While you are deciding what country appeals to you the most, you might as well get the following items in place. You’ll eventually need them, so there’s no better time than the present to start arranging the details.
- Buy a laptop computer with the newest operating systems and load new versions of the software you use.
- You’ll need an email address that is preferably free, or linked to your own domain. You may even want to purchase a domain that is yours (www.johndoe.com) and set up your email there (john@johndoe.com). That way, friends can keep up with you and your travels as you post photos and news to your own site.
- Set up your banking and investments so that you can access them online.
- Set up all your bills to be handled online, or paperless.
- Arrange direct deposits into your bank account for any income, including Social Security.
- Ask your bank for a debit card. Use it for credit and debit transactions in your new country.
- A tax or investment advisor is recommended to determine the best way to file your taxes in the U.S. Also, you may be required to file taxes in your new country, so finding an accountant there will also be a part of your “to do” list.
- Talk to your cell phone service about getting a phone that accommodates SIM cards from different countries. Your calls will be much cheaper this way. When you get to the country of your choice, you’ll get a second cell phone for local calls.
- VOIP. Skype seems to be the best marble in the bag. You can telephone anyone from your laptop or PC without being charged. You will also be able to see the other party on your computer if both of you have web cams installed. This is great for visiting with the kids and grandkids! VOIP is also now available for your Smartphones, so you may want to check out getting a Blackberry the next time you need to replace your cell phone.
- Renew your driver’s license and passport. Keep them up to date and always several years away from expiration. Make copies of both and carry them with you on an everyday basis while the originals are tucked away safely.
- Getting a mail service is important for many reasons. This gives you an address in your native country where mail can be sent. You can arrange for the service to forward your mail to where you have settled without the sender being aware that you are living in a foreign country.
THE MOVE
Once you’ve determined your own definition of paradise, you’ll have to decide exactly what to bring, and what to leave behind.
You’ll be renting at first, so putting your furnishings in storage might be wise. This is the time you’ll need to carefully go through your belongings and make that fateful decision of whether to keep it, or trash it. Remember, you MAY be coming back home to live, so don’t be merciless. But giving up that waffle maker that you got as a wedding gift just might be liberating!
Label all the boxes carefully and make an inventory list for each box. That way, if you want a box sent on to your new locale, you’ll know exactly what box contains what items.
An International move isn’t a difficult process today. Containers traverse the oceans daily carrying household goods from one country to another. A good site to check out is www.intlmovers.com. It is a clearing house of movers around the world and just by entering some information, you’ll get an idea of what it will cost to ship your items from your town to your new country. It is also possible to ship your car, but it’s best to consider that only if your car can be serviced in your country of choice.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
If you're an American, Medicare won't follow you outside the States (although your Social Security will). Once you’ve chosen your country, look at our information on health care and insurance in that specific country for guidance. Do not buy any supplemental insurance until you have moved to your new country.