A big part of making your move abroad successful is making your new house feel like home. Whether you are renting or buying a property abroad, being able to quickly make your new house feel like home can help get you through any initial homesickness. This is obviously no easy feat, but there are ways to make it easier!
Move your goods abroad
First and foremost you should consider what moving company you will use, as this will determine a major cost in your move. It is important to compare quotes from moving companies before making a decision, as well as checking out online reviews to ensure the company is trustworthy and has a good reputation for getting your goods to their destination in one piece (unless you prefer that beautiful glass vase in far, far, smaller pieces). You should also see what kind of services the company offers. For example, will they collect everything from your home or will you need to hire transportation to get your goods to the company's premises?
Make wise choices
Then, the question becomes just what is worthy of making the move? Whether you are moving to somewhere that is furnished or not will be a big factor in if you take, for example, your comfortable-in-all-the-right-ways sofa. What you take also depends on what is available in your destination country – will there be furniture of the quality you want? Are there homeware and furniture shops that will allow you to furnish your home for a reasonable price? Therefore, you should spend some time looking into your destination – what the housing is like, what houses in the country are normally furnished with for renters or buyers, and whether it is cheaper to ship you existing goods, or purchase them once you have moved.
It's also hard to give up your possessions, as many may have a lifetime of memories attached. If some of them don't make the cut for the move, remember that, if you can sell them, they will be going to a new home and you will have more money to help fund your move. Big pieces of furniture or electronics in good condition can help put a reasonable amount of money towards either the cost of moving itself or buying new furnishings once you have moved.
Unpacking in your new home
Once you have arrived in your new home abroad, there may be a bit of a wait before your shipped belongings arrive. It is advisable to wait till they arrive before you go about purchasing new things (unless absolutely necessary). Once you get your things, you should unpack as soon as possible – having a bunch of boxes around won't help you feel at ease, and the quicker you can get some creature comforts around you, the better. Taking time to put up decorations and arranging furnishings from your old home will help if you feel a bit out of place or lost.
Something old, something new
Ultimately, the best way to help yourself feel at home abroad when you have just moved is to blend a bit of old and new. Buying new cushions for your old sofa, a new dining table that will be laid with your old cutlery and place mats, or new sheets for your bed will help you feel at home, whilst also reminding you of your new home. However, if you're shopping at a big chain store (that's available in both your new country and your old one) you may not even feel too far from home, though the products available may vary slightly. To prevent an attempt to 'recreate' your old home (and its psychological implications), add in your new home a few things that are unique to your destination country.
Feeling at home
What your home looks like and what furniture is in it isn't the be all and end all when it comes to assimilating as an expat. Getting to know the people around you, learning more about your local area and (if there is a different language) learning the lingua franca will make all the difference.
