Biggest Mistakes Expats Make When Leaving Home and How to Avoid Them
- Crazydsadventures
- 1 day ago
- 24 min read
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Leaving home for another country is exciting, but the hardest parts often appear after the plane lands. A visa rule that was easy to miss. A bank account that takes weeks to open. A wave of loneliness after the novelty wears off. These problems are common, and most are easier to prevent than fix. Remember, cash is king, and many places only accept cash. However, more places are also starting to accept GCash. I would recommend setting up a GCash account before you leave your home country. I will be doing another blog post soon on Apps and which ones are important in which countries.
The best expat moves are not built on perfect certainty. They are built on good preparation, realistic expectations, and the willingness to adapt when the first plan does not work.
Below are the biggest mistakes expats make before and after leaving home, with practical ways to avoid them.
One Of The Biggest Mistakes Expats Make Is Underestimating How Much Research the Move Requires
Many people research the fun parts first: neighborhoods, restaurants, weather, weekend trips, and photos of daily life. Those things matter, but they do not tell the full story.
A successful move depends on less glamorous details, including:
Visa and residency rules
Work authorization
Health insurance access
Local tax obligations
Housing norms
School enrollment rules, if moving with children
Driver’s license requirements
Pet import rules
Banking access
Medication availability
Official rules can also change. Immigration offices, tax agencies, and public health authorities usually publish the most reliable information. Forums and social media groups can help fill in daily-life details, but they should not replace official sources.
For example, an online group might say that a short-term rental contract is enough to register an address. The local authority may require a signed lease, landlord documents, or an in-person appointment. That difference can affect everything from opening a bank account to enrolling in national health care.
How to avoid it
Build a research file at least several months before leaving. Keep it simple, but make it organized.
Include:
Links to official immigration pages
Visa deadlines and renewal dates
Required documents
Estimated processing times
Local emergency numbers
Health care enrollment steps
A list of documents that need translation, notarization, or apostille certification
Use official government websites first. For US citizens, the US Department of State is a useful starting point for travel advisories, passport information, and country-specific guidance. For country-specific immigration rules, go directly to the destination country’s immigration authority or embassy.
Treating the Visa as a Formality
A visa is not just paperwork. It determines whether someone can live, work, study, freelance, bring family members, access public services, or stay long term.
One common mistake is entering a country as a tourist and assuming it will be easy to “switch” to a work or residency visa later. Some countries allow status changes from inside the country. Others require applicants to return home and apply through a consulate. In some cases, working remotely for an employer abroad may still create legal or tax issues in the host country.
Another mistake is confusing visa length with residency rights. A 90-day stay does not necessarily mean the right to rent long-term, register locally, work, or use public health services.
How to avoid it
Before booking a one-way ticket, answer these questions in writing:
What visa or residence permit is required?
Can the application be submitted from inside the country?
Does the visa allow paid work or self-employment?
Are family members allowed to join?
What income, insurance, or savings proof is required?
What happens if the application is delayed?
What are the renewal rules?
If the move depends on work rights, family reunification, or long-term residence, consider speaking with a qualified immigration professional. This is especially useful when the rules are complex, or the move involves multiple nationalities.
Failing To Make A Realistic Financial Plan
Moving abroad usually costs more than expected. Even careful planners can be surprised by deposits, temporary housing, new furniture, visa fees, document translations, local transportation, and gaps between paychecks.
The World Bank and OECD both track major cost-of-living differences across countries, which is a reminder that salary comparisons alone can be misleading. A higher salary may not go as far if rent, health care, taxes, childcare, or private transportation cost more than expected.
Exchange rates can also change. A monthly budget that works when one currency is strong may feel tight if the rate shifts. For retirees, freelancers, and remote workers paid in another currency, this is especially important.
This section is informational only and is not personal financial, tax, or legal advice.
How to avoid it
Create two budgets before leaving: a moving budget and a monthly living budget.
Your moving budget should include:
Flights
Visa and permit fees
Passport renewal, if needed
Document translation and certification
Shipping or extra luggage
Temporary housing
Rental deposit
First month’s rent
Basic furniture and household items
Local SIM card or phone plan
Emergency lodging if housing falls through
Your monthly budget should include:
Rent
Utilities
Groceries
Health insurance or medical costs
Transportation
Taxes and social contributions
Childcare or school costs
Phone and internet
Savings
Visits home
Local language classes
Emergency fund contributions
A practical rule is to carry more cash reserves than the “best case” budget suggests. Many expats aim for several months of essential expenses, especially if income depends on a job search, a freelance pipeline, or delayed payroll setup.
What About The Mail
Leaving the country sounds simple until your bank mails a replacement debit card to an address you don’t live at anymore.
That’s the part a lot of people forget. Flights, visas, passports, insurance, packing, storage, goodbye dinners, all of that gets attention. Mail feels old-school, so it gets pushed aside.
Then something important shows up at your old place: a tax form, jury notice, insurance letter, credit card, vehicle registration, check, legal notice, or medical bill. Now you’re trying to solve a very physical problem from another country.
A reliable mail address and virtual mailbox can save you from that mess.
Your mail doesn’t stop mattering when you leave.
Even if most of your life is online, plenty of important systems still rely on a mailing address. And not just any address, either.
Banks, government agencies, lenders, insurers, and professional licensing boards may use your address to:
Send cards, checks, forms, or notices
Confirm your identity
Decide where you’re considered a resident
Keep your account in good standing
Contact you when something changes
If you leave without a plan, mail can pile up, get returned, or land in the hands of whoever lives at your old address next. That can create missed deadlines, locked accounts, late fees, or privacy problems.
A virtual mailbox gives you a real place to receive mail while you’re gone. Your mail gets received, scanned, and shown to you online. You can usually choose what to open, forward, shred, or store.
That means you don’t need to ask a friend to check your mailbox every week or hope your old landlord saves your envelopes.
A forwarding order alone usually isn’t enough.
USPS mail forwarding helps, but it’s not a full solution.
It can work well when you’re moving from one US address to another. But if you’re going overseas, things get trickier. Some mail may not forward. Some senders don’t allow forwarding. Packages can be delayed or refused. Certain government and financial documents may still go to the original address on file.
Forwarding is also temporary. If you’re leaving for more than a short trip, you need something more stable.
Here's the difference in plain English:
Option | Best for | The problem |
USPS forwarding | Short moves inside the US | Limited time, not everything forwards |
Friend or family address | Simple personal mail | Privacy issues and delays |
PO Box | Receiving basic mail | Some companies won’t accept it as a residential or business address |
Virtual mailbox | Traveling, moving abroad, remote life | Requires setup before you leave |
A virtual mailbox isn’t magic, but it gives you control. You can see what arrives without waiting for someone to tell you.
What can go wrong if you don’t set it up first?
This is where things can get annoying fast.
Maybe your bank flags a login from another country and mails a verification letter. Maybe your health insurance sends a notice before canceling coverage. Maybe an IRS letter arrives, and you miss the response window. Maybe your new credit card gets sent to your old apartment.
None of these are fun to fix from a different time zone.
The biggest risks are:
Missed deadlines
Some letters need a response by a certain date. If you don’t see the letter until weeks later, the issue can become harder to fix.
Account problems
Banks and credit card companies often need a valid mailing address. If mail gets returned, they may restrict the account or ask for updated information.
Identity and privacy issues
Mail can contain account numbers, tax information, medical details, and personal records. Leaving it unsecured is a bad idea.
Lost cards and documents
Replacement debit cards, credit cards, checks, and official records may not ship easily overseas. If you have a US mail address, you can forward items when needed.
Residency confusion
Your mailing address can affect taxes, voting, driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, insurance, and benefits. This area can get complicated, so treat this as general information and talk with a qualified tax or legal professional if residency matters in your situation.
When a virtual mailbox makes the most sense
A virtual mailbox is useful if you’re doing any of these:
Moving abroad for work
Becoming a digital nomad
Taking a long international trip
Retiring overseas
Studying outside the US
Splitting time between countries
Closing your US apartment or house
Selling your home before relocating
It’s especially helpful if you still have US-based accounts. That includes bank accounts, credit cards, retirement accounts, student loans, insurance policies, a business, or ongoing tax obligations.
If you’re leaving for two weeks, you probably don’t need one. If you’re leaving for several months or longer, it’s worth setting up before you go.
How to fix your mail situation before you leave
The best time to deal with mail is while you’re still in the US. You’ll have easier access to ID documents, notaries if needed, and your current address.
Here’s a simple plan.
Choose the right mail address.
Start by deciding what kind of address you need.
If you only need personal mail, a virtual mailbox may be enough. If you run a business, make sure the address can receive business mail and fits the requirements for your state, bank, and registered agent setup.
Don’t assume every mailbox address works for every purpose. Some banks, government agencies, and business filings have specific rules about what type of address they accept.
Set up your virtual mailbox early.
Don’t wait until the night before your flight.
Many virtual mailbox services require identity verification. Some may ask you to complete USPS Form 1583, which authorizes them to receive mail for you. You may need to upload identification or get a form notarized.
Give yourself time to handle that without panic.
Update your important accounts.
Once the mailbox is active, update your mailing address with the places that matter most:
Banks and credit cards
IRS and state tax agencies, if needed
Employer or payroll provider
Health, auto, life, and travel insurance
Retirement and investment accounts
Student loan servicers
Driver’s license or vehicle registration, if applicable
Medical providers
Subscription services
Any business or professional licensing accounts
Do this before you leave so you can catch problems while you still have easy phone access and documents nearby.
Forward your existing mail.
Set up USPS forwarding from your old address to your new mailbox address if your provider supports it. This helps catch mail from people or companies you forgot to update.
Keep in mind, forwarding is a backup plan, not the main plan. The better fix is changing your address directly with each sender.
Decide what should be scanned, shredded, or shipped.
Once mail starts arriving, don’t let it sit forever.
Most virtual mailbox services let you choose what to do with each item. A good routine is:
Open and scan anything that looks important
Shred junk mail and old documents you don’t need
Forward original documents, cards, or checks when necessary
Store items only if you have a real reason
If you’re going to be in one country for a while, you can bundle several pieces of mail into one shipment to cut down on international shipping costs.
Don't use someone else’s address without thinking it through
Using a friend’s or parent’s address can work in a pinch, but it comes with problems.
They may forget to tell you about mail. They may open something by mistake. They may move. They may not want the responsibility. And if you’re using their address for banking, taxes, insurance, or government records, it could create confusion for both of you.
A virtual mailbox keeps things cleaner. Your mail goes to a service built to handle it, and you stay in control.
Forgetting About Taxes In Both Countries
Taxes can follow expats across borders. Residency, citizenship, income source, and time spent in a country can all affect tax obligations.
For example, US citizens and green card holders generally must file US tax returns on worldwide income, even while living abroad. Some may qualify for exclusions or foreign tax credits, but filing requirements can still apply. Other countries often use residency-based systems, and many look at where a person lives, works, or has their center of life.
The “183-day rule” is often mentioned in expat circles, but it is not universal or complete. Some countries may treat a person as tax resident based on a home, spouse, business ties, or habitual residence, even if the day count is lower.
How to avoid it
Before moving, check tax rules in both the home and destination countries. Pay attention to:
Tax residency rules
Foreign income reporting
Social security or pension contributions
Double-tax treaties
Capital gains rules
Rental income from property back home
Retirement account treatment
Filing deadlines
Keep records from day one. Save entry and exit dates, rental contracts, payslips, invoices, bank statements, and tax forms. If income is complex, work with a tax professional familiar with cross-border issues.
Assuming Health Care Will Be Simple
Health care systems vary widely. Some countries provide public health care to residents, but access may require registration, contributions, waiting periods, or a specific visa type. Other destinations rely heavily on private insurance.
Medication is another overlooked issue. A prescription that is common in one country may have a different name, require a specialist visit, or be restricted in another. Some medications cannot legally be imported without paperwork.
How to avoid it
Before moving, review health care rules through official government or public health sources. The CDC and destination-country health authorities can provide guidance on vaccines, medication transport, and health risks.
Take these steps:
Schedule routine checkups before departure
Bring copies of key medical records
Ask for prescriptions by generic name
Check whether medication is legal in the destination country
Confirm insurance coverage from the day of arrival
Learn how to access urgent care
Save local emergency numbers in your phone
If moving with a chronic condition, arrange care before arrival when possible. Do not wait until medication runs low to find a local doctor.
When looking for healthcare in a country, DO NOT believe everything you are told by an insurance agent. This is what happened to me. I signed up for a global healthcare plan that was going to be about $500 a month. I was told by the agent the plan would cover all of the Philippines. I found out this is not true when I ended up in a hospital in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. They did not take my insurance, and everything here is cash before services are rendered. I ended up submitting my receipts, and it took almost 45 days to get my money back. Yes, healthcare is cheaper here, but you have to make sure you can afford the out-of-pocket expense because of the wait to receive your reimbursement.
I highly recommend Pacific Cross, and here is the contact information if you want to check your healthcare options.
Michael Onstad
President
LOC Consultants Inc.
WhatsApp +63 919 581 3100
Join my Facebook group to see feedback from other expats.
Why You Should Keep Your Phone Number
Moving abroad already comes with enough loose ends. Boxes, visas, bank accounts, leases, insurance, goodbyes, a new SIM card, and the strange feeling of not knowing which aisle has the trash bags.
Then, right in the middle of all that, someone says, “Just cancel your old phone plan.”
It sounds sensible. Why pay for a number in a country you’re leaving?
But your home phone number is more than a way for people to call you. It’s often the key that unlocks your bank, email, tax accounts, medical portals, delivery apps, social accounts, payment services, and half the random things you forgot you signed up for.
If you’re moving abroad, keeping your home phone number can save you from a very annoying kind of modern problem: being locked out of your own life.
Your phone number is part of your identity now.
A phone number used to be simple. People called it, you answered, and that was it.
Now it’s closer to a digital ID. Companies use it to prove you’re you. Banks send codes to it. Government sites may use it for logins. Apps use it to reset passwords. Even if you hate two-factor authentication, it’s probably tied to your number somewhere.
That becomes a problem when you leave the country and cancel the number too soon.
Here’s a common chain reaction:
You move abroad and cancel your old mobile plan.
Your bank asks for a one-time code sent to your old number.
You can’t receive it.
The bank won’t let you update the number without logging in.
Customer support asks you to call from the number on file.
You no longer have that number.
That loop is as frustrating as it sounds.
And it doesn’t only happen with banks. It can happen with:
Email accounts
Credit cards
Brokerage or retirement accounts
Tax portals
Government services
Health insurance or medical portals
Cloud storage accounts
Messaging apps
Payment apps
Airline and hotel loyalty accounts
Online marketplaces
Utility providers from your old home
Keeping the number gives you breathing room. You can move, settle in, and update your accounts one by one instead of trying to do everything while sitting on suitcases.
It helps protect your bank and money accounts.
Money accounts are the big one.
Banks and credit card companies tend to be careful with account changes. That’s good for security, but it can be painful when you’re abroad. If their system still expects your old domestic number, you may have trouble approving logins, wire transfers, card replacements, or fraud alerts.
A new foreign number may not work everywhere either. Some institutions don’t accept international numbers for verification. Others accept them in theory, but their automated texts never arrive. Sometimes the issue is with the bank, sometimes it’s with the carrier, and sometimes nobody can explain it.
Keeping your old number active can help with:
Getting one-time passcodes
Receiving fraud alerts
Confirming account changes
Resetting forgotten passwords
Talking to support without extra suspicion
Keeping access while you open new accounts abroad
This doesn’t mean text messages are the strongest form of security. They’re not. Authenticator apps and hardware security keys are often safer where supported. But in real life, many financial institutions still rely on SMS or phone calls. Until every account lets you use better options, your old number may be the backup key you need.
A smart move before leaving is to check your most important accounts and change the verification method where you can. Use an authenticator app if the service supports it. Add a backup email. Download recovery codes. Then keep your home number active as a safety net.
It makes password resets much easier.
Nobody plans to get locked out of an account. It just happens.
You get a new laptop. Your browser loses saved passwords. You wipe a phone. You forget which version of your usual password you used in 2018. Suddenly, the only way back into an account is a code sent to your old number.
This is especially common with email. And if your email is locked, everything else gets harder because email is usually the reset path for other accounts.
The old number matters because it can be the last recovery option left.
Think about the accounts that could create a big mess if you lost access:
Your primary email
Apple ID or Google account
Password manager
Cloud photos and documents
Banking apps
Tax accounts
School or work-related portals
Messaging apps used by family or clients
If a login page says, “We sent a code to the number ending in 4821,” you want that number to still be yours.
Your old number may keep working with people who matter.
Moving abroad doesn’t mean everyone immediately updates your contact details. Some people will still call or text your old number because that’s what they have saved.
That might include:
Family members who aren’t great with new apps
Old neighbors or landlords
Doctors and dentists
Schools
Lawyers or accountants
Mortgage companies
Former employers
Delivery or storage services
Government offices
Friends who only message once in a while
Sure, you can announce a new number. Some people will update it. Some won’t. Some will update it in one place but not another. Life is messy.
Keeping your number means people can still reach you while everyone adjusts. It also helps with those surprise calls you didn’t expect, like a clinic following up on records or a former landlord needing to return part of a deposit.
And if your old number supports Wi-Fi calling or call forwarding, you may not even need to carry the old SIM everywhere. You can manage the transition without disappearing.
It reduces problems with government and tax accounts.
Government systems can be especially tricky from abroad. They often move slowly, use older verification methods, and don’t always handle foreign numbers well.
Depending on your situation, your old number might be tied to:
Tax filings
Social security or pension accounts
Immigration records
Driver’s license services
Voting information
Business registrations
Student loan accounts
Public health portals
You may only log in once or twice a year. That’s exactly why it’s easy to forget the number is connected until you need it.
Tax season is a classic example. You sit down to file, try to access an old account, and the login code goes to a number you canceled months ago. Now the simple task is a customer support project across time zones.
This article is for general information only, not tax or legal advice. If you have accounts tied to residency, citizenship, business ownership, or cross-border taxes, it’s smart to check with a qualified professional before you leave.
It protects you from someone else getting your old number.
When you cancel a phone number, it usually doesn’t vanish forever. After a waiting period, carriers can recycle it and give it to someone else.
That stranger probably isn’t trying to access your accounts. But they might start receiving your calls and texts. If any of your services still send verification codes to that number, you’ve created a risk you don’t need.
At minimum, it’s awkward. At worst, it can expose private information or make account recovery harder.
Picture this:
Your old number gets assigned to someone new.
A service sends a password reset code to that number.
The new owner gets messages meant for you.
You try to recover the account and can’t prove the number used to be yours.
That’s not a fun place to be.
Keeping the number gives you control while you clean up your digital trail. You can update accounts carefully instead of hoping you remembered everything.
It can help you keep using familiar apps.
Some apps are tightly tied to your phone number. Messaging apps are the obvious example, but there are plenty of others.
If you change countries and numbers at the same time, apps may treat it like a major identity change. That can affect contacts, chats, groups, payment features, or account recovery.
Keeping your old number, at least for a while, can make the move smoother. You can keep receiving messages from people back home while you set up your new local number for life abroad.
A lot of people end up using both:
The old number for banking, identity checks, and people back home
The new local number for daily life in the new country
That split can work really well, as long as you keep it organized.
It gives you time to update everything properly.
Trying to update every account before you leave sounds responsible. It’s also easy to underestimate.
Your phone number may be attached to dozens of services. Some are obvious. Some are buried. Some only reveal themselves when there’s a problem.
A better plan is to treat your number like a moving bridge. Keep it active while you cross over.
Before you leave, make a simple list of critical accounts:
Banks and credit cards
Email accounts
Password manager
Government and tax accounts
Insurance
Health portals
Retirement or investment accounts
Phone carrier account
Cloud storage
Messaging apps
Important shopping or travel accounts
Then update them in stages.
Start with the accounts that can lock you out of everything else, like email and your password manager. Next, handle money and government accounts. After that, update anything tied to travel, health, or personal records.
The goal isn’t perfection on day one. The goal is to avoid emergencies.
You don’t always need an expensive plan.
Keeping your home number doesn’t have to mean paying for a full mobile plan you no longer use.
Depending on your carrier and country, you may have a few options:
Option | Why it can work | What to check |
Switch to a cheap prepaid plan | Keeps the number active with low monthly cost | Whether it can receive texts abroad |
Use Wi-Fi calling | Lets you receive calls and texts over Wi-Fi | Whether your carrier supports it overseas |
Port the number to a VoIP service | Can be cheaper and easier to manage online | Whether banks accept codes on VoIP numbers |
Keep the SIM in a spare phone | Simple and separate from your new local number | Roaming costs and battery upkeep |
Use dual SIM or eSIM | Lets one phone hold both numbers | Phone compatibility and carrier settings |
The best choice depends on your home country, your carrier, and what your accounts require. The key is to test it before you move.
NOTE: VoIP numbers aren't widely accepted due to significant security and verification challenges. You'll find that financial institutions and service providers reject these numbers because they lack physical location ties, making user identity verification and fraud tracking difficult. VoIP's inherent mobility and limited traceability create vulnerabilities that don't align with strict regulatory compliance requirements, especially in banking and government services. Phone carrier authentication systems often can't properly validate VoIP numbers through standard protocols, and their easy acquisition makes them attractive for fraudulent activities. If you are depending on Social Security, a VoIP number will not work with it.
Don't assume a number will receive texts abroad just because it works at home. Try logging into your bank while still in your home country. Turn on Wi-Fi calling. Test receiving a code. Ask your carrier what happens when you’re overseas for a long time.
A little testing now can save hours later.
You should still get a local number abroad.
Keeping your old number doesn’t mean you can avoid a local one. In most cases, you’ll want a number in your new country too.
A local number helps with everyday life:
Apartment hunting
Deliveries
Local banking
Health care appointments
School forms
Job applications
Restaurant bookings
Utility accounts
Local friends and services
Your home number is the anchor. Your local number is the daily tool.
If your phone supports dual SIM or eSIM, using both can be easy. You can set your local number for data and local calls, while your old number stays available for verification codes and important contacts.
Just keep an eye on roaming charges. Receiving texts is often free on many plans, but not always. Calls can get expensive fast. Check before you rely on it.
When it might make sense to let the number go
There are times when canceling the number is fine. If you’ve updated every account, moved all two-factor authentication to an authenticator app or security key, told everyone who matters, and confirmed you can recover your accounts without it, you may not need it anymore.
You might also let it go if the cost is high and the number isn’t tied to anything important.
But don’t cancel it just because you’re in a hurry. Cancel it because you’ve checked.
A good rule of thumb is to keep the number for at least the first few months abroad, and longer if you still have financial, legal, tax, or family ties back home. Many people keep it for a year or more because random issues keep popping up.
A simple checklist before you move
Here’s a practical way to handle it without making yourself crazy.
Before leaving:
Turn on Wi-Fi calling if your carrier supports it.
Confirm your plan works abroad.
Test receiving verification texts.
Add an authenticator app where possible.
Save backup codes for important accounts.
Update your recovery email.
Review your bank, tax, and email login settings.
Make sure your phone is unlocked if you plan to use a foreign SIM.
After arriving:
Get a local number.
Keep your home number active.
Update accounts slowly and carefully.
Track which accounts still use the old number.
Watch for roaming fees.
Keep the old SIM safe if it’s not in your main phone.
Before canceling the old number:
Search your email for the old number to find linked accounts.
Check password manager entries.
Log into every critical account.
Remove the number or replace it.
Confirm recovery options work.
Wait a little longer than you think you need.
That last point matters. The account you forgot is usually the one you need at the worst possible time.
The small monthly cost can be worth the peace of mind.
Moving abroad asks you to rebuild a lot at once. You’re learning systems, habits, streets, stores, forms, and sometimes a new language. The last thing you need is a bank login failing because a code went to a number you canceled to save a few dollars.
Your home phone number is one of those boring things that becomes very valuable only after something goes wrong. Keep it long enough to make a clean transition. Move your important accounts to safer recovery methods. Set up your new local number for daily life.
Then, when you finally cancel the old number, you’ll know you’re closing a door you no longer need, not locking yourself out by mistake.
Choosing Housing Too Quickly
Housing is one of the easiest areas to get wrong. Photos can hide noise, mold, poor insulation, long commutes, or unsafe access. A neighborhood that looks central on a map may feel isolated without a car or reliable transit.
Rental practices also vary. Some countries expect unfurnished apartments to include no appliances. Others require agency fees, several months of deposit, proof of income, or a local guarantor. In competitive markets, scammers may pressure newcomers to send money before viewing a property.
How to avoid it
If possible, book temporary housing first. Spend the first few weeks learning how the city works before signing a long lease.
Check:
Commute times during rush hour
Access to groceries and pharmacies
Noise at night
Heating, cooling, and ventilation
Internet quality
Public transit reliability
Lease terms and notice periods
Whether utilities are included
Local tenant rights
Never send large payments through informal channels without verifying the landlord, property, and lease. If language is a barrier, have a trusted local contact or professional review the contract.
There are many scams on Airbnb and Vrbo. Here are links to a couple of cases you can read if you would like.
One of the other things I have noticed here in the Philippines is that Expats (White Males) are charged more for rent than the Filipinos. This makes it a better idea to look around and check your price options also. Just because it may sound inexpensive compared to your home country doesn't necessarily mean it is.
Bringing Too Much And Packing Too Little
Shipping household goods overseas can be expensive and slow. Customs rules can also be strict. Some items may be taxed, delayed, or prohibited. At the same time, people often forget to bring documents that are difficult to replace from abroad.
The problem is not just overpacking. It is packing the wrong things.
How to avoid it
Prioritize documents and essentials over furniture and sentimental clutter.
Bring physical and digital copies of:
Passport
Birth certificate
Marriage or divorce certificate, if relevant
Adoption or custody documents, if relevant
Diplomas and transcripts
Professional licenses
Medical records
Vaccination records
Driver’s license
International driving permit, if needed
Tax records
Insurance documents
Store digital copies in a secure cloud account and on an encrypted drive. Leave a trusted person at home with access to key documents if needed.
For belongings, compare the cost of shipping with the cost of replacing items locally. Sell, donate, or store what does not justify the expense.
I moved to the Philippines from the US with only three suitcases and a carry-on. If I needed something, I bought it here. The prices are a lot cheaper here, except for cell phones. I think most Filipinos have at least two or three cell phones.
Ignoring The Emotional Side Of Leaving
Many expats prepare for paperwork but not grief. Leaving home can mean stepping away from family routines, friendships, familiar food, career identity, humor, language, and a sense of belonging.
Culture shock is real. The term is often associated with anthropologist Kalervo Oberg, who described the emotional strain of adapting to an unfamiliar culture. People often move through phases, from excitement to frustration to gradual adjustment. The timeline is different for everyone.
Common emotional challenges include:
Loneliness
Guilt about leaving family
Frustration with language barriers
Identity shifts
Homesickness
Decision fatigue
Feeling dependent on a partner or employer
Missing familiar holidays and traditions
These feelings do not mean the move was a mistake. They are part of adjustment.
How to avoid it
Plan for emotional support before leaving.
Helpful steps include:
Schedule regular calls with close friends or family
Join local interest groups, not only expat groups
Learn basic phrases before arrival
Create small routines that make the new place feel familiar
Bring a few meaningful items from home
Mark important holidays in a way that works locally
Permit yourself to have hard days
A good goal for the first few months is not to feel fully settled. It is to build enough structure to keep going.
Expecting Life Abroad To Fix Life At Home
A new country can bring opportunity, adventure, and perspective. It cannot automatically solve burnout, relationship strain, career uncertainty, or financial stress. In some cases, moving makes those issues more visible because the usual support systems are gone.
For example, someone who struggled with loneliness at home may feel even more isolated in a place where they do not speak the language. A couple already under pressure may face more conflict when dealing with housing, bureaucracy, and job changes at the same time.
How to avoid it
Be honest about the reason for moving. Write down what the move can realistically change and what will still need attention.
Use questions like:
What am I hoping will be different?
What problems might follow me?
What support do I need before I leave?
What would make the move successful after six months?
What would be a sign that I need to change course?
If mental health support is already part of life, research options before moving. This may include local therapists, online therapy availability, insurance coverage, and emergency care.
Not Building A Backup Plan.
Even well-planned moves can change. A job may fall through. A visa may take longer than expected. Housing may be unsuitable. A family member back home may need care. The destination may not be a good fit.
A backup plan is not negative thinking. It reduces panic and protects decision-making.
How to avoid it
Create a simple Plan B before leaving.
Include:
Enough savings to leave or relocate if needed
A valid passport with extra time before expiration
Access to emergency funds from abroad
Copies of all key documents
A trusted contact at home
A plan for pets, children, or dependents
A clear exit point if the move becomes unsafe or unsustainable
Set review dates. For example, check in after 30 days, 90 days, and six months. Ask what is working, what is not, and what needs to change.
A practical pre-departure checklist
Use this as a final scan before leaving home.
Area | What to confirm before departure |
Immigration | Correct visa, work rights, renewal rules, family eligibility |
Money | Moving budget, monthly budget, emergency fund, currency plan |
Taxes | Filing duties, tax residency rules, reporting deadlines |
Health | Insurance, prescriptions, medical records, emergency care |
Housing | Temporary stay, lease rules, deposit norms, neighborhood checks |
Documents | Certified copies, digital backups, translations if required |
Communication | Local SIM plan, bank access, key contacts saved offline |
Emotional support | Calls scheduled, local groups identified, realistic expectations |
Backup plan | Exit funds, trusted contact, review dates, return option |
The Best Expat Skill Is Adaptability.
Preparation matters, but no checklist can predict every challenge. The most successful expats are not the ones who avoid every mistake. They are the ones who notice problems early, ask better questions, and adjust without treating every setback as failure.
Start with the essentials: legal status, money, health care, housing, documents, and support. Then leave room to learn. A move abroad asks for patience, humility, and flexibility. With the right planning, it can also become one of the most rewarding decisions of a lifetime.
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