PWE044 Myths about Moving to Foreign Countries

Passionately Wrong Podcast Episode E044

Myths about Moving to Foreign Countries

Key takeaway: Randy and James draw on their extensive experience moving to and living in a variety of countries around the world to illuminate pitfalls and share best practices about how to make your move a success. 

Topics covered in this video: 

• Things to consider if you want to move countries: doing up-front research, the visa process (income needs, retirement visas, digital nomad), health insurance
• Traveling as a tourist vs. planning to live and work in a country
• The emotions behind your planned move are a good place to start
• Your new country will be different - what kind of apartment or house you’ll be able to afford, will you find discrimination against foreigners
• Being ready to match your expectations to reality - cost of living, treatment of foreigners
• What a difference it makes having (relatively) more money than locals
• Don’t forget the impact of taxes and health insurance
• Success factors: language, household goods (cars, electronics, beds )
• Your mindset when it comes to differences - do you focus on things that are different and better or different and worse
• Buzzwords: roll with the punches, adaptable, low expectations  
• Randy’s troubles trying to get a bank account and rent an apartment in France
• James’s troubles opening a bank account in Switzerland 
• You can get people to help you through the process, Facebook groups