What makes people want to leave everything behind and move to another country? For some, it could be an enticing job offer. Others may be following love to foreign shores. Adventurers look for opportunities to live in exotic places just for the thrill of it. The promise of more bang for their buck and a better climate draws retirees to distant lands. Moving to another country can be exhilarating, but there are a few points to consider before making the move.

Learning About A New Culture

For a lot of people, the word culture encompasses local music, cuisine, and language. There's more to it, though. Culture is the way that people cross the street or wait in line. Maybe people elbow their way to the front or they may politely take numbers and form a queue. Every society has a distinct way that people talk to each other and move through ordinary life. How do they negotiate payments and prices? In Israel, people bargain down the price of most things--even a taxi ride. In other places, like Chile, this is unheard of. Bathing daily may be a cultural norm in some places, but less important, or even discouraged, in others where water is scarce. People often go through their day without questioning their routine, but, in another country or region, these practices are completely different. Moving abroad will highlight and undermine these habits that people perform without thinking.

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Learning about a new culture is a pro because it means people get to savor new foods, listen to fresh music, and speak another language. These experiences stimulate the brain in a way that nothing else can.

Pro: Trying new things like foods and music

Pro: Learning or perfecting a second language

People living abroad will also encounter a whole new set of stereotypes. This means that they can reinvent who they are. Sometimes, individuals get stuck in a rut at home. Everyone knows who they are and expects them to behave a certain way. Moving someplace new, like another country, may give people a chance to show their true colors. That's liberating.

Pro: Rebuilding identity in a new context

The new culture will also be a con, though. No matter how open-minded people are, they will encounter something in their new home that challenges them. They may not agree with the gender, race, or socio-economic stereotypes held by people in their new location. A different pace of life--faster or slower--has discouraged many who chose to move to a foreign country. It could be something as mundane as not finding a hairdresser who knows how to style their hair the way they like it. Learning to cook with a different set of ingredients has brought tears to many an eye, as well.

Con: Adapting to a new culture

A big frustration for many who venture abroad is communication. No matter how well they know the language where they're at, they'll find that people communicate differently. For example, in the US, when people agree to a meet-up time, they expect others to be there within five to ten minutes of that time. In other places, like Latin America, that time slot is more generous and relaxed. In every destination, newcomers will regularly miscommunicate with others about things like meeting times, expected prices, potential interest in dating, and other touchy subjects until they learn what to expect.

Con: Miscommunication

Finances

Some people decide to move to another country because their money is more valuable there. For example, someone from the United States or Canada might want to move to Portugal, Greece, Thailand, or Costa Rica where the cost of living is lower. People who work remotely can enjoy a more luxurious lifestyle while putting in fewer hours. Retirees can make their funds last longer while experiencing more favorable climates.

Pro: Many pleasant destinations have a lower cost of living

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The downside of working remotely for a company from one country, but living in another is the difficultly of transferring currency without paying high fees. There's also the problem of paying taxes. A little research, creativity, and a good accountant should shed some light on this.

Con: Transferring currency to another country

Con: Complicated tax requirements

Paperwork

Getting the right paperwork done is a fundamental step to living abroad, but no one said it was fun. Professionals may need a particular visa so they can work legally in their destination. Then finding a job and validating education and experience are complicated processes. Simply becoming a permanent resident in another country also means doing some paperwork and filling out forms. Often, it means waiting in long lines, paying high fees, and going to out-of-the-way offices. None of this reflects the exciting abroad adventure many hope for.

Con: Doing the necessary paperwork

Far From Family

Many of the pros and cons of living abroad will depend on the destination country a person chooses. The biggest con, though, applies to all locations far from home. It is leaving friends and family behind. Young people may do this on a whim, almost without considering it. As they grow older, though, they will find that they miss being near their parents, siblings, and extended families. Being without this support system can be tough. Who will ex-pats call to be their babysitter on date night? Who will cheer them up when times get tough? There are relationships that no new set of friends can replace. Regular trips back home may be costly and time-consuming. Anyone considering moving abroad permanently needs to carefully consider who they are leaving behind.

Con: Living far from family

Living abroad may sound exotic and exciting, but there are many issues travelers will need to consider before deciding to move to another country long-term. Each person will come to their own conclusion as to whether the pros outweigh the cons. Those who do choose to embark on the adventure will surely have a life-changing experience.

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