Ten Things I Wished I'd Known Before Moving Abroad

[daverobev]

This might not be ten things. Let's see.

1. Get a foreign-exchange fee free credit card before you go.

2. Get all your financial house in order; if you have a house that you're keeping as a rental, remortgage it or sell it. In my experience it is *bloody hard* to get credit in a country you are not resident in!

3. Get an American Express card. Why? They are the only credit company that actually 'does' credit cards (VISA and MC just do the interchange; you don't go to VISA and directly apply for a card) in most countries - and they have a 'global transfer' program, meaning when you arrive in your new country you contact Amex in the new country, apply for a card and tell them you're doing a transfer (you don't have to close down the old card). Bang - instant credit in the new country, and the best thing is they say you've been a member since your earliest card in the first country!

4. While you can often/sometimes transfer your driving license abroad, your destination country's insurers might not take your driving *history*. Here in Canada I was treated as having a brand new license (which *technically* it was) after doing a license swap from the UK. $1500 or $1800 is what my first year here cost me, after my last in the UK being maybe GBP 300 - and for considerably less coverage.

5. Following on from 2, banks in your new country can't see your assets in your old country. Nor can they see your income. You will pretty much be treated as an 18 year old with no history - especially if, like me, you go self employed.

6. Exchange rates change. Seriously. By 15, 20% over a year or two. That rental property that was covering all your expenses? Not any more, it doesn't!

7. What is tax free in one place won't be in another. So while you can keep your old ISAs or TFSAs or whatever open - you won't be able to add to them - and you will probably have to pay tax on them in your new country.

8. Even if people speak the same language, Things Are Different. Especially for an introvert like me - either expect to take up an interest in Ice Hockey, or have some trouble relating. Y'can always talk about the weather, of course.

9. Might be obvious, but not only is humour different (You're all bastards.. no no it's a joke! Honestly!!), but.. everything is different. People's love or hate for government programs. Or governments. Honestly it really is better to not get into an argument unless you've really understood what the thing is. And even if you DO understand it better than the locals.. well.. probably not going to go down too well.

10. They don't sell Twiglets in Canada! UGH.

Ok well that worked out alright. Most of these are pretty unimportant, but number 10 is a bitch.

[swick]

10. They don't sell Twiglets in Canada! UGH.

Ok well that worked out alright. Most of these are pretty unimportant, but number 10 is a bitch.

If you can track down a British Imports shop they will most likely have your Twiglets, or can order them in for you :)

[arebelspy]

Never heard of twiglets, but the rest was pretty good advice. Thanks!

I recommend Charles Schwab for Banking and traveling - fee free ATM withdrawals at any ATM worldwide (they refund you any fees the ATM charges)!

[deborah]

One thing I find with credit cards, they charge currency conversion fees, and, if someone gives a refund, there is another conversion fee, and if the currency values have changed between payment and refund, you can get even less of a refund.

There are still places that don't take cards.

[SnackDog]

11. Ensure your living will, trust and health directives are up to date before you go.
12. Maintain a detailed inventory of your possessions (one more reason to have less; plan a massive online and ongoing garage sale before you move)
13. Move everything you can to online transactions (minimize or eliminate paper mail)
14. Plan to go local on banking, bills, etc. Minimize or eliminate shifting money between countries to avoid transaction fees.
15. Understand the tax implications of your move (in both countries)
16. Visit and/or meet with expats who have moved ahead of you to get grounded before you go
17. Button up affairs (property, vehicles, etc) at home as if you may not return for 10 years. Liquidate.  Simplify.
18. Identify a close friend or family member to be your home country liaison (banking, Slingbox, street mailing address).
19. If you are leaving the US, you are guaranteed to be going to a country with higher cost of goods. Plan accordingly.
20. Understand what sort of goods are relocatable and which are not based on standards (NTSC/PAL), electricity voltage, etc.

[daverobev]

One thing I find with credit cards, they charge currency conversion fees, and, if someone gives a refund, there is another conversion fee, and if the currency values have changed between payment and refund, you can get even less of a refund.

There are still places that don't take cards.

That's point 1! There are cards that do not charge for currency conversion. Assuming you ever go overseas, it's worth getting one.

Examples - Nationwide, Capital one have ones in the UK

Chase's Amazon and Sears cards in Canada

BofA's Travel Rewards, CapOne's Quicksilver in the US

[daverobev]

11. Ensure your living will, trust and health directives are up to date before you go.
12. Maintain a detailed inventory of your possessions (one more reason to have less; plan a massive online and ongoing garage sale before you move)
13. Move everything you can to online transactions (minimize or eliminate paper mail)
14. Plan to go local on banking, bills, etc. Minimize or eliminate shifting money between countries to avoid transaction fees.
15. Understand the tax implications of your move (in both countries)
16. Visit and/or meet with expats who have moved ahead of you to get grounded before you go
17. Button up affairs (property, vehicles, etc) at home as if you may not return for 10 years. Liquidate.  Simplify.
18. Identify a close friend or family member to be your home country liaison (banking, Slingbox, street mailing address).
19. If you are leaving the US, you are guaranteed to be going to a country with higher cost of goods. Plan accordingly.
20. Understand what sort of goods are relocatable and which are not based on standards (NTSC/PAL), electricity voltage, etc.

Good additions, thanks. Deffo need to sort a will out.

I found it very easy to update stuff from the UK to Canada (bank, mortgage, etc).

We had like... two pallets shipped I think. Need to do some downsizing now, ugh.

[parkette]

4. While you can often/sometimes transfer your driving license abroad, your destination country's insurers might not take your driving *history*. Here in Canada I was treated as having a brand new license (which *technically* it was) after doing a license swap from the UK. $1500 or $1800 is what my first year here cost me, after my last in the UK being maybe GBP 300 - and for considerably less coverage.

My husband is Australian and now has permanent residency in Canada. We were able to get around the insurance issue by getting a 10-year driver's history from his Australian insurer. I'm sure not every Canadian insurer will allow this, but very worthwhile shopping around to get a massive reduction in car insurance costs once you find one who will.

[daverobev]

4. While you can often/sometimes transfer your driving license abroad, your destination country's insurers might not take your driving *history*. Here in Canada I was treated as having a brand new license (which *technically* it was) after doing a license swap from the UK. $1500 or $1800 is what my first year here cost me, after my last in the UK being maybe GBP 300 - and for considerably less coverage.

My husband is Australian and now has permanent residency in Canada. We were able to get around the insurance issue by getting a 10-year driver's history from his Australian insurer. I'm sure not every Canadian insurer will allow this, but very worthwhile shopping around to get a massive reduction in car insurance costs once you find one who will.

Might be different on PEI than ON. Private vs public. I was apparently thought to be a "three star" driver with some insurers because of my history, but IIRC the underwriter that was cheapest turned out not to be one of those.

[Villanelle]

You will get used to the frequent discomfort of know longer knowing how to do things which you weren't even aware were things.  Pulling out of a parking garage?  You have no awareness of ever learning how that works.  But somewhere along the line, you learned it.  Then, you get to Europe and have a humiliating moment where you pull up to the gate and want to pay, only to learn (once you figure out WTF is wrong) that you were supposed to pay at a machine before you got in your car.  Cue awkwardly waiving at the angry drivers lined up behind you so they can back up and let you get out of the exit.

Putting your items on the conveyer belt at the grocery store?  Suddenly a very angry German lady is yelling at you.  You don't know what she's saying, but eventually you realize she's telling you that in Germany, one puts bottles drinks on their *sides* on the belt, and to do otherwise is apparently an unforgivable sin.

For me, this is the hardest thing--the general cultural ignorance that pops up in the most unexpected places.