Thinking about moving abroad? Before you pick a country, get clear on ten things: your why, your budget, your visa, your health coverage, your money, your phone, your housing, your stuff, your people, and your exit plan.

I know because I skipped some of them. In April 2022, I sold everything I owned and left the U.S. with six suitcases. I'd spent years helping military families relocate around the world, and I still learned a few lessons the hard way. Here's the list I wish someone had handed me.

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Before You Go: My go to tools for a move abroad 🛡️ Travel insurance for your scouting trip: EKTA 🏥 Compare longer term health plans: VisitorsCoverage 💸 Move money without big bank fees: Wise 📱 Data the minute you land: Airalo 🏡 A furnished stay while you look around: Booking.com

1. Start with why, not where

Most women start by asking "Where should I go?" Start with "What am I looking for?" instead.

Is it a lower cost of living? Warmer weather? A slower pace? A fresh start after a divorce, a retirement, or an empty nest? Your answer narrows the map fast. A woman who wants a walkable city with good healthcare will land somewhere very different from a woman who wants a quiet beach town on a small budget.

Write it down. I journaled every morning before I left, and those pages kept me steady on the hard days. If you need somewhere to start, download the free CLARITY mini-workbook or the Reinvention Journal.

2. Know what you can actually afford

Build a real monthly budget before you fall in love with a place. Include rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, health insurance, your phone, and the trips home you'll want to take. The “Know Before You Go” program can really help you work through your budget, organize your plan and decide what you should sell before you go.

Then add a cushion. Plan for at least three to six months of living costs in savings, plus the costs of the move itself: flights, deposits, visa fees, document translations, and a few weeks of short term housing.

If you're living on a pension, Social Security, or remote income, check how exchange rates could change your monthly budget. A swing in the dollar can change your lifestyle overnight.

3. Understand the visa rules before you book a flight

Every country sets its own rules for how long you can stay and what you need to stay longer. Some let Americans stay a few months as a visitor. A few, like Albania, allow up to a year. Most long stays need a residence permit, and each permit type has its own income, insurance, and paperwork requirements.

Look up the official government site for each country on your list. Note the income requirement, the documents you'll need, and how far in advance you have to apply. Rules change, so check again right before you go. If you want assistance or some guidance on how to feel free to check out the KickStart session where I will go over your plan with you connecting you to even more trusted resources.

4. Sort out your health insurance

This is the one I see women get wrong most often. Your U.S. health plan usually stops at the border, and Medicare generally doesn't cover care overseas.

You'll likely need two kinds of coverage at different stages:

Short term travel insurance for your scouting trip and the first weeks of your move. EKTA is an easy, low cost option for this.
Longer term international health insurance once you settle in. Many residence permits require proof of it. VisitorsCoverage lets you compare plans from several insurers side by side.

Get quotes early. Pre existing conditions and age limits vary a lot from plan to plan.

5. Plan how you'll handle money

Keep at least one U.S. bank account and credit card open. You'll need them for bills, Social Security deposits, and anything tied to your U.S. address.

For moving money abroad, big banks often charge high transfer fees and hide more in the exchange rate. I use Wise to send money between the U.S. and my local account for a fraction of the cost.

One more thing: as a U.S. citizen, you still file U.S. taxes every year, no matter where you live. You may also have to report foreign bank accounts. Talk to a tax professional who works with expats before your first tax season abroad.

6. Figure out your phone before you land

Arriving in a new country without data is stressful, especially if you're arriving alone or at night. Buy an eSIM before you fly so you have maps, messages, and ride apps the minute you land. Airalo has plans for almost every country, and you install it at home in a few minutes. If you'll hop between several countries, Yesim has regional plans that cover them in one app.

Keep your U.S. number active too. Your bank will keep texting you security codes, and you don't want to be locked out of your own account from overseas. If you'll be banking on café WiFi, Saily adds built in security features.

7. Scout before you sign anything

Please don't sign a year long lease from your couch in the U.S. Spend two to four weeks in a furnished short stay first. Walk the neighborhood in the morning and at night. Find the grocery store, the pharmacy, and the café you'd actually go to.

Book a furnished apartment on Booking.com or Vrbo for your scouting trip. A walking tour on GetYourGuide on your first day is a great way to get your bearings and meet people. If you want to see a few towns, renting a car through DiscoverCars makes it easy to compare neighborhoods in one trip.

8. Decide what to bring, store, or sell

Shipping a household overseas is expensive, and most furnished rentals abroad come with what you need. I sold almost everything and brought six suitcases. I don't regret it.

Bring the things that are hard to replace: important documents, prescriptions, a few comfort items, and the electronics you rely on. Check whether your hair tools and small appliances work on the local voltage before you pack them.

If you're moving between short stays, Radical Storage lets you leave bags in a local shop for a day or two so you're not dragging everything around while you apartment hunt.

9. Think about your people

Moving abroad can be lonely at first, even when you love where you are. Think about how you'll stay close to family back home and how you'll build a new circle.

Join expat Facebook groups for your city before you arrive. Say yes to coffee invitations. Take a class, volunteer, or join a walking group. And plan how often you'll fly home, and add those flights to your budget.

10. Make the arrival easy on yourself

Your first day sets the tone. Book an airport pickup so a driver is waiting with your name on a sign. Welcome Pickups is a lifesaver when you land tired, alone, or late at night.

Book a one way flight. You don't need a return ticket if you're not coming back on a set date, and Aviasales makes one way fares easy to compare. If your flight gets delayed or canceled on the way over, check whether you're owed compensation through AirHelp.

Bonus: Have an exit plan

This isn't negative thinking. It's freedom. Know what you'd do if a family emergency called you home, if the country didn't feel right, or if your health changed. Keep enough savings for a flight home and a few months of rent. Knowing you can leave makes it so much easier to stay.

Your next step

Moving abroad in midlife isn't about being fearless. It's about being prepared. Work through this list one item at a time, and the big leap becomes a series of small, doable steps.

Not sure which country fits you? Take my free "Which Country Is Right for You?" quiz. And if you want help building your plan, book a free 15 minute Ask Me Anything call with me. This is exactly what my CLARITY Method is for. Clarity before countries.

FAQ

What should I consider before moving abroad? Start with your reasons, your budget, the visa rules, health insurance, banking, and where you'll live for your first few weeks. Those six decide most of everything else.

How much money should I save before moving abroad? Aim for three to six months of living costs, plus the cost of the move itself and enough for an emergency flight home.

Does my U.S. health insurance work abroad? Usually not, and Medicare generally doesn't cover care overseas. Plan for travel insurance at first and international health insurance once you settle.

Do I still pay U.S. taxes if I live abroad? U.S. citizens file a U.S. tax return every year, wherever they live. Talk to an expat tax professional about your situation.

Should I visit before I move? Yes. A two to four week scouting trip in a furnished short stay will tell you more than months of research online.

Is it too late to move abroad at 50 or 60? Not at all. Many of the women I work with make the move in their 50s and 60s. It's a great time to start your next chapter.

Thinking About Moving Abroad? 10 Things to Consider Before You Go