How Do You Choose Where to Live? 3 Key Factors in 2024

October 8, 2024

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International Family Life

Are you wondering how to choose where to live abroad? Let me tell you what tipped the scales for our family.

We have lived all over the world as a family of five and I can tell you that location can have an immediate, lasting and tremendously beneficial effect on the overall health and happiness of a family! Sometimes choosing a new location to raise your family can make a world of difference in your quality of life, day to day stress and overall well being.

Why is deciding where to live so difficult?

However, choosing the perfect location for you and your family takes some consideration and examining of your own goals, lifestyle and other critical factors. Compatibility between your life circumstances and the location of your new home is an important consideration! A country that might work well for one family or sound ideal might not ultimately work upon closer examination.

For example, proximity to your home country is relevant for many who need to return to see family on a regular basis, while others are hoping to be as far away as possible!

Additionally, if you need to have easy access to specific countries or locations based on your job or work responsibilities, considering where you will be living on the planet is relevant. Knowing how much travel time is required and access to airports and train stations is key.

For example, many United States expats love Mexico. The combination of proximity to family and similar time zones for work make it an ideal destination to relocate.

Other expats are not as concerned about ease of travel or proximity to other countries, and prefer living more remotely and can happily be floating on an island that requires significant travel to reach other countries or cities.

A woman standing at the balcony of Balcone de Prineo Hotel, Pyrenees.

A framework for deciding: Factors to consider

1. Ease and Cost of Travel

Determine how important ease and cost of travel is to other countries.Is this critical for you given work or family responsibilities? How many times a year might you plan to return to your home country, or do you not need to plan for this at all? Do you want to be easy for people to visit or does this matter?

2. Research the Location

Research the location of the city or specific location you are considering. Does it allow for ease of travel to other parts of the world? Do time zones matter for work? Is cost of travel a factor? What is the distance to larger train stations or airports? Are flights regular or seasonal?

3. Fill out the worksheet below to compare and contrast information relating to location.

French apartment building
French apartment building

Choosing Your Perfect Country to Move Abroad

Whether you want to move abroad for a career, to study, for love, retirement, or to raise your family, this engaging, easy to follow roadmap will help you find the perfect location to start your new life.

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Hello and Welcome!

We started our family travel blog in hopes of supporting other families move abroad and travel the world. Through straightforward, sincere and supportive information we hope to provide a reliable guide for those moving overseas with a family and traveling the globe.


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