Packing up your life – lock, stock and barrel – and relocating to a new country can be very exciting. I know. I’ve done it three times now. But, the road can also be filled with potholes if you don’t put a solid plan in place beforehand.
The key to a smooth relocation is what I call ‘The Three R’s… Research, Research, Research. Armed with the right knowledge, any move to a new home, near or far, will go a lot better than going in blind.
Eyes Wide Open
I saw a Tweet the other day where a new grad was excited because she had ‘decided to move to Dubai next month.’ I thought to myself, honey, have you ever heard the saying ‘Look before you leap?’ I didn’t say that…didn’t want to sound like her mother. She was looking for advice though so I suggested my book, @Home in
Dubai…Getting Connected Online and on the Ground.
Fear of the Known
She replied immediately asking, “What will this book do for me?” Hmmm….valid question. I sent her a reply that it would take her step-by-step through the process
of relocating to Dubai.
Every country is different and some of the facts might scare you away when you realize how much work needs to be done to prepare for your move. However, a
healthy fear of the known is a good thing. Keeps you on your toes.
Have you asked yourself:
- How do I get a work permit?
- Do I need a visa in advance?
- How much will I pay for rent?
- What are the schools like?
- Can I bring my pet into the country?
- Is there reliable Internet access?
- What’s the medical care like?
But, I digress. What any research will do for you (and my Twitter friend), is help decide, ‘should I stay or should I go?’, the big question asked in fellow expat, Paul
Allen’s, book title. It’s the question you need answered when the relocation bell rings. As soon as it does, don’t forget The Three Rs!
Anne O’Connell is a long-time expat, freelance writer and author of @Home in Dubai…Getting Connected Online and on the Ground, which just launched in December 2011 and is available on Amazon.
Follow Anne on Twitter @annethewriter, visit her blog at www.anne-writingjustbecause.blogspot.com or her website at www.globalwritingsolutionsonline.com.
