Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Planning to Move Overseas? Where to Begin.

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

Summary: A primer for those preparing to move overseas on the resources available on Expat Exchange and how to best start to plan your move abroad.

So you've decided to consider or plan to move to another country.

Well, you've come to the right place. It doesn't matter if your company has transferred you abroad or you simply want a new life away from it all, ExpatExchange.com is here to help your through the relocation process and beyond. We'll do everything we can to help you make the most of what promises to be an exciting adventure.

Many people have a very romantic notion of what it means to move to another country. And there is good reason for this. Living abroad in a foreign land amid people of another culture can be one of the richest, most rewarding experiences of your life. The best way to maximize the chances that your expatriate experience lives up to these lofty visions is to ensure that you understand what it means to make such a decision, and to be fully prepared if you do indeed decide to become an "expat."

We have lots of experience handling requests from information from people considering or preparing to embark upon an international relocation. These range from naive ("I just need a passport and a plane ticket, right?") to very realistic ("I am looking for a good cross-cultural training company to help me tackle all of the issues I'm sure I need to think about"). In the series of articles that follow, we have presented a primer for anyone interested in exploring the expatriate lifestyle.

Even if you are merely considering a move abroad, you'll have a greater understanding of what to expect. The information is based upon our experiences with relocation experts, cross-cultural trainers, professionals from relevant industries, and most importantly, from expats themselves.

In addition to these articles, you'll find dozens of others by our contributing experts that will provide more in depth information. Most of these experts offer for fee services, and their articles are a great way for potential customers to get a feel for their expertise. If you decide to use their services, please tell them that ExpatExchange.com sent you!

We hope you find what you need. If you do not, the best way to have a question answered is by posting it into one of our many forums.

Are you an expatriate with a suggestion about the content of this article? Send it to [email protected]

About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.


First Published: May 27, 2004

How do I use Expat Exchange?
You'll gain access to the best information and features when you join our site (it's free). Then, choose your destination and you'll find many of these features for your country:

  • Country Forums
  • Country Guides
  • City Guides
  • Best Places to Live
  • Healthcare Guides
  • Real Estate
  • Cost of Living
  • Pros & Cons

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal