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Dreaming about transferring overseas? The concept of establishing a home in a faraway place captures the creativeness. It positive did for us. That’s why we moved to Portugal. Now that we’re right here, we get calls and emails on a regular basis from folks desirous about the potential of transferring overseas, too. One of many issues that almost all surprises us is what number of misconceptions folks have about making such a transfer. We thought it might be enjoyable to share a few of the most typical myths that come up and provide a glimpse of actuality. 

Beach in Cascais, Portugal
Seashore in Cascais, Portugal (Photograph Credit score: Sue Reddel & Diana Laskaris)

1. You Can Stay For Subsequent To Nothing

In all probability the largest fantasy that we hear is that you would be able to dwell overseas for subsequent to nothing. There are definitely some price financial savings relying upon the place you’re transferring from and the place you’re planning to maneuver. Transferring from a serious metropolitan space comparable to New York or Los Angeles to a small rural village would probably present financial savings. However transferring to a different main metropolis or a resort area could not. 

A big expense in most locations is housing. The price of our condo is just a little bit greater than what we paid for our condo in Wisconsin. Housing close to Lisbon and alongside the coast is expensive. Meals on the grocery retailer prices just a little bit much less and eating out ranges from extremely reasonably priced neighborhood spots to costly Michelin star chef tastings. We do save on healthcare. Our non-public insurance coverage right here is about half the associated fee in america. There’s additionally a public healthcare possibility. Costs of electrical energy and pure fuel are increased and the expense of working a automotive in Portugal and most of Europe is considerably higher than in america. We will’t converse for the costs in all nations, however the value of our each day life in Portugal is barely much less however not subsequent to nothing.

Suitcases and pet carriers at the airport
Photograph Credit score: Sue Reddel & Diana Laskaris

2. Carry Both The whole lot You Personal Or Nothing With You

One other fantasy is about how a lot stuff to carry. There appear to be two completely different camps. One is to carry every thing you personal with you. The opposite is to return with two suitcases and that’s all. Having made some powerful selections targeted on streamlining, minimizing, and forsaking an excellent deal, we expect each of those camps are misconceptions. We removed virtually every thing however want we had stored extra of what we’d simply have to purchase once more.

The alternative can be a fantasy. We now have buddies who shipped actually every bit of furnishings, each dish, and each ornament they personal. Since most individuals’s dwellings are smaller right here, it’s uncomfortable in a spot full of belongings. Folks begin giving freely issues they paid to ship. Every particular person has a private consolation degree however it’s a fantasy that it’s a must to both preserve all of it or eliminate every thing. 

Walking path in Cascais, Portugal
Strolling path in Cascais, Portugal (Photograph Credit score: Sue Reddel & Diana Laskaris)

3. You Will Miss The whole lot From Your Outdated Life

Whenever you transfer overseas, there are issues out of your outdated life that won’t stay accessible. In the event you love going to a sure restaurant, you will be unable to try this. Particular retailers and parks will likely be out of your on a regular basis expertise while you transfer. However a part of the enjoyable of moving abroad is discovering new favourite locations, folks, and issues. 

There could also be some issues that you simply miss out of your outdated life, however you’ll not miss every thing. We proceed to entertain, take each day walks, take pleasure in a great meal out, and bake cookies. Calling family and friends now could happen on Zoom or WhatsApp as a substitute of the phone and the timing could also be fairly completely different, however the connection continues to be there. 

4. You Received’t Miss Something From Your Outdated Life

Simply since you don’t miss every thing out of your outdated life doesn’t imply you received’t miss something. We miss the convenience of discovering no matter we wish in a retailer at an inexpensive value. As a result of habits and customs are completely different right here, discovering some objects which might be frequent every single day in america, like sizzling canine and relish, is troublesome right here. Changing objects comparable to small kitchen home equipment or televisions is costlier. And, after all, household visits take numerous advance planning.

To handle what we want, we comparability store, uncover different objects, and be taught to make our personal variations of some issues. We additionally faucet into our community of buddies for info and suggestions. So, whereas we don’t miss loads from our outdated life, it’s a fantasy that we don’t miss something in any respect. 

Cascais Paradao along the sea
Cascais Paradao alongside the ocean (Photograph Credit score: Sue Reddel & Diana Laskaris)

5. It Will Really feel Like Being On Trip All The Time

For these able to retire, play golf, and go sightseeing every single day, the concept that transferring overseas will really feel like being on trip on a regular basis won’t be a fairytale. For the remainder of us, it’s. Simply since you transfer to a brand new location doesn’t imply that every thing runs completely with out your involvement. We nonetheless work, so a few of our day-to-day life is precisely the identical. 

The benefit of transferring overseas is that you would be able to extra simply journey to new and completely different locations. We now have visited different parts of Portugal and sit up for exploring extra of Europe as quickly as it’s protected to take action. Journey all through Europe is rather more reasonably priced when not coming from america. Nonetheless, we nonetheless have to pay the sunshine payments, try on the grocery retailer, and look forward to a bus or prepare. Every day life shouldn’t be a trip simply because it’s in a brand new place.

6. It Will Be Onerous To Make Any Mates

One of many main worries folks have is that, in the event that they transfer overseas, they won’t make any buddies. This for us has been an enormous false impression. Earlier than we moved, we related with folks in Facebook groups, via Meetups, and numerous different on-line sources. Some buddies who knew we had been transferring to Portugal launched us to buddies of theirs who dwell right here. 

It really is simpler to make buddies while you transfer overseas. Most of the individuals who have moved overseas have related outlooks and pursuits. And since you are studying to adapt to your new atmosphere, it makes the need for friendships with individuals who perceive what you’re going via frequent to all. We now have a thriving social life and are constructing friendships right here we all know will final a lifetime. 

7. You Don’t Want To Study The Language

When transferring overseas, some locations have thriving expat and immigrant communities that talk the identical language. Sure cities that cater to worldwide vacationers even have many individuals who converse a number of languages. That’s the case with the place we presently dwell in Portugal. Virtually everybody speaks English. Even so, it’s a fantasy that you don’t want to be taught the language while you transfer overseas.

A very powerful purpose to be taught the language is to benefit from the native tradition and develop into extra part of it. We miss out after we don’t catch the subtleties of the language. Additionally, from a sensible standpoint, a few of the providers and distributors that you must take care of solely converse the native language, and you’ll have to wait for somebody who can talk with you, which can take a very long time. Studying the language while you transfer overseas enriches the expertise, regardless that it might take some time. 

Stairs in Lisbon, Portugal
Stairs in Lisbon, Portugal (Photograph Credit score: Sue Reddel & Diana Laskaris)

8. Your First Cease Will Be Your Without end Dwelling

After we first moved to Portugal, we had been in a tiny furnished condo on the high of a hill. It had no warmth, no air con, no screened home windows, and no solution to get airflow with out threat to our cats. Nevertheless it was okay as a result of we knew it was simply our first cease. We had been there for comfort whereas we acquired ourselves settled and took care of administrative issues. 

More often than not, the primary place you progress overseas shouldn’t be the place you’ll keep. It’s possible you’ll transfer to 1 nation and, whereas exploring, uncover one other you want extra. Or, you simply begin out with handy lodging you don’t love. You don’t have to remain there ceaselessly. We all know that we wish to strive residing in a number of completely different areas earlier than we select our ceaselessly house. It’s a fantasy that it’s a must to know precisely the place you’ll keep completely simply since you transfer overseas.

Train in Cascais, Portugal
Prepare in Cascais, Portugal (Photograph Credit score: Sue Reddel & Diana Laskaris)

9. You Can Simply Determine Issues Out After You Transfer

The final fantasy is that you would be able to fly by the seat of your pants and determine issues out after you progress. We considered transferring overseas for years, did our research, after which after we lastly determined to maneuver, it took almost a 12 months. Among the points associated to transferring overseas additionally change ceaselessly. The visa necessities we had are completely different from these of some buddies who’re simply now making use of. 

Transferring overseas is not any small endeavor and also you need some stability while you do it. Having a spot to dwell, realizing some folks earlier than you progress, even being accustomed to the placement of banks, grocery shops, hospitals, and public transportation makes the transfer a lot simpler. We felt fairly at house even just a few days after we had moved as a result of we knew what to anticipate the place we had been and had folks to greet us after we arrived.

Transferring overseas may be probably the most thrilling and enriching experiences of your life. There are numerous myths about what it’s really like and the way it is best to do it. As soon as you intend for the fact, it’s a lot better than a fairytale.

TravelAwaits has a collection of informative articles about retirement, personal inspiration, and travel tips that will help you navigate via vital points of your life.

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