If you are considering relocating for work, it’s important to look beyond the obvious factors. The job itself is obviously important, while many people base their decision on the salary being offered. But are there factors that are even more important than those two things? If you’re looking at jobs abroad, consider these five factors too.
Language Barrier
One of the biggest hurdles when moving abroad could be the potential issue of a language barrier. Will your move require you to learn a new language? Is this something you are prepared to do? Will this prevent you from being able to settle? It’s easy to overlook questions like this, but they emphasise just how big of a move you are making.
Cost of Living
Don’t make the mistake of immediately saying yes to a salary increase. Not only do you need to factor in the cost of moving abroad, but you also need to consider the cost of living. This includes house prices and rent, the cost of groceries, hospitality prices, and so much more. In the US, average salaries are higher, but you must also factor in the high cost of medical fees and eating out.
Ahead of moving, try to plan out a typical week or month in your new location on your new wage instead of simply comparing your current salary to your new one.
Infrastructure
Have you considered basic things like how you will travel to work every day? Or the standard of education that your children will receive after relocating. These types of issues are determined by the infrastructure of a country or location.
Ahead of moving, make sure you understand the area’s transport system, education system and similar factors. This won’t just impact your working life, but also how you spend time outside of work. For example, the UK’s rail system allows you to easily travel across the country, which appeals to people who are looking for opportunities to travel as well as work.
Culture
Culture may make or break your move. Even if you are relocating for your dream job or a life-changing salary increase, it’s still important that you are happy in your new home. If you are moving to a country that has a culture that is a far cry from what you are used to, this could prevent you from settling.
It’s hard to get a grasp of culture from researching online, so try to speak to people who already live in the country you will be moving to. If you don’t know anyone, speak to your new employer and find out everything you’d like to know ahead of moving.
Laws
When moving abroad, some people may not have even considered the legal implications of moving to a new country. For a start, you’ll need to consider immigration laws. Some countries are far more strict on who they let into the country than others. For example, the UK has a skilled worker visa that allows individuals without British citizenship to relocate for work purposes. Immigration laws can be confusing, so it could be worth reaching out to an immigration lawyers in London if you are considering a move to the UK.