Wondering if you’re financially ready to move abroad? Learn how to align your move with your life goals, define your ideal lifestyle, research cost of living, and build a financial cushion for a confident relocation.

Making an international move isn’t just about passports, paperwork, and packing—it’s a full life transition. One of the most common concerns people have when preparing to move abroad is whether it’s financially feasible. As an expat coach with years of experience, I can tell you: feeling confident about your finances is absolutely possible—but it starts with more than just crunching numbers.

If you’re thinking of relocating and asking yourself, “Can I really afford this?”—this blog post is for you. Below, I’ll walk you through the key steps to ensure your move is financially aligned with your life goals and equipped for the unexpected.

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Before diving into budget spreadsheets or researching costs, take a step back. Ask yourself:
“How does this move align with what I want in life?”

Finances are a vital part of our lives, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Moving abroad is a deeply personal decision that affects your identity, relationships, lifestyle, and future. That’s why it’s so important to first reflect on whether the move is consistent with your:

• Personal goals – What kind of life do you want to build?

• Family goals – If you’re moving with a partner or children, are you aligned?

• Long-term vision – Is this move a stepping stone toward the life you’re aiming for?
  

When you’re clear on your “why,” it becomes much easier to make grounded financial decisions that support—not sabotage—your broader life plans.

The next step is internal as well: define what kind of lifestyle you want to live in your new country. Often people jump straight into looking at cost of living data, but without knowing how you actually want to live, that information won’t help much.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to live in the city center or a quieter rural area?

• Is having a car important to me, or can I rely on public transportation?

• Will my kids go to private or public school—or will we homeschool?

• What kind of housing would make me feel comfortable and secure?
  

By getting specific about your ideal lifestyle, you’ll be able to evaluate whether that lifestyle is financially attainable in your destination of choice. You’ll also avoid the trap of comparing yourself to others whose values or priorities may be very different from yours.

Now that you’ve clarified your values and your lifestyle preferences, it’s time to research. But unlike randomly reading expat blogs or cost-of-living posts, now you can approach the information with clarity.

Look at:

• Rent or mortgage costs in areas where you’d realistically want to live

• Healthcare expenses for your situation (e.g., public vs. private insurance)

• Education costs based on your schooling preferences

• Day-to-day expenses that reflect your desired lifestyle—not a stripped-down version of someone else’s
  

This targeted approach makes your financial planning much more accurate and relevant. For example, if someone says living in Lisbon is cheap because they live in a one-bedroom on the outskirts and send their kids to public school, that might not be useful if you’re looking for a family home in the center and prefer private education.

Once you’re ready to start creating a budget, be kind to yourself. Financial planning can bring up a lot of stress and even fear. If that happens, try to step back emotionally. Pretend you’re planning for someone else or do the budgeting alongside a trusted friend, coach, or partner.

And most importantly: build in room for error.

Unforeseen expenses are not a matter of “if,” but “when.” You might:

• Rent a home that turns out to be a bad fit and need to move

• Make a few buying mistakes early on

• Need to fly home unexpectedly due to a family emergency
  

Give yourself permission to have a buffer. It’s better to plan for the unknown than to be caught off guard and feel like your move was a mistake.

If you want to go even deeper—or if numbers just aren’t your thing—this is where a good financial advisor comes in. Ideally, look for someone with experience working with international relocations or expats.

A qualified advisor can:

• Offer impartial, emotionally-neutral insight

• Ask strategic questions you may not have thought of

• Present alternative options you didn’t know were possible

• Help you build a sustainable plan for both pre- and post-move finances
  

Working with a financial advisor doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Even a single session can offer clarity and confidence, and help you avoid costly mistakes. Inside the Expat Journey Program there’s a curated list of trusted businesses that can help you nail your financial planning.

Financial confidence when moving abroad doesn’t come from having all the answers. It comes from asking the right questions and giving yourself the space to plan intentionally. Start with your values, define your lifestyle, do focused research, and give yourself grace in the budgeting process.

Remember: you’re not just moving—you’re building a new life. And when your financial plan reflects that bigger picture, you’ll feel far more confident every step of the way.