What’s Stopping You From Moving Abroad?
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Thinking about moving abroad? It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. But fear, money, age, or not knowing where to go shouldn’t hold you back. You don’t need a forever plan, just a first step. Start with research, consider a 30-day stay, and remember: going is hard, staying is hard. Pick the one that leads to the life you really want. And don’t forget to grab your free “Should I Move Abroad?” checklist to get started.
You keep thinking about it. Moving abroad. Starting over somewhere slower, sunnier, cheaper, better… but you always stop. Why?
You ask yourself questions like:
- What if I want a slower life?
- Is it too late to reinvent myself?
- How do I chase a beautiful life and still pay the bills?
- What does real freedom even feel like at this point in my life?
You Aren’t Crazy For Wanting To Move Abroad
The fantasy of a better life is completely normal. But chasing it and actually going after it… it’s a rare person who actually does this.
According to the United Nations International Migration Report (2020):
About 3.6% to 3.7% of the global population lives in a country other than the one in which they were born.
That means that:
- Roughly 96%+ of people never leave their birth country to live somewhere else.
- Despite globalization, long-term international relocation is still rare, which makes it emotionally and socially challenging (and also deeply brave).
But I promise, you aren’t crazy for thinking about it, and I’m here to tell you, it’s not as hard as you may think.
Stressful, yes. Difficult, no. At least, not more difficult than any other move. I would even argue that in some ways, it’s easier than a local or in-country move because many people get rid of most of their belongings (which I highly recommend).
“But What If I Regret Moving Abroad?”
The truth is, if you hate it, you can always go back home. Or at least, you should set yourself up to be able to do that if that gives you an extra measure of security. Maybe rent your house out for a year before you sell (if you own). Those sorts of setups will give you the security you need in knowing you can always go back.
Also, remember that regret doesn’t come from trying. It comes from not trying. Sure, there’s always the chance you could move abroad and hate every second of it. But the alternative is that you never try and always wonder. Isn’t it better to try? Especially when the chances are that you’ll love your new life?
Tip: Start with a temporary move or long-stay instead. If moving feels too permanent and scary, then start with something more short term to get your toes wet.
“I Don’t Have Enough Money”
Money is a real concern. I won’t sugarcoat that. However, you have to keep in mind that unless you are moving to Paris or some other expensive place like Monaco, chances are your living expenses will be less anyway. And if you are bringing a good-paying job with you, your money will go much further. Cheaper living is a fact of life when living abroad. One that many look forward to.
The truth is, you have to pair down your life in order to make the move. When I left the States, I left behind so many regular bills that I just don’t have anymore. I don’t need a car, so there is no car payment, gas, or repairs. My coffee habit is MUCH cheaper here in Spain than in the States. I wouldn’t dream of paying $8 for a drink here! In fact, many places have my particular coffee drink for about $2.
It’s worth tracking all your expenses before you go to fully understand which ones will come with you and which ones won’t. I promise, there are probably many that won’t come with you. So you may end up with more money than you realize.
“I’m Too Old / Too Single / Too Stuck”
No you’re not / no you’re not / no you’re not.
There are retired people in their 70’s and 80’s who have moved abroad. You are not too old.
If you’re single, you’ve got it easy! You don’t have to worry about accommodating anybody but yourself when you move. No worries about what the kids need or a grumpy husband that needs a nap more than your toddler does.
If you feel stuck, you really have to look hard at what it is that’s making you feel that way. There are some legit reasons, and then there are the imagined reasons that just make us “feel” stuck.
If you have a sick parent you care for who cannot travel or move, that’s a legit reason for being stuck. But if you feel stuck because you are in a job that pays well and won’t let you work remotely, that’s an imagined reason. Because you can absolutely find a new job that will let you work from anywhere in the world.
If you wait for the perfect time, you’ll never leave.
“I Don’t Know Where to Go”
Most people who move abroad have a hard time deciding between the wonderful places they want to see. But if you have the opposite problem, there are many great ways to figure out where you might be happiest.
Analysis paralysis is a normal thing in these situations. We get so caught up in the decision that we never actually make one. It feels huge, and overwhelming, so we avoid making the final decision.
Or maybe, you’ve never lived anywhere outside your home country and you have no idea what place might make you happy. But I’m here to tell you, you don’t need your “forever country”. You just need your next stop. Because once you start living this way, you realize quickly that you have an incredible freedom to go anywhere you want.
If you need to narrow down your choices, I highly recommend taking the quiz on the Expatsi.com website. They do a great job of helping you narrow down your choices and have tons of information on different countries as well.
So what’s the best way to try out a new country? Book Airbnb’s in 30 day stays as mini test runs. 30 days is a good amount of time to get the feel for a new place, but not so much that you get uncomfortable if you don’t care so much for the place. Most folks can handle 30 days.
“But What About My People?”
Leaving friends and family behind is a legitimate concern. You will be away from the everyday happenings, the special celebrations, and yes, even the holidays. (Unless you can afford to travel back and forth).
Homesickness is also a very real issue, especially in the first 6-12 months. But if you give it a chance knowing that the first year will be the toughest part, you’ll slowly start to find community, friends, and routines that feel like you. Then you’ll wake up one morning and realize that ache is gone and you have a full and vibrant life you never could have imagined if you hadn’t been brave enough to hang in there and build it.
The Real Question
“What if the thing stopping you isn’t your job, your money, or your kids — it’s your permission?”
Here’s the thing. YOU get to choose the shape of your life. That means if you want to make a big change, you absolutely can. Will it be scary? Sure! Will you feel stress? Of course! But I live by the philosophy that life begins right outside your comfort zone. I’m living proof that it does!
So stop waiting for a sign, and start creating the life you love. The life you are excited to get up for every morning.
I always tell people:
“Going is hard, and staying is hard. You have to pick your hard. But if you’re honest with yourself, you know which one is the one you truly want.”
Let’s Make the Dream Real
I invite you to start researching a destination. There is nothing scary about sitting behind your laptop looking at what life could possibly be. So do it! Start dreaming, put that dream down on paper, and then start looking at it as a goal. Because once it’s a goal, you can break down the path to reaching it into doable steps.
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