Given that Charlton House provides financial advice to expats and internationally mobile individuals and families, we are very used to speaking with clients who are setting up a new life in a different community overseas.
Furthermore, it’s hardly an uncommon occurrence, with a BBC report confirming that more than 5.5 million British people are living abroad, either through work commitments or fulfilling a desire to live in a new country.
Clearly, there are financial challenges related to such a move. An Ipsos report for HSBC revealed that more than half (53%) of survey respondents struggled to set-up important things like a bank account, utilities, and the internet, which resulted in feeling unsettled.
Beyond financial issues, however, there are other factors that could influence whether or not your move to live abroad is a success.
So, discover six practical suggestions that can help you transition into a new community and thrive once you are there.
1. Planning ahead can help ease the transition into a new community
As with all major projects, forward planning will pay dividends and greatly improve your chances of a successful transition into a new life in a new community.
The internet is your friend here. Online searches can help you research the region you are moving to and give you a great insight into what Is going on in the surrounding area.
You can also find out about local community groups, including groups of other expats, as well as the range of local activities.
Furthermore, if you already have a property lined up to move into, Google Maps will even give you a detailed street view to find local shops and bars.
You should also try to visit where you are intending to live at different times of the year so you can get a realistic feel for the town and surrounding area. That will also give you the opportunity to check out local facilities relating your hobbies and interests.
After all, if you are a keen golfer there is little point moving somewhere where there are no golf courses within easy reach, or if there is only a limited choice and, as a result, very expensive.
2. There are several great benefits to learning the new language
Expat Financial cite the language barrier as one of the most common problems of moving overseas, so taking time to learn the language – maybe even before you arrive – will pay dividends in terms of helping you integrate into a new community and learn about the culture.
Even if you find that locals commonly speak English, it makes sense to learn to speak the language of your new home. For one thing, it’s respectful, as it can be hard to shake off the stereotype of the English person abroad repeating their English question at an ever increasing volume because locals don’t understand what they are saying!
Learning the language through simple interactions with other people is a good way to make friends and help you to become established and recognised in your new community.
If people see you make an effort, they will make an effort too. Regular short conversations will boost your confidence, and help you assimilate.
If you are retiring, another good reason for learning a new language is that it’s recognised as being one of the most effective ways to keep your mind active.
3. Don’t over-rely on the local expat community
As you read in point one, looking for any local expat community that you can engage with clearly makes sense, especially as you’re finding your feet in a new country.
They should be able to provide you with important information about local services, as well as be a ready-made social network for you to spend time with.
However, if I can offer a word of caution here, if you only associate with other expats you may well miss out on the opportunities presented by a new community, and end up living a very narrow existence.
This problem could be exacerbated if you are moving to work, and your new social network is purely derived from people you work with. The result could be you being in the position of simply talking and thinking work for most of time. As well as being potentially both boring and stressful, it could also result in you not making the most of your opportunities.
Moving abroad is an adventure for you and your family, and you are likely to be creating memories to last a lifetime. It would seem to be a shame to waste it by trying to stay as close to the UK, in terms of language and culture as possible, but with the one difference of a hotter climate.
4. When in Rome…
As you would expect, adapting to a life in a community that could be very different to the ones you’ve previously been used to can be a challenging experience.
Having to integrate into cultural differences may well take time, and the easiest way to do this is to keep as open a mind as possible.
It’s clearly something that will take time, and you should see it as a step-by-step process rather than something that can happen almost overnight.
It can help to follow the same life patterns as people living in your new community, as they are likely to be doing so for a good reason.
As a very simple example, people living in a hot climate tend to be more active when the temperature is cooler in the morning and evening, so it will make sense for you to follow the local tradition.
Keeping an eye open for local traditions and lifestyle arrangements, such as the markets they shop at, and the restaurants they favour, will help you integrate into your new community, and make it easier to get to know the local people and surrounding communities.
5. Check out local cultural events
As well as following local traditions and customs, you should also look to get involved in some of the local cultural and social events.
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t want to follow the same interests and hobbies you had while you were living in the UK, or elsewhere. For one thing, it will keep you active and provide something familiar to occupy your mind while a lot around you is unfamiliar.
For example, if there are certain sports you like either watching or participating in, then check to see if there are opportunities to do the same in your new community.
Likewise, if there are other leisure activities you have been involved in, it’s worth seeing if they are available locally.
As well as keeping you active, they can also help you build relationships with like-minded people through a common interest.
Importantly, at a time when you may be feeling stressed by being somewhere you haven’t yet got used to, activities can help provide you with an emotional release to help your mental health and wellbeing.
6. It’s important to keep an open mind and to stay positive
As you have read, moving to a different country and living in an entirely new community can be daunting. After all, you’re moving from familiar surroundings and a social network that you may have been used to for decades, so the upheaval may make you feel confused and unsure for a time.
Because of that, it’s important to plan ahead so that you can “hit the ground running” in your new environment. It’s also important to treat the experience as an adventure and embrace all the different opportunities that present themselves.
Keeping an open mind and being prepared to spend some time outside your usual comfort zone will ultimately be hugely rewarding for you and your family.
Get in touch
If you would like to find out more about how we can help you with your financial planning arrangements, and the financial aspects of moving to a new community, please get in touch.
You can contact us by email or, if you prefer to speak to us, you can reach us in the UK on +44 (0) 208 0044900 or in Hong Kong on +852 39039004.
Production
