What does it mean to be an expatriate? Part 3 - Taking up residency

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Tuesday, 7 October 2008

By:Kimbles

When you have decided on a location and are ready to move in and take up residency, there are a few considerations to keep in mind to make your transition run as smoothly as possible.

No matter where your chosen haven may be, whether it be in a first world or third world country, set up your portable office as soon as possible. The kind of office I am about to describe has been all I needed whenever I have moved. Without it, I do not know what I would have done during trying times. Your global office can include an e-mail account, a phone number and fax number, a residential and/or postal address and online banking facilities. I know, it does not seem like much does it, but it enables you to be connected globally at any time of the day or night across all time zones.

Unless you are to be employed by a company that provides health insurance, it is a good idea to look into international health insurance. I came across this site recommended by Kathleen Peddicord of International Living, HTH Worldwide - http://www.hthworldwide.com/

When taking up residency one has to decide what to do about household goods – to sell them and buy new goods or to keep everything and ship your goods across. That is a decision you will have to weigh up, but when I have shipped my household goods, I sent all that I knew I could manage without for at least 3 months, by boat, as it is much cheaper. Take as much of the needed items with you on the plane and if you have a holding address where you can send goods to, send some smaller parcels ahead of you by mail – this is also a cheaper and very convenient option. If you do have money to spare you can use an international moving company to ship all your goods in one load from house to house. I would suggest at least getting some price options as it is often not as expensive as one would assume.

When you do take up residence, I would suggest not buying property for at least the first six months. This gives you time to decide whether you have made the right decision or not. Rent during this time and then shop around for property.

Open up a local bank account. To do this, one generally needs a local address as well as your passport and/or residency/visa documents.

Also look into the procedures with regard to what the requirements and documents are for driving locally.

In a nutshell when taking up residency there are a few absolute necessities that one needs. These include the following:

A Global Office

An Address

A Local Bank Account

A Driver’s License

Health/Travel Insurance

Accommodation

Your own laptop computer is very handy if you can afford it.

If after 6 months you are still happy with your decision, you can go ahead to acquire and achieve the finer things in life in your new home to make your living and lifestyle all you ever dreamed it could and would be.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.” Jim Rohm

Article Source: http://www.dailynewarticles.com

Kimbles is the resident writer at Xpatpals.com. An expatriate advice resource for expats living all over the world.