Moving to a new country is an exciting adventure that offers new opportunities for personal and professional growth. It also opens a window to new experiences, cultures, and perspectives. These are just some of the benefits that relocating abroad can offer your family.
This big transition is not a decision made lightly, especially when children are involved. Here are some key considerations for an expat family contemplating this life-changing move.
Depending on whether you’re pursuing a new job offer or simply chasing a lifestyle change, you’re likely considering different countries in your search. As you research, you will want to consider some crucial factors that can affect the quality of life for you and your family.
Answering the following questions will help you decide if relocating abroad is right for you and your family:
Based on your salary, how comfortably can you afford your desired lifestyle? This would include looking at housing, food, taxes and much more. This can even vary based on specific cities and locations within a country.
If you are moving for work, are there suitable work options for your partner? This would also include checking on the procedures needed to ensure your partner can be employed in the new country, if applicable.
How easy is it to access healthcare options in the country, and what are the associated costs? Depending on whether your work will cover health insurance for you and your family, you may also need to research coverage plans and their costs.
Do you want your children to attend a local or international school? Do you have a preferred curriculum that you’d like your child to study? (For example, choosing the IB curriculum because there is an intent to continue schooling abroad in the long run)
How does the new country’s culture align with your current beliefs and values? What’s the language spoken there? These points can be a good indicator of whether your family will be able to adjust to the new culture.
How will the local weather and climate impact your family’s quality of life and daily activities? Are there any new limitations that you may face in the new country?
There will be pros and cons for every destination around the world. For example, many expat families choose to relocate to Singapore because of its high standard of living, excellent healthcare, and access to world-class education. However, it is simultaneously one of the most expensive cities in the world, with housing and cost of living coming at a hefty price.
Understanding visa requirements is essential before relocating abroad. Each country will have different passes and processes so it is important to understand these details well to ensure that your application will be approved when you make this move. For example, in Singapore, you must secure a job before applying for a work visa. It is recommended that you start early and ensure all necessary documents are up to date.
As you plan your international move, it is helpful to create a realistic timeline so you can move steadily and smoothly – after all, relocating abroad is no small feat! Ideally, you should start preparing 6-12 months ahead of your intended move date. To help you, here is a checklist with timelines to start:
This is the big research and pre-planning stage. You’ll want to find information about:
As you research the topics above, you can start creating a budget to manage your financial considerations. You may need to create both a moving budget and a long-term budget.
The moving budget would include the costs of:
If time allows, it would be good to visit your destination country to scout the scene and get a better idea of the areas.
At this point in time, you’ll want to start putting things in motion. Some items for action will include:
While this checklist does offer some rough timings, it’s important to remember that relocating abroad may not follow a linear structure and vary in the timeframe. However, these pointers should still apply in all moving situations and can be used flexibly as needed.
Depending on costs and duration of stay, you may choose to buy a house or rent a property. It is advisable to get a short-term rental at the beginning to kickstart the overall move and also give you some time to look for better options upon your arrival before committing to a long-term home. This approach gives you the flexibility to find the perfect fit for your family’s needs. When looking for an area to live, find out about:
In Singapore, popular places for expats to live include areas such as Tiong Bahru, Holland Village, Tanjong Pagar, East Coast and Sentosa. The first three options are popular as they are fairly central and close to workplaces while also boasting great amenities. As for the East Coast, it offers seafront views and more nature-y offerings, perfect for families that like to stay active. Sentosa is another ocean-side option but it is certainly one of the higher-end options in Singapore – it is also the farthest area from the city centre in this list.
As parents who want the best for their children, you’ll probably find yourself browsing through numerous school websites as you try to find a suitable schooling option for your child. As you research, you’ll want to consider the following key points:
A big question that families have when they relocate abroad is whether they should send their children to a local, non-private school or a private international school. If the country’s non-private, local schools offer a good-quality education, you could potentially save a lot of money with this selection.
However, some families also see international schools as an investment as they provide a multicultural environment with learners from diverse backgrounds and are staffed with teachers who are experienced in working with learners from all around the world. This can become an excellent opportunity for your child to experience global perspectives and grow as an individual. Singapore offers a diverse range of international schools catering to various curricula and nationalities.
If you have younger children, you may need to look into more specialised services for your little ones. Some options available to you include:
In Singapore, it is common for expat families to hire domestic helpers, especially if both parents are working. They can be a great help in taking care of the children and assisting with household chores and management. If parents have more flexible work schedules, they may consider daycares and preschools that are close to their houses or workplaces.
Across the world, there are many types of healthcare systems that support individuals to different degrees. It is crucial to understand the country’s healthcare system so you can anticipate any out-of-pocket costs and insurance costs. The planning done here will also prevent any unexpected high medical bills in the long run.
Some key points to look out for this aspect include:
Adapting to a new culture takes time and patience. As mentioned earlier, doing some brief research about the country you’re considering can help you better understand if it is a good fit for you and your family. This could be something as simple as the level of safety you expect, how crowded or isolated the area you’re considering is, the way people interact, and so much more. You’ll realise that the everyday things that feel normal and obvious may vary greatly when you go somewhere new!
If you’re moving to a country where your mother tongue isn’t the primary language, consider taking language classes to master the basics before you go or soon after you arrive. Being immersed in a new language is the best way to learn so don’t be afraid to practise in public. There are also translation apps that can be a lifesaver in everyday situations. If you are considering sending your child to an international school, you should note that most of them use English as the main language of instruction. As such, it would be advantageous for your child to have a good grasp of English, otherwise, they may have to take additional English courses.
As you navigate new experiences and places when you travel, it is always good to learn about different cultural customs and expectations to be respectful of others’ traditions and etiquette. This could include appropriate dress codes, dining etiquette, and religious practices.
A crucial first step is to understand the basic laws of the country. If it is a particularly religious country, you should also learn the rules and customs associated with that religion. By covering these bases, you will find it much easier to be accepted by the local community and find a new tribe as you do so. It is also useful to observe how locals interact with each other and follow their lead.
Above all, keep an open mind and keep learning! Embrace the journey, be open to new experiences, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Mistakes will be made but the willingness to learn and improve is most important. As you experience this with your family, share the things you observe with your children and lead by example.
As a popular expat destination, Singapore offers an enriching experience with its vibrant culture, excellent infrastructure and strong emphasis on education. If you are considering moving overseas to Singapore, we encourage you to explore your educational options with Nexus International School (Singapore). As a diverse and welcoming community, we have supported countless learners and their families in their transition to life in Singapore and would love to extend that to you as well.
Book a tour or contact our admissions team to learn more about our school’s offerings.
