If you’ve been put on a transfer to a different country and are planning to change everything and move abroad, you might have some serious decision making to do. Moving your entire family overseas can mean anxious children and having to learn a new language. Then, on top of that, is house hunting in a country you’ve never visited. To ensure you pick out a property that will keep everyone happy, here are some things to consider.
Don’t Make It Drastically Different
If you’ve been fantasizing about moving your family to a small Parisian flat, then you might want to reconsider if your family has spent the last ten years in a 5-bedroom house. Finding a balance between what you’re used to and what you might have is vital to keeping everyone happy in what will initially be an unfamiliar country.
Visit – and then Visit Again
It’s suggested that you shouldn’t just visit the place you want to live once, but several times. Impulse buying a home in a country you’re unfamiliar with could spell chaos for the rest of your family. If you’ve been sent on business once, then it’s advised to bring your family for a second time, and maybe even a third. Treating the first family visit as a vacation will make the experience of house hunting less stressful and give the kids something to enjoy. If you’re thinking of relocating to the UK, for instance, and are wondering about the costs of conveyancing, then doing this on your third trip will make the whole process feel less constrained, and far less stressful.
Ask Yourself What You Can’t Live Without
If you’re used to living in a house with a large garden and have kids who love playing sport outside, then living ten storeys up might not suit your family’s lifestyle. Compiling a list of absolute must-haves will ensure that your hunt with a real estate agent will be far more fruitful in the limited time you have. It will also ensure that you’re more likely to settle on a house that has features you’re comfortable with.
If you see plenty of houses you like and tick all your boxes, but you’re still left with a feeling of uncertainty, then it’s sometimes recommended that you rent your property first instead of buying.
City or Cozy countryside?
While you take your experimental vacation to your country of choice, it’s recommended that you decide whether you’re ready to become a city family or vice versa. Staying in either setting to determine whether you’re prepared to tolerate the hustle and bustle of a city or the still quietness of the country and how much you really enjoy your new dwellings.
There are many factors that add up to make or break whether you enjoy moving abroad: finding ‘your’ group of friends, becoming comfortable with the language and taking time to settle in. Even if you love it on day one, it still might take some time to get used to your new house and a new way of living. Whatever happens, be sure to take your time to know what makes your family feel comfortable and what makes you feel like home – wherever you are.
