How to Live In a Foreign Country

Living in a new town is scary enough, but compound that by living in an entirely new country and you have something completely different. The actual move to a new country can be difficult, but the real trouble comes when you have to live there. While you might feel a little confused and homesick, you can learn how to live in a foreign country. That means meeting the locals and learning how to get around town.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide where you’re going to live and get started on planning your new life. This isn’t the time to procrastinate and wonder if you’re doing the right thing, but the time to take steps and just do it. It might be scary, and a little strange at first, but eventually you’ll get accustomed to the new world and the sites and sounds.

2. Pack up the things you’ll need in your new home and hire a company such as FedEx to mail them for you. This is the perfect time to host a yard sale to get rid of those things that you’ve accumulated over the years and don't want to take with you. Most foreign countries have smaller apartments and houses than you might have in the US. You're going to have less space in your new home.

3. Find a place to live that’s affordable and comfortable. When you first make the move to a foreign country you may want to spend a few weeks in a hotel or even a hostel, until you can find a suitable place. While those options give you the chance to learn more about your new home, you won’t feel acclimated until you have your own place.

4. Make friends with your neighbors and watch where the locals go. It might be tempting to follow the tourists, but eventually you need to find your own places. The restaurants and sites where the locals go will not only be more interesting, but they’ll also be more affordable. Before long you’ll start feeling like a local.

5. Learn your way around town as soon as possible. Some people find it easiest to spend a few days wandering through their new town and trying different streets to see where they go. It can be frustrating to constantly get lost in your new town so you need to try and learn your way around. Eventually you’ll learn your way around and have people asking you for directions.

Tips & Warnings

• Find out more information about obtaining a visa for your new homeland long before you actually move and also get your passport. It can take six months or longer to be granted a visa or passport and you’ll need those before you move.
• Consider visiting your new hometown before you actually move. While London might seem like a great city, the reality of living there might be much different. It can be very expensive to move if you arrive in town with all your belongings and decide that you don’t like your new country.