3 Important Considerations When Planning to Retire Abroad
A working career typically lasts around 30-40 years on average, depending on how many years you spend in higher education and when you commence your first employment. Ideally, you will be able to find a career path that gives you a fulfilling range of tasks to undertake and provides you with a salary that allows you to achieve a suitable standard of living. When reaching retirement age, a growing number of people seek to move abroad. Commonly, this is to allow them to enjoy a warmer climate where they can relax in the long summer season. Additionally, living abroad may involve a lower cost of living that can allow retirement funds to stretch further. In this article, three important considerations are discussed that will allow you to plan for retirement abroad with confidence.
1. Shipping your possessions overseas
As a first consideration, it is important to think about how you will ship your possessions and household items overseas. You will have a significant number of possessions and sending them by air freight services will be extremely expensive. A cost-effective solution is to use a commercial freight shipping firm such as Shiply. These types of companies will have a wealth of experience and expertise in transporting bulk goods overseas. Typically, they will allow you to ship your possessions on pallets and will charge a fee based on the distance, overall weight, and dimensions of your packed items. Bulk freight shipping typically uses sea transport to send goods overseas. Whilst this is slower than air freight, it is often a far more cost-effective solution. Remember to consider the timescales for shipping so that your goods arrive soon after you reach your new home.
2. Language considerations
Many ex-pats choose to move to a new country to enjoy an improved standard of living. However, many foreign countries will not speak your native language, and this can cause communication barriers in the new destination. Ideally, it is a good plan to start learning the new language before you travel. You can find a range of language apps online that will help you master the basics of a new language in a relatively short period of time. Some of these may even be free to use. Remember that you are never too old to learn a new language, and even mastering the basics of communication will help you in daily life for shopping and socializing.
3. Ex-pat communities
Being an ex-pat has a range of positives and some negatives. You may be able to afford a higher standard of living in some countries that have lower prices for common goods and services; conversely, you may miss some aspects of your old life and begin to feel isolated. However, it is important to consider moving to a location that has a thriving ex-pat community from your country. This can be invaluable in making new friends quickly and seeking practical advice from those who have lived there for longer periods of time. Research your intended country and find out which areas have an ex-pat community present.
