ELS-0017Travel · Spain

Is Moving Abroad the Right Choice for Me?

Official sources checked
Written by Sue Berry
Practical guidance

Moving abroad can offer sunshine, adventure and a different pace of life, but it also changes your finances, healthcare, relationships and support network. This guide will help you look beyond the holiday feeling and decide whether expat life would genuinely suit you.

The Quick Answer

Moving abroad may be the right choice when the life you hope to create matches the practical reality of living in another country.

Before deciding, consider more than weather and property prices.

Think about residency, healthcare, income, language, family, friendships, housing and how you would cope if your health or circumstances changed.

You do not need to feel completely certain.

A sensible decision usually comes from researching carefully, testing the lifestyle and being honest about what you need to feel safe, connected and financially comfortable.

Official UK guidance advises people planning to move or retire abroad to consider matters including visas, healthcare, tax and pensions before making the move.

Why This Matters

Living abroad can be very different from spending a few enjoyable weeks there on holiday

On holiday, you may not need to:

manage household bills;

attend medical appointments;

understand official letters;

deal with repairs;

complete residency paperwork;

budget through changing exchange rates;

build a new circle of friends;

support family members from another country;

cope when flights are expensive or disrupted.

A move can bring a wonderful quality of life, but it can also remove familiar support systems.

This is particularly important for older expats, couples where one person manages most household matters, and anyone moving away from children, grandchildren or elderly parents.

Social connection should be part of the decision, not an afterthought.

The World Health Organization highlights the importance of meaningful social activity and connection for wellbeing, particularly as people grow older.

The aim is not to talk yourself out of moving.

It is to make sure the dream can become a life that remains practical and enjoyable after the excitement of the move has passed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know whether moving abroad is right for me? Look at whether the move supports the life you genuinely want and whether you can meet the practical requirements. Consider legal residency, affordability, healthcare, language, family, local support and how you would cope if circumstances changed. A trial stay can help you test your assumptions.

Is living abroad really cheaper than living in the UK? It depends on the country, area, housing costs, healthcare, tax, transport and your lifestyle. Some everyday expenses may be lower, while imported goods, private insurance, flights and property maintenance may cost more. Build a location-specific budget rather than relying on general cost-of-living claims.

Should I rent before buying abroad? For many people, renting first is a sensible option. It allows you to experience the area throughout different seasons and understand local services before making a large financial commitment. Your decision will also depend on rental availability, costs and your longer-term plans.

What if my partner and I feel differently about moving? Do not ignore the difference or assume one person will adjust later. Discuss what each of you hopes to gain, what worries you and what would make the move feel manageable. A trial stay may help, but both partners should feel heard and involved.

Am I too old to move abroad? Age alone does not decide whether moving is right. Health, mobility, finances, housing, access to care and local support are more important. Choose a location that can support your future needs as well as your current lifestyle.

How long should I test an area before deciding? A few weeks can reveal more than a short holiday, but a stay of one to three months may provide a better sense of everyday life. Try to visit outside the busiest season and complete ordinary tasks such as shopping, travelling, attending appointments and managing a normal budget.

Should I keep my UK home? Keeping it may provide security and a possible route back, but it also brings costs, maintenance, tax and management responsibilities. Compare selling, renting and retaining the property with a qualified adviser before deciding.

What should my family know before I move? Family should know your address, travel routes, local emergency contacts, healthcare arrangements, property-access plan and where important documents are kept. They should not need private passwords, but they should know where secure access instructions can be found.

Important — Read Before You Act

Residency, healthcare, taxation and visa rules vary between countries and can change.

Do not rely only on social media groups, estate agents or another expat’s personal experience.

Check current government information and take qualified legal, tax or financial advice where necessary.

Buying a property does not automatically give someone the right to live permanently in that country.

What To Do — Step by Step

Be clear about why you want to move Write down what you hope will improve by moving abroad. Your reasons might include: warmer weather; a slower pace of life; lower living costs; more time outdoors; retirement; a sense of adventure; joining family; escaping an environment that no longer suits you. Then ask yourself whether moving abroad is essential to achieving those changes. Moving can create new opportunities, but it may not solve financial worries, relationship difficulties, loneliness or dissatisfaction on its own.
Describe the everyday life you want Picture an ordinary Tuesday rather than a perfect holiday day. Think about: where you would live; how you would spend your mornings; whether you would work or retire; how you would travel around; where you would shop; who you would speak to; what activities you would enjoy; how often you would see family; what you would do during quieter or cooler months. This helps you choose a location based on real life rather than beautiful photographs.
Check whether you can legally live there Research the residency or visa route that applies to your nationality and circumstances. Check: permitted length of stay; income requirements; savings requirements; healthcare or insurance rules; whether you may work; renewal requirements; how much time you may spend outside the country; whether your partner has the same rights. EU residence rights depend on nationality and individual circumstances, while non-EU nationals may need a country-specific visa or residence permit.
Build a realistic monthly budget Include more than rent or mortgage payments. Your budget should consider: property costs; local taxes; electricity and water; internet and mobile phones; healthcare and insurance; food; transport; car ownership; home maintenance; flights back home; currency conversion; professional fees; pet care; emergency savings. Create a second budget based on one income if you are moving as a couple. This can reveal whether the move would remain affordable if one partner became ill or died.
Research healthcare before you need it Find out: whether you can use public healthcare; whether private insurance is required; how pre-existing conditions are treated; how prescriptions work; whether your usual medication is available; where the nearest health centre is; how far you would be from a hospital; whether local professionals speak English; what support may be available as you grow older. Healthcare should be assessed for the person you may become in five or ten years, not only for how healthy you feel today.
Consider your partner and family Discuss the move openly with everyone directly affected. Questions for couples include: Are we both equally committed? Are we moving for the same reasons? What if one of us settles and the other does not? Who will manage the money, paperwork and language? What would happen if one partner became a carer? Would either of us remain abroad alone? Also consider: elderly parents; children and grandchildren; the cost of family visits; emergency travel; where relatives could stay; how quickly family could reach you.
Study the area as a resident, not a visitor Visit during a quieter time of year if possible. Check: supermarkets and pharmacies; public transport; pavements and accessibility; hospitals and health centres; internet reliability; airport links; winter opening hours; noise and tourism levels; local clubs and activities; long-term rental availability; whether you would need a car. Speak to local residents as well as estate agents and people who benefit financially from your move.
Test the lifestyle before committing Rent temporarily before buying where possible. A trial stay can help you discover: whether the area feels too busy or too quiet; whether you cope with the language; how much everyday life costs; whether you can build a routine; how easy it is to return home; whether local services meet your needs; whether both partners feel comfortable. Try to live normally during the trial rather than treating it as an extended holiday.
Think about how you will build a support network Consider how you would meet people through: local clubs; language classes; volunteering; walking or activity groups; community organisations; neighbours; expat groups; faith communities; hobbies and classes. A busy social media group is not the same as having someone nearby who could help in an emergency. Aim to identify how you would build both friendships and dependable local contacts.
Create a Plan B Think calmly about what you would do if: the move did not suit you; your income dropped; exchange rates changed; your health declined; you could no longer drive; one partner wanted to return; you needed to care for family in the UK; you lost your partner; you needed to sell the property. A Plan B does not mean you expect the move to fail. It means you are protecting your choices.
Make a balanced decision Divide a page into four sections: What excites me What concerns me What I need to research What would make me say no Give each partner their own copy to complete before comparing answers. Do not judge the decision only by how many advantages or disadvantages you list. Consider how important each point is to your health, safety, finances and happiness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing an area because it felt perfect on holiday - Holiday resorts can feel very different during winter, quieter months or when you need everyday services.
Buying property before understanding the area - Renting first can give you time to understand neighbourhoods, transport, healthcare and seasonal changes.
Underestimating the true cost of living - Include healthcare, tax, maintenance, flights, exchange-rate changes and unexpected expenses.
Assuming family will visit frequently - Family may want to visit, but work, school, cost and caring responsibilities can make visits less frequent than expected.
Leaving all paperwork to one partner - Both partners should understand the finances, healthcare arrangements, property details and important contacts.
Treating healthcare as something to arrange later - Healthcare eligibility, insurance and medication access should be checked before committing to the move.
Depending entirely on an expat community - Expat communities can be welcoming, but people move away and friendship groups change. Build local connections too.
Assuming the move will solve every problem - A new location can improve life, but personal, financial and relationship difficulties may travel with you.
Having no return or emergency plan - Keep enough financial and practical flexibility to change direction if necessary.

Your Action Checklist

Write down my main reasons for moving abroad.
Describe what an ordinary week abroad would look like.
Discuss the move honestly with my partner or family.
Check the visa or residency route available to me.
Confirm the income and savings requirements.
Research public and private healthcare access.
Check whether my medication is available locally.
Create a realistic monthly budget.
Create a second budget based on one income.
Include flights and emergency travel in the budget.
Compare at least three possible locations.
Visit outside the main holiday season.
Check access to shops, transport and healthcare.
Speak to people who already live in the area.
Consider renting before buying.
Plan how I would meet people locally.
Consider how family could reach me in an emergency.
Discuss what would happen if one partner died or became ill.
Create a Plan B for returning or relocating.
Review everything before making a permanent financial commitment.

In Summary

Moving abroad is a personal decision. What feels right for one person may feel uncomfortable or unsustainable for another.

A good decision considers:

what you hope to gain;

what you may need to leave behind;

whether you can afford the move;

whether you can live there legally;

how healthcare will work;

whether you can build local support;

how your partner and family feel;

what would happen if life changed.

Give yourself permission to explore the idea without rushing.

Visit outside the main holiday season, speak to people who already live there, examine the less glamorous parts of daily life and create a realistic budget.

The right question is not simply: “Would I enjoy living there?” It is: “Could I build a life there that still feels safe, connected and manageable throughout the year?”

Sue’s final thoughts & experiences

A personal note from Sue Berry

Moving abroad was never just about finding a home in the sunshine for me. It was about building a different life.

The things that make expat life work are often the things we do not think about during the dreaming stage: knowing where to go when we need help, understanding the local systems, finding people we trust and making sure our family knows how to support us from another country.

You do not need to have every answer before you begin. But the more honestly you explore the practical questions now, the more confidently you can decide whether this dream is truly right for you.