Information & advice

Many of us dream about packing up and starting a new life abroad. We have visions of a better quality of life and getting more for our money. 

However‚ careful planning and preparation are crucial to ensure such a huge life change is a success‚ and this will help you in the years to come.

• Is moving abroad the right choice?
• Choosing your home

---

Is moving abroad the right choice?

Before planning a move abroad it is important to consider whether it is the right decision for you. Why are you going? What do you hope to get out of it? Are you being realistic?

Although living abroad is an exciting new experience‚ no matter where you go you cannot escape all the realities and problems of daily life. It is important to find out as much as possible about the country you plan to live in to ensure that the culture and lifestyle will suit you. If you are considering moving to a non-English-speaking country‚ mastering the language can be vital in helping you to settle in. Paying bills‚ maintaining your property‚ going to the doctor and socialising will be extremely difficult if you cannot communicate. If you do not already speak the language are you sure you will be able to cope and have you begun to learn?

If you are returning to the country you were born in or have lived in previously‚ it is likely that over the years that country has changed and so have you. People frequently report feelings of isolation when returning to the country they grew up in‚ despite often having friends and family nearby.

---

Research what life in your chosen country is like and talk to others who have made the move‚ perhaps through local expatriate or returning residents’ groups. Sign up for a language course and master the basics before you move. 

---

Back to top

Choosing your home

Often the most exciting aspect of beginning a new life abroad is purchasing the perfect home – the type of home you choose and its location can be crucial in ensuring that your life abroad is a long-term success.

Before committing to an area why not consider renting a property first? This will give you the opportunity to see what daily life might be like at different times of the year. For example‚ many warmer countries still experience cool winters so renting would allow you to test whether the climate would suit you all year round. If you are considering moving to a popular holiday destination‚ it will allow you to experience life during the low season. Renting somewhere gives you the opportunity to find out more directly about the local housing market.

If you decide to go ahead and buy a property‚ it is important to engage the services of an independent legal adviser. It is also important to be aware of local inheritance laws and any additional land or service charges you may be subject to.

‘After holidaying there‚ we thought it would be the perfect place to live and bought an apartment. When we moved over in October we found the town abandoned for the winter with virtually no one living there and not even a shop open nearby.’

If the property you are buying is somewhere you intend to stay for many years‚ consider how suitable it would be if your circumstances change. For example‚ if you were reliant on a car to reach local amenities‚ what would happen if you or your partner were no longer able to drive?

---

Before buying a property abroad consider the following:

 

 

• Are there local amenities (shops‚ medical facilities) within easy walking distance?
• Are there good public transport links nearby?
• Will you have any neighbours?  If you become frail or unwell‚ neighbours are often a vital source of support.
• Will the property be easy to maintain or adapt should your needs and abilities change over the years?
• Do properties in the area sell quickly and easily?

‘I bought a lovely villa by the sea for my retirement but my daughter became unwell and I wanted to return to the UK to help her. The trouble is‚ three years on‚ I still haven’t managed to sell my house and so can’t afford to return.’

---

Back to top

---

Further information

Freephone
Information Line
0800 00 99 66

Moving abroad podcasts

Listen to our podcasts to hear people share their experiences of moving abroad in later life.