essay on moving to a new country

Essays About Moving to a New Country: Top 5 Examples

Being in a new country comes with both disadvantages and opportunities to thrive. If you are writing essays about moving to a new country, check out our guide.

Most of us can say that we have moved homes at least once before; if this is daunting on its own, what more a completely different country? People often move to have better opportunities for a job or a lower cost of living, but moving to a new country gives us a chance to thrive beyond that. A life-changing experience also presents us with many challenges, some quick to face and others that take months or even years to overcome. 

The experience of moving to a new country is only what you make of it. You can learn so much from such a dramatic lifestyle change, but only if you embrace it and make the most of it. This is not to say you shouldn’t feel stress, sadness, or confusion with the change, but change is constant in life and should not be shunned. Take advantage of the opportunity and thrive.

5 Top Essay Examples

1. moving to a new country essay by rosh, 2. what nobody will tell you about moving to a new country by zulie rane, 3. getting adjusted after moving to a new country by laura mueller, 4. how to cope with stress when moving abroad by josh jackman, 5. when moving to a new country please don’t do this by iva ursano, 1. why move to a new country, 2. where would you move, and why, 3. advantages and disadvantages of moving to a new country, 4. my experience moving to another country, 5. migration and immigration today, 6. lessons a new country can teach you.

“It goes without saying that moving to a new place is a thrilling adventure. The endless list of foods that you have never tasted before, visiting places that you have always seen on the television screen, smells and sounds that have captured your imagination and experiencing the cultures and traditions that are outright different from yours is something that no one wants to miss.”

In this essay, Rosh lists why one might want to move to a new country. These include professional growth, a new adventure, and making new friends. Moving can be a great new experience that can teach you a lot while being exciting at the same time. Rosh also describes a few problems to consider when moving to another country, such as the language barrier and financial issues. 

Looking for more? Check out these essays about moving to a new place .

“I wish I’d had a little more perspective back then. I wish I’d been a little better at detangling what I liked and what I didn’t like, and what the root cause was. I wish I’d been less caught up in the idea of myself as a worldly traveler, and a little more honest about what I aimed for in life. I wish I’d believed I could have stayed and made a difference about the things I cared about, instead of fleeing east.”

Rane discusses how she left Georgia, U.S.A., for the U.K. and why she regrets it. She was at odds with the slow pace of life, her peers’ political views, and her high school experience, so she decided to apply for college abroad. However, reflecting on it now, she is homesick and regrets her decision. She laments how moving is idealized without showing the negative aspects of such a change. 

“Think about the things that you’d like to achieve after moving to a new country, be it becoming fluent in the language, finding a job, finding a group of friends, etc. Then take active steps to achieve it. Working toward distinct goals will give your day’s purpose at a time when everything may seem so up in the air, and the goals themselves will help you become more a part of your surrounding community.”

In her essay, Mueller writes about several tips that can help you get used to a new country, such as learning a bit of the language and culture, going out to explore, and adjusting your routine to one more standard for the country you are in. Most importantly, she suggests setting new goals for your new country, so you have something to focus on. Mueller also stresses the importance of staying connected with your loved ones back home. Check out these essays about home .

“If moving abroad is all you think about for most of the next year, it will take your joy and your sanity – so take a break every so often. When you feel like you’re underwater, clear your thoughts, take a deep breath or five, and give yourself a moment to be silent. Then consider doing something else for a while, before you tackle the next moving issue.”

Similarly to Mueller, Jackman lists down several ways to adjust to the stress that comes with moving to a new country, such as selling some of your unnecessary belongings and listing what you are excited about. He also discusses the importance of self-care, saying it’s fine to take a break and relax, even taking time off work if necessary. You might also be interested in these articles about immigration .

“It was horrible. Downright pathetic. I showed up as an entitled North American not realizing that I’m the stranger here now. I’m the visitor. I’m the guest. If I didn’t like it, any of it, I could move. No one forced me to live here. Actually, no one even invited me or asked me to move here. Not a soul. I did this on my own.”

Ursano reflects on how she was when she moved to Guatemala, fresh from Canada. Having moved from a first-world country to a third-world country, she was, at first, incredibly entitled. She constantly complained about the internet service, language barrier, and “dirty” city. She explains that when you move to a different place, it can take a while to get used to it. But now, she loves Guatemala and never wants to leave. 

6 Prompts To Help You Begin Writing On Essays About Moving To A New Country

People move to other countries for many reasons, whether financial, social, political, or otherwise. In your essay, research the most common causes of moving to another country. Cite surveys, statistics, and research to support your claims, and be sure to explain your points adequately. 

Think of a country you would want to move to and consider the advantages and disadvantages. Then, for your essay, briefly describe your chosen country and explain what makes it so appealing to you. Then, describe some aspects of the country that make you want to move there, such as culture, economic opportunity, and laws. 

As stated previously, moving has its advantages and disadvantages. First, think of the different obstacles and opportunities moving to a new country may pose and discuss each one in your essay. Then, conclude whether you would personally want to move to a new country; consider whether it would be worth it or not. 

Looking for more? Check out these essays about personal growth .

If you have moved to another country before, reflect on this time and write about it in your essay. Describe why you or your family decided to move, how you initially felt moving and how your feelings changed over time. Also, explain how this big step in life has helped make you who you are today.

In an increasingly connected world, more and more people are leaving their countries to move to new ones. Research this phenomenon and discuss its causes and implications for the countries involved. You can also discuss statistics related to this, such as the nations where most people flee or go to. Lastly, discuss your feelings on this matter and how you would like to see this resolved: do you think more should be done so that people don’t feel the need to leave their countries? Answer this question in your essay.

Moving can give you a whole new outlook on life and can teach you a lot. Based on personal experience and research, decide on some lessons and life skills that moving to a new country can give you, including independence, tolerance, and an understanding of a new culture. Then, describe how each of these can make you a better person. 

Tip: If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. Write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.If you’re still stuck, check out our general resource of essay writing topics .

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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Essay on Moving To A New Country

Students are often asked to write an essay on Moving To A New Country in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Moving To A New Country

Introduction.

Moving to a new country is a big step. It means leaving your home and going to a place where things may be very different. You might have to learn a new language, eat different food, and meet new people. It can be exciting, but also a bit scary.

Learning New Things

When you move to a new country, you have to learn many new things. You might need to learn a new language or how to use different money. You also have to learn about the country’s customs and traditions. This can be fun, but also hard work.

Meeting New People

Moving to a new country means you’ll meet lots of new people. This can be fun because you can make new friends. But it can also be hard, especially if you miss your old friends and family. You have to be brave and try to make new friends.

Experiencing Different Cultures

In a new country, you’ll experience a different culture. You might try new foods, see different styles of clothing, or learn about new holidays. This can be exciting and interesting, but it can also be a little confusing at first.

Moving to a new country is a big adventure. It can be hard at times, but it can also be very rewarding. You’ll learn a lot, meet new people, and experience a different culture. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.

250 Words Essay on Moving To A New Country

Moving to a new country.

Moving to a new country is a big step. It can be exciting and scary at the same time. It’s like going on a long adventure where you get to learn new things, meet new people, and experience a different way of life.

Why People Move

People move to new countries for many reasons. Some move for work, others for school, and some people move to be with family or friends. Some people also move to experience a new culture or way of life.

Challenges of Moving

Moving to a new country can be hard. You have to learn a new language, understand new rules, and adapt to a new culture. You might miss your old home, your friends, and your family. But it’s also a chance to make new friends, learn new things, and grow as a person.

Benefits of Moving

Moving to a new country can be a great experience. You get to learn about a new culture, try new foods, and see new places. It can make you more open-minded and understanding of other people’s ways of life. You also get to make new friends and have new experiences.

Moving to a new country is a big decision. It can be hard, but it can also be a great adventure. It’s a chance to learn, grow, and experience new things. So, if you ever get the chance to move to a new country, think about it carefully, but also be open to the adventure.

500 Words Essay on Moving To A New Country

Moving to a new country is a big step in a person’s life. It means leaving your home and going to a place that is different in many ways. This can be exciting but also scary. You might be moving for a job, to study, or to join family. No matter the reason, you will face many new experiences.

Learning New Culture

One of the first things you notice when you move to a new country is the different culture. Culture includes things like food, music, clothing, and traditions. In your old country, you knew all about these things. In the new country, you have to learn them all over again. This can be fun, like trying a new food for the first time. But it can also be hard, like not knowing the rules for a social event.

Language Barrier

Another challenge you might face is the language. If the people in the new country speak a different language, you will need to learn it. This can be hard and take a lot of time. But it is also a great chance to learn something new. Knowing more than one language can be very useful.

Moving to a new country also means meeting new people. At first, you might not know anyone. This can be lonely. But over time, you can make new friends. These people can help you learn about the new country. They can also be a support system for you.

Adapting to New Environment

The environment in a new country can be very different from your old country. This includes the weather, the landscape, and the city or town layout. It might take some time to get used to these changes. For example, if you move from a hot country to a cold one, you will need to learn how to dress warmly.

Moving to a new country is a big change. It can be hard at times, but it can also be a great adventure. You can learn new things, meet new people, and experience a different way of life. It might be scary at first, but with time, you can feel at home in your new country. So, if you ever get the chance to move to a new country, remember that it is a chance to grow and learn.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Moving On In Life
• Essay on Meeting New Friends
• Essay on Meeting Dad For The First Time

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Moving to a New Country: Expat Lessons and Observations

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It’s fair to say we’ve bounced around quite a bit in recent years. Moving to a new country has become second-nature to us now. We have our little routines and requirements to meet before we feel at home, which helps us to easily slip into daily life in new places all the time.

Moving to another country used to seem like a daunting prospect to me – as I’m sure it does to many of you!

Whether you’ve never moved out of your hometown or you’ve been living in the same home for years, uprooting ourselves can challenge our every sense and emotion.

I have learned quite a bit in the many moves we’ve already done. While this is by no means a comprehensive guide to moving overseas , I just wanted to share some of my thoughts based on my experiences.

Moving to a New Country for the First Time

I first  lived in Spain  12 years ago. It was my first foray into living overseas and I relished the opportunity to travel.

I had all of Europe at my feet and plenty of weekends to traipse around. I was 20, turning 21, and I (of course) felt invincible.

Read next: Find out what it’s like for an American living in Scotland , especially in the Edinburgh area.

Moving to a new country seemed like a long time coming, having first been introduced to the concept of backpacking through Europe by my 4th-grade teacher, Ms. Elliott. Years later, it was finally my turn and I was so excited!

But I was also still a sheltered kid from the suburbs. Accordingly, I didn’t like the weird food very much, I didn’t really connect with my host family, and I didn’t love the city itself. It was all just too overwhelming for my senses.

My first move abroad wasn’t the romantic ideal of galavanting that Instagram might now have you believe!

Instead, it was a constant barrage of new feelings associated with normal activities. The longer I was there, the more I realized that, in fact, it was overall very much like home , except for all of those little things.

And those little things added up to create an entirely new experience.

This new country challenged my perceptions and it forced me to consider my daily life at home in comparison with daily life in another place.

Those small comparisons created an overall feeling of unfamiliarity…a lack of belonging and feeling like an outsider looking in.

Nothing was so extraordinarily different, yet every small change made me hyper-aware of my surroundings.

These simple, tiny lifestyle differences made me pause and wonder at my life back home versus my life here. Was one necessarily better than the other? Had I never noticed these small moments back home?

That awareness drew my attention to moments and scenes from my new life that made me smile.

I loved having the river to walk along in my new city. I learned to love bridges and to simply cross one for a better view of where I’d just been.

And I loved the convenience of having every shop I might need along the walk between the university and my apartment. As a suburbs girl, this was monumental!

I adored the old women chatting on street corners, eyeing everyone in the neighborhood with slight judgment.

The laundry hanging from windows overhead in colorful layers drew my eyes up and offered a swaying greeting around every corner.

Having always had a clothes dryer at home, this simple difference elicited an emotional reaction from me; it made Europe seem more romantic and traditional (cliche though it may be!).

But – above all – what charmed me the most was the pure autonomy I felt like I finally fully possessed.

For the first time, I truly felt the freedom to be a whole new me. And it was as terrifying as it was enchanting.

Moving to a New Country Shakes Your Foundation

That’s the thing with moving to a new country: You are forced out of your little protective shell and left exposed before the world.

For some people, it’s too much.

For me, I exploded with joy at each new experience. I had the chance to learn new things and to decide who I wanted to be here in this new place.

I was in another country, surrounded by a language that I wasn’t confident in and a culture that wasn’t mine.

I was uncomfortable at least once every single day .

This perfectionist was struggling to keep up with the conversations around her. The not knowing was a full-handed slap across my face.

And yet it also made me feel  so alive .

Nobody there expected anything of me. There were no preconceived notions about who I was or what I should be doing. For the third child in a family, that was truly revelatory!

It was also my first time living in a city, where I realized that I was just another face in a busy place. I could happily melt into it and become part of the fabric.

It was liberating and exciting and exhausting and debilitating and it made me feel so tiny and insignificant, yet so utterly free.

That’s the dichotomy of expat life:  It can make you feel like you are a part of something so grand while also reminding you just how tiny you actually are in this time and space.

Every time I move to a new place, I feel like 20-year-old me, surrounded by discomfort but finding so much joy in the challenge of creating an updated – and, hopefully, better – version of myself.

It’s the Little Things in a New Country

Moving to a new country shakes up your life in so many ways. The big things, like new housing and the language and a different environment, are obvious.

But it’s the little things that minimally alter your daily life that create a lasting impact. You need to change the ways in which you interact with the world around you.

It’s in not knowing where items are in a grocery store. You have to wander aisle after aisle after aisle. And then you wonder if the thing you’re looking for is not actually there or if you just missed it.

Maybe it looks a little different here? Maybe it’s called something else? ( I’m looking at you, Scottish English. ) So you circle back and start again. Grocery shopping can become an all-day affair.

It’s the feeling of confusion as you search for the right bus stop. You check the signs and double-check the app that you just downloaded because someone in that random expat group online recommended it. 

But – are you in the right place? Which direction do you even want to go? Where the heck  are you?!

And then you finally step on board the bus and the driver says something. You don’t understand, but you just smile and nod and feel like a moron because you don’t want to ask “What?” for the umpteenth time today.

Instead, you give up on understanding and give in to this life of mild social discomfort and perpetual confusion. It is, after all, the expat way!

But then you smile to yourself because you know that this discomfort and this confusion will fade. You know that you’ll soon fit in and melt into the fabric of this new community. And, in the meantime, watching this new world pass by through the windows is mesmerizing!

Soon enough, none of this will feel so new anymore.

That bus stop will become your routine commute and you won’t even notice the other people standing there.

That bus driver won’t even acknowledge you because you just pay your fare as you scroll through the news on your phone.

And you won’t even bother looking out the window because you’ve seen those views a thousand times before and it’s just not that exciting anymore.

Once the newness fades away, you enter the mundane bits of life. You rebuild that comfort bubble with new habits and routines, and the challenges of yesterday become memories.

Those challenges of moving to a new country force you to create a new life for yourself. You have to figure out how to live your new daily life, filling it with errands and paying bills and socializing.

Because, remember, life is life everywhere !

Getting Sucked into a Routine

I find routine to be a dangerous thing. I relish this persistent need to focus that forces me awake. It shakes me into actually noticing those otherwise mundane moments.

Moving abroad forces you to pay attention to every single step you take.

Sure, moving to a new community in your home country can shake up your routine a little bit.

But moving to a new country will completely explode that little bubble of comfort. It will make you painstakingly rebuild it, piece by piece, through countless uncomfortable and confusing moments.

You’ll learn to laugh at the chaos and love it, or you’ll go back home to your comfortable routine and love that instead.

A new expat home means a heightened and perpetual sense of awareness that can feel utterly exhausting. But, at the end of each confusing day, falling into bed while your mind races through each crazy moment, at least you know you lived.

I dislike that glossy-eyed life of routine, the one that has us knowing exactly where to stand to get on the right subway car that will drop us at the exact exit at our destinations.

Those grocery shoppers who don’t even look up? They just methodically go through only the aisles they need…and they drive me nuts.

They know exactly where each item is and they don’t even bother searching for something new. It’s just:  keep your head down, get the job done and get out of there.

I implore you: Go down the other aisles. Get into a different subway car. Look up and look around and see who else is sharing this space and this time with you!

Even better: Smile at those strangers.

This world is vast and beautifully filled with unique individuals, but so many of us simply float along and ignore the wonders around us.

But it is so hard to continuously observe and marvel at that which becomes routine and normal.

Moving to a new country all the time shakes me out of that trap.

It forces me to observe tiny details that otherwise fade into the background. I find myself charmed by small moments that never would have caught my attention back home.

And I couldn’t be more thankful every time that it does.

My New (Again) Country: Scotland

After 11 years, I finally returned to Spain to live for a short while. It felt like a homecoming of sorts, like I’d made it full circle. It felt somewhat familiar but still so foreign and surprising.

It also awakened that language part of my brain finally, which felt so damn good!

Read next: How house sitting works as an ideal test run for your new expat life.

From Spain, we’ve returned to Scotland , which is another familiarly foreign home for me. This return also felt like a homecoming and we slipped into old habits quite quickly. It’s something I’m fighting at the moment, for all the reasons I outlined above.

But in a familiar-enough place, it can be hard to constantly see things anew and to regularly challenge ourselves to explore and to learn.

It’s a real challenge, but it just requires that we try a little harder and we fine-tune our focus.

After so many country moves, I struggle when I feel myself becoming stagnant. My mind and heart crave adventure and variation.

I found that variation in the sea in Honduras and in Malta, and again in the mountainscapes of Ecuador and of Spain…now I’m searching for it in my daily Scottish life.

Life here feels so similar to life back home, so this is a welcome challenge to keep my senses heightened and to purposefully, proactively observe the tiny differences and those small moments that make up a life.

Who knows what will come next for us. But I’m open to anything!

I’ve learned through all these country moves that the unknown and those unforeseen challenges make me a better version of myself each and every time.

So, bring it on, Scotland! I’m ready for you this round.

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Amanda Walkins was an expat for more than a decade and has been a travel and tourism professional since 2013, a fully remote worker since 2015, an international house and pet sitter since 2016, and a writer since she learned to read. Join her for whatever the next adventure may entail!

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Studying Abroad — A New Horizon: Moving to Another Country

A New Horizon: Moving to Another Country

• Categories: Immigration to America Studying Abroad

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Published: Sep 1, 2023

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People moving to a New Country – Discussion/Opinion Essay

People moving to a new country ielts essay.

You should spend around 40 minutes on this task.

Some people think that people moving to a new country should accept new culture in the foreign country. Others think that they should live as a separate minority group with different lifestyles. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

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Some People think that people moving to a new country – Model Essay 1:

Today, with the passage of time each and every country is on the path of development, and with this development, there is a growing trend of visiting different places in different countries. It is a highly debated issue whether immigrants should do and behave as the people of the host country or should they stick to their traditional lifestyle and live as a separate minority. It is necessary to look into the pros and cons of both situations before forming an opinion.

There are many benefits of adopting host countries’ customs. Firstly, it decreases the chances of misunderstanding and embarrassment. For e.g. in the UK it is offensive to ask about pay to anyone, which is common in India. Secondly, a nation’s customs and traditions are fascinating and offer a deep insight into that country. People move to other countries to broaden their horizons. So, if immigrants copy the customs of the host country, they learn more about them and that too in an interesting way. Finally, visitors establish a rapport with local people because people feel respected when their customs are understood and imitated. They become a member of the host country and so they don’t suffer from any culture shock.

On the other hand, there are many advantages of making a minority group. If a person is from a country with strong and old traditions, it will be difficult for him to adapt to the new customs. He can’t break the old customs such as food habits and wearing certain types of clothes. In such cases, if he retains his old customs and lives with his own community as a separate minority, he won’t suffer from homesickness.

On balance, I feel that someone who is moving to another country should respect the customs, culture, traditions, etc, of that country. This is necessary because a newcomer is like a guest in someone else’s home. So he is expected to follow the rules of that country. However, it should not be obligatory for him to follow those customs and change himself altogether. As time passes and he gets to know the hosts better then he can decide if he wants to adopt any custom or stick to his own. After all, being a cosmopolitan is the need of the hour.

In conclusion, I believe that mutual understanding between both the visitor and the host is necessary to maintain harmony. A cosmopolitan society in which everyone is tolerant of each other’s customs and traditions is the need of the day. After all, today, we are part of a small global village and not a big planet Earth.

People moving to a New Country IELTS Essay – Model Answer 2

People may choose to keep their old traditions from their native country or to accept new ones. Keeping the old customs will help one to overcome the cultural shock and the change of the environment. On the other side, accepting the new traditions will help one to adapt and make new friends with residents. In this essay, I will give different reasons why people decide to follow the customs of the new country or to keep their own customs.

If one is from a country with strong and old traditions, I think it will be rather difficult for him to adapt to the new customs and moreover to reject his own. That is why some people from the same country try to live together and to create their own community where the old traditions are kept. They can not break the customs that were created by their ancestors. For example, some nations are restricted in certain kinds of food by their traditions. So, they do not go to the restaurants unless their traditional food is served there. Some nations according to their customs have to wear certain types of cloth because their religion tells them to do so.

On the other side, if one is from a country with traditions similar to ones of the new country it will be easy for him to adapt and to follow the customs of the new place. He will not feel much difference. Probably, the most difficult part of his relocation will be to accustom to the new climate.

I think that people of the new country are friendlier when they see that foreigner follows their customs. I believe that the traditions of every country deserve respect, especially, when one lives there. In summary, I think that every country has its own beauty and if one wants to find out more about it he will love it.

IELTS Essay on Culture and Travel – Model Answer 3

There are differences in opinion whether a person should adopt the country’s culture when he moves to that country or to seclude himself in a different group, which upholds his native culture. Both the arguments are valid, and so a detailed discussion is needed before framing a logical conclusion.

Those who think that one who migrates to a country should adjust to the host culture believe that it gives them better social and economic opportunities in that country. They think so because when a migrant gets acclimatized with the host culture, the indigenous population may develop a tolerance towards them and they absorb them as the local population. This develops social acceptance and harmony between them. When there are fewer differences in the cultural aspect, there arise a lot of economic opportunities for the visitors, such as jobs and businesses, which is beneficial for both the migrant and native population.

Conversely, those who have an orthodox mentality to cultural beliefs feel that one should never dilute his culture, which was passed to him from his great ancestors. They believe when a person moves overseas, he should be identified by his own culture, and so he should never follow another way of living. They find this not only as a means of cultural preservation but also as a method of gaining social dignity in a foreign country. They also point at a more serious problem with the migrants: difficulty in adopting a very strange pattern of life.

After analyzing both views in detail, I think one should adjust with the culture and beliefs of the country which he moves into. At the same time, he should make sure that his cultural identity is not lost.

Discussion Opinion IELTS Essay – Model Answer 4

Some people believe that when a person goes to a foreign country, they should follow the practices and customs of that country. In my opinion, one should not try to follow foreign culture or one’s own culture blindly. Rather / instead one should adopt the best of both cultures.

When people stay in a foreign country, they should adapt to some of the customs and rituals of that country. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, it is not possible to live in a foreign country completely isolated from foreign people. Outsiders always require some kind of help and support from native people in order to live in a foreign country successfully. Secondly, natives feel happier when they see outsiders adopting some of the customs and practices of locals into their life. This enables foreigners to have a good career and pleasant life in another country. For example, native people feel happy when foreigners greet them according to their style.

On the other hand, it is important for outsiders to practice some of the customs and practices of their own country. It is not possible for them to completely forget their own culture. Celebrating certain festivals of their own country will provide them happiness and deep contentment. They can organise social gatherings with people from their own country. These kinds of activities help them to overcome homesickness and loneliness.

In conclusion, when people move to another country it is not necessary to completely follow the practices of that country. Outsiders should adopt some aspects of the foreign culture and at the same time, they should not forget the best of their culture.

Also Check:   Sport is an essential part of school life IELTS Essay

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A New Country, A New Life, And New Beginnings: Moving To A New Country

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15 Challenges of Moving to a New Country to Overcome

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Are you considering making the move to a new country?

It can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also comes with its share of challenges.

I’ve moved around the world over 8 times in the last 10 years – sometimes even multiple times within the same year!

So I know the difficulties of moving to a new country.

While it’s not the easiest thing to do, moving abroad is SO rewarding. That’s why I want to help you overcome the biggest challenges of moving to a new country, so you can live your best life abroad !

1. Packing Up Your Life

This is probably the most daunting task on this list.

Packing up your life into a few suitcases is no easy feat!

You have to decide what’s worth taking with you and what you can live without.

Then you have to figure out how to fit everything into your luggage.

And don’t even get me started on the weight limit…

It can be even worse if you’re planning to bring furniture and things with you, as the shipping costs can be astronomical!

Make packing easier by pre-ordering all your moving supplies here.

How to Overcome this Challenge:

Start by making a list of everything you want to bring with you.

Then go through the items one by one and decide if you really need them or not.

You might be surprised at how much stuff you can live without.

Once you’ve sorted through your belongings, start packing up your things little by little.

Don’t try to do it all at once or you’ll get overwhelmed.

And if you’re bringing furniture with you, start planning and arranging the shipping as early as possible so you’re not rushed at the last minute.

I recommend looking at the cost of new furniture abroad to see if it’s really worth the effort before you start trying to take that 4-seater couch to New Zealand!

2. All the Admin and Expenses

There’s SO much paperwork and red tape involved in moving to a new country.

From getting your visa sorted to opening a bank account, there are a million and one things to do.

And all of this costs money!

Honestly, it can be exhausting.

It feels kind of like the admin is trying to keep you from wanting to live abroad.

Break down the steps one by one.

Don’t try to tackle them all in one day!

I always start with my visa.

Find out the type you need and exactly the steps you need to take. Then leave an extra few weeks in case things are slow to process.

Most of the admin for opening a bank account, getting a tax number, and rerouting your mail will have to happen on the ground.

I recommend using Wise.com’s multicurrency account , at least while you get set up.

It can take MONTHS to get a bank account ready in a new country, even with your visa and tax number!

But you don’t want to incur costly credit card fees or pay to withdraw your own cash from a foreign card.

Instead, use the free Wise.com multicurrency account with a virtual debit card, so you can easily pay as you go. It’ll save you a few grey hairs for the first two months – trust me!

With the financial costs, moves always cost money.

Unfortunately, that’s just a reality.

The best way to minimize some of the costs is to pack less and to do your research so you aren’t accidentally wasting money throughout the process.

Opening a bank account is so much EASIER by creating a free multi-currency account here.

3. Distance From Home

This is probably one of the hardest challenges to overcome.

When you move to a new country, you’re leaving your family and friends behind.

It can be really tough to be so far away from the people you love.

But there are ways to stay connected, even when you’re miles apart.

Technology has come a long way in recent years, making it easier than ever to stay connected with loved ones.

There are tons of apps that allow you to video chat for free, so you can actually see each other’s faces instead of just hearing their voices.

I Zoom or Facetime call my family regularly when I live abroad.

We even do virtual cooking classes as a family or they pass me around the Christmas party on an iPad so I can be apart of their lives!

If you want to stay in touch, you’ll find ways to do it – both with family and friends.

4. Culture Shock

This is a big one.

And it’s not just about the food or the language.

Moving to a new country means you’ll be experiencing a whole different way of life.

From the way people drive to how they socialize, everything will be different.

Even the way they work could be different!

Maybe you’re used to getting to the office at 9am and having a coffee chat with friends before you start your day. But there, they might expect people to be working at 100% by the time 9am comes.

It can be really tough to adjust, especially in the beginning.

I’ve definitely faced this and it can feel daunting. It makes you feel like you don’t belong, and then those mean inner voices start saying that you never will.

It’s a big reason people give up on living abroad.

The best way to overcome culture shock is to just jump in headfirst.

Don’t be afraid to try new things or to make mistakes.

That’s how you learn!

Ask people about how things are done if you’re confused. Most of the time, they’re very willing to explain and help you sort it out.

Another great way to overcome culture shock is to connect with other expats.

They can help you to understand the local culture and customs, and they’re usually more than happy to help you out.

Beyond all that, a lot of it is treating the first few months living abroad like being a tourist. Expect to feel a bit different.

And don’t worry if you stand out!

People are often drawn to you for that.

They’ll want to know more about your home country and why they behave differently.

The amount of times I’ve had to explain why the heck Canadians stand the -30C cold in winters is exhausting (tbh, I’m not sure. We’re just crazy!!), but I’ve made a lot of cool friends through it!

Find the Right Country to Move to

Need help figuring out what country is right for you?

Take my research-backed quiz about which country best suits your needs!

5. Homesickness

Homesickness is a real thing, and it can be really tough to deal with.

When you’re living in a new country, you might start to miss the comforts of home.

Even if you didn’t like your home country that much, there are still things that you’ll miss – like your favorite food or being able to understand the language.

There’s a sense of comfort in the familiar that you often lose when you’re living abroad.

I’ve heard so many tips to avoid homesickness.

Stay busy. Find fun things to do. Call home less often.

Honestly, the best way to get over homesickness is to give into it for a minute.

There’s probably a reason you’re needing that comfort. Maybe your body is feeling a bit overtaxed from the move or you need to talk to someone honestly about the struggles of living in a new country.

It’s totally ok.

In fact, everyone I know who has lived abroad for any period has had AT LEAST one time when they were hopelessly homesick.

I’ve even had it when I’ve been in my 8th country abroad with no desire to go home!

Being homesick doesn’t mean you’re giving up or that you’re not good at this.

It just means you need some comfort.

So buy that McDonalds burger, call your mom, have a virtual game night with your friends at home, celebrate a holiday from home, or pay a bit too much in shipping for that spice you can’t live without (I’ve done it for pumpkin pie more than once!).

Don’t dwell forever, but give yourself a few homesickness days here and there.

6. Loneliness

Loneliness can be a byproduct of homesickness, or it can be its own thing.

You might find that you’re lonely because you don’t have friends in your new country yet.

Even if you do have friends, you might feel lonely because you’re not used to being away from home or because you feel a bit out of the loop with the new culture.

This is totally normal!

I’ve felt lonely while living abroad many times.

It’s one of the hardest challenges to overcome, but it’s possible.

The best way to overcome loneliness is to reach out and connect with others – both in your new country and back at home.

It sounds simpler than it is.

But even saying hi to your barista when you get your morning coffee or having a chat with a server can make you feel less alone as you start to establish yourself abroad.

For me, being honest about my struggles also helped me feel less alone.

When I was feeling isolated in Austria , I told my friends that I wasn’t having the dream gap year I’d imagined.

Just telling people about my reality helped SO MUCH.

👉 Want to make friends around the world? Join Meetups today for free!

7. Making New Friends

This is one of the challenges of living in a new country that goes hand-in-hand with loneliness.

When you’re living in a new place, it can be really tough to make friends – especially if you don’t have any family or friends there already.

And even if you do have people there, it can still be tough to find your social group.

Even introverts like me need friends. So while we may be able to last a little longer before this becomes a true issue, it’s still a human need to be social.

There were two main things I did to make friends while living abroad. I did the same things no matter where I was or why I was there.

#1 Join local clubs

If you’re studying abroad, you can find these through your school.

Otherwise, check local listings at the community centres or language halls. Check expat Facebook groups too.

I love Meetup.com for this. It’s a free online network for people to set up clubs around their hobbies around the world.

I made my first friend in New Zealand at a boardgame cafe night!

#2 Get a job

Working abroad, whether for pay or as a volunteer, has helped me meet some of my best friends in the world.

Find a local volunteer organization. Take on some part-time work. Or use the built in social network of your full-time job.

This forces you to get out of the house and meet people, plus it can help you earn some extra money.

8. Missing Out on Special Events

When you live in a new country, you’re bound to miss out on things.

You might miss your best friend’s wedding, or your sister’s graduation.

You might even miss major holidays like Christmas , New Year’s, or Thanksgiving .

This is one of the challenges of living in a new country that no one tells you about.

Missing out on these events can be really tough.

You can feel guilty, or like you’re not a part of your family or friends anymore.

But it’s important to remember that you’re not missing out forever.

And there are ways to still feel connected, even when you’re far away.

The best way to overcome this challenge is to stay in touch with the people you care about.

That might mean sending a gift , writing a letter, or scheduling regular Skype calls.

You can also try to schedule your travel so that you can be home for major events.

I often attend events virtually via my mom’s iPad or my sister’s phone. They pass me around parties and I still get to see everyone, but instead of being in snowy Canada, I’m on a New Zealand beach for Christmas.

It never really gets easier, but you learn to value your time with people. And if an event is big enough, you can usually find a way to get back for it!

9. Finding a Job

This is one of the challenges of moving to a new country that people don’t often talk about.

It can be really tough to find a job in a new place – especially if you don’t have any connections there.

And even if you do have connections, it can still be tough to find a job that’s a good fit for you.

One of the biggest obstacles is writing a resume in the local style.

You may not know this, but every country I’ve lived in has had minor differences in the way they apply for jobs and submit resumes.

In the UK, you have to be VERY careful about your email sign-off lines. In the US, if you don’t have local experience, it’s WAY harder to find work.

There are a few things you can do to overcome this challenge:

• Read up on the local resume style and make sure your resume is tailored to it.
• Look for job postings that don’t require local experience.
• Network! Get connected with people in your industry and see if they know of any openings.
• Work with a job recruiter. This helped me a TON with fixing up my resume for jobs in New Zealand and it was 100% free.

Pro tip: Always advertise if you already have a visa as well. And if you do, tell them the end date of the visa.

10. Finding Housing

One of the challenges of moving to a new country is finding somewhere to live.

It’s often hard to find an apartment or house that you can afford, and it can be even harder to find one that’s in a good location.

Plus, if you’re not from the area, you might not know where the best places to live are.

If you’re looking to buy, many countries have special hoops you need to jump through before foreigners can purchase land. It may even come with an additional tax that could send the price skyrocketing!

Do your research before you move. Look up the average prices for rent in the area you’re moving to, and try to find a place that’s in your budget .

Get connected with people who live in the area and see if they have any recommendations for good places to live.

And finally, try to be flexible. Be prepared to compromise on things like location or price.

I prefer to arrive before I lock in on a place to live. So I opt for Vrbo accommodations for the first 1-2 months of my stay.

The few times I’ve taken something site unseen, even temporarily, they haven’t gone well. So I prefer to get to know the area and shop around in person.

11. Language Barrier

Depending on where you move, you may not be able to speak the local language.

This can make it really hard to get around, make friends, and do everyday tasks like grocery shopping or going to the bank.

Even in places with many English-speaking people, like in Berlin , I often had to spend 3x as long doing tasks simply because I couldn’t read German.

I often felt like an outsider because I couldn’t connect with locals in their own language.

With Babbel.com , you can learn the local language before you move.

I wish I had started learning German sooner because it would have made my life a lot easier when I first arrived in Berlin.

If you don’t have time to learn the language before you move, start as soon as you arrive.

Many cities have free language lessons that you can take advantage of to help with your conversational abilities.

Need help learning a new language? I recommend iTalki ! I’ve tried ALL the apps, but iTalki is the only way I’ve managed to learn as much as living in the local country.

12. International Health Insurance

If you’re moving to a new country, you’ll need to get health insurance.

This can be really confusing and expensive, especially if you’re not used to the local healthcare system.

There are often a lot of rules and regulations that you need to follow, and it can be hard to figure out what coverage you actually need.

With visas, you’re often not entitled to the same healthcare access as locals. And for digital nomads travelling without visas , you often have no coverage at all.

If you’re moving to a new country, one of the challenges you’ll face is ensuring that you have adequate health insurance.

Safety Wing is an excellent option for international health insurance, and it’s easy to set up and customize to your needs.

Be sure to check out their website for more information on how they can help you stay safe.

I’ve used them in over 29 countries now, both as a tourist and an expat. I’ve never had to worry about a claim being denied, so I can focus on getting the healthcare I need – like when I fell off a horse in Croatia or the time I got a parasite in Morocco (fun times).

👉 Find out how much it costs to protect your trip today with Safety Wing travel insurance.

13. Adapting to a New Climate

Depending on where you move, you may have to adjust to a completely different climate than what you’re used to.

This can be really tough, especially if you’re not prepared for it.

For example, I moved from Canada to New Zealand and had to get used to INSANE summer heat.

You could literally get a sunburn in 3 minutes in the summer!

Do your research before you move and find out what the climate is like in the place you’re moving to.

If you’re not used to the heat, try to arrive in the cooler months so you have time to adjust.

And be sure to pack appropriate clothing.

If you know that you don’t handle a certain type of climate (i.e. me with the heat), maybe don’t move to countries that have that climate. Or find ways around it.

When I lived in Scotland , it was VERY dark and gloomy. So I bought a SAD lamp to help me feel happier on grey days.

Finding tweaks like this can really help you adjust.

14. False Expectations

When you move to a new country, it’s easy to build up false expectations in your head.

You might think that everyone will be super welcoming and that you’ll make friends easily.

But the reality is often quite different.

Instagram has sort of trained us all that travel is glamorous and it’s so easy to move abroad .

You think you’ll show up and have some Emily in Paris dream life.

But that’s often not the case.

Do your research before you move and try to set realistic expectations.

Talk to people who have already moved to the place you’re going and get their honest feedback about what it’s really like.

And don’t compare your experience to what you see on social media.

Remember that people only share the best parts of their lives online, and that’s not representative of reality.

If anything, go to Tiktok and you can usually find a more realistic view of expat life.

If I’d been on Tiktok when I lived in Glasgow, you would have seen a lot of me wandering grocery stores desperately trying to find non-wilted vegetables, and me literally screaming into the sky when it somehow rained TWICE on days with zero clouds in the sky.

15. Schooling

If you have kids, one of the challenges you’ll face is finding the right school for them.

Depending on the country you move to, there may not be many schooling options available.

And the ones that are available may not be up to your standards.

This is even a challenge for people studying abroad.

I remember when I was living in Prague , there were very few English-speaking schools available.

Do your research before you move and find out what the schooling options are like in the place you’re moving to.

Talk to other parents and see if they have any recommendations.

And try to be flexible.

Remember that your kids are adaptable and they’ll be able to adjust to a new school, even if it’s not perfect.

Wrap Up: Is Moving Abroad Worth the Difficulties?

Phew! That was a lot of challenges.

But don’t let them discourage you from moving abroad.

Because despite all of these challenges, the rewards of living in a new country are so worth it.

You’ll get to experience a new culture, eat delicious food, and travel to amazing places.

You’ll make new friends and create memories that will last a lifetime.

So if you’re thinking about making the move, go for it!

Just be prepared for the challenges that come with it.

P.S. If you’re moving abroad soon, be sure to check out my post on things to do before you move!

It’s packed with helpful tips and advice to make your move as smooth as possible.

Related Posts:

• 15 Reasons Not to Move to Canada in 2022
• What Does it Cost to Live in New Zealand in 2022?
• Average Cost of Living in Canada by Province [2022]
• 44 Pros and Cons of Living in Italy as an Expat
• How to Send Money Internationally with Wise.com: TransferWise Review for Travellers
• 28 Pros and Cons of Living Abroad: Why You Should Move to Another Country

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Living Abroad Travel Planning Guide

🚑  Should I buy expat travel insurance?

100% YES!  — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Safety Wing!

🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?

It depends – the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. I developed this free quiz to help you figure out where is right for you!

📍 How do I pick a country to live abroad?

It depends – picking a country to live in is hard. That’s why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps I’ve taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there.

Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all!

💼 How do I get a job as an expat?

You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. They hire for 100% remote roles only.

If you’re looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work!

💰 How do I open a bank account abroad?

Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Since it can be a headache to open bank accounts in different countries (it took me 2 months in the UK!), Wise.com is a great solution.

I actually use it as my primary bank now worldwide due to the multi-currency debit card. ( Read more )

👯‍♀️ How do you make friends abroad?

Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.

🙀 I don’t speak the language. Can I still live abroad?

Learn languages in no time with iTalki ! Moving abroad is an opportunity to learn the language. You don’t need to know it before you leave home.

💻 Do I need a VPN?

Yes! – VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. It’s a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities aren’t restricted.

🧳 What’s the best luggage for living abroad?

This is my favourite luggage set f or long term travel. You can read more about my review of types of suitcases for travel here .

🏡 How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad?

Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad … and then when I did it again. I even include tips for prepping your family, and for how to handle family who aren’t supportive.

✈️  What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?

To find cheap flights, I recommend  Skyscanner . ( Read more )

🏨  What’s the best site to find cheap hotels?

To find cheap hotels, I recommend  Booking.com . ( Read more )

Or stay for free with Trusted Housesitters!

🚗  What’s the best site to rent cars abroad?

To find cheap rental cars, I recommend  Discover Cars .

🚗  What’s the best site to find tours?

To find epic tours, I recommend  Viator .

Nina Clapperton is the founder of Nina Out and About. She has lived in 18 countries in the past 10 years, explored more than 30 countries, and has done most of it solo. A Canadian native, she also shares her favourite things to do in the True North. She helps over 100,000 people per month plan their expat adventures and Canadian trips.

Want to move abroad, but don’t know how to start?

Get an expert’s tips & tricks, pick which country to move to – and do it.

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The Morning

America’s affordable housing crisis.

The housing crisis is likely to be solved in cities and states, not Washington.

By Conor Dougherty

President Biden worries about high housing costs. So do Republicans in Congress. The consensus reflects a major problem: Tens of millions of families, across red and blue states, struggle with rent and home prices. The reason is a longstanding housing shortage.

But action in Washington won’t make a huge difference. America’s affordable housing crisis is likely to be solved in cities and states. In today’s newsletter, I’ll explain how many are already doing so in bipartisan fashion.

Local laboratories

Home prices are up about 60 percent over the past decade, adjusted for inflation. About a quarter of renters — some 12 million households — spend more than half their income on housing, far in excess of the one-third level that is considered healthy. Homeless camps have expanded, and “ super commuters ” — who drive for 90 minutes or longer to work — have migrated well beyond the expensive coasts to smaller cities like Spokane , Wash., and fast-growing metropolitan areas like Dallas and Phoenix.

Generally, Republican-led states have been more affordable than Democratic-led ones. They tend to have fewer construction and environmental rules, which allows the housing supply to expand faster. But as rent and home prices climb beyond middle-income budgets in more places, states are racing to add housing.

The legislation in each state varies. But in general it removes permitting and design barriers so new construction can be approved faster. States are also trying to alter zoning rules to allow a greater diversity of units in more neighborhoods.

One way is to allow more backyard homes — known as granny flats. That way, homeowners can build a space for a renter or family member. Another is to shrink lot sizes so several smaller cottages can be built on parcels currently reserved for only one larger home. Cities and states are also altering zoning rules so duplexes and triplexes can be built in neighborhoods that are currently designated for single-family homes. All these methods aim to increase density within a city’s existing footprint.

Already, Democrats and Republicans in Montana and Arizona have united for housing legislation. A similar coalition has taken shape in other states, including Texas, Minnesota and North Carolina . Even in California and Oregon, whose governments are both dominated by Democrats, Republican votes have helped pass housing bills.

“Some issues become a horseshoe,” said Cody Vasut, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives who wants to drastically restrict abortion — but also liberalize land use laws. “We have different views of government, but sometimes we arrive at the same conclusion.”

These coalitions are not always successful. Last week, for instance, the Arizona governor, Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, vetoed a bill that would have allowed smaller homes and lot sizes. She called it “a step too far.”

Most of these laws are too new for us to know their ultimate outcomes. But there’s ample evidence that building more housing reduces prices. In Austin, Texas, for instance, a surge in rent and home prices during the pandemic led to a boom in construction. Now prices are falling, and landlords offer months of free rent to fill empty units.

New coalitions

Why can political parties cooperate on this issue but so little else? Housing politics are hyperlocal and don’t hew to neat ideological lines. Neither party has a hard position that members feel beholden too.

One thing most people agree on is that America has too few homes. According to Freddie Mac, the mortgage finance giant, the nation is short about four million units . The deficit is particularly acute in both low-cost rentals and the entry-level starter homes favored by first-time buyers.

Economists say much of the blame falls on local governments. City councils hold most of the power over where and what types of housing get built, but they are beholden to homeowners who often pack meetings to complain that new developments would destroy nature and snarl traffic.

This is called NIMBYism, short for “Not in my backyard.” The remedy, in both red and blue states, has been to pass laws that strip cities’ power to say no.

State legislatures are close enough to voters to share their concerns about rising housing costs — but far enough that they don’t have to answer for every new local development. They are the Goldilocks level of government for housing reform.

Related: I want to hear from readers about their housing situations. You can submit stories here .

THE LATEST NEWS

Baltimore bridge collapse.

The cargo ship that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore lost power shortly before the crash, officials said. See how the bridge collapsed .

After the ship put out a distress call, workers stopped cars from driving across the bridge. “These people are heroes,” Maryland’s governor, Wes Moore, said.

The Coast Guard is searching for the bodies of six of the eight construction workers who were on the bridge. Two were found alive; the others are presumed dead, an official said.

Biden said that the collision appeared to have been an accident and that he wanted the federal government to rebuild the bridge.

Several automakers said that they would reroute their shipments.

Supreme Court

Most of the Supreme Court justices sounded inclined to reject a bid to restrict nationwide access to an abortion pill , mifepristone, during arguments.

Several justices seemed skeptical that the plaintiffs, doctors who don’t prescribe abortion pills, had a right to challenge the F.D.A.’s approval of the drug. Read more takeaways .

The female justices had candid exchanges about women’s health, The Washington Post reports.

2024 Election

The Biden campaign joined TikTok to try to reach younger voters. The videos have prompted jokes and criticism.

Barack Obama regularly calls top Biden aides to strategize about Biden’s re-election campaign .

More on Politics

NBC News cut ties with Ronna McDaniel , the former Republican Party chairwoman, after hosts criticized the network for hiring her as a commentator. A Times review found that she had helped Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election .

Trump’s social media company surged on its first day of trading on the Nasdaq, adding billions to his wealth .

The judge overseeing Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial imposed a gag order prohibiting Trump from attacking witnesses or prosecutors.

Trump posted a video urging his supporters to buy the “God Bless the USA Bible,” priced at around $60. Trump gets royalties from sales .

A new law in Florida will prohibit children under 14 from having social media accounts, The A.P. reports. It is set to take effect next year.

Israel-Hamas War

An Israeli hostage said she had been sexually assaulted and tortured in Gaza. Read her story .

Hezbollah and Israel fired at each other across the border with Lebanon. At least one person died in Israel and seven were reported killed in Lebanon.

Top Israeli and U.S. defense officials met to discuss Israel’s plan to invade Rafah .

Israel is deploying facial recognition to conduct surveillance in Gaza, according to Israeli military and intelligence officials.

The authorities in Gaza said 12 people drowned while trying to retrieve airdropped aid that had fallen into the Mediterranean.

Other Big Stories

A British court ruled that the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could not be extradited to the U.S. until the American authorities made more assurances about his treatment , including protection from the death penalty.

Russia extended the detention of Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal.

China’s capable workers and cheap parts helped pull Tesla back from the brink of failure. This may give Beijing leverage over Elon Musk .

The terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall shows ISIS is far from defeated , Bret Stephens writes.

Colleges’ optional standardized tests hurt the students they are supposed to help, Emi Nietfeld writes.

Here is a column by Ross Douthat on progressives’ new definition of sexual liberation .

MORNING READS

Holi: The Indian festival is becoming more popular worldwide. Read about the tradition .

Scams: A woman posed as a down-on-her-luck Irish heiress. The man she conned out of thousands started a podcast to track her down .

The Great Read: A legal pot pioneer was busted in Idaho. He has a plan .

Lives Lived: Lee Berry was one of the Panther 21, members of the Black Panther Party who were prosecuted in New York in 1970. His account of abuse in jail was a catalyst for Leonard Bernstein’s Park Avenue fund-raising party that Tom Wolfe satirized in a withering magazine takedown. Berry died at 78 .

N.F.L.: League owners approved significant changes to kickoff rules, which will go into effect this season.

College basketball: Iowa and West Virginia drew an average of 4.9 million viewers for their second-round women’s N.C.A.A. tournament game, a pre-Final Four record.

ARTS AND IDEAS

French identity: Aya Nakamura, one of France’s most popular singers, might perform at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The choice has become a flashpoint in the nation’s culture wars. Nakamura was born in Mali and raised in a Parisian suburb, and her music mixes French lyrics with Arabic and West African dialects.

“In a country often ill at ease with its changing population,” Roger Cohen and Aurelien Breeden write , “she stands on a fault line.”

More on culture

Beyoncé’s coming album, “Cowboy Carter,” is an extension of the artist’s exploration of how Black creativity fuels all corners of popular music. Read Jon Caramanica’s essay .

Stephen King’s “Carrie” was published in 1974. Margaret Atwood explains its enduring appeal.

“Trump is mashing together the Bible and the Constitution like it’s a Pizza Hut-Taco Bell”: The late-night hosts discussed Trump’s latest business venture .

THE MORNING RECOMMENDS …

Stir together a one-pot crisp gnocchi with sausage and peas.

Prepare kids for puberty with these items .

Clean your oven .

Here is today’s Spelling Bee . Yesterday’s pangram was adjourn .

And here are today’s Mini Crossword , Wordle , Sudoku and Connections .

Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow.

Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox . Reach our team at [email protected] .

Conor Dougherty covers housing and development, focusing on the rising costs of homeownership. He is based in Los Angeles. More about Conor Dougherty

6 no-fuss steps to moving across the country

Posted: April 15, 2023 | Last updated: July 31, 2023

Moving Across the Country in 6 Steps

Preparing for a move across the country requires a lot of planning in advance. It generally takes two months to plan such a move. Making a checklist with all the important tasks to be done can help keep you organized.

How much does it cost to move across the country? It can cost thousands of dollars on average. Below we highlight six steps that can help simplify the moving process.

Overwhelmed at the Prospect of Moving Across the Country?

Two important things you’ll want to focus on first are your budget and the timeframe. Figuring out these things can help you put the rest of your moving plan into motion.

How Much Does it Cost to Move Across the Country?

Small personal loans up to $5,000 may help you cover the costs to move across the country. Banks, credit unions, and online lenders may offer such loans to borrowers with fair, good, or excellent credit.

If you’re graduating from medical school and getting ready for your residency, the cost of relocating for a medical residency can add up. You may have several residency relocation loan options if you find yourself in that boat.

Steps to Move Across the Country

1. determine budget and moving needs.

These are some of the moving expenses to plan for:

• Hiring movers
• Packing materials
• Trailer or truck rental if you choose to move your belongings yourself
• Moving insurance, if needed (check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy first to see if it covers your belongings during a move)
• Expenses for the trip across the country, including gas, lodging, meals or airfare
• Closing costs and downpayment, or rent and security deposit for the new place

2. Begin Packing in Advance

Packing is a big job, so it’s best to start sooner than later. Get rid of any items you don’t need (you can donate them or have a yard sale). The more belongings you have, the more your move will cost, so use this as an opportunity to declutter. Label boxes with what’s inside them and what room they belong to in order to make unpacking easier.

3. Research Moving Options

• Full-service moving company.  This is the easiest option, but also the most expensive one. Full-service movers bring all of the necessary packing materials and pack up your belongings. They move them across the country and unpack them in your new home. Moving companies generally charge by weight, so what you’ll pay depends on how much you’re moving. Full-service movers typically cost $4,000 to $10,000 and up.
• Truck rental . You can rent a truck, load it yourself, and drive it to your new home. This option can be more affordable than hiring movers, but is also a lot more work. The size of the truck you’ll need will dictate the price you’ll pay. For instance, for a 20-foot truck, which can hold the contents of a two- or three-bedroom home, you’ll likely pay more than $1,500. And remember, you will also need to pay for gas.
• Moving container.  A third option is to put your packed belongings in a moving container and have it shipped across the country. Again, the price is dependent on the size container you need. A 10-foot container can cost about $3,500. Just be aware that some cities require permits to have a moving container sitting outside your home or in the street — even for a brief period of time. 

4. Secure Funds/Financing

Online personal loans tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards do, which can be one of the typical reasons to take out a personal loan.

The stronger your credit, the better the chance you’ll have of getting a lower interest rate. This is just one of the  tips for getting a personal loan  that you’ll want to know.

You could also finance your move with a credit card. And if you use a rewards card you may be able to earn valuable points or get  cash back  based on your spending. However, the interest rates with credit cards can be high, so you’ll want to try to pay off the balance as soon as you can.

5. Creating a Checklist for Moving

6. Make Sure Your Housing Will Be Ready

If you haven’t already bought a house or rented an apartment, you’ll need to carve out time before you move to find a place that suits your needs. And if your new place won’t be ready when you first get there, you’ll want to make arrangements to stay at a hotel or short-term rental until you can move in.

Moving Across the Country Timeframe

It typically takes two months to plan a move across the country. With that in mind, you can start to figure out the logistics. For instance, if you need to be in your new home within three months for a new job, you’ll want to start planning quickly.

Factors That Impact Costs of Moving Across the Country

• Using paid labor vs. volunteer helpers
• Renting a 26-foot box truck vs.10-foot box truck
• Transporting lots of furniture vs. no furniture
• Buying supplies vs. requesting free moving supplies
• Getting discounts vs. no discounts 

Ways to Save on Moving Costs

Volunteer helpers — such as family or trusted friends — may be willing to help you move across the country. Transporting as few items as possible in the smallest vehicle that can meet your needs can also minimize your costs.

Buying large moving boxes can add up, so you may want to consider ways to reduce those costs. You could, for example, ask retail stores whether they can provide you with used boxes free of charge. Boxes that a retail store would otherwise recycle or discard can be reused as moving boxes.

Some purchases may be necessary to logistically move across the country. If you need to buy supplies or hire professional movers, you can take advantage of any discounts that may be available to you. It doesn’t hurt to seek discounts.

When Is the Best Time to Move Across the Country?

Spring and fall can be ideal times to move because costs tend to be lower then and the weather is good for a cross-country trek. Summer is typically the most expensive time. Winter is the least expensive season, but the weather can create logistical problems, which is something to keep in mind.

The Takeaway

Moving across the country can be expensive and stressful, but there are ways to streamline the process, keep it organized, and help stay on budget. Planning far in advance can help things go as smoothly as possible, both financially and logistically.

Learn More:

• Personal loan calculator
• The pros and cons of personal loans

This article originally appeared on  SoFi.com  and was syndicated by  MediaFeed.org .

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.Communication of SoFi Wealth LLC an SEC Registered Investment AdvisorSoFi isn’t recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

Communication of SoFi Wealth LLC an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at  www.adviserinfo.sec.gov . Liz Young is a Registered Representative of SoFi Securities and Investment Advisor Representative of SoFi Wealth. Her ADV 2B is available at  www.sofi.com/legal/adv .

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