What are the main reasons for emigrating or moving abroad for an extended period of time?

What are motives for emigrating or moving abroad for an extended period of time?

There are always pluses and minuses surrounding emigration or a long stay abroad. It takes an average of four years before emigration plans are realized, according to both research and practice. The first two years are usually an orientation phase, where potential emigrants do online research and visit the country in question whenever possible. In the following two years it is time to make the decisions and take care of all kinds of regulations.

What do you want to achieve in essence?

If you are in the orientation phase, first determine the main purpose of the long stay abroad or emigration for you and your partner and children. What do you or do you want to achieve?

• Keep this main goal in mind; consider at all stages of your preparation, but also regularly after arrival abroad, whether you are still in line with that main goal. Or is it perhaps time to adjust your main goal?
• Underlying motivations, like the main goal, are of course personal. They are also good to identify for yourself and any family members.

To get you started with your personal list, here is a list of the "advantages" that many emigrants mention:

1. the long-awaited adventure: everything will be new, everything will be different.
2. more space, more beautiful or more easily accessible nature.
3. you are closer as a family, you have more time for each other and for the children.
4. less rat race, less career, less wanting more.
5. people in your new environment often give you the benefit of the doubt, because you dare to take the step.
6. more freedom and less hassle to start your own business.

And remember: if it doesn't work out...you can always go back again...

Quote

"Life consists of chapters. Our children were heading toward high school and we were thinking about their and our future in another place. It was searching for the next phase in our lives, with less time in the office and fewer emails. And above all, we wanted to avoid those long gray winters."

Spain emigrant