Emigrating to Pastures New - Is It for You?

There is no denying that moving house is a stressful experience, but there is a very big difference between moving from one city to another and relocating to a new country. So what is the attraction of a upping sticks and moving abroad to start a new life and is it really such a good idea?

Individuals tend to fall into two main camps when it comes to making a home. Some are happy spending their entire lives in one place, putting down roots and following the same routines day in and day out. Others have a deep seated wanderlust embedded in their soul. They might be happy for a while, but eventually the urge to upgrade to a new place or explore the attractions of a different town or city comes to the fore and they make plans to move. Of course this is a generalisation – people are often forced to move for a myriad of different reasons, work and relationship breakdowns being the two already mentioned.

But moving from one street to another is hardly the same as packing up everything you own and travelling halfway across the world to seek a new life. Such an experience can be life-changing and it certainly is not for everyone. Moving house plans also require a lot of work in terms of paperwork.

Finding a Job

If you are lucky enough to have a job offer on the table from an employer in your chosen country, this makes life a lot easier. Your employer will deal with the necessary paperwork and smooth the passage for you to move seamlessly into your new life. If you don’t have a job in place, you will need to make sure that there are jobs available once you arrive.

Certain skilled professions are always in demand. Doctors, engineers, lawyers, etc., can usually walk into a job in a different country without any problems whatsoever. Sadly we can’t all be so highly qualified, but even if your job is very lowly, do not assume there will be no openings for you in a different country. Check out the list of desirable professions on the immigration website. You might be surprised as to what professions are in demand – hairdressers are apparently in short supply in Australia and if you are a plasterer, you can enjoy a fast-track entry route into Canada.

A New Life in the Sun

No matter how comprehensive your moving house plans are, you can’t account for everything. Life might look rosy in a new country, but even if the weather is fantastic and your new homes is ten times large than the one you left behind, what happens if your family hate their new life and are struggling to make friends?

Lots of families move abroad, only to discover that life is rarely greener on the other side of the fence. Any interpersonal problems you had before do not get left behind when you move to a new country. You will probably miss friends, family, and the little things you just can’t get in a different country. So before you pack your bags and sell up, think long and hard about whether it is the right decision.