To Live or not to Live Abroad
Moving to another country or state is a big decision and demands a clear understanding of what lies in front of you. First, you have to determine whether the move is a good fit for your family, lifestyle and personality. You also have to consider financial ramifications, schools (if you have children), and whether the move will help you grow personally and professionally. Most importantly, you need to know what you’re getting into.
My husband and I were first presented with an opportunity to move overseas when his company was considering expanding to Europe. After evaluating three countries—Germany, France and the United Kingdom—everyone settled on the UK. Not only would it be easier to set up the company, hire staff and establish a presence, but we eliminated the language barrier. Then it came down to the biggest decision of all: were we ready for this?
Fortunately, we were both young, had no children or pets yet, and other than our jobs and family, were unencumbered. So, there was nothing holding us to the US. This was a chance to see things we’d only read about or saw pictures of and be entrenched in European culture. To go beyond typical tourist stops and experience more than we could in decades of travel. The negatives (such as not knowing what to expect or leaving family, friends and our home) may have given some people pause, but when we weighed the positives, they added up to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
To help ease our final decision and the emotional transition of moving overseas, my husband’s company sent me to England for a long weekend. It was like, “Let’s send her for a weekend to see where she’ll be spending the next three to four years of her life.” Looking back, I realize how funny that was. But in truth, this was an incredible gift. If you’re not as fortunate to receive a paid opportunity to check out your new location, I highly suggest investing in a plane ticket before you pack everything up. It will be worth every penny in terms of peace of mind.
During my flight to London, the inflight movie was Patriot Games starring Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan. If you haven’t seen it, it’s an exciting take on a foiled IRA event that turns into revenge against the CIA agent himself. It also illustrates how life often mirrors art. My husband was already in London on business when I arrived in the morning at Gatwick Airport. We dropped off my bags at his hotel, and then went to explore the city. While we stopped for lunch in Leister Square, our restaurant received a call that there is an IRA threat nearby and everyone had less than five minutes to evacuate the area. Moments later, an explosion occurred, close to where we had been dining.
Many people might view this as an omen to reconsider the move. However, we were impressed at the precautions taken so that no one was harmed. “Think about it,” my husband said. “It’s probably safer in London than in New York City,” which at the time had a high rate of crime. “At least in London, they warn you and you get an opportunity to find safety. In New York, crimes are random, and you’re not warned.” Somehow, this seemed a comforting perspective, and our minds were settled. London would be our new home.
My anecdotal point is to know what you’re getting into before you take the plunge. Take a visit. Learn about the area you’re considering to live and its culture. Then, consider all the advantages (as well as disadvantages) and see where you land. You might discover life has led you on an adventure you’ll never forget.
A global relocation resource, Hali Jaffe loves helping people and provides experienced advice to ease the burdens of a personal or corporate move. You can contact her at hali@REALocationwithHali.com.