So, you’ve said goodbye to your old home and hello to your new home. You’ve traveled abroad and landed in your new country . . . and now what? Everyone seems full of advice about things you need to do before you move, but what about after?
There are still a few important things that need to be done after you’ve settled, or maybe there were things you should have done before the move, but you were too busy to get to them, so you put them off. Well, no more putting off. Keep reading to find out what you should be doing after arriving abroad.
Get Insurance
People often put off getting insurance once they’re abroad, because they think it’s not a priority. Unfortunately, accidents can happen at any time, even if you’ve just moved. That’s why it’s important to get your insurance sorted as soon as possible. If you can’t immediately sort out all your insurance, focus on the important ones – home insurance, car insurance, life insurance, and health insurance. You might be able to keep some of your insurance even after you’ve moved abroad, but keep in mind that insurance varies from place to place. For example, health insurance in Mexico will differ vastly from health insurance in the UK.
Sort Out Your Medical Situation
It’s a good idea to choose a doctor’s office and hospital close to you and have all your medical records transferred there. That way, you won’t have to worry about it in the middle of an emergency. You should also get all of your prescriptions renewed by a local doctor to avoid running out of any important medications. It can also be a good idea to do a post-travel medical checkup, especially if you have any medical conditions.
Choose A School And Enroll Your Children
If you have any children, you should definitely have a few ideas for schools. You should visit a few and decide which one would be best for them. Of course, they might need some time to settle in before going back to school, but school will be a good way for them to adjust and feel at home. Keep in mind that they may need to be held back a year if they missed a lot of school during the school year. Choosing a school is very important, so be sure to put a lot of thought into the decision.
Sort Out Finances
Now is the time to set up a new bank account and transfer your money, if you haven’t already. Do some research to see which of the local banks will suit your needs the best. Transferring your money can be a hassle, and if you do it the wrong way, you can end up losing quite a chunk of it due to transfer and processing fees, which is why it’s so important to research different methods of transferring your money until you find one that works. Don’t be afraid to ask advice from people who have been in your situation.
Get A Local Cell Service
While you should still be able to use your previous cell number, it will make things unnecessarily complicated, and your fees will probably be much higher than if you were to use a local service. As with most of the things on this list, do your research and ask around so that you are aware of all of your options and can choose the right one for you. Once you have a new cell service, cancel your old one. Try to keep your old one until the new one is working, since it might be a while until your new service is up and running.
Sort Out Employment
If you don’t have a job, you might want to start looking around. Be sure to be prepared for any interview, whether it is an entry-level position or an executive interview. You can do this by researching the company so that you know what to expect from the interview, as well as what they might expect from you. If you have already secured a job, be sure to get in touch with your employer to let them know you’ve landed and discuss next steps.
Get A Permanent Residence
You’ve probably secured residence for the period after you’ve landed, so that you can recover form the journey. Maybe you were staying with family or friends, or perhaps in a hotel. Either way, those are temporary solutions. Now that you’re here and ready to start the next phase of your life, it’s time to think of long-term solutions. Start looking at places to rent or buy, so that you have an idea of the costs and can start making a list of requirements. Getting a place to call home will instantly make you feel more settled and stable.