The web is teaming with digital nomads; Travelers with a desire to never give up their titles. There are many a successful travel blogger making enough money to continue their journey almost indefinitely.
My question for you today however is slightly different. If your company came to you tomorrow and presented you with an opportunity to move abroad, would you jump at the chance, or would you never consider the possibility?
It All Started with TV
The other night I was sitting watching The Starlings (A British Comedy/Drama) and the father of the family was given a job opportunity in Spain. Excited by the idea, he made a proposal to his wife, only to be shot down in flames and considered selfish. The wife claimed that their house and roots were all in England and questioned how he could possibly be so stupid as to even consider the idea of moving away.
Now if that was me, I would JUMP at the chance (and I very quickly checked with Mrs Scot that she would do the same)! In fact, I am counting down the days until my company offer me an expat position, almost anywhere in the world.
Truth be told, we would likely take up the opportunity to move almost anywhere. From deepest, darkest Africa, to the edge of the earth. I seriously believe opportunities are for the taking and you never really know if something is good for you until you try it.
Standing Still is Boring
Further to the above point, I also think that staying put and becoming ‘comfortable’ is dangerous. It is too easy to let things become part of your routine and to lose sight of the end goal. That transition from work to live through to live to work can happen so easily if you are not careful. An opportunity to move abroad resets everything. Everything from where you live to your daily routine and I seriously think it would be refreshing.
I have numerous Polish friends who moved to the UK when Poland became part of the EU several years back. They have become so integrated and experienced with UK life, their understanding and life-experiences are instantly diversified far more than most. What expat do you know that can’t tell a good story (or ten)!?
Some might argue that it is unfair on the kids, or perhaps they couldn’t leave their friends. I strongly believe that it helps to develop children by opening their eyes early to the possibilities that lie ahead. True friends quickly become apparent and the possibility to make many more is presented.
SO Given the chance, would you drop everything and move away?
I’m having a hard time thinking of moving to the next state over, but someday a villa in the middle of nowhere sounds pretty great…
I would move in a heartbeat… wait. I’ve been doing that for the past 10 years. I love the changes and challenges as well as getting a glimpse of a different life for a few months or year.
My wife and I have always talked about moving to a place that is less expensive…we live in NYC. But we have so much family and friends here that it would be tough to leave. And now that we just had a baby…that makes it even less likely. We like the stability and family/friend support here.
I DREAM that opportunity would arise for my family! I did my graduate studies abroad in the Netherlands, and it was an experience of a lifetime. That being said, it depends on what country it was that we’d be transferred to. I used to want to join the Peace Corps, but now that I have a little one, I’d have to consider her safety and quality of life.
Yes! Actually, my wife and I are living this experience right now. We left our jobs in Canada last year, traveled for awhile and set down here in the UK. We’ve been living here for a year, are both gainfully employed and are enjoying the experience.
There is a lot of risk involved with moving to a new country but this comes with even greater rewards for those who can successfully pull it off. With a little planning and a good financial base to start from, the risks can be reduced significantly.
Things might get more complicated when kids are involved but any hurdle can be overcome if you put in enough effort. I think kids are actually more flexible than their parents and can probably adapt faster to life in a new country!
Depends on family circumstances for me. For years, when single, I lived a skint, city life in Barcelona and loved it.
With kids at school etc the whole thing becomes more complicated, but I think still worth the extra effort.
I am sure that I’m not going to be in the UK for the rest of my life – I feel adventure are brewing!!
I would like to say that I would move abroad but I just couldn’t right now. My parents are elderly and one of them is recently disabled. They need the support of me and my siblings. Plus, I kind of like England. Saying that, if I had no ties, I would definitely consider it!
some days yes, some days no. It all depends on your current outlook
I was given the chance and did, and would recommend that everyone does the same.
One year ago, my employer in the North of England offered myself and my partner a 2 year contract in the South of France. The catch, we needed to start two weeks later!!
We accepted and have had the best year of our lives. Take life by the scruff of the neck and make sure you live it – you won’t regret it.
I would love to, but it would depend on what country and for how long. I lived in Canada my whole life and would love the opportunity to live somewhere else. I’m not so sure about my significant other.
I’d do it in a heartbeat if given the chance. The hard part would be convincing my wife to move our family. All of her family are right in the area near us – so it would be a really hard sell.