A Place in the Sun made me want to move abroad, but when I got there I wanted to cry

IT’S HARD not to imagine what life will be like in a warmer country as the British winter takes hold.

Having moved from London to Lisbon in 2020, I can guarantee you that you will have a lot of headaches while you find your ‘place in the sun’.

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While I was able to enjoy exotic Portugal without a looming departure date, it certainly wasn’t one big, long vacation…

Here are some things I wish I knew before booking a one-way ticket…

There are some boring things you need to do first

In fact, it’s far from Emily in Paris – which first appeared just a few months after I moved.

It’s not just a case of getting on a plane and heading off on your merry way: obtaining visas for some countries can be complicated and expensive.

Obviously, there are many aspects to moving abroad that will vary depending on your personal situation.

For example, I rented rather than bought, and I work as a freelancer rather than working for a company.

Additionally, some of the lesser-known aspects of administration depend on the fact that your long period of absence from the UK is likely to mean that you are no longer a taxpayer.

This involves informing the Student Loans Company of your new location, informing HMRC and deregistering your NHS registration.

As well as reading the wealth of official information available online, it is always worth (if possible) consulting a lawyer or accountant familiar with the UK system and the country you are moving to for tailored advice.

This really shouldn’t be a spontaneous decision.

Because in turn – and I promise it will make moving abroad less boring – you will also have to come out on the other side, probably with everything from taxes to healthcare systems.

This is why moving abroad properly – as opposed to going away for a while – really forces you to make a commitment if you want to do it right.

If your language skills are not yet fully developed, then you will almost certainly save money and stress in the long run by paying a local expert, such as a lawyer or accountant, for additional help.

You’ll likely be ticking off these small milestones on your individual schedule—unless you’ve moved in with your partner or family.

For example, I remember celebrating solo when finally received my Portuguese social security and national health numbers.

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However, making friends is much easier than you think

The above is a reminder that moving abroad can feel lonely at first, and I was very afraid that I wouldn’t have any friends.

But I soon discovered that making new friends is much easier than you think when you start putting yourself out there.

Portuguese classes, the MeetUp app, co-working space and friends of friends are the main ways I’ve been able to build a great network in Lisbon over the past four years.

There are other ways, less relevant to me, that others I know have used to find their people after moving abroad, including through putting children in daycare or school, joining a running club or working locally.

And since everyone – at least among expats – knows what it’s like to be a newbie away from home, people tend to happily take you under their wing.

Housework and errands will take twice as long.

Imagine being an adult but having the life skills of a five year old – this is what it’s like trying to do something you could practically do in your sleep at home.

For me, it was things like remembering to take my ID to the post office or finding out that I needed to throw out the trash, already separated into paper and plastic, halfway down the hill.

Apart from the fact that I had to file my taxes at a completely different time of year or that buying a new smoke alarm would prove such a mission – it turns out they are like gold dust in the Portuguese capital.

Slowly you’ll start to figure things out, and then lesson number 383, “How to be an adult in Portugal,” will come and you’ll cry again.

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You will need to carry your things there (and possibly back)

If you’re not careful, this can add up to higher costs, especially if you use a moving company to transport things like furniture or heavy items like books.

I was very proud that I was able to travel to Lisbon with a large suitcase and two boxes as extra baggage on an easyJet flight.

What shocked me, however, was how quickly I accumulated items—like hangers and toiletries—while moving between AirBnb apartments before finally settling into a long-term rental.

Of course, some people move abroad for the rest of their lives, but chances are that one day you’ll move somewhere else – or return to the UK – and that made me think twice about stocking up too much a lot of Portuguese pottery.

I know for sure that this will be the best thing you have ever done.

When I was growing up, my idea of ​​moving abroad was shaped by those families who lived in A place in the sun or Grandiose projects abroadwho invested a small fortune in a quaint farmhouse in France and had to navigate hellish bureaucracy.

While it can certainly be stressful – like when I lost my residency card and it took me five months to get another one – this journey has pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to be creative.

Moreover, I have the most amazing memories: exploring Portugal without getting on a plane and being able to truly experience a completely different culture.

I have also made lifelong friends from all over the world, as well as made truly meaningful connections with those who are important to me back home.

If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing.

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