I moved abroad when I was 18, before I had a family of my own. It was challenging enough, and I learned firsthand how much planning, flexibility, and resilience it requires. But when moving with kids, it is even more difficult. Here are some tips on how to make your move abroad with your family as easy as possible.
Do you ever daydream about raising your children in an idyllic destination? Have you ever considered moving to a different part of the world? You’re not alone as a growing number of American families are planning to leave the US to start a new life in another country. According to a 2024 survey, about 116,363 Americans have looked into moving abroad, with 41 percent hoping to save money while living there. The poll also reveals that the sudden wave of interest in living the expat life is due to the rising costs of living and healthcare issues in the US. Many individuals and families are also hoping to experience the benefits of living in a different country since there are regions that offer better work-life balance, lower costs, and tax benefits.
Taking your family to live in a new country is a big decision since you’ll be navigating new cultures, systems, and languages. You’ll also need to step out of your comfort zone since you and your loved ones will be setting up a new life from scratch. For these reasons, you’ll want to make your move as smooth and easy on the budget as possible to create a positive experience for all. Here are some stress-free and affordable ways to live abroad with your family, as well as some effective strategies to make a successful move overseas.
Do Extensive Research About Your Chosen Destination
Going on a holiday abroad and moving to another country are two vastly different things. You and your family are likely to be fine and have a good time even if you’ve just done some basic Googling before leaving for an international vacation. But if you’re moving overseas, you’ll need to do extensive research to ensure a successful transition, avoid getting into legal problems, and build a happy and fulfilling life in your new environment.
First, you’ll need to know about the country’s visa and work permit requirements, insurance requirements, healthcare system, and the standard of available care. If your purpose for moving is to save money, you’ll want to know about the country’s average cost of living, including housing, transportation, food and utilities. You’ll also want to look into the cost and quality of local and international schools for your kids so they can get exposure to local cultures while enhancing their language and social skills.
If you find that your chosen destination is too expensive for a long-term move, consider other countries with low living costs and a high quality of life. A 2025 International Living report states that Colombia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Northern Spain, Coastal Montenegro, and the southern zone of Costa Rica can’t be beat when it comes to affordable living and healthcare costs, so look into these countries to find the perfect place for permanent residency.
Prepare to Move
Once you’ve learned all about your dream destination, it’s time to take steps to make your dream a reality. At this point, you’ll need to secure visas and residency permits for you and your family, as well as a place to live in. For a short-term stay, consider renting a fully-furnished house or apartment so you won’t have to worry about buying furniture and appliances. Doing so also saves you upfront costs on furniture moving and setup. For long-term living though, you’ll want to rent a bare or unfurnished apartment since it’s cheaper over time compared to furnished units, which have a higher rent.
Next, decide which items to store, ship, donate, or sell. Keep in mind that there’s no reason to take all your belongings abroad since it’s likely that you’ll need to buy new items anyway to suit your new home and local warranties. If the thought of parting with high value art pieces or heirloom furniture pains you though, think about storing them in a climate controlled storage facility before moving abroad. This can help you save on immediate shipping costs, and it also enables you to keep sentimental or valuable items safe, whether your move is temporary or permanent.
A few weeks before relocating, be sure to make arrangements to cancel your home utilities and services. Failure to do so can lead to accumulated debt since you’ll continue to be billed for services, and this can add up to significant costs over time. You’ll also want to speak with your lawyer to update your will to ensure its validity in your new country of residence. This will protect your family from international legal disputes, and it may also prevent local laws from overriding your intentions.
Live a Fulfilling Yet Modest Lifestyle
Many American expats are able to live luxuriously in their new country of residence since they usually have higher salaries than the locals. Some of them also have access to income streams that enable them to afford a lavish lifestyle in a cheaper destination. While it’s okay to treat yourself and your loved ones every once in a while, it’s recommended to live modestly so you can manage your finances sustainably.
Living simply allows you to support the local economy since living a practical and modest lifestyle means eating local food, buying from local shops and markets, and taking public transportation whenever possible. Living modestly not only saves you money, but it also makes you more relatable to the people around you. This makes it easier for you and your loved ones to make some new friends and have a sense of genuine belonging in your community.
Moving abroad can benefit your family’s health, relationship, wellbeing, and finances. Do your research and prepare before you relocate overseas, and learn to embrace the local culture and the simple joys of life to live well without spending a lot.
