If you’re considering an expat opportunity, then get ready to dive into the most extensive research you’ve EVER done in your entire life!

Some women love the process excitedly dreaming, planning, and visualizing their new adventure. While others find it completely overwhelming with anxiety-induced sleepless nights.

From my personal experience, having moved my family internationally multiple times, and hearing stories from expat women all over the world – it’s usually a mix of both emotions. There’s excitement for the new adventure, but also apprehension and so much pressure around “whether we’re making the right decision”.

The challenge is always finding the best location—one that aligns with career aspirations, family needs, and lifestyle.

In my opinion you never want to move that far from home for less quality of life than what you have now. Keep that in mind!

Before moving from Singapore to America in 2024, we spent 12 months in expat limbo, searching for the perfect opportunity for our family’s next move. I poured countless hours into researching 5 different locations when opportunities arose.

Everything from visa requirements, schools, climate changes, sports, social and activity options to get a feel for what life would be like for each opportunity. Could we thrive as a family in Zurich, Dubai, Perth or London? It was a long year of uncertainty, but it honed my skills and in the end all roads kept leading us back to the USA.

Here’s what I can tell you:

YouTube will be your absolute best resource.

YouTube is a one-stop shop for everything you want to know about the country you’re looking into. You’d be surprised at what you can find there everything from walking tours of cities and neighborhoods, virtual school tours, local activities/things to do and most importantly honest pros and cons videos from expats who already live there. This firsthand insight will help you get a deep understanding of the country you’re considering and it makes the decision process a little less overwhelming.

To help you get started, I’ve broken down the research process into three key areas for you to help you begin:

1) What you’ll need to find out about the job opportunity

2) What you’ll want to know about the country location, and

3) Where to start your neighborhood search

Let’s dive in!

1. The Job Opportunity

It’s always a good idea to start by evaluating the company and employment opportunity – to understand fully what you and your family will get from this experience.

Ask Yourself, in this new organisation/destination:

• How does this company and role align with my long-term career goals?
• Is this industry thriving in the new destination, or could there be future risks with this move?
• How stable is the company’s presence in this market? Are they expanding or downsizing? (think of longer term risks/opportunities)
• Does this move provide career growth, or is it more of a lateral move?
• Will this opportunity offer better work-life balance, salary, or benefits than my current role?
• What is known of the company culture in this new location? How does it compare to the headquarters or where you currently are?
• If I leave this job in a few years, will I have strong employment opportunities in this country or elsewhere?

If the job opportunity ticks all the boxes—offering career growth, stability, and alignment with your long-term goals THEN it’s time to think beyond the job itself and evaluate the bigger picture. A great job is extremely important, but thriving as an expat means ensuring the location itself aligns with you AND your family’s overall lifestyle and well-being.

2. The Destination Country

Your work may bring you to a new country, but your overall quality of life will depend on factors well beyond the office. Consider the lifestyle, cultural fit, cost of living, healthcare, education (if applicable), and overall environment of the location too.

• What are the visa, work and residency requirements for you and your family?
• Are there any language barriers or will you need to learn a new language?
• What is the general cost of living? Are there any tax benefits
• What sort of expat package will your company provide for this desitation?
• Are there any cultural norms, religious or social expectations that might impact daily life?
• Does the local culture support the hobbies, activities, and lifestyle that are important to you (e.g., outdoor activities, dining, arts, nightlife etc)?

Climate & Comfort

It’s important to understand how the local climate and weather can affect your daily life too:

• Are you open to living in extreme heat and humidity, or snow and cold winters – or do you prefer places with milder temperatures and seasonal changes?
• Will living in this impact your lifestyle, car, energy costs, or housing needs (e.g., air conditioning costs, buying a car over public transportion)?
• Will this country move provide a same/same or better quality of life, or will it come with significant trade-offs?

Singapore is a HOT and WET climate with 90% humidity and rain nearly ALL year round. You’ll be in shorts all year round, but bring your best umbrella and expect to be sweaty daily!

Dubai is also HOT but it’s a DRY heat and for 3 months during summer it’s over 40’c+ daily. People spend most of their time indoors every single day!

In the USA if you’re anywhere north, midwest or north east coast you can expect very cold winters where it can snow for 7-8 months of the year. Great if you love to ski on weekends and prefer cooler climates, but it’s also a pain shoveling snow and driving in it daily!

If you’re living mid-south/south-east coast USA be prepared for annual weather events like HURRICANE’S and TORNADO’S! I can tell you from experience they are NO JOKE :} We arrived in Tampa Florida, USA in 2024 and within weeks of arriving got hit with both a Cat 4 & a Cat 3 Hurricane! It was a real eye opener!

Your biggest question to answer is this:

Will this destination supports the long-term happiness of all involved? Once these foundational pieces are in place, the rest of the research will naturally fall into place.

3. Finding Your Neighborhood

If you have children, then schooling decisions will likely play a major role in determining where you live. But beyond schools, your lifestyle, daily routine, and personal preferences should also factor into find THE BEST neighborhood to live in.

Lifestyle & Environment

• Do you prefer city living with easy access to cafés and shops, or a quieter suburban setting?
• Would you rather be near the beach, mountains, or green spaces for outdoor activities?
• How important is walkability to parks, restaurants, and community spaces?

Home & Space Considerations

• What are your non-negotiables for housing? (e.g., number of bedrooms, outdoor space, pool etc)
• Are you willing to sacrifice space or amenities to be in the right location?
• Do you prefer a traditional home with character or a modern development with new facilities?
• Remember YouTube is a goldmine! Search for neighborhood walking tours and home styles to get a feel for the area.

Use local property websites and apps to check house listings within school zones and your budget.

The Best Expat Research is Always Done IN PERSON:

Book Your “Look-See” Trip

If at all possible, visiting your potential new country/city BEFORE making a final decision is one of the best ways to feel confident in your move.

I’ve done this multiple times, and each trip gave me valuable insights that online research simply could NOT!

Drive past houses for sale or rent to get a sense of the area’s character. What looks great in online listings might not feel the same in person. Trust your instincts—does the neighborhood give you a sense of comfort and belonging? Can you picture yourself here long-term?

When we scouted locations to live in Florida, we rented a car and spent 7 days driving through different neighborhoods and touring schools. Getting a feel for daily life beyond the usual tourist spots. I made a point to stop at local cafés, grocery stores, and parks — places that would be part of our ACTUAL routine if we moved there. It wasn’t just about looking at homes but imagining what our life would feel like from day one.

If you have children, then I know that choosing the right school is going to be a big decision. Scheduling school tours during your look-see trip will help immensely. Seeing the facilities, meeting staff, and even watching students interact can completely change your perspective.

Bring your child with you, if you can.

When I was 11 years old my family moved to Australia, this was my first experience of moving internationally and “starting life over again”. I had no idea what to expect – other than the assumption that kids rode kangaroo’s to school and had pet koala’s in their backyard. Sadly… neither was true!

To be honest, as an 11yo I had a million questions, my mind filled with worry and anxiety about the new country we were moving to…

I was old enough to know that everything in my life was about to change—but not quite mature enough to understand that some changes can actually turn out to be really good. All I could think about was leaving my friends, my school, and everything that felt normal to me. I had no idea yet about the adventures and amazing people that were waiting for me on the other side.

And your kids probably will be feeling this too.

• Will I be able to still do all the things I loved to do?
• What will school be like? Are the kids just like me?
• Can I still get my favourite: books, stickers, art pens, and cheese pizza there?

Later in life I can now see how that experience of facing so many “unknowns” as a child without much emotional support from my parents really affected me (to be fair – it was the late 80’s!!).

So, when we decided to move again from Singapore to the USA with my son who was turning 11 years old, I made sure he was a part of the process. And let me tell you, we were really encouraged by his perspective on the schools we visited.

It was so much easier for him to “buy into the idea” of leaving Singapore now (where he’d created an amazing life for 2.5 years) being part of the decision process. He could also begin to build excitement about the move/change before it happened, with a vision of what life would look and feel like in the USA.

Another GREAT research tool: Join Local Facebook Groups

Local expat and community groups are a goldmine for real, on-the-ground advice. I joined groups like “The Oracle Singapore”, “Expats in Singapore”, “Tampa Area Moms Group” and “Aussie Expats in USA” to search for posts about schools, housing, and neighborhoods.

The best part? You can ask questions, and people are usually more than happy to share their experiences. These groups also can help you to connect with new people before even arriving, making the transition feel much less daunting.

Other things you might want to consider…

Beyond location and logistics, one of the most important factors in any move is building a support network.

Having connections in your new city makes a huge difference in how quickly you settle in. Do you already know anyone who has lived there? If so, reach out! Their firsthand experience can be invaluable.

When we were considering Singapore, we logistically did not have the capability to fly in for a “Look-See”. Instead we spoke to a number of friends-of-friends who had lived there, asking about their experiences. All of their insights about lifestyle, housing, and even simple things like where to we could find Australian products and groceries made our decision so much easier!

Distance from friends and family is also something to consider. How often will you realistically visit home? And will family and friends visit you?

Some locations make this easier than others, depending on flight availability and costs. I know from experience that long-haul flights and extreme climates can also impact visitors!

When we lived in Singapore, most family/friends in Australia didn’t think twice about jumping on an 8hr flight to visit. In fact, in our first 6 months I hosted 8 groups of friends! But some older family members struggled in the humidity and found reasons not to visit, so we only ever saw them on our trips home. This was hard sometimes.

In our early 30’s, our first international expat assignment lead us to Detroit, Michigan USA the home of the automotive industry. But sadly Detroit’s shady past of being the murder capital of the USA was not a huge draw card for friends/family. Over two years ONLY ONE PERSON came to visit us! The long-haul flight from Australia and snowy winters were a big roadblock.

These little things might not seem like a big deal now, but it’s good to be aware so you can adjust your expectations.

Making the decision to move abroad is huge, and while research is essential, in the end you really just have to trust your gut intuition and take the leap. The more you can experience a place before committing, the easier it will be to make the right choice for your future.

-JB

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About The Author

Janel Briggs is the founder of The Expat Women’s Collective. Having navigated 4 international moves across 3 different life stages, she understands firsthand the challenges and rewards of expat life and relocating your entire world abroad.

Through her professional career as a Confidence & Mindset Coach (since 2018), Janel has spent many years empowering women with the skills to embrace change, rediscover their identity after big life transitions, navigate uncertainty and anxiety and build more fulfilling wherever they find themselves in the world!

Comments or Questions? Reach out! hello@expatwomenscollective.com