I’m interested in experiencing what its like to live abroad. But you can’t always find job opportunities from the home country. I was wondering, how difficult is a “shotgun move”?
I hail-married to India, and when that did not work out, I hail-married onwards to Taiwan. There things worked out better. I regret nothing.
I was at a different point in my life though.
Bought a one way ticket and moved countries with only a few hundred euros saved up. I was 22, broke, uni dropout. I had free accommodation for 1 month (hostel volunteering), during which I only ate bread and cheese, but I got a job, found a room, and then built a life.
7 years later i have multiple uni degrees, a great job, and a fridge full of healthy foods :)
Oh man, I’ve been on the bread and cheese diet too. It’s amazing what you can do with that combo- throw some mustard on, toast it, don’t toast it, maybe some marinara or ketchup 😅
Ikr! I loved shoving it in the oven for a few minutes then add some mayo. Agh good old times haha
One country we one wayed it. Next country, we sussed it out for 2 decades and still were surprised by how different life was tourist vs resident. I know a lot more than students in my language classes but that’s the only difference.
We had the exact same experience when it comes to the food, also i had to eat bread and the cheapest cheese i could find for months. I don’t know how i did it to be honest, but somehow i managed.
I secured a job first but as a single parent I couldn’t have done it another way
Have some savings and that buys you time
When I moved to the US I moved with a job. But to Canada, I just packed a Uhaul and went to Canada with my permanent residency papers. My plan B was to buy a return flight if I didn’t find a job and ran out of savings. It worked out well: two weeks to settle, two weeks to get two job offers and the rest is history.
I’d only do this in places I already have an existing right to work personally.
Depends where you move to. A city? Sure, bring savings and get a job to tide you over if needs be. The opportunities are generally plentiful.
This post appeared as recommended in my feed. Unlike the typical immigration stories, mine was driven by the looming prospect of conscription if I go back to my home country and the expiration of my US Visa with a home residency requirement. Choosing a country I’d never been to, I navigated paperwork comparatively easy thanks to my passport. Grateful for a friend who offered two weeks in his apartment, I secured a job and my own place. If given the opportunity, I wouldn’t have chosen this path, I’ve never experienced such stress before.
Laudy laudy, Hap Glaudy!
I moved to multiple EU countries without a job (however, I do have an EU passport). I ultimately ended up finding work but the initial start up costs were expensive. I think I spent about 10k my last move which included flights, months in an Airbnb, first months rent, deposit, and some basic furniture. The first time I only spend a few thousand but I was “roughing it” by staying in hostels and renting a pre-furnished room.
It’s harder to get a visa if you can’t prove how you will sustain yourself.
That’s the hardest part.
I’m too responsible for a Hail Mary. But no one (recruiter) will talk to you when you’re abroad. 🤷🏼♀️
Just today I saw a post of a US expat in my city talking about how difficult it was to find accommodation here. Lining up for apartment showings, hearing people offer 6 months rent up front, hearing others going to 14 showings in two days.
And we have zero sympathy. As one commenter put it "You’re sitting in a car, stuck in traffic, asking how you can make all the other cars go away so you can get to your destination."
I honestly think planning ahead for a job as well as accommodation is key when moving to somewhere where you wont have a support system.
When I was single yes I did actually. Now I wouldn’t do it, I’m married, we have plans so I can’t afford to not have any income for an extended period of time.
Job lined up beforehand? Only done that once, and I’ve lived in 4 different countries. It’s actually easier to find a job once u get there and can interview in person. Like in china, if you’re white u just walk in, they hear you’re looking for a job and no job application, just a quick interview and asking when can u start? Other countries sometimes work the same and some don’t. Things aren’t so structured as they are in the US like apply online, first interview, second interview, man just go there and figure things out 😊