​ Before moving abroad, think about the cost of living in your new country and the expected monthly budget needed to live comfortably. Location is key as some international countries and cities are more expensive than others (i.e.: Singapore versus Vietnam.) Also, the number of people moving is another factor.

Helpful items to research: the cities and neighborhood areas that you want to live in, what type of accommodations you're looking for (apartment, studio, or house), cost of monthly utilities, food prices, health insurance, transportation, fun activities, and school (if your family is moving abroad). You'll also need to figure out the initial cost of moving abroad with the visas and shipping your stuff.

While it can be daunting to figure out the cost of living, this will help determine whether or not you want to experience a new opportunity living abroad.

Really do your research on where you want to move. Figure out what the cost of living is like in the country you'd like to move to and how much you will need to earn (or save up) to support yourself. It's easy to look at a country and think it will be "cheap" to live there, but expenses add up. Don't forget to factor in the cost of things like insurance or flights back home.

Think about having enough money before you move abroad. You'll have to make a financial investment in a plane ticket, a deposit for rent, or maybe buy some furniture. You may also have to rent an Airbnb before you find a more permanent place to rent. If you're not sure how much rent will cost, Google is your friend! You can find reliable resources on the cost of living in a particular country or city. There are also tons of relevant Facebook groups where you can ask your question.​

Think about having enough money before you move abroad. You'll have to make a financial investment in a plane ticket, a deposit for rent, or maybe buy some furniture. You may also have to rent an Airbnb before you find a more permanent place to rent. If you're not sure how much rent will cost, Google is your friend! You can find reliable resources on the cost of living in a particular country or city. There are also tons of relevant Facebook groups where you can ask your question.​

So my number one piece of advice would be to take advantage of all that information available. Research, research, research! Read everything you can find about the country or countries you are considering moving to. Research travel information (for example, I only wish I had access to my own guide to traveling in Taiwan when I first moved there!), visa and residency rules, the best cities and neighborhoods to live in, the best companies to work for, the weather, customs, language, and so on. Join forums and groups on Facebook, talk to people who live there, and start making connections. All of this will make your life and transition so much easier!​

In my opinion, the first step a person should take if considering moving abroad is to perform a reality check.

Moving to a foreign country is a risky move, but all that risk can certainly be avoided with a little bit of forethought. Start by listing the reasons for moving to another country and be as honest with yourself as you can be in the process. Assess your level of tolerance for dealing with change and ambiguity. Moving to a foreign country means leaving a comfort zone. Those that do so commit to changing and adapting their lifestyles, developing new habits, and eschewing old habits.

For example, if you're used to driving to get everyday errands and shopping done, can you see yourself being comfortable if you couldn't? In places like China, driving to the nearest grocery can get you stuck in an hour-long traffic jam, and even if you get there in a timely fashion, parking is still at a premium. Most people bike or walk every day and carry all their shopping bags themselves. It's important to realize that you're not only leaving your country, you might also be leaving some of your conveniences too.

For anyone who is considering moving abroad, I recommend learning more about the culture and the language. When you don't speak the language, it may be hard to do day-to-day tasks in addition to "fitting in." Given that you are already not from there, integration can be more challenging as an adult. If you try to learn the language or show you appreciate the culture, people will be more open to you.

JUST DO IT!!!!!

Life as an expat is so rewarding. I won't say it's not hard, because it really can be tough at times, but like most things in life, the best things are the ones we work and strive for. I have had the most memorable experiences as an expat, made some of the best friends, and learned the most about myself. I've reinvented myself countless times, grown in confidence and independence, learning about new countries and cultures, and become a much more tolerant human being. For every difficult experience, I've had ten great ones. I wouldn't change it for the world.

The first step I recommend someone take before moving abroad is making a list of the things that are important to you. Look for a place that has most of the things you want nowhere is perfect, but you can find the best place for you.

Facebook groups are a valuable resource for learning about the country you are thinking of moving to. There are a lot of expat groups full of the information you need to know. Also, look into the local customs and culture of where you want to go. It will make it easier when you interact with locals, which you should always do. The best way to learn is by interacting with locals.

If you are prone to mental health problems (and even if you aren't, circumstances might make it otherwise), make sure the country you are moving to has a good health system that you can apply to and can afford, especially if this is a long-term move. But also, know that there is always help online if you can't find the resources you need in person. Moving country is challenging and can be aggravated by moving alone or moving during other big life changes. The next best thing you can do is make friends and surround yourself well.