Thinking About Leaving the Country? 5 Steps to Start Your Journey

So you’re thinking about moving abroad. Maybe you want more peace, a lower cost of living, or just a fresh start in a place that feels better than where you are now. Whatever your reason, one thing is for sure: moving abroad isn’t just for influencers or digital nomads — it’s for anyone willing to plan and take small, intentional steps.

You don’t have to sell everything and uproot your life overnight. You can pilot the idea first, ease into the transition, and make sure it’s the right move for you. Here’s how to start.

1. What’s Your Ideal Life?

Before you pack up, take a moment to get clear on your why. Are you looking for:

• A lower cost of living?
• A slower, more peaceful pace of life?
• A fresh start after a major life change?
• More career or entrepreneurial opportunities?

Your reason for moving abroad will help guide where you go and how you plan. If you want a more relaxed lifestyle, you might look at places with easy residency options and strong expat communities. If you’re career-driven, research international job markets or digital nomad visas.

Even if you’re not ready to move full-time, creating a vacation home base can be a way to start building a life abroad while still keeping ties to your current home.

2. Try Before You Commit: Pilot the Idea

One of the best ways to see if living abroad is right for you? Test it out first.

That’s exactly what I did. Instead of making a permanent move right away, I rented an apartment in Mexico. Working with a local real estate agent, I found a two-bedroom, two-bathroom in a gated community with a pool — for just $800/month. And I’ve seen places for as low as $300/month.

But here’s the thing: I wasn’t there full-time. I went back and forth, sometimes solo, sometimes with my kids. One summer, we drove down as a family and stayed for six weeks. I used the time to:

• Get a feel for what daily life was like
• Visit friends and start building community
• Walk around and explore different neighborhoods
• Find my essentials — a co-working space, an awesome cafe, some banging Jamaican food, and even an affordable, bilingual doctor

My little apartment became a kind of oasis and one of our favorite places to visit. And because of that experience, moving to Mexico full-time felt completely doable. I eventually gave up the apartment, but the experience made me more confident about relocating in the future. Now that I’m considering Portugal, it feels way more accessible because I’ve already been through the process.

Piloting a move doesn’t have to be expensive. Depending on the country, you can:

• Rent a place for a few months at a fraction of U.S. rent
• Visit regularly to test different areas
• Keep a home base abroad while still maintaining your life elsewhere

3. Research Residency & Visa Options

Every country has different residency rules, and it’s important to know what’s possible before you get too attached to a destination. Some questions to ask:

• Can you stay long-term, or will you need to do visa runs?
• Does the country offer digital nomad visas or easy residency options?
• What are the financial requirements to qualify for residency?

For example:

• Mexico offers a Temporary Residency Visa that’s relatively easy to get if you meet income requirements.
• Portugal has the D7 visa, which is great for retirees and remote workers.
• Ghana offers a Right of Abode program that allows descendants of enslaved Africans to apply for permanent residency.
• Some countries require large investments or strict income minimums, while others make it easier to settle in. Doing this research early will save you stress later.

4. Understand Your Finances & Cost of Living

Moving abroad isn’t just about affordability — it’s about making sure your money stretches in a way that supports the lifestyle you actually want.

• Look up cost-of-living comparisons. Websites like Numbeo can help you compare your current city to potential destinations.
• Consider healthcare costs. Some countries have amazing, affordable healthcare; others may require private insurance.
• Have a financial cushion. Unexpected expenses will come up, so having savings gives you flexibility.
• Think about furnished vs. unfurnished apartments. A furnished rental might cost more, but it can save you thousands in upfront costs. (In many countries, unfurnished means no fridge, washer, or stove!)

If you’re on a tight budget, consider renting furnished for the first few months so you can get settled without the stress of buying appliances right away.

5. Build Community & Support Before You Move

One of the biggest challenges of moving abroad? Feeling isolated. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone — or wait till you land to start making friends.

• Join expat groups & online communities before you go. Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats, and YouTube vloggers can give you insight into daily life.
• Visit the country first and start making connections. Even one or two local contacts can make your transition so much easier.
• Consider language barriers. If the local language isn’t English, start learning some basics before you go.
• The more you prepare socially, the more confident you’ll feel once you arrive.

Start Exploring

Moving abroad isn’t about making a huge, overnight leap. It’s about taking small steps to see if it’s right for you.

Piloting the idea is key. Renting a place, visiting regularly, or even just researching locations can make the process feel far less overwhelming. And once you take those first steps, it only gets easier.

So if living abroad is something you’ve been dreaming about, know that it’s possible. You just have to start.