Have you ever vacationed somewhere and thought to yourself, “Life would be so much better if I could be here all the time?” Well, what’s stopping you?
Living in a place you love has a lot of benefits:
● Improve your mental health, wellbeing, and sense of satisfaction. Living in a place that’s conducive to the lifestyle you want to live is important. If you have a passion for surfing, you’re going to be much happier in the Caribbean than Nebraska. If you like staying busy or a vibrant nightlife, a rural town is probably not for you.
● Advance your career. Some cities are just better for certain types of careers. If you’ve always dreamed of being a model, for example, living in a city like New York or Paris can go a long way towards making that a reality. If you want to start a tech company, Silicon Valley is the place to be. Musicians might have an easier time in Nashville or Los Angeles.
● Simplify. If you’re tired of long hours, long commutes, and dealing with traffic and crowds, moving to a laid-back locale with a simpler lifestyle can be the ticket to more peace-of-mind. Working on the beach might sound like a pipe dream, but it can actually have a lot of benefits.
Making a big move to a distant location or even another country may seem impossible, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Though moves are never easy, you can absolutely live in your dream destination and enjoy the benefits of traveling all the time.
If you’ve decided to take the plunge and move to the place you’ve always dreamed of, we’ve got some tips to help make the process smoother.
Although it’s possible to jump into a new city or country with no safety net, having a plan in place first can ease the transition considerably.
Have a plan
● Line up a job and a place to live in advance. In an ideal world, you’d have a place to live and work already waiting for you before you move. This is the best-case scenario. Plan a trip to your destination and spend some time job-hunting and checking out houses or apartments.
● Start saving now. Having a nest egg in place can give you extra time to find a job or place to live once you move. Plus, moving can be expensive, and it’s often surprising just how much goes into it, especially if it’s a long-distance move.
Find a job
It’s totally possible to line up a job before moving overseas, even in competitive markets. Get your resume together and start shopping around!
● Consider nearby cities. If you’re having a hard time finding something in a specific city, try expanding your search to nearby towns that are still close to your dream spot. This can be a great compromise between location and career.
● Use your connections. Take a look at your LinkedIn connections (and their connections) and reach out to anyone that may be able to help. You never know who might know someone.
● Look for work-abroad programs. Don’t forget to look in your own backyard! Some companies offer incentives to employees willing to live and work overseas. Your current company might have one, or you might be able to find one that’s hiring. This is a great alternative if you can’t find anything local.
And if you can’t find something in your field, it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. There are lots of excuses for not making a move, but if you’ve got some savings and a place to live, you can take any local job at first and transition into your chosen career field later. Of course, this will depend on your priorities, but jobs come and go. The chance to live in your dream locale might not pop up again.
Learn the language
If you’re considering moving somewhere that speaks a different language, it’s not a bad idea to learn some basics first. This can greatly simplify the moving process. Plus, it’s fun being able to speak to people in their native language. It’s part of the adventure!
Also, keep in mind that many countries speak English, even if it’s not the primary language. This is especially common in Europe, where English is often taught as a second language in schools. So, the barrier may not be as big as you think!
Whether you feel most alive in New York City, Grand Cayman, or a sleepy little village in the Scottish Highlands, your dream can be a reality. Do your research, take some simple steps to prepare, and you’ll be living your best life in no time!