Moving abroad is a big step, and oftentimes it can be difficult to know if it’s the right one. Which is where I can help.
Emigration has been a feature of my life for as long as I can remember.
Both my father’s sisters emigrated before I was born – the elder one to South Africa, the younger to Canada, where they raised their respective families. But it wasn’t until adulthood that I got to meet any of these relations. As a result, I grew up with a feeling of distance and separation, that there were people out in the world closely linked to me by blood but otherwise total strangers.
Yet it also instilled in me a sense that a different kind of life was possible, that there were other opportunities waiting for those willing to look for them. This understanding was further reinforced when two of my best friends, brothers who lived three doors up, emigrated to Southern California when I was ten years old.
Just after the Millennium celebrations I too moved to the States. I was working as a journalist in London with a New York-based financial publisher at the time. Out of the blue I got a call to say my boss was leaving and did I want to transfer over to take her job. A month later my wife and I were on a plane crossing the Atlantic. We lived in New York City for the next year and loved every second.
On our return to England I left my employer and started up as a freelance journalist. Then, in 2003, fed up with the UK’s grey weather and exorbitant house prices, we moved to a small fishing town on Spain’s northern Costa Brava coast.
The region is blessed with year-round sunshine, a place where we can enjoy summer days at the beach with our two young daughters, the thrill of visits to Barcelona, and close proximity to the ski resorts of the Pyrenees. But over the years we have also had to endure our share of the sorrows, hardships and frustrations that come from being away from family, old friends and the familiarity of “home.”
As I’ve discovered, living abroad can offer many great joys and opportunities. But it is not always easy. So if you’re considering moving overseas too be prepared – benefit from my years of experience and let me help you make the right decision.
Best wishes,
Paul
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I have been thinking of moving to Canada now, on my own, for over a year. I should have moved August 2010, but freaked out about moving so far away from my close family, doing this on my own is very scary.
I love the area of Canada, I want to move to and I do have a few friends there, but it is not the same as having my family close by. I feel like I am immature and a coward. I can travel there on my own without any fear so why can’t I move to Canada on my own. I am not a young pup either (38) so it is not like I am too young to do this. I am suffering from severe anxiety related to this move and only have just under two years left on my visa and feel i will regret it if I don’t go, but leaving my parents is the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I am not sure I can do this.
Any advice welcome please, as I do not know where to go or what to do next.
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Paul: Thank you for being so clear, I am seriously contemplating a move to Spain. My granparents were Spanish born, 3 gallegos & 1 from Burgos. I have initiated ” Spanish Nationality ” & recently returned from a 2 week visit. I met several cousins for the first time & reunited with others, since the age of 13 I have visited Spain a few times. My familiarity is with parts of Galicia, Madrid ( surrounding cities / towns ) & a short time in Barcelona.
I am looking for some guidace from an adventurer like yourself, I am single & able to be flexible. Also, I can hold my own with spanish as long as others appreciate my attempt. Gracias por su tiempo. jim
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Hi Emma,
I can empathise with your situation. I think for most of us moving abroad is a quandary – should we stay or should we go? There are inevitable fears from moving and getting it wrong. But then how will you know how great it could be unless you try?
Is there a way for you to do a halfway house? Perhaps to try an initial, shorter term move, of say six months? It’s long enough to find your own place to live, (hopefully) get a job and experience some of what it’s like to be a resident. However, you can always return home at the end if things don’t work out.
Fear is natural whenever we step outside our comfort zones. To my mind it’s good to push the boundaries and try something new, especially if you feel you’ll always regret it if you don’t.
Having said that, moving abroad is not for everyone. If you feel that, on balance, you would be less happy and contented living in Canada then perhaps it’s not for you.
Only you can decide, but you do need to make that decision, so the months and years don’t just slip away. If nothing else flip a coin – see what your gut reaction is at the result … that will at least give you a good idea of how you really feel.
Best of luck! -
Hi Jim,
Sounds like you’ve got a good start – you have familiarity with the country, relations already there and the prospect of nationality to clear those tricky legal obstacles.
Of course, Spain has its problems economically at the moment! Do you have a potential source of work in mind? If you’ve got a way to earn money and support yourself then go for it. As you say, you’re single and able to be flexible, so that relieves a lot of the pressure that other prospective expats feel. Spain is a wonderful country and I’m sure you’ll love it if you decide to move.
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