Moving abroad is an exciting prospect, but it can also be challenging depending on your approach. As an American expat with experience in different countries, I’ve learned some significant takeaways about moving from the U.S. that are worth considering before you pack your bags.
It’s important to remember that these points are broad and general; every country is different, and it’s unlikely all of these items will apply to your specific situation. Use this information as a guide, but always do your own due diligence to research how things operate in the country you plan to move to.
So, before you hop on that plane, let’s look at 15 things American expats might not think about:
1: Build a Flight Fund
It is wise for American expats to beef up their standard emergency fund with extra money specifically for an emergency flight home.
This is particularly true if you are moving to a place with a low cost of living where a six-month emergency fund might be less than $6,000.
When estimating this fund, keep in mind that last-minute flight purchases are usually much higher than booking months in advance.
Investigate the typical cost of a last-minute plane ticket from your intended location back to the U.S. and then save even more to overcompensate for potential price increases.
2: Rent Before Buying
You don’t have to own a home to be a “real” expat, but if homeownership abroad is your goal, it’s encouraged to rent a place first.
Renting allows you to get a better feel for the area you are considering or test out different regions of the country.
If you won’t have a vehicle, this is also your chance to try out local public transportation, as just because it exists doesn’t mean it’s reliable or not overly crowded.
3: Research the Culture
Researching the culture of your new country goes beyond learning basic phrases or reading about festivals. Look deeper: Is it common to talk with strangers on the street, as it often is in the U.S.?
In many Asian countries, for instance, it’s not and could make people uncomfortable. Also, consider if you are prepared to dress like the locals. If not, are you okay with sticking out?
For example, in Panama, wearing jeans or a long skirt is common, and while there’s nothing wrong with shorts, going against the grain by wearing them isn’t always worth the attention it draws, even in 90-degree weather.
4: Streaming Services Vary
Your favorite Netflix shows might not be available in the country you move to, as streaming services often have different selections based on location.
Even maturity ratings can differ. Using a VPN might not solve this, as Netflix states that customers using a VPN will only see shows and movies they have worldwide rights to. The bottom line is that using a VPN abroad could limit your streaming options.
5: Making Friends
Maintaining long-distance friendships from the U.S. can be hard, despite how many friends you have at home.
Research indicates a clear relationship between having friends and increased happiness, and the quality of those friendships also matters. For expats, it can be most fulfilling to have both local friends and fellow expat friends.
While integrating into the local culture is important, it’s also helpful to connect with other Americans or foreigners who understand expat-related challenges.
6: Bureaucracy Could Run High
This point varies significantly by country. While some expats, like the author, have encountered minimal bureaucracy, many others have faced considerable issues.
Potential bureaucratic hurdles can arise with visas, buying a car, or getting a mortgage. Connecting with expat groups on social networks like Facebook or Meetup is recommended to learn about potential bureaucracy issues from people already living there.
7: Spotlight Is On
Moving to a country where you don’t look like the majority of locals requires adjustment. At best, you might receive extra stares and questions; at worst, it could lead to unwanted attention or even dangerous situations. Some expats underestimate how much looking different can impact daily life.
Constantly standing out can be wearing, and dealing with unwanted or negative attention is certainly difficult. Some Americans are already familiar with experiencing xenophobia without leaving the U.S..
8: Understand Visa Options
Many countries offer more than just standard tourist or residency visas. Depending on your reason for moving and the planned length of stay, exploring options like digital nomad or work visas might be beneficial.
In some cases, you might be able to base yourself in a country on a tourist visa, requiring you to leave and re-enter periodically to renew it.
The best-suited visa depends on the country, your reason for moving, and the duration of your stay.
9: Electricity Reliability
Just because a town or city has electricity doesn’t mean it works well. Experiences in Panama show that outages can be frequent enough to warrant needing a backup like a solar panel.
If you work from home, have expensive food in your fridge, or simply value reliable electricity, check with locals about its consistency.
While no one can guarantee constant power, many Americans would not be thrilled with losing electricity multiple times a week.
10: Accounting Woes
Unless you’re an accountant experienced with foreigners working abroad, it’s highly recommended to hire an accountant before moving to understand the tax implications.
It’s not all bad news; you might qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion, which can make tax season easier, especially if you also have to pay taxes to your new country.
11: Health Insurance
While Americans are used to high health insurance costs, many other countries are also expensive, though the U.S. had the highest per-capita health expenditure among listed countries in 2021 ($12,318 compared to $7,383 in Germany).
It’s wise to purchase health insurance in your new country. Additionally, you may want to keep your U.S. health insurance policy to avoid high medical bills if you return to the States for a visit and need care.
12: Food Diversity
Many Americans worry about missing their favorite grocery store foods when moving abroad. This can indeed happen, but if you move to a large city, you might be surprised by the availability of familiar brands.
Before packing extra luggage with food items, do some research; you might find known brands like Hershey’s chocolate syrup or Beyond Burgers available in local supermarkets.
13: Maintain Relationships at Home
Despite the difficulty of maintaining long-distance friendships, it’s worth the effort. Tools like FaceTime, Instagram, and WhatsApp make audio and video calls easy.
A piece of advice from experience is to keep detailed stories about life abroad to a minimum, except with immediate family.
People back home may find it hard to relate to your new life, so providing a shorter version and saving the detailed stories for friends in your new country can be helpful.
14: Unlock Your Phone
While you can buy a new phone abroad, if you like your current one, there’s often no need. Talk to your current provider about unlocking your phone; there might be a fee depending on your contract.
Once unlocked, you can purchase a low-cost SIM card in your new country. It’s possible to set up your phone to easily switch between your U.S. eSIM and your new country’s SIM card.
15: Drying Clothes
Owning a clothes drying machine is not the norm in many parts of the world, including some developed countries. Hanging clothes on a line is common, especially in Europe.
Depending on your destination, you might be able to buy a dryer even if it’s uncommon in homes, but be prepared for laundry day to take longer than you’re used to if you rely on air drying.
Alicia Richards