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As we head into 2014, are you going to set yourself a new year’s resolution? Some will start a new diet, while others will start a new exercise regime. Some will try to further their career, or look to start a family.

Maybe you’re going to make 2014 the year to move house – possibly to another country.

If you are, there’s certainly plenty to bear in mind, so to avoid this being yet another of those new year’s resolutions that comes to nothing, consider the following points:

Choosing the right country

Pretty fundamental, this one. Get it wrong and you’ll potentially have to stick it out for a while – moving back won’t be cheap. Do your research and go for the place that satisfies most of your needs. Whether it’s schooling, work opportunities or a culture in which you’re comfortable bringing up children, decide what you want and go about getting it. Remember, no place is perfect, so decide what you would be willing to compromise on.

A new place to live 

So you’ve decided on the country – next up, you need to choose the city or town, and the house within it. You can have fun searching the web for a new home in the first instance, but later on down the line, nothing beats going there for yourself and sampling your potential new surroundings. Arrange plenty of viewings in a range of areas, and ask yourself whether the needs you identified at the start are met.

When you’re buying, choose an agent with a good reputation. Also use a foreign exchange company like www.worldfirst.com  to transfer your money from your UK bank to the account you’ve set up in your new country at a better exchange rate than the banks.

Work

Unless your new year’s resolution is all about moving abroad to retire, you’ll need a job to pay the bills. This brings you into the wonderful world of visas. Make sure you can get one before you go, but beware, without a job already arranged, you might not be granted one – in the US for example. Some visas can take up to two years to arrange, so make sure you’re prepared and have all the documents you require, whether it’s health check certificates or records of birth or marriage.

Make sure your lack of work experience in your new country isn’t prohibitive, and consider learning the language to improve your chances.

Schooling

Making sure your children will be comfortable in their new surroundings is a key consideration, so make sure you’re happy that the school you’re enrolling them in will be the right fit for them. The larger the town or city, the more options you’ll have. Consider whether the education system is similar to what your child is already used to, and whether the language barrier might pose any problems. Encourage them to ask questions – this is a big move for them.

Banking 

Like with choosing the estate agent, you’ll want a bank with a good reputation, and plenty of branches too. Beware of additional charges and transaction fees. There’s more paperwork involved – you’ll get used to that – so have ID, proof of address and maybe proof of earnings at the ready.

Keep your home bank account going; if it’s free there’s no reason not to, and you never know when you might need it.

Healthcare

You’ll be waving goodbye to the free health provision of the NHS, and you should let your GP know to take you off the register. It’s likely that in your new country, you’ll have to make some sort of contribution, or join a private plan. Check what you need to do, what you’re entitled to, and that you can afford to cover the costs so you and your family are covered.

This is a rough guide, and only scratches the surface of what you need to prepare for when you move away. But if you’re planning to make moving away your new year’s resolution, this should give you some food for thought.

Author: Debbie Fletcher is an enthusiastic, experienced writer who has written for a range of difference magazines and news publications. Follow her here: @Debbie_Fletch18