The Pros and Cons of Becoming an Expat

It could be called a new trend, or a fade, and it appears to have no age limit. The youth today are looking at alternative ways to earn money, and people of retirement age just want to explore other quality-of-life options. An ever-increasing number of individuals are currently giving serious consideration to surrendering the existence that they have known and choosing to migrate. Not to another town or state, but to move to another country and make the commitment to live abroad. If you want to admit it or not, the world is turning into a smaller place and people are developing the attitude that, it’s just a plane ride back home.

At a get-together with some friends, who like myself, had made the transition and had left their homeland where they were born. I asked them just one question, why? The reasons shift from

Why Do People Choose To Live Abroad

• Desiring a lifestyle and or lifestyle that wasn’t obtainable

• cost of living was getting unaffordable

• A wanting just a simpler lifestyle

• They desire for new life adventure

• A drastic change in their life and or lifestyle was needed

• Becoming a digital nomad and job opportunities

• A need to just start life over

• Even one person stated for medical reasons they could no longer afford the healthcare that they required

• And of course, moving abroad for love

At the point when I researched the number of Americans that are presently living abroad. I got these outcomes.

Google query items - The number of Americans that are living abroad Google screenshot

In our conversation. We then switched it over and decided to do a comparison of what we considered to be both the good and bad points when it comes to packing up your life and moving abroad.

Let’s Start With The Pros of Living Abroad

• learning new life skills- the challenge of living in a country where you know nothing regarding day-to-day living, new life skills will be learned

• Gaining a new perspective- Imagine what it would be like to view your home country from the perspective of how the rest of the world views your home country

• You will become more worldly - seeing other places and cultures in person is an entirely different learning experience

• Better self-esteem- Nothing works better than putting yourself in an unknown environment and thriving and succeeding

• Improving your communication skills- If you relocate to a country where your native language is not spoken, you will have no other option than to enhance your communication skills or become an expert in hand gestures

• Better work and career opportunities- Having international job experience on your resume can speak volumes to some employers, especially those who work internationally

What Are Some of The Cons of Living Abroad

• Uprooting your entire life- Nothing is harder when trying to start a new life than homesickness which makes it harder to adapt and thrive

• Culture shock- Every country is different and won't do certain things the same way as when you were raised. certain habits could also be viewed and perceived as extremely offensive to the other

• Be away from the people you cherish and love te most such as family and friends for extended periods. I know from experience even some of your closest friends will slowly drift away

• language barrier- not all words have the same meaning, even if you speak the same language and this will lead to frustration

• Discrimination - You are now looked at as being the outsider from another country trying to change things and be on the receiving end

• Adjustment in Life- What you would consider to be normal could be laughed at this could be as simple as how you eat and the clothes you wear

Living abroad isn't ideal for everybody and not every person will have the capacity to do it, yet for reasons unknown some people will generally flourish, and others won’t, it’s a risk. I am aware of a few people who have attempted to take the jump and just to return after a timeframe. I have even seen it destroy relationships and even marriages, but at the same time I've seen it create relationships and people finding their soulmate

If you are thinking of taking the leap and choosing to live abroad, do all necessary research and perhaps travel to that location and experience what day-to-day life will be like, as day-to-day life isn't exactly the same as when you experience an area while on a vacation getaway.

and always remember the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence, it could also mean that more BS is making it look and seem greener

Shane Lifeman

Always remember to Live Free, Live Life

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