12 Key Qualities of Countries to Consider When Moving Abroad

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This is Part 2 of a series on moving abroad. Read Part 1 and Part 3 here.

Have you (and your family unit) now decided that you want to explore potential country options for a move abroad? Perhaps you have determined that you are not satisfied or peaceful with life in your current country and are concerned about that dissatisfaction increasing in the future; reasons for a move abroad vary by individual and family unit. Even 10 years ago, a full one-third of Americans claimed an aspiration to move abroad, and this was prior to many of the political upheavals that have occurred in the past decade.

I’m a psychologist who has lived in various countries and am writing this series of blogs on moving abroad to assist those who are considering this option. This blog series can provide information that may not be provided in guidebooks.

The decision to expatriate (move to another country) can be a complicated journey, but may generally follow a process in which expatriation motivations are formed, evaluated, and eventually a decision is made. Whether you are in the early or more advanced stages of the process, there are several basic country qualities and considerations regarding the selection of a move country.

First on the “to-do” list will be to make sure you (and the moving family members) each have a current and valid passport. Concurrently, the process of exploration regarding potential move countries may begin.

Research the country of interest

In this exploration period you will want to extensively research the country or countries of interest, including reading informative articles and books, as well as watching videos. You may also find that online groups on social media designed for expatriates (or “expats”) are quite a helpful resource. By speaking to individuals who have already experienced the move abroad along with its associated challenges, you will have access to a wealth of information prior to visiting the country.

Considerations regarding the target country or countries

There are several basic considerations you will want to explore when searching for the country that will be right for you (and your moving family).

1. Are there any countries you are considering in which you have family or friends?

If there is a country of interest where you already have family or friends, this is a huge plus and should factor into your decision. Three important points to consider:

• The presence of relatives or friends in the target country translates into a much easier first exploration visit to the new nation prior to the move. For this initial visit, the loved ones can show you around, giving you an “insider’s view” and providing much essential information about the country to assist you in your decision regarding whether this is the right country for you.
• Family or friends in the new country are an incredible resource. There is so much to learn: knowledge about local facilities, products, housing, and day-to-day living. An essential aspect, as well, is having a resource for learning about the similarities and differences between the country of origin and the new country.
• Importantly, you will have a built-in support system if you choose to move there. Starting over in a different country means you will be leaving behind family and friends, and you’ll need tpo build a new support network in the new country, which is essential to adjustment and happiness there. Already having a support system when you arrive will make the emotional adjustment much gentler on all those involved in the move.

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2. How different is the target country from your home country?

One aspect to consider is how similar or different the country is to your current country. For many people (especially newbies to international travel and those on the not-too-adventurous side), the more dissimilar the new country is to one’s current country, the more challenging may be the adjustment to the international move.

3. Political and economic stability

For most people, the political and economic stability of a country is a crucial consideration. Part of that stability is its economic steadiness. Is the country financially on an even keel, or does it have a recent history of severe ups and downs in its economy?

The target country’s political situation and stability will also be important to investigate. Additionally, consider whether the general political climate and views of the country (including whether it is rather secular or religious) generally fit with your own views. This may also vary widely within a country depending upon the region.

4. Crime and personal safety

One important consideration is personal safety and crime. Is the country’s crime focused primarily in the biggest cities, or instead is it pervasive throughout the nation? Also, find out whether the crime in the region of interest is mainly petty theft or instead violent crime. Also, some individuals may want to investigate the possibility of safe organized communities for expatriates (such as gated communities).

5. Climate, weather, and terrain

You will want to assess if the climate is somewhat similar to what you are accustomed to or whether it is vastly different. Aspects to research included temperature, humidity levels, and severe weather changes, as well as the general terrain (such as flat versus mountainous).

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6. Healthcare

Healthcare is certainly an important factor in searching for a country in which to live. You will want to find out the level(s), quality, availability, and costs of medical care. This may be even more important for retirees and those with specific health conditions. Also, for those with health problems, be sure to find out if there is a clause regarding pre-existing conditions. In addition, you will want to find out before traveling to the country if there are any specific vaccinations required or suggested, including COVID testing or vaccinations.

7. Education

Those individuals with school-age (and college-age) children will be especially interested in finding out the education quality in the target country. Public vs. private schools, costs, and so forth will need to be investigated.

8. Cost of living

A nation’s cost of living is indeed an extremely important issue, and for many, this may be one of the determining factors in the country choice. Countries vary widely in cost of living and even in regions within the same country, such as urban versus rural areas. There is even a growing trend that has been termed “amenity or lifestyle migration,” meaning that a country with a lower cost of living may translate into a more comfortable lifestyle, especially for those on limited incomes.

9. The native language, lengua materna, madrelingua…

Certainly, for many people, the country’s native language will be a consideration. If the target country’s language is not your own first language, ponder your willingness to learn the nation’s mother tongue. Consider looking into online language programs and computer applications that can assist in this process.

10. Property ownership

Different countries have differing laws regarding property ownership for non-citizens; certain nations discourage it while others make property ownership quite attractive. In fact, there are countries which offer incentives for foreigners wanting to move to their nation and purchase a home or property.

For instance, due to the number of younger adults moving from rural areas of Italy to the cities, the Italian government is offering special incentives for buying a home in a rural area. For all home incentive programs, be sure to read the fine print! Also, it’s always recommended to rent in an area at least one to two years prior to buying a home to determine if it’s the right region for you.

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11. First-hand experience

If you have never visited the countries of interest, there is much to learn. After thoroughly researching the nation online, it’s vital that all moving family members visit the country or countries of interest prior to the move. Of course, for those fortunate enough to have citizenship (a passport) in more than one country, this may make the decision process easier. However, most individuals will only have a passport from their current country, and thus they will need to explore potential target countries.

12. Seasoned international traveler or newbie?

Additionally, for those who are not seasoned travelers (and especially for those who have never been out of their home country), ideally you would want to visit a few different countries that might be potential moving options. It is not recommended to move to a country without first visiting it, except in the case of a dire emergency. Expect many differences between one’s current country and the new nation, many of which you won’t experience until you take a trip there.

The reality is that, to a certain extent, an international move may feel like starting over in one’s life. In some ways this can be exciting and positive, while in other ways (and depending upon the person and country), one may experience a myriad of differences that can be challenging.

For further information on moving abroad: In Part 1 of this blog series, we discussed five questions to ask oneself when considering a move abroad. In Part 3 of this series, we take a deeper dive into moving abroad including ways to support oneself abroad, such as becoming a "digital nomad".