For many travelers the question of where to live overseas may be obvious. Most of us have some specific interest in a country or at least a region of the world. But there are some important considerations you shouldn’t overlook even if you think your mind is made up.
For example, have you researched how hard the language is compared to other countries you could go to? Have you considered how you will be viewed by others once you get off the plane? A lot of opinionated Americans who have come before you (some tourists and some politicians) have possibly ruined your reputation as an American in some countries. How hard is it to get a job in that country? What are the risks or advantages in going to that specific place? Only you can answer the question of where to live, but let’s consider some factors that might make the decision easier.
Do you sprechen the language?
Language is something to seriously ponder before you jump in with both feet. Do you enjoy learning foreign languages? If so, do you enjoy challenging ones? A native English speaker can usually become fluent in Spanish much quicker than she can in Japanese or Korean. Tip: Remember, speaking slowly and loudly in English usually helps communicate that you’re obnoxious.
If language acquisition isn’t your forte, there are numerous countries where English is widely spoken. There are the obvious ones, which are mostly members of the former British Empire, but there are many other not so obvious countries where English is an official language or, at least, widely spoken. The Philippines, Singapore, Belize, and the Scandinavian countries are pretty easy to get around with just English to name a few.
Cultural differences you can and can’t live with.
Lifestyle differences can also be enormously impactful on your experience. It’s probably safe to assume you have at least some level of interest in a place that isn’t culturally the same as your home country and that as a travel lover you enjoy learning foreign ways to live and do things. But it’s still helpful to consider that some differences can be appreciated or tolerated, while customs in some places may be antithetical to who you are as a person.
Some women may find that parts of of the world can be nearly intolerable because there are still many cultural and institutional biases against them. (See the book Being a Broad in Japan—which by the way is the cleverest title I’ve ever seen.) In some cultures, women are often objectified even more than in Western countries, and there can be a much less egalitarian attitude towards women in the workplace.
If you go to a country where these conditions exist, you cannot expect that the society will change just because you are an American. The question is can you live with these conditions, or will you be miserable? It’s impossible to know everything about a place before you go, but ask yourself seriously if you are up to the challenge of living in the context of that country’s norms. If not, choose another destination.
Rainy & cold or hot & sunny?
Another factor to consider is the climate. I am from Florida, and I grew up with essentially no experience of a real winter. Florida has essentially two seasons. Summer and “summer-lite.” We also enjoy many days of sunny weather in the Sunshine State. So, naturally, moving to a country like Sweden, which is lovely in the summer by the way, is going to be a lot tougher for someone like me to adjust to than say Southern Spain or Italy.
On the other hand, for some, a different climate might be a welcomed change. Though we do have nice weather where I live, I enjoy having four seasons like they do in Japan. So whether you are looking for a change or something similar, check the average highs and lows for each season in your target country.
Also, be aware of any natural disasters common to the area. There’s almost no place in the world where they don’t have some kind of natural dangers during one or more seasons of the year. Typhoons, earthquakes, lightening, dangerous animals should all be considered ahead of your trip. Make sure you know how to deal with each of the common natural weather phenomena native to the region.
Phone a friend.
It can be helpful to talk to people with firsthand experience in the country or culture you are considering. Though your experience will certainly be different from that of a friend, you can learn much about what to expect from people who have gone before you. One disadvantage I found about listening to other people’s experience, however, is that it can color your thinking and cause you to make assumptions that may not prove true.
For example, if you hear that people in a certain country are “rude to Americans” you will likely be expecting people to be rude to you when you arrive. This can cause you to also interpret experiences through the prism of preconceived ideas instead of taking each person as an individual and giving them the benefit of the doubt. Still, the advice of others can be helpful, especially when dealing with cultures that are very different from your own.
Kick the tires.
Possibly the surest method to help decide where to move is a test run in the country you are considering. Take a one or two-week trip there and see what you think. This is a more expensive way to make the decision, but there’s no substitute for actually being in the country to help you decide if you like it or not. Book yourself a trip and don’t take a tour. You want to experience the culture for yourself and not in a group of other Americans or people from your own country. Try to speak with the locals.
Ask yourself questions about the items we have looked at already. Could I handle [fill in cultural difference] if I had to live with it every day? Can I live with the climate? Do I think the language barrier is insurmountable? If you find yourself answering all these questions in the right direction and you’re really not looking forward to going home, you probably have your answer.