Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomadism
    • Events
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • UK
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomadism
    • Events
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • UK
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
👤

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR EXPATS, DIGITAL NOMADS, AND DREAMERS.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Know Before You Go

Moving Abroad: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on International Living

  • BY Brooke Cobb
  • June 13, 2017
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

What are the things that you might not exactly need to know, but would be incredibly helpful to know when making the decision to move abroad? For example, how can you best fit in among the locals? How will you adjust to a different international lifestyle? Moving overseas to a new country is, of course, a big decision, and sometimes we may overlook the little things. Here are some points to clue you in!

Be Patient

The first and most important point is to take your time adjusting. You’re not going to feel comfortable immediately, and you might even feel a little homesick in the beginning. It’s only natural! Just remind yourself that you’re in an adjustment period, and take some time to observe.

What are the local customs in the country you’ve moved abroad to? What is accepted in this new country that’s maybe a little taboo back home? How do people generally greet one another? Is it more common to say hello when walking by or to keep to yourself? This adjustment period of living internationally is the best time to spend making these types of observations.

 

Make Yourself at Home

This whole transition is only complete when you feel at home in your new international lifestyle. The best way to do this is to give your new place a personal touch. If you’re renting, then you can put up pictures of your family and decorate with your favorite colors and patterns. If you’ve purchased your home, get to painting! Think about it: Can you truly relax if home doesn’t feel like home?

 

Explore the Area

Go shopping! Go wandering! Learn your way around and figure out where to find the important stuff. Take note of which restaurants you’d like to try and where they are located. Where will you shop for groceries or get a haircut? Take this opportunity during your move abroad to incorporate the first two points above into this task. Buy things you need for your house while you’re out, and observe what you can about your new community.

 

Get to Know the Locals

Learn the native language. It will help you to mesh with the local community much easier and will broaden your options as far as meeting new people and making new friends. Plus, you’re showing respect for the culture by making the attempt. Locals will appreciate this.

You don’t have to keep your circle narrow by only befriending others within the expat community. It will deepen your experience and involvement within the culture to branch out and get to know some of those who were born and raised in your new country as well.

 

Be Aware of the Different Health Risks

Sure, we always talk about the importance of making sure good healthcare is accessible, but another valid point is that there are likely illnesses that are more common in your new country as opposed to your old one. A change of climate and different hygienic standards could contribute to local diseases that you may not have had to consider in the past. In the United States, for example, we don’t have to think too much about diseases that mosquitoes may be carrying. In more tropical climates south of the border, this is something of which to be wary. Of course, you’ll have to get your vaccinations as needed, but this is always something to keep in mind. Do your research and stay aware when making your observations, so that you aren’t caught off-guard.

 

Keep Up with the News

This may seem like a weird piece of advice, but it will actually help you get tuned in on what’s happening in your community. This can be in the form of the local news, or it can be via blogs and forums in the area. There’s no end to what you can find online, and learning about what is going on around you is a good first step to getting acquainted with a new environment.

With all of the changes you’ll be experiencing when moving abroad, there’s never too much advice or too many wise words from those who’ve made the transition themselves. Your fellow expats will also be more than helpful with providing insights to help with your experience. Just remember that it will all take time, and it’s okay to focus on the little things like these along the way!

 

If you’re considering traveling or moving abroad, be sure to explore your healthcare options. Visit International Citizens Insurance to learn more and get a free quote.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • cost of living
  • expats
  • getting settled
  • International Real Estate
  • safety and security
  • visa
  • weather and climate
Previous Article
  • Africa

Jean Laffite – a Real Pirate of the Caribbean

  • BY David Steckenreiter
  • April 19, 2017
View Post
Next Article
  • Your Escape Plan

Invest in Colombia

  • BY Brooke Cobb
  • August 12, 2017
View Post
You May Also Like
Friendly locals and relaxed daily life in The Gambia
View Post
  • Africa
Could The Gambia Become Africa’s Next Digital Nomad Safari?
  • BY Mergim Ozdamar
  • August 29, 2025
Croatias Tourism: Aerial view of Croatia’s stunning Adriatic coastline, where historic towns meet turquoise waters
View Post
  • Croatia
Croatia’s Journey to Wonder
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • August 22, 2025
Moving to Morocco: a palette of Tradition, Texture of Tradition
View Post
  • Morocco
Top 10 Things to Know if You’re Moving to Morocco
  • BY Emily Draper
  • August 18, 2025
Albania Travel Guide: City views in Tirana, Albania on a summer afternoon
View Post
  • Albania
Albania’s Bold New Beat
  • BY Ethan Rooney
  • August 15, 2025
Luxury Travel Experiences with Christina Tan
View Post
  • Interviews
Inside the World of Luxury Travel with Christina Tan
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • August 11, 2025
Digital Nomad Van Life
View Post
  • Digital Nomadism
The Ultimate Van Life Guide for Digital Nomads
  • BY Emily Draper
  • August 4, 2025
Tunisia, North Africa - One of most affordable Countries to live
View Post
  • Plan B
The Most Affordable Countries to Live in 2025
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • July 30, 2025
The historic harbor blends Ottoman architecture with modern Mediterranean charm.
View Post
  • Cyprus
Cyprus’s Forgotten North
  • BY Ethan Rooney
  • July 25, 2025
Trending Posts
  • The search for a second passport has shifted from luxury to necessity for many Americans 1
    • Second Residency
    America’s Second Passport Fever
    • August 25, 2025
  • Croatias Tourism: Aerial view of Croatia’s stunning Adriatic coastline, where historic towns meet turquoise waters 2
    • Croatia
    Croatia’s Journey to Wonder
    • August 22, 2025
  • Low-Tax Countries to Save Money in 2025 3
    • Plan B
    Where Expats Are Moving to Keep More of Their Money
    • August 27, 2025
  • Bolivia's incredible salt flats. 4
    • Natural Wonders
    The World’s 10 Most Breathtaking Countries
    • August 31, 2025
  • Friendly locals and relaxed daily life in The Gambia 5
    • Africa
    Could The Gambia Become Africa’s Next Digital Nomad Safari?
    • August 29, 2025
InterNations
Know Before You Go
  • Friendly locals and relaxed daily life in The Gambia 1
    • Africa
    Could The Gambia Become Africa’s Next Digital Nomad Safari?
    • August 29, 2025
  • Croatias Tourism: Aerial view of Croatia’s stunning Adriatic coastline, where historic towns meet turquoise waters 2
    • Croatia
    Croatia’s Journey to Wonder
    • August 22, 2025
  • Moving to Morocco: a palette of Tradition, Texture of Tradition 3
    • Morocco
    Top 10 Things to Know if You’re Moving to Morocco
    • August 18, 2025
  • Albania Travel Guide: City views in Tirana, Albania on a summer afternoon 4
    • Albania
    Albania’s Bold New Beat
    • August 15, 2025
  • Luxury Travel Experiences with Christina Tan 5
    • Interviews
    Inside the World of Luxury Travel with Christina Tan
    • August 11, 2025
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Newsletter Subscription
Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/