where going to Asia isn’t too hard. But it would be much harder to get to Europe if you wanted to see friends or family there.

It’s also not just about picking the country. Most countries are vastly different from one end to the other. So you have to think about which areas are for you. Do you want to be urban or rural? Do you want to live near other expats or be among the locals?

Find Out How You Can Make the Move

Once you’ve decided where you want to live, you need to work out how to get there. The first thing to check is whether you need a visa or permit. You might need one for living, working or running a business there. The easiest way to find out everything you need to know is to look online. You can find out about moving to France from the UK or going to Jamaica from the US. Speaking to expats who are already in the country can help you work everything out. They have personal experience. So they can tell you what to watch out for that official sources might miss.

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Move Your Career

You should already have thought about your funds when you move. You are probably going to have to move your career or source of income in some way. If you intend to be employed, you need to start looking for a job. In fact, you might need one in order to get a visa. Although it can be easier to find work if you’re in the country, it’s not always wise to move before you have work. It might be possible to take a trip to look for work, but this sometimes requires a special visa. If you’re self-employed, moving can sometimes be easier. However, you might need to register your business in your new home.

Look for Somewhere to Live

If you’ve successfully managed to secure your income, you need somewhere to live. If your aim is to live a life of luxury, you have probably picked somewhere you can get a great property for your budget. You might find you can get somewhere amazing in some South American or Asian countries. Even in parts of Europe, you can get more for your money if you choose the right location. When you look for somewhere to live, you can try English-speaking realtors or one only used by locals.

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Learning the Local Language

Before you leave, you should give a thought to learning the local language. If you expect others to learn the language of the country where they live, it’s only fair that you give it a go too. Sometimes it can be difficult, either because the language is hard or everyone around you just tries to speak English to you. Finding the time to learn can be hard too, but you can do it if you’re determined. Try to have some lessons before you move so you can have a basic conversation when you make it to your new home.

There’s more to do when you’re moving to a new country, but these tasks will start you off. Make sure you do everything by the book, so it’s all official and legal.

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Written by Jacqueline Chambers

Jacqueline Chambers

Jacqueline Chambers is the founder of TGIFguide. She uses her innate skills as a natural “connector” to serve businesses, brands and individuals in the LA area and beyond.