Expenses of Moving Abroad

21/04/2006

Are you about to move abroad? Have you considered how hard it is going to hit your purse?
When we consider moving overseas, it is not just about the job and the opportunities. It is also most definitely about how your finances will be affected. It is important to check out information like the Mercer survey. This helps to calculate which cities are the most expensive in the world to live in. These surveys can give you accurate information and can help you compare costs of living.

An important aspect you may want to take into account is how your quality of life will be affected when you move. A higher salary does not necessarily mean a better quality of life. It is not guaranteed that you will be better off. When you first arrive in a country you may need to be able to pay for things such as rent, set up costs, deposits, a car and others. It is a good idea to have a good amount of emergency reserves of cash for unexpected costs that might arise.

When I made a move from Korea to the USA, I was very thankful that I did have emergency reserves of cash. I needed to buy a car, put a hefty rental deposit down, pay for motel costs for a couple of weeks, deposit cash in order to open a bank account among other things. There are many and often unaccounted for relocation costs that come into play when you move. It is in your best interests to be as prepared as possible.

The best way to get information is to do your homework. Go online and look at some sites, especially expatriate sites. A useful tool is to go to the FORUM boards and see what people have said about living in certain countries. You might even want to start your own forum discussion. Expats are very willing to share their experiences and knowledge. Once you have gathered your information, the next step is to do your math. Brainstorm with friends about what factors you need to take into account so that you do not miss anything. Factor in education, housing costs, moving and/or storage costs, transport, clothing, household goods and so on.
Moving abroad can have a severe impact on your finances. You need to take this knowledge into account before your move and not afterwards!

So, just how prepared are you for your move?
What is considered enough money when moving? Maybe just a little bit more than you planned on.

Three awareness tips you need to know for when you relocate.
a) no one understands you
b) no one understands you
c) no one understands you

“Beware of the little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” Benjamin Franklin