More and more people are choosing to move overseas. There are many different reasons why this is the case. Some people move to another country because they have been given a great job opportunity, others simply want a better life in a hotter climate. No matter what applies to you, there is no denying that moving overseas is something that requires a lot of careful planning and consideration. One of the best things you can do is learn from the mistakes that other people have made. With that being said, read on to discover more about some of the most common mistakes that expats make so that you can avoid making them.

This is a contributed post and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.

9 Common Mistakes Made When Moving Overseas

Financial miscalculations – There is only one place to begin, and this is with getting the financial side of things wrong. This is a mistake that a lot of people make. They end up running out of money because they have totally undervalued the finances that they are going to need to move to another destination. This is especially important if you do not have a job lined up. If this is the case, it is always recommended that you make sure you have enough money to live for six months without any work. This should give you ample time to find a new job in the place you have moved to. Not only this but make sure that your budget contains every possible expense, no matter how big or small.

Buying before renting – It is always a good idea to rent for a few months before you buy a property in a new location. This will give you a feel for what the area is like, as well as the different types of properties that are available in your new location. If you move abroad and you feel like the property isn’t right for you, you can easily make a switch when renting. Of course, it is not that easy when it comes to buying. Renting gives you a bit more flexibility so you can then adapt and make a better purchasing decision.

Going back to their home country too quickly – While it can be tempting to take a holiday back to your home country so that you can see friends and family, this can be very unsettling. The best thing to do is to avoid visiting your home country for the first year. Make sure you are fully settled in before you take a trip back. People can always come and visit you throughout the first year instead.

Failing to check out the building contractor when buying a new property – If you are interested in a new launch property 2018, make sure you check out the building contractor first to make sure they have a good reputation. Do not assume that you are going to get the same service standards as you would in your home country. Some developers have a reputation for delivering their properties way past the projected completion date. This is something that happens in a lot of countries, so you do need to be prepared to rent for a couple of months until your property is ready.

Needless to say, you won’t want to go for a development company that has a poor reputation in terms of build quality. You will also want to avoid any firm that has a habit of going off plan. This way you do not deal with a firm that is delivering things you do not want and/or leaving out things you did want.

Lack of research – Another mistake that a lot of expats make and regret is a lack of research. This is one of the most vital factors when moving to another country. After all, it is a pretty big life change, and so it is critical to know everything in advance. Some of the key questions you need to ask are as follows:

• Can you take your pet or pets with you? If so, what sort of documents are they going to need and do they need to be vaccination?
• What sort of accommodation are you looking for? What are the best areas for people like you (i.e. single professional, family etc.)?
• How much are flights going to cost? About how much will removal services cost? How much are you going to need for transport?
• How are you going to move all of your belongings? Are you going to take everything with you, or are you going to buy some furniture pieces in your new location?
• What items are prohibited from being brought into the country you are moving to?
• Will you have access to public healthcare in your new location (if they have it), or do you need to purchase private health insurance before you leave?

Restricting your social scene to other expats only – While it is a good idea to get to know the expats in your community, you should not restrict your social scene to expats only. This is a big mistake that a lot of people make when moving abroad, and in the end, you can feel isolated. It is a good idea to find you place in the community. If English is not the main language in the place you are moving to, take lessons so you can learn the local language. Even if you only learn a few phrases, it will please the locals that you are making an effort.

Not connecting with people before you move – Thanks to the Internet, it is easier to find out information and connect with new people than it ever has been. This is something you should use to your advantage, as it is going to make your move a lot easier. There are lots of forums online, and some are specific for particular regions and countries. Establish yourself on these forums and start talking to people. You will find plenty of useful tips and answers to questions you didn’t even know you had. It is worth looking for Facebook groups of a similar nature as well, as these can be extremely helpful.

Spending too much money in the first few weeks – This is a very easy trap to fall into. After all, it is an exciting time in your life which makes it easier to spend without thinking. Before you know it, your bank account is looking depleted and you’re exhausted. It is important to remember that you have moved here – you are not on a two-week holiday; you have time on your side. You can easily do things in the future or buy non-essentials for your home at a later date.

Plus, while we are on the subject, treating your new life as a holiday is another big mistake. Don’t fall into the trap of spending money daily on watersports and other activities that should be a one-time thing. Also, would you spend each and every day at the pub if you were in your home country? That’s for holidays, not for life.

Failing to take out health insurance before you get on the plane – Do not worry about healthcare when you get there. This is something that you need to have organised before you leave. What would happen if you were to fall ill on the plane? Or, if you were to hurt yourself in your first few days? It happens a lot more often than you would realise. The last thing you want to do is kick off your holiday with an expensive medical bill.

Make sure you do considerable research beforehand so you can find out everything you need to know about the local hospitals and medical centres. Be sure to look for the quality of care and the registration process  in those reviews. You also need to discover whether medical care is free for expats. That way you can prepare for whether or not you will need to pay for it.

As you can see, there are a number of different blunders that expats often make when moving to another country. This should help you to make sure that you do not make the same mistakes. Nevertheless, don’t feel as though you have to punish yourself for a mistake you may make. Moving to another country is a big deal, and not everything will go smoothly. But that is okay. Life doesn’t always go smoothly, does it? Simply learn from your mistakes and move on so that you can make the most of your new life.