Have you ever loved a destination so much that you found yourself dreaming of moving there? It happens more often than one might think. You arrive in a new country. You spend a week going to the beach, discovering bold street food flavors, and meeting fun, carefree people. And then, before you know it, you are looking at real estate ads and rates for international moving companies. But should a vacation ever turn into a relocation? Let's explore.
Is it just the vacation glow?
So, you are starting to have the “let's move here” feelings. The food tastes great, the sun shines brighter, and everyone is really nice. Involuntarily, you start comparing this "new" life to your "old" life back home, and it pales in comparison.
This is what happened to Julia on her road trip through France. "I was traveling through France and stayed for the night in a small town called Veyrier-du-Lac. It wasn't a planned stop, but I ended up staying for three nights instead of one. I fell in love with this little village very quickly. I was eating blue cheese and fresh baguette for breakfast, looking at the beautiful Mount Baron and meeting people who had lived here for decades. This was the first time in my life I actually started seriously thinking about relocating from Berlin. What I didn't think about was the job market, high prices, and everything being closed after 4 pm."
What happened to Julia is very common. It's known as vacation glimmer or vacation euphoria. When you are in this blissful state, it's very easy to overlook the everyday challenges that you will run into if you decide to relocate.
So, how do you know if you are being delusional or have truly found the perfect destination?
Start with a reality check
The first thing you should do is ask yourself some tough questions.
- Can youafford to move here?
- Can you see yourself running everyday errands here?
- Will the paperwork related to living here full-time make things complicated?
- Can I build a life here?
- What about work?
- Will your family move here? And if you are single, will you miss your friends back home?
- What about the cultural barrier? Can you see yourself becoming part of the community?
These are some basic questions to start your reality check session. But as you answer them, new, more specific queries may arise. Make sure you answer each question thoughtfully and in detail. Be honest with yourself and admit if you don't yet have answers to some of these questions.
Research
Before making any relocation decisions, dive deep into research. To answer some of the questions above, you will need to look into the cost of living, the job market, the availability of certain services, insurance and healthcare options, etc.
Sometimes, an online search and a few chats on forums can be enough for you to get a real "feel" of the place and make your decision. Forms like Expat.com can be invaluable sources of real-life information from people just like you who have once made the decision to relocate. They can share their personal experiences, making it easier for you to find relatable answers to the questions you have.
But sometimes, other people's insights may not apply to you. In this case, the only way to know if you can change your vacation into a relocation is actually to live in your chosen destination — but living there as an expat and not as a tourist. This means staying way past the high season, renting long-term housing, shopping at local markets, and mixing with the locals. You will need to look into healthcare options, real estate prices, work opportunities, banking — and lots of similar things that tourists rarely concern themselves with.
It's always a good idea to engage with the local community beyond the expat circle. People who have lived in a destination for a long time tend to have a much more realistic understanding of a location. They may also share "insider" information with you that could sway your decision to relocate.
What if you've made the choice to relocate?
If your research has confirmed your desire to relocate, you naturally move on to the next step: planning.
Financial planning will likely be your first order of business. And this alone comes with many sub-steps.
First, you will need to start budgeting for the move itself. This includes looking into travel expenses (tickets, relocation services, temporary accommodation on arrival).
Next, there will be expenses associated with the initial phase of your stay. As you adjust to your new destination, you can expect your expenses to be on the higher side. You will probably not yet know the best places to shop or local eateries for affordable dining. This knowledge will come with time. But until then, you need to be ready to spend more than established expats.
Finally, as you settle in, you will be looking at the same financial outgoings as other expats. You will be paying for rent, utilities, transportation, insurance, health care, mobile, etc. Once you have a clear picture of these costs, go on to collect them into a detailed relocation budget.
Expert expat tips for budgeting for early relocation
Jeff decided to move to Thailand one month into his first visit. But actually, relocating to the country he grew to love took some time and some planning. "I knew I wanted to make Thailand my home. So, I had to do it right. I've seen a few of my friends jump into the move before being ready. They quickly ran out of money, their quality of life dropped, and they started complaining that the country was not what they had expected. Well, I don't think the country is to blame. I spent a year getting ready to relocate. I cut all the expenses I could, moved back in with my parents, and spent the year learning Thai. When I finally did move, I could understand the language better than some of the ex-pats who had lived there for years. And I had a safety net to fall back on".
Angie focused on a different type of safety net when planning her move. "I knew I wouldn't be able to save enough money before I moved to feel safe. So I reached out to the expat community "on the ground" and explained my situation. Lots of people offered to help. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't asking people for money - I was asking for living on a budget advice. And I got lots. People told me where to shop, how to get the cheapest public transport pass, and which public hospitals had the best service; I even found a roommate. This helped a lot, and I was able to relocate for a lot less money than I would have done on my own".
Consider what you will take
Relocation is rarely about traveling light. Eventually, you will need to find a way to move your belongings, and this can be a complex and expensive process. This is why some expats who have unexpectedly fallen in love with a new destination may choose to first relocate with just the necessities and see how things go. If your temporary relocation transitions into a permanent one, you may want to hire a relocation company to help with finalizing your move.
Study the legalities
One of the key things you do not want to do when moving to a new country is break the law. Looking into the laws and regulations of the destination you plan to relocate to is very important. It may seem like a simple enough point, but legal details are easy to overlook. The first thing to look into would be the legal basis for a long-term stay. What type of visa will you be applying for? Will it allow you to work in the country? Would this visa be easy to renew? Will your family be able to relocate on the same visa?
Vasily quickly decided to relocate to Bangkok in 2022. He applied for a student visa through a Russian agency and traveled to Thailand just two weeks later. "I wasn't able to learn much before my move. A student visa was just the easiest way to move quickly, and it was very affordable. When I arrived, a lot of people told me I could start working too. Some people worked in English schools; some even ran their own small businesses on the same visa. I started looking for work, too, but then Bangkok authorities cracked down on people working on student visas, and I almost got deported. So, even though people may tell you that doing something is "okay", always do your own research."
An important thing to consider here is if you will be able to relocate on one visa and then convert it to another without having to travel out of the country. For instance, you may initially relocate on a tourist visa but then want to apply for a work permit or a business visa. In some countries, you will be able to do that on the spot, changing the status of your residency. In others, you will need to leave the country and re-enter with your new status, which means you will be dealing with additional expenses.
Beyond legalizing your stay, there are many other aspects that need to be considered. It's important to understand local labor laws, including work permits, employment contracts, and employee rights.
In fact, if you feel that you are starting to like a certain destination way too much, it may be tempting to take advantage of the vacation time and look into work opportunities. While it is a good idea to get “the feel” of the landscape, it's also important to be fully aware of all the legal implications. Do not take on part-time or any other work while still on a tourist visa. In most countries, this is a very serious offense, punishable by heavy fines and deportation.
If you are considering starting your own business, research the required licenses, business structures, and taxation rules. Some countries (such as the UAE, for example) may offer exceptionally favorable conditions for expat entrepreneurs, while others may have more complicated regulations (such as China, for instance).
You will also need to look into your tax obligations both in your home country and the new country. Many countries have tax treaties, and this will let you avoid double taxation.
Build a support network
Life in a new country, no matter how much you have come to love it, can get lonely. In fact, feelings of loneliness and isolation are some of the most frequently quoted reasons for expats to return home. But as you plan your move, you have a unique opportunity to prepare for potential pitfalls. Building a support network should be an important part of that plan. Reach out to expats in your relocation destination and share that you will be arriving soon and you are new. A lot of expats will be very happy to talk, help you settle in, and introduce you to the community. For a new expat, a support network can be invaluable. It will be there for you when the "newness" of your relocation wears off, and you will need to handle the often complicated reality of living abroad.
So, if you've fallen in love with a new location, don't jump the gun. The idea of having found that perfect paradise is tempting. But remember that vacation glow can fade.
Ask yourself the tough questions: Can I afford to move? Will I adapt to the local culture? Can I handle the daily grind? Do your research, talk to other expats, and approach your relocation with a strong plan — this is the best way to turn your dream into reality.
