Moving Abroad: 8 Tips for Starting a New Life Overseas

By Ellie — ON Jul 21, 2025

Leaving everything behind and starting fresh in a new country is an appealing reason to move overseas.

Living abroad is not like going on holiday. There are new challenges that must be met head-on. Things like language barriers, climate changes, and cultural differences can make things difficult.

You will need courage and ample preparation to make the most of your exciting journey into the unknown.

Below are eight tips for starting a new life overseas:

Research The Country

Before leaving, do detailed research on your new country.

Explore social etiquette and expectations because knowing what people will expect from you in daily life can go a long way to helping you feel like you fit in.

Research the safety and crime statistics, as well as the country’s political climate. The area’s overall safety will help to decide where to move to once you have started settling in.

Check Visa Requirements

To successfully start this new chapter of your life, keep in mind that meticulous planning is essential.

There are some things that are simply not negotiable during your planning journey, and checking visa requirements is one of them.

Determine the appropriate visa for your specific purpose by identifying your needs – will you be working, visiting, studying, or retiring in that country? The specific visa requirements vary depending on your chosen country.

Financial Preparation

Before you can create a detailed breakdown of what to do, you must get your finances in order.

Opening an international bank account and managing currency exchange rates may seem complicated, but with enough research, they can be easily understood and achieved.

Create a detailed budget before you move, including estimates for all your new expenses and those associated with the move itself, such as flights, visa costs, and shipping.

Factor in expenses such as temporary accommodation and setting up utilities.

Get Insurance

Moving overseas is not just about the adventure of living in a new country.

Your decisions and preparation must be practical if you are going to have a successful life abroad. Global insurance is a necessity, and is often one of the most underrated things people consider when moving to a new country.

Apart from the obvious choices, such as comprehensive life and health coverage, trip cancellation insurance is also important. Trip cancellation insurance is designed to protect travelers from financial loss caused by unforeseen events that force them to cancel their trip.

This coverage typically includes reimbursement for travel expenses, like plane tickets and hotel or tour bookings.

Cultural Preparation

The biggest shock for most expats living in a new country is the culture shock that often comes with it.

To prepare for your new life overseas, research the local customs, social norms, and language first.

Join expat groups online in that country and ask the local community for assistance in how to best prepare for the culture shock.

Start learning the language before you leave to help gain the respect of the locals; even just a few basic words and phrases can help get you started.

Build A Routine

Building a routine as soon as you arrive can help you thrive in a new country.

There are so many things to see and do that you will feel the jitters associated with anything this new and exciting.

Traveling can make it difficult to stick to your normal routine, but the faster you get back into that routine in your new country, the better.

There are some ways you can set a routine while living abroad, including waking up at the same time every morning and setting a schedule.

Keep In Touch Back Home

An important thing to realize and accept is that many of your friends (and possibly family) back home will not be proactive about staying in touch with you when you move overseas.

Some of your closest friends and relatives might not call or message regularly. Try not to take that too personally. Just accept that you might need to initiate the contact most of the time – at least to start with.

Try to help your friends and family see your life overseas by sharing videos and photos, which will help them feel more connected.

Make Friends

Moving overseas is often an excellent, yet challenging, experience. Loneliness can set in easily, so making new friends abroad is a must for you to thrive in your new country.

Pick up a new hobby or look into the local sports groups, including running and tennis clubs, or whatever sport you were into back home.

A language course is often an effective way to meet new people and make new friends abroad.