Why More Travelers Are Choosing to Live Abroad — and How to Make It Happen

There has been a mass mentality shift when it comes to traveling abroad and putting down roots, as many people are now moving overseas in droves.

Moreover, relocating to another country used to be a retirement decision. Something luxurious. But now, it’s happening more and more to digital nomads, remote workers, and everyone in between.

Moving abroad has become the new norm. The question now is, how do you make a dream relocation become your new reality? Let’s find out.

Table of Contents

• Relocating Overseas: Why People Are Doing It
• How to Plan Your Move Abroad (& Keep It Stress Free)
• Shipping Abroad: How To Save Money
• Don’t Make These Moving Overseas Mistakes
• Final Thoughts
• FAQs

Relocating Overseas: Why People Are Doing It

Different strokes for different folks. Everyone has their own reason for wanting to live abroad.

But overall, two things come up again and again.

The cost and quality of living. From rent, utilities, groceries, to healthcare. Settling overseas can be dramatically cheaper than staying stateside. Countries like Portugal, Spain, and Costa Rica are wildly popular for their low cost of living.

And of course, there’s the whole quality of life aspect. Relaxing vibes, nice weather, walkable cities… You get why people fall in love with it.

But here’s the crazy part…

A recent survey from the American Psychological Association discovered that 63% of American adults between the ages of 18 and 34 HAVE considered moving abroad.

Almost two-thirds of young American adults have thought about relocating to another country.

How’s that for a mass mindset shift? Remote jobs have been the key. Spain, Portugal, Greece, and others are rolling out the welcome mat with special visas for digital nomads.

People are actually doing it.

How to Plan Your Move Abroad (& Keep It Stress Free)

Figuring out how to relocate abroad is the fun part. But if proper steps are not considered before packing your bags, it can quickly become a nightmare.

Case in point? Not knowing how you’ll actually get all your belongings to your new address.

Full-service international movers range from $6,000 to $20,000+, considering where you’re headed and how much luggage you have. Before you even decide to live anywhere, you’re thousands of dollars in debt.

This is where a portable container relocation service saves the day.

With international moving pods, travelers have the ability to pack at their own pace. Avoid the madness of multiple movers coming into your home and save serious cash.

Need more details?

Here are just a few of the reasons portable container relocation services are worth considering:

• Pack in your own time. No rigid moving windows or rushing to meet some unknown deadline.

• Save money by only paying for the space you need

• Avoid full-service moving markups

• Enjoy door-to-door delivery with zero stress

Moving abroad is already stressful. Don’t put unnecessary strain on your wallet, too.

Shipping Abroad: How To Save Money

Speaking of your wallet. Not everything owned by you should accompany you to your new home. In fact, clearing and selling off half your unused stuff is one of the best decisions you can make before moving abroad.

But you’ll still have furniture. And boxes. And awkward things that don’t fit anywhere else.

Here are your most affordable options when it comes to shipping internationally:

• Sea freight (shared container): Perfect for smaller households or fewer belongings. Your items share a shipping container with other households in a consolidated space. Delivery times vary, but they will be much cheaper than air freight.

• Sea freight (full container): If you own a huge house full of personal belongings, shipping containers are your best bet. The shipment is sealed at the start and remains sealed until final delivery. Since your items aren’t mixed with another person’s stuff, transit times are shorter.

• Air Freight: Want your items there yesterday? Air transport is the way to go. Faster than sea shipments but much more expensive. Expect to pay 3-5x what you would with sea freight.

• Hybrid Method: Some shipping companies will offer services that utilize both air and sea freight. Send larger items by sea, and have priority items shipped via air.

Bonus Tip

Look to move during the off-season, as spring and late autumn tend to have more relaxed rates for international moves.

Don’t Make These Moving Overseas Mistakes

Moving mistakes happen. But when you’re going through the process of moving to another country, there are some specific pitfalls you should avoid.

• Visas. Each country has different visa requirements. Some need proof of income. Others need employment verification. Do your research WAY ahead of time. Some countries even have pensioner visas or investor visas. Do your homework.

• Customs. Imports and exports always require clearing customs. While many countries allow you to import your personal belongings with no duty attached, each country has its unique regulations around documentation. Make sure you declare EVERYTHING. And do it correctly. Random fines and penalties are no one’s friend.

• Insurance. Speaking of random stuff happening to your shipment. If you don’t insure it… Who knows? Preventative stress is totally worth purchasing additional coverage.

• Taxes. The United States likes its citizens to pay taxes… Regardless of where they reside in the world. When you move abroad, you will need to file US taxes every year (unless you qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion). You also might be responsible for taxes in your new county of residence. Tax implications are complex when moving abroad. Find a CPA who specializes in these aspects.

Who knows… You might be part of that 63%.

Citing data from the US Federal Register, one article reported there was a 102% increase in Americans moving abroad during the first few months of 2025 versus the last quarter of 2024. Now that’s exponential growth.

Final Thoughts

Moving overseas and settling down is easier than ever, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan accordingly.

Remember…

• Figure out WHY you want to live abroad

• Plan your move early. Don’t forget how you’re getting your belongings there.

• Ship smart. Downsizing before you move is your friend.

• Do your research on visas, taxes, and customs.

• Don’t make any of the expensive mistakes mentioned above.

The world is your oyster. Where are YOU going to move?

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