Will You Be Here Next Year?

Will You Be Here Next Year?

A beautiful home overseas that could be yours

Here we are once again at a time of year which tends to lead to reflection as we bid one year goodbye and ready ourselves for the next.

We’ll make promises to ourselves, using resolutions to give ourselves a sense of purpose and direction in January – and, for some, it may be that they will take those first few steps towards a new life abroad.

But, if that was you last year and you’re actually no further forward than you were 12 months ago, experience suggests you’re unlikely to be alone. After all, starting afresh overseas is a huge change and not one to be taken on a whim after an overindulgence in festive cheer.

Often though, it’s not change itself but the fear of it which prevents us from making dreams come true so, in our last blog for 2018, we thought we’d take a closer look at some of things we know put people off the prospect of emigrating – and the realities so often discovered by those who actually make the jump.

We’ll miss our family…

Yes you will – or at least to begin with. But ask yourself this: how much quality time do you actually spend with them at the moment? Of course it’s good to know they’re there when you need them and there may be a gathering or two for birthdays, Christmas and special occasions. But with work, the kids’ after-school clubs and all the usual humdrum commitments, do you really connect regularly? A move overseas means your home becomes a holiday destination which opens up the potential of a whole new world, and not just for you but your family and friends.

We’ll miss our creature comforts …

Again, it’s possible that brown sauce, real ale, After Eight mints or your favourite brand of butter will be a rare find but there are new discoveries to look forward to as well. There are bound to be things you won’t have ever come across before and we can more or less guarantee some of them will become you’re new favourites.

We’ll miss our home …

If you’ve lived most of your life in one place the prospect of walking away is a scary one. There’s no doubt there is a lot of comfort to be had from the intimate knowledge of your home and everything around it. The first six months – or even a year – in a new place can be disorientating but, stick it out for long enough and it will probably begin to “fit”. You’ll know you’re there or thereabouts when you first refer to your new place overseas as “home” instead of your old one.

Everything will be weird …

Yes, your first few months can feel a bit odd – but, put another way, it can also be exciting when there’s a new discovery to make every day; whether it’s a local custom, a difference in culture or just a new dish you’ve never tried before. There’s no hiding from the fact that you will be a stranger in a strange land for a little while but, if you try to embrace it rather than feeling handicapped by it, then it helps to reduce any stress you feel. You’ll make mistakes of course but, as long as you learn from them, it’s all good.

I don’t know the language …

There’s no solution for this one other than a willingness to learn. You can either go to lessons – which won’t be hard to find – or just try to pick up what you can from phrase books and listening to the locals. Unless you have a flare for languages, it’s rarely easy but it’s something you can develop every day, regardless of how long you’ve been learning. One thing we can guarantee is a sense of achievement as you progress from market and restaurant language to full-on conversation. And you should enjoy that sense of pride because you’ve earned it …

I’ll feel guilty about leaving family behind …

This is something we often inflict on ourselves but often, if they’re asked, family will encourage and support you rather than try to change your mind. There are times when separation and distance present insurmountable problems, particularly when relatives are elderly or infirm, but it’s important to try to keep your own sense of duty in perspective. You’ll be missed of course – but are you really indispensable? Most families who emigrate return home to see family once or twice a year while their families visit them in their new homes too – so ask yourself if that sense of guilt is real or if it’s just a handy excuse you can use when the prospect of moving overseas gets a bit too real.

It’s not the right time …

There are few certainties in life and a problem-free move abroad certainly isn’t among them. There will always be obstacles in your way; what you need to make it work is the commitment to overcome them and the ability to roll with the punches when things don’t go your way. If you’re waiting for “the right time” we can almost guarantee it’ll never come.

If you are considering a new life overseas, hopefully we’ve given you a few pointers but if you’re thinking of moving to Turkey or hoping to find a holiday villa in Portugal, don’t forget we’re here to help you find the place of your dreams.

You may be able to find what you’re looking for on other pages of our website where you can read advice on how to obtain a Golden Visa in Portugal, a Golden Visa in Spain, how to qualify for citizenship in Turkey or to obtain a Golden Visa in Greece. Also, if you enjoyed this post and think others might find it useful, please feel free to pass it on. If you wish to ask us any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.