Moving Abroad

Have you ever dreamed of waking up in a new country, immersing yourself in a different culture, and starting fresh? Moving abroad can be thrilling, overwhelming, and life-changing all at once. Whether you're chasing a career, love, retirement, or just a new adventure, the decision to relocate overseas comes with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. In this blog, I want to walk you through the key steps, realities, and lessons learned from making the big leap.

At various stages throughout my lifetime, I made decisions to change my life by moving abroad without planning. The first time I moved was when I left America for Rome, Italy to attend a college exchange program for one-year. I was 19-years old and had never been on an airplane or out of the country. I often wish I could return to that time and enjoy all the beauty and culture that was in front of me. After the program I ended up dropping out of college to remain in Europe, traveling for a year and barely surviving financially. My second time moving abroad was for love. I moved to Paris, France, once again without planning and researching my new environment. The best part was meeting genuine friends who are always in contact with me. I returned to San Francisco to restart my life again and met my partner who is from Australia. Once again, we planned a move back to Australia, but being older and wiser, I researched every detail about Melbourne and developed a strategic plan. Planning may not answer all the questions, but it makes a huge difference. So far, so good.

Today, many of my friends in America are considering which country would be the best place for them to call home. Why do people move abroad? When chatting with my friends they shared these reasons for desiring to relocate:

• Career opportunities

• Love or family

• Retirement

• Cost of living

• Adventure or lifestyle change

• Political or environmental factors

Conducting research is essential in understanding the country's visa requirements, cost of living, healthcare system, and local laws. It's equally important to learn about cultural norms, languages spoken, and the climate. If you like the heat or cold, there are certain places you would not want to be. If you are hoping to work in your new country, investigate job opportunities or residency requirements. Several people have recommended helpful tools, such as, Numbeo, Expatica, or government websites.

Retirement itself is a major life shift. Couple that with a new language, new systems, and unfamiliar faces, and it can feel overwhelming. Prepare for the emotional waves: loneliness, second-guessing, even fear. These feelings are not a sign you’ve made the wrong decision; they’re proof that you’re human. "Am I too old to do this?" is a common question. The answer is no, you’re not too old to chase peace, joy, happiness, or a fresh start.

Lessons in life taught me about legal and paperwork essentials. Moving to Australia had its challenges, but so many people are still struggling with the tedious process, although they have been waiting for a long time. Once you decide where you want to move to, reach out to your consulate and start applying for visas and residency permits. If you are traveling with a pet, check out the guidelines for what is needed to get your cat or dog into your country of desire. Securing health insurance or coverage in advance for yourself is highly recommended. It shows that you are not dependent on a country's medical system because you have your own coverage until all your paperwork has been approved. In terms of your banking accounts, research and communicating with those in expat groups can be helpful if you need to discover a reliable bank to transfer funds. In most countries, if you have a driver's license and legal status, you will be able to obtain a local license.

Preparing emotionally and mentally for living abroad is one of the toughest things I deal with every day. I miss my true friends so much. Thank goodness for their emails and social media that keeps us connected. Facetime and Zoom calls are also positive assets. Dealing with homesickness and culture shock remained with me for about 2 years after my move. During the process, learning how to manage your expectations vs. reality is real. Through the process, you will learn to build resilience and become more flexible. My biggest challenge is missing so many friends and the people that I love.

If interested in relocating to a new country, there are many online communities (Facebook groups, Meetup, InterNations, etc.) and expat groups that may be helpful during the initial period of adjustment. Language schools or local clubs is a great way to connect with others. Upon my arrival in Australia, I was introduced to U3A, which stands for University of the Third Age. It's a worldwide organisation that offers low-cost learning opportunities for people 50 years and older. It's a self-help group run entirely by volunteers, with members learning from and teaching each other. It's a great place to meet people.

Leaving the familiar comforts of home—especially after decades of building a life, a career, and a community, can feel both liberating and deeply unsettling. For many retirees or those simply seeking peace from the growing unrest, violence, or cost of living pressures in America and other countries, the emotional journey is just as important as the logistical one. You’re not just leaving a country; you’re leaving routines, relationships, and a sense of place. That’s real. It’s okay to feel grief, even if you’re excited. It helped me to say goodbye to my favourite cafés, to the park that I walked in for years, and all the local establishments that knew my name, my favourite meal, or my cocktail of choice. You re-establish the same feelings when you move as I have done so in Australia. These farewells can help you transition more clearly.

My initial question once I decided to move was what to take or leave behind. We made a list of all the things that we loved that included books, photos, office chairs, specialty lamps, ceramic pottery, silverware, dishes, unique bowls, cookware, especially cast-iron skillets, and of course shoes, winter & summer clothes, sentimental items, and office supplies. We connected with a transport company that put everything into a shipping container which took about 3 months to arrive. Other items were sold or given away to friends and people interested. Items included night stands, a sofa bed, dining room table & chairs, cabinets, a barbecue pit, office desks, computers, bookshelves, coffee table, chairs, etc. Think very carefully about all the things that you should bring with you in case you can't locate them in your new country. People always laugh when I suggest they bring over tools (screwdriver, hammer, scissors, tape measure, kitchen & bath towels) and other items. When you own something for many years, it's not easy to let go of them. Once everything is packed and/or shipped to your new place called home, you will start to feel at peace with your decisions. Don't worry, you will always forget something that friends can bring to you when they come to visit.

Initially adapting to a new culture can be difficult, but not impossible. If you are moving to a country that uses a different language from yours, throw yourself right in to start learning the language, even a few basic phrases, such as thank you, hello, goodbye, goodnight, good afternoon, or how are you. Before you realise it, you will start to understand what people are saying and soon you will be able to have a conversation. It's all about respecting and embracing differences. Remember to enjoy all the different, but delicious food available.

Moving abroad isn’t just a physical journey; it’s an emotional and spiritual reset. For retirees and those escaping the noise, division, or exhaustion of life in America, it’s a chance to rediscover peace, presence, and possibility. It's not about changing your address, it's about transforming your mindset, your lifestyle, and your comfort zone. The challenges can be real, but so are the rewards. Whether you're planning your journey now or still in the dreaming phase, I hope this post helps you make informed, confident choices. The world is vast, beautiful, and waiting, don’t let fear stop you from exploring it. Your next chapter doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It just must feel right for you.