We often see lists of exotic countries, specific landmarks, and dream destinations ranging from Machu Picchu in Peru to the breath-taking canals of Venice in Italy on most people’s bucket lists. But what about actually LIVING in another country?

Everything from the excitement of the unknown, rising to inevitable challenges, and being able to immerse yourself fully in another culture, makes moving abroad (even if only for a few months) a once in a lifetime experience. Perhaps, this may be why living in another country might be the perfect alternative to get your travel fix for longer.

Here are some starting points to help you get started on your journey to ticking off one of the biggest bucket list adventures!

Chose a country to move to

Have you ever closed your eyes, spun your mini desk globe, and with eyes wide shut, decided that whichever country the finger of destiny lands on is where you will go?
Well, Don’t do that.

Don’t get us wrong, that could potentially be fun and spontaneous when you can’t decide where your next holiday destination should be. But to make the ‘big move’ there are some things that you will need to consider. Most people will have a destination in mind. But if not, here are some questions that should help get you started:

• What is your ideal climate?
• Are you a sun worshipper?
• A lover of all things tropical?
• Prefer the hustle and bustle of city life?
• Do you dream of big wide open spaces and the countryside?

Also, think about what climate you are most likely to thrive in. But don’t dwell on this too much. After all, you can make the most of being anywhere – even in the rainy UK!

Finding the perfect job

Perhaps you are a digital nomad looking to settle for a little bit? Or maybe you are fed up with your current field of work and want to make a whole new career change. Either way, knowing how you are going to be able to make money to survive while living in another country could make or break your dream of moving abroad.

The good news is that there are countless possibilities to earn an income overseas. While living in another country there are jobs like teaching English, au pairing, working as a freelancer, or even grabbing a traditional big-city job. Be open-minded and make sure to look at all the opportunities your dream destination has to offer, as this could pretty much be the deciding factor on where you’ll end up moving.

Accommodation and hunting down your new home

Now for the fun and exciting part! Choosing your accommodation. There are so many options to choose from and, depending on how long you are planning to stay; there is a big choice of temporary accommodations available worldwide, such as hostels and Airbnb’s. The most likely scenario however, is that you will be renting. It can feel daunting trying to find the perfect place to live when you are in your own country, let alone somewhere that may be utterly unfamiliar to you or where a different language is spoken

But don’t despair!

It might seem scary now, but there are many excellent property companies all over the world and in every land, who can take the hassle and stress out of the property hunt and will help you find your perfect home! You can look for an apartment and secure a contract all within the space of a few days, leaving you free to think about all the other aspects of your big move.

Packing for Living in another Country

Always pack a lot less than you think you will need. While it can be tempting to pack up your entire life as it is and take all of your earthly possessions with you, the reality is that this just isn’t that practical. It’s only natural to worry that your next location won’t have all the things that you need but don’t stress. 9 times out of 10, you will be able to find all of your necessities and so much more!

The unique thing about living in another country is that there will be so many new things that will catch your eye that maybe weren’t available at home. Therefore, you’ll be glad that you saved some room. So pack the essentials and buy anything else as and when you need it. Anything that you have leftover can be donated to friends and family, sold online, or put into storage. Just think of what you’ll do with all that extra money you’ve saved on shipping and luggage costs!

Learn the basic language of your new host country

Now that you’ve settled on your destination and have all of the essentials sorted, it’s probably a good idea to brush up on your language skills and learn the basics. This will help you with meeting people and making friends, getting around, and enable you to settle in quicker. Sign up for lessons or a language course, hire a tutor, or learn via an app or online! Babbel is a great language learning tool with over 14 different languages currently available with options such as German, Indonesian, and French. Plus, it may just be the best way to learn Spanish!

Moving to an English speaking country? Then why not brush up on the culture instead! Even though the language might be the same, you will come across many different traditions, cuisines, and ways of life.

So is the idea of living in another country on your bucket list? Hopefully, having this knowledge will make you feel more prepared for the big move. If you could easily move to another country for just 3 months where would you go? Or if you have lived in another country, what is one piece of advice you would recommend to anyone else considering this ultimate bucket list item?

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Board!