| A move abroad requires preparations both at | | | | countries to which you can legally have your |
| home and abroad. It would be nice just to pack | | | | checks directly deposited. If your destination is |
| your suitcase, catch a plane, and never look back. | | | | one of them, you might consider this option.If you |
| But in reality that just does not happen. Our | | | | are a U.S. citizen, keep in mind that your tax |
| previous life follows us. At least the family and | | | | obligations follow you throughout the world. Any |
| financial aspects do. So, what are some of the | | | | income earned anywhere in the world is still |
| areas on both ends of the move that we have to | | | | taxable, and even if you have no such income, |
| carefully coordinate? Some of the answers | | | | you are still responsible for filing an annual tax |
| depend on the amount of time you intend to | | | | return. Having an accountant in your new |
| spend abroad and the remaining time before that | | | | destination and back home will keep you from |
| move. Some depend on the complexity of your | | | | inadvertently failing to satisfy some tax |
| life at home. The two most significant | | | | requirement. |
| considerations are probably arrangements related | | | | 2. Housing is a necessity. If you plan to move out |
| to your income and your housing. | | | | of the country indefinitely, a decision has to be |
| Moving abroad entails many of the same tasks | | | | made concerning your residence at home. If you |
| that we have to consider when moving from one | | | | are renting, case closed. You simply plan to leave |
| neighborhood to another, or one state to another. | | | | when the lease runs out. If you own, you either |
| There are utilities to terminate and there are | | | | have to rent your residence out or sell it. My |
| utilities to start. There are bank accounts that | | | | suggestion is to rent it out and plan to also rent |
| need to be established in your new destination. | | | | for at least six months in your new destination. |
| You need to obtain housing. Questions and more | | | | Even the best laid plans some times fail, and who |
| questions! Do you rent or do you purchase? Do | | | | knows, you may not like your new destination. |
| you sell your old residence or do you rent it out? | | | | Don't be too quick to cut all your ties in the first |
| The answer to all these and more questions | | | | year. That is a critical period for adjusting to your |
| require an answer and an action. The list is | | | | new destination. |
| probably almost endless, but there are two major | | | | Some routine tasks can not be anticipated but |
| items which can not be neglected in the early | | | | must simply be handled on a day to day basis. |
| stages of planning your move abroad. | | | | Arranging your finances and housing should not be |
| 1. You can not live without economic resources, | | | | included in this group. They must take priority in |
| so make sure your bank accounts are set up so | | | | your pre-move arrangements. You can never |
| you can access them from abroad. ATM, debit, | | | | completely eliminate problems (how dull a life |
| and credit cards are the most common methods | | | | would that be?), but you can soften their effect |
| of access. As soon as you are able, establish a | | | | on your relocation by planning for the most |
| bank account in your new destination. For retirees | | | | significant areas. |
| on U.S. social security, there are numerous | | | | |