There are a ton of things to figure out and remember when you move to a new country. And what’s more, it is easy to forget what you need to do right away and what can wait for a little bit. With that said, here is a checklist of all the things you need to do when you move to a new location.
Before you go
Before you even leave your home, you need to make sure you thoroughly research and do these things:
- Find accommodation. This can mean finding an apartment for a week or two with the understanding that you will find something better when you arrive. Alternatively, you can find a place to stay for a few months up to a year so you don’t have to bother with it when you arrive. But the downside is that you will have less flexibility.
- Scheduling. This means canceling or rescheduling things until you move in and are settled. Make sure to adjust things according to your new timezone when you reschedule a meeting.
- Facebook groups. Find and write to a Facebook group connected to your destination. This can give you a lot of insider knowledge. Also, some people recommend checking out forums, the Couch Surfing app, LinkedIn, and other places where you can meet interesting people.
- Download maps of the area. This should include local city transport apps as well.
- Look for events and conferences in your destination to have some social events to look forward to.
- Doublecheck plane tickets, healthcare insurance, visa requirements, and so on.
Day of arrival
The second you arrive, you should really make sure to do these things:
- Get a new SIM card with mobile data (at least 2GB).
- Make sure you have a good place to work. This can be a coworking space you found earlier or your own accommodation.
- Find or change accommodation. Work and home are the two most important things you will need to figure out so if for whatever reason you’re not comfortable with where you are in the first week or two, make sure to find a better place to live.
- Learn a bit about your new home. This can mean learning a bit of history, finding English magazines about recent events, and talking to people who are from the area or have lived there for a long time. Additionally, you should see what places you want to visit in and near your new home.
- Get cash from an ATM. Having just a card might not be enough in some places.
- Make sure to have an event you want to go to or a free walking tour in the first day or two.
Check-in with yourself
After staying in your chosen destination for a week or two, you need to ask yourself a few questions to see if you want to stay:
- Are you meeting enough people? Are there enough events and groups where you can meet people easily?
- Are you comfortable in your home and workspace? Have the new surroundings dramatically worsened your ability to work or relax?
- Are you excited to see more of your new home?
If you decide to stay
Once you decide to stay, there are a few more things to check up on and do before you are done:
- Get a better SIM card or a phone plan with more mobile data (at least 6-8GB).
- Find coffee places where you can work and hang out with people.
- Check where the nearest hospital and emergency are. You don’t want to be googling this stuff when something bad happens.
- Look for beginner-level language courses. You will need to have some idea of what is going on around you.
- Buy a longer public transport ticket. It’s good to not waste money and have a ticket for at least a month.
- Look for outdoor areas, parks, gyms, pools, etc. Being out and exercising is an important part of your life.
- Find a local news outlet in your language or in English.
- Look up national holidays.
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