How do I choose my dream destination?

30/07/2020 | Private

That’s it. It’s decided. You’re looking for a change in life. And for that you have made the choice to leave, to start a new experience in a foreign country. But how do you choose your dream destination?

But you’ve already chosen it! You will tell me. I can see it. But, in your reflection, have you weighed the effects that will result from it? What are the obstacles you will face that you haven’t necessarily thought about?

In this article, we wanted to present you with a little guide that will help you to:

validate your emigration project,
to make the right choice of the dream destination in relation to your expectations,
be prepared to plan it early enough so that you don’t forget anything.

Make this new beginning a real success and bring you all the beautiful things you want out of life.

Changing your life is not an easy decision, that’s for sure. But the vast majority of people who have given themselves the time to prepare for it have, for the most part, had a life-changing experience that has turned out to be a real turning point in their lives, a real rebirth.

This is exactly what we wish you!

Has your decision been well thought out?

It has been several weeks, even months, since your plan to go abroad germinated in the corner of your head. You are determined to leave as soon as possible, because you want to finally realize your dream of a change of life.

Have you asked yourself all the questions that will strengthen your conviction that you have made the right decision? If you have any doubts, please browse through the questions below that seem the most relevant to us:

1. What are my fears once I get there?

Even if leaving is your quest, don’t hide any worries or doubts you may have when you arrive at your dream destination. The best way to allay them is to express them.

Were you worried that you might have difficulty integrating because you don’t speak the language very well?
Do you worry about not finding work quickly?
Are you apprehensive about being away from your loved ones for a long period of time?
Are you afraid of feeling lonely?

Having a written list of your concerns will make it much easier for you to address them calmly and find the answers that will allow you to move forward.

2. Who can advise me and save me from certain disappointments?

The best way to eliminate any remaining doubts is to seek advice from people who have already experienced a new life abroad. Only they will be able to tell you the pitfalls to avoid.

By listening to them, you will quickly understand which is the right path to take and you will gain enormously in time and satisfaction. But the most stimulating thing is that they will instinctively share with you the greatness of their experience. They will be able to communicate to you the passion and the joy that animates them today to have made the step. They will transmit to you their enormous enthusiasm for having made the right choice and that nothing in the world would make them turn back the clock. And this is priceless in inspiring you and projecting you towards a radiant future.

If you don’t know people around you who have moved abroad, you can approach someone from your region who has come from abroad. Alternatively, there is also the possibility of joining a forum that deals with the subject. You can also consult one of the many blogs on the internet that deal with this subject.

You’ll see, you’ll always find someone ready to give you friendly advice. But, above all, do it! Because there is no better advice than that of the person who has experienced it. And it will help you choose your dream destination.

3. Should I start with a short immersion or not?

This will mainly depend on your conviction that you have made the right choice. If you have cleared up any remaining doubts by having put them all on the table and taken the right advice, then you are ready for the “big start”.

On the other hand, if there are still unanswered questions, then you can choose to take it one step at a time. But doing it in successive weekends or spending 1 to 2 weeks of vacation won’t help you solve your final questions. How can you feel a lack of your loved ones or homesickness in such a short time? If you choose to go through an intermediate stage, you will have to plan an immersion of at least a few months.

4. Am I ready to face new challenges?

When you land in your dream destination, you will have to adapt to a new way of life. Some things that you used to do easily may be more complicated to achieve. You will have to take on new challenges and often have a lot of energy to keep moving forward, again and again.

At times, this may prove to be insurmountable. But if the driving force behind your journey is to achieve your dream. That you quickly manage to integrate yourself, to make new friends and well this phase of adaptation will take place without pitfalls and the more time goes by, the closer it will bring you to the change of life you have always dreamed of.

5. How do I project myself in the next 10 years?

What do I really want in the future? What do I no longer want? How do I bring me closer to happiness? What do I still need to achieve in my life? If I had a week left to live, would I regret not having accomplished certain things?

Moving away is a strong act in life. Such a decision cannot be made on a mere whim. Taking the time to think about the prospects for the next 5 or 10 years is therefore essential. Will I be able to realize my dreams more easily? Will I arrive in an environment that is in line with my values? An environment that will allow me to develop more naturally?

You must make this projection! It will comfort you all the more in the choice of your new life in your dream destination.

6. What if my fears resigned me to take the step?

This is the worst thing that can happen to you! Fear (of the unknown) is not a good reason. In any case, it is not enough in relation to the regret that you might have for a lifetime for not having lived this experience, for not having given you the chance to live your dream.

And if you have any doubts about whether or not you want to change your life, consult our article “How to deal with the change of life and make it a better one“. You’ll learn all the tricks you need to know to fearlessly achieve your dream of a better life.

No matter what happens once you leave, there is no substitute for the POSITIVE experience you will have had. You will have gone through moments of pure happiness, others more difficult. But above all, you will have GROWN! And this is what nourishes your being and your soul.

All right, but how do I choose my dream destination?

That will of course depend first of all on what you are looking for. This is a vast subject that has kept us busy for a long time. After consulting a number of studies and conducting our own survey, it emerges that there are certain essential criteria that people prioritise. They are as follows:

A sunny, temperate climate

It is well known that light and sunshine promote a good mood and increase the possibilities for outdoor activities. It is therefore normal that we are all looking for sunshine and if possible as often as possible during the year. Even if, like everything else, we should not overuse it.

A low cost of living

Certainly, to enjoy an optimal quality of life, it is preferable to be in a place where life is financially affordable. A place where you don’t necessarily have to have a large income to enjoy life’s little pleasures. This contributes to a greater sense of freedom and well-being.

Safety and security

The feeling of security is also a fundamental criterion for feeling good wherever you are. Leaving home without apprehension or coming home late at night without fearing anything has become rare or even impossible nowadays. And it is quite normal that we seek to find this peace and quiet in our daily lives.

The health care system

Even if in our countries it seems normal to us to benefit from efficient and modern health infrastructures, this is by far not the case everywhere in the world. It is therefore important that, in your dream destination, the quality of care is proven and accessible both from a financial point of view and in terms of the speed of patient care.

Inspiring landscapes

The beauty of the landscapes contributes to the good mood in everyday life. There is nothing more wonderful than to be amazed by the magic that nature offers us. The effect will be all the more pronounced if these landscapes are varied and change with the seasons.

Mobility

Getting around quickly and easily is an essential criterion for a good quality of life. All the more so if one has the choice between several means of transport that are environmentally friendly.

Good gastronomy

The pleasures of the table are among the best moments in life. So you might as well live them with a healthy, varied and tasty diet in the company of your loved ones.

The possibility of practicing a wide variety of activities

Always have a lot to choose from, never stand still! Yes, it’s also important to be able to indulge in your favourite hobbies, or even better, to discover new ones. They will help you stay in good shape and also extend your circle of friends.

Being surrounded by smiling and welcoming people

The good mood is communicative and contagious! It helps you feel good about yourself and conveys a positive state of mind. It is the essential basis for receiving and spreading goodwill around you.

How do I plan my departure to my dream destination?

As we have already mentioned, giving yourself the best chance of making a successful life change requires good preparation. We offer you a kind of countdown of the actions to be taken until the big day of your departure:

12 months before departure:

Gather as much information as possible about your destination country. Internet is ideal for this. It is an inexhaustible source of information.
If you have the opportunity, make several visits to the site to get a feel for the environment in which you will be living and the way of life of its inhabitants.
Find out what settlement documents are required by the authorities in your new country.
Sign up for language courses that will greatly help you to integrate into the local community
Find out about the rights and duties of foreigners
Draw up a budget to give you an idea of the financial needs you will have to live a good life.
Find out about the tax system in your new country of residence.
Involve your family and friends in your emigration project as soon as possible.

2 to 6 months before departure :

Check the validity date of your identity papers
Find out more about the health care system on site. Do you need health insurance?
Cancel your telephone, internet, newspaper, health insurance, lease, insurance policy, electricity/gas subscription, etc. early enough.
Have a check-up with your family doctor.
Stock up on your prescribed medication.
Find out the names of the medications you can find on site that correspond to the ones you are used to taking.
Have important documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate) translated into the language of the country of destination and certified by the embassy of your country.
If you are planning to work on site, check that your certificates and diplomas are recognised.
Let a serious agency accompany you for the acquisition of your future property or for the search of a rent.
Anticipate what you’re going to do with your furniture? Taking it with you or not?
Request quotes from removal companies, if necessary.
Find out about customs regulations if you are bringing certain goods with you.
If your children are of school age, find out about the local education system and enrol your children in the appropriate school.

A few days before departure:

Notify the authorities in your commune of your departure…
Report your departure from the country to the Traffic Office.
Have your mail forwarded
Notify the institutions (banks, insurance companies, etc.) of your new address.
Prepare all travel documents (identity papers, travel document, inventory of furniture and belongings you are taking with you)

Once you arrive at your dream destination

Announce to your family and friends that you have arrived and everything is going well.
Go and register with the authorities of your new commune of residence.
Register with your country’s representation (embassy or consulate) on site.
Open a bank account
Apply for conversion of your driver’s licence
Register your vehicle
Take out health insurance, if necessary.

There you go!

After so much hesitation, after so much effort, you are finally rewarded. Here you are in your dream destination!

Of course, you still have a lot of things to put in place. But now that you’re settled, now that you’ve found your dream destination, so enjoy! Be proud of everything you’ve accomplished to get to this point! And enjoy this new life that is opening up for you!

Thank you for taking the time to read our article through to the end.

If you would like to receive further useful information, we invite you to subscribe to our Newsletter. Every month, you will receive a complete file with a wealth of other essential advice to help you to go and live in your dream destination.

Categories

How do I choose my dream destination?