I hail-married to India, and when that did not work out, I hail-married onwards to Taiwan. There things worked out better. I regret nothing.

I was at a different point in my life though.

Husband and I moved to Norway with no jobs lined up, but we had saved 1-2 years worth of expenses (rent, food, etc) before we did. This was good because it took several months for him to find a job using his degree and over half a year for my residence permit to process before I could even look for work. It’s been quite a stressful year (Norway does not make the system easy for immigrants) but we’re doing fantastic now!

When I moved to the US I moved with a job. But to Canada, I just packed a Uhaul and went to Canada with my permanent residency papers. My plan B was to buy a return flight if I didn’t find a job and ran out of savings. It worked out well: two weeks to settle, two weeks to get two job offers and the rest is history.

This post appeared as recommended in my feed. Unlike the typical immigration stories, mine was driven by the looming prospect of conscription if I go back to my home country and the expiration of my US Visa with a home residency requirement. Choosing a country I’d never been to, I navigated paperwork comparatively easy thanks to my passport. Grateful for a friend who offered two weeks in his apartment, I secured a job and my own place. If given the opportunity, I wouldn’t have chosen this path, I’ve never experienced such stress before.

Laudy laudy, Hap Glaudy!

I moved to multiple EU countries without a job (however, I do have an EU passport). I ultimately ended up finding work but the initial start up costs were expensive. I think I spent about 10k my last move which included flights, months in an Airbnb, first months rent, deposit, and some basic furniture. The first time I only spend a few thousand but I was “roughing it” by staying in hostels and renting a pre-furnished room.

Have some savings and that buys you time

It’s harder to get a visa if you can’t prove how you will sustain yourself.

That’s the hardest part.

I’m too responsible for a Hail Mary. But no one (recruiter) will talk to you when you’re abroad. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Depends where you move to. A city? Sure, bring savings and get a job to tide you over if needs be. The opportunities are generally plentiful.

Just today I saw a post of a US expat in my city talking about how difficult it was to find accommodation here. Lining up for apartment showings, hearing people offer 6 months rent up front, hearing others going to 14 showings in two days.

And we have zero sympathy. As one commenter put it "You’re sitting in a car, stuck in traffic, asking how you can make all the other cars go away so you can get to your destination."

I honestly think planning ahead for a job as well as accommodation is key when moving to somewhere where you wont have a support system.

When I was single yes I did actually. Now I wouldn’t do it, I’m married, we have plans so I can’t afford to not have any income for an extended period of time.

Job lined up beforehand? Only done that once, and I’ve lived in 4 different countries. It’s actually easier to find a job once u get there and can interview in person. Like in china, if you’re white u just walk in, they hear you’re looking for a job and no job application, just a quick interview and asking when can u start? Other countries sometimes work the same and some don’t. Things aren’t so structured as they are in the US like apply online, first interview, second interview, man just go there and figure things out 😊

I secured a job first but as a single parent I couldn’t have done it another way

Depends on what the working rights situation is with the desired new country. Many countries won’t provide work visas without a job, but you can usually visit as a tourist and also do some job hunting while onshore.