You most likely already know that moving abroad is a costly process both in terms of time and money. Still, whilst it’s always going to be a costly adventure, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to make it a less costly adventure.

Moving you, your family, and all your worldly possessions to a new place was always going to be an overwhelming experience, but there are lots of ways to save money if you’re smart about the way in which you prepare for this big move.

You just need to plan ahead. Think about the cost of the move but also the costs you’ll face once you arrive in your new home country; it can take some time to adjust to a new life abroad, so you need to be as prepared as possible. Here’s some advice on reducing the cost of moving to a new country.

Sort out your personal finances

This is good life advice in general, but it’s something that you definitely need to do if you’re going to move to a new country. Get your finances in order, and figure out how much everything is going to cost. Obviously, this article will help you to reduce some of the expenses you’ll face, but you need to start by calculating a rough ballpark figure for the overall move.

Calculate the cost of shipping your possessions, buying a new house, and so on. Once you know how much the whole thing is going to cost, you can take a look at your financial situation and figure out whether you’re ready to move or whether you need to save up money for a few more months.

It might be tempting to jump straight into such an exciting new adventure, but you need to be sure that you’ve got the monetary support necessary for this life-changing decision. You’ll need to account for more than the cost of plane tickets and a new house; those are only the first couple of expenditures you’re going to face.

You might even want to start sorting out some of the more logistical details of the move early in the process. For example, you’ll need to sign up to a new bank. You might want to choose an institution such as Eastwood Bank to open an online bank account with no deposit needed. That’ll save you a lot of money and stress.

Additionally, you’ll need to think about how your financial situation will look once you arrive in your new home. Do you have employment lined up abroad? If that’s the reason for your move then you’re set. If not then you should start seeking opportunities now; you could even start freelancing if there aren’t too many options in the job market.

Working remotely gives you the option to live anywhere in the world, after all. Of course, being financially organized means you also need to be prepared for the economic difference in the country to which you’re moving.

Your salary might have afforded you a certain lifestyle in your current home, but you might need to rethink your lifestyle if the cost of living is higher in your new home. Think about your personal finances in terms of the present and the future. That’s how you’ll start to reduce the cost of moving to a new country.

Try before you buy

The best way to reduce the cost of moving to a new country is to book a vacation there first. Unless you’re in a huge rush to move because your employer is shipping your branch overseas, you should take your time to research the country in which you’ll make your new life.

In the previous point, we talked about preparing yourself for a difference in the cost of living when you move abroad (whether the cost of living is higher or lower). The best way to do this is to live in your future home country for a few weeks. Live like a local; rent an apartment, do your groceries, go out to watch movies and eat meals. Figure out how much this will cost you per week (or take a month-long vacation if you really want to be sure).

If you do your research into the cheapest grocery stores and dining spots then you won’t have to worry about those things once you’ve actually moved abroad. This might even factor into choosing your new home – you could choose a property in an area that’s surrounded by cheaper amenities and better transport routes to the local town or city.

If you choose a location that’s closer to the city then you’ll reduce the cost of gas (traveling to and from work each day), and this will save you money in the long run. It’s a smart idea to do your research by living in the area for a few weeks so that you can figure out the most cost-effective way to live there permanently. You might just avoid buying a property in an overly-pricey neighborhood. You can’t find everything online; sometimes, researching a place in-person is the best approach.

Transport your belongings in the most cost-effective manner

You’ve likely already thought about the best way to transport your possessions, but you also need to think about the most cost-effective way to do so. Obviously, you don’t want to cut corners and put your precious belongings at risk of damage on their journey to your new home, but there are definitely smart ways to save money in this regard.

Sea freight is cheaper than air freight, for example. You can transport much more cargo on a ship than a plane, and you’ll find deals at a fraction of the cost. Do yourself a favor – don’t waste money by transporting your belongings on the plane with you. It might sound easier in your head, but the cost will be astronomical.

It might take slightly longer to transport things by ship, but it’ll save you an unbelievable amount of money. Trust us on this one.