It’s a natural inclination to want the best quality of life for your family. The pandemic gave us plenty of opportunities to reflect on where we live and how we live, and as a result, significant numbers of people are asking themselves if their lives would be improved by moving out of the city or even moving to another country. Moving your family abroad is a life-changing decision. It may turn out to be the best decision you ever made, but only if you go into it with your eyes wide open. If you are thinking of relocating your family, here are six key considerations for you to mull over.
Are your finances secure?
All house moves turn out to be more expensive than you expected. When you move abroad, those unexpected expenses will multiply. If you are intending to work abroad, don’t assume that you’ll just pick something up. Your professional qualifications may not be recognised, and there might be a considerable delay before you can earn an income.
Your children’s education
One of the important factors that will help you decide where to settle will be the quality and proximity of schools for your children. The age of your children will be another important consideration. Relocating your child in their GCSE or A-level year would be grossly unfair. Children adapt remarkably quickly, but it will take time for them to adjust to being taught in a new language. The great advantage, of course, is that your children will grow up bilingual.
Work opportunities
Doing thorough research is crucial. The best scenario is to secure your employment before leaving the U.K. If you intend to work freelance, make sure that you understand the legal requirements and your position within the tax system.
Friends and family
If you are moving to Europe, maintaining contact with family and friends should not be difficult; in fact, to begin with, you’ll probably find that you’ve never had so many visitors. If you are planning to move far from the U.K., Australia, for example, you will have to come to terms with the fact that you will only see family and friends rarely.
Language barrier
Unless you are moving to an English-speaking country, you will need to learn a new language fast. Do not assume that you’ll find enough English speakers to get by. Learning a new language is good for your brain and will help you integrate with the local community. You will have to accept that it will be many years before you can converse with the fluency of your native language, but you’ll be surprised at how quickly immersion in a new language will help you learn.
Housing costs
A key incentive for moving may be the realisation that you could afford a much better family home by moving abroad. Rather than rushing into buying somewhere, it makes sense to rent a property until you get to know the area. Rental prices in Europe are generally much lower than in the U.K., but of course, it depends on where you decide to settle. Renting a three-bed house in Provence, in the south of France, will cost you an average of 1250 euros per month. In Spain, the average rental price per month is around 600 euros. According to the property platform Imovirtual, the average rental price, as of August 2021, in the beautiful Portuguese municipality of Viseu, was a modest 425 euros per month. As they say, ‘you pay your money, and you take your choice’.