If you’re standing at the crossroads of a big decision of whether to uproot your life and move overseas for a job opportunity or stay home where you’ve planted roots… you’ll know it’s not a choice that comes easily!

It’s the kind of decision that keeps you awake at night.

The pressure of weighing career opportunities against family stability, new adventures and cultural experiences against familiar comforts.

Ultimately, it’s a lifestyle change that comes with a thousand unknowns.

Before you let the overwhelm take over, it’s worth taking a step back and understanding what really shapes this decision, so that you can come to your decision with more confidence and ease.

Research into the motivations of expats for global mobility shows there are three core factors that consistently influence whether a move abroad is the right fit for you and your family.

Key Factors That Influence Your Decision to Move Abroad

Before you ever get to the “yes” or “no” it’s important to evaluate the building blocks that will shape your experience overseas. These three decision drivers, backed by decades of relocation research and expat studies are the foundation of a confident choice.

1. Economic & Career Opportunity

One of the strongest motivations for relocating abroad is professional and financial growth. Will this move give you:

• A meaningful job offer, promotion, or salary boost that improves your financial situation?
• Greater career advancement, access to new markets, or exposure to international networks?
• The ability to enjoy a higher standard of living or better balance income with cost of living?
• Economic stability and growth potential in the destination country?

If the new opportunity doesn’t meaningfully improve your career trajectory or compensate for the personal and financial costs of moving, it’s often a sign the timing isn’t quite right.

Example: We once flew to Dubai to investigate a “dream role”. The title was glamorous, the company was a big name and well regarded, and the idea of moving to the UAE was exciting. But when we sat down and crunched the numbers the package was on par (or slightly less) than the current situation in Singapore (even with some housing assistance included!). Dubai is now in the top 7 most expensive cities globally, with the cost of international schooling, utilities, commute times in traffic, and the hidden everyday expenses chipped away at the benefits. In that moment, we realized that no title or glossy job offer could compensate for uprooting out life for a net downgrade in lifestyle. That’s when we started asking the question that’s now at the heart of every move we consider (read on…).

2. Quality of Life & Personal Well-Being

Beyond the pay check, your day-to-day quality of life matters deeply! In fact, research suggests that safety, healthcare, education, and lifestyle factors often carry as much weight (or more!) than salary.

Reflect on:

• Safety, political stability, and governance
• Quality and accessibility of healthcare
• Education options (public vs. private, international schools, curriculum and languages, and don’t forget university pathways)
• Environment, extreme climates (Singapore, Dubai), and pollution levels (Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Dammam)
• Infrastructure, transportation, and public services
• Opportunities for work-life balance, leisure, and community involvement

Personal safety, healthcare access, cost of living, and schooling are some of the most important metrics families evaluate when choosing a destination.

3. Relational, Emotional & Social Anchors

The human side of relocation is often underestimated. Yet, it’s the area where most expats say the real challenges lie! Things to consider:

• Support systems & community: How easy will it be to build friendships and networks?
• Cultural and language fit: Will the language, customs, and social norms feel exciting or isolating?
• Attachment to home: How much do you value proximity to extended family and familiar comforts?
• Readiness for change: How resilient and adaptable do you feel about uncertainty and starting over?

Many expats report that “feeling isolated” or “missing home” can outweigh financial gains. Making emotional readiness just as crucial as practical planning.

The #1 Question to Ask Before You Move Abroad

Now, even after you’ve spent weeks comparing job offers, scouting schools, and reading relocation forums (and now reflecting on the above!) it’s easy to feel stuck on the same mental loop:

👉 “Are we really ready to move overseas?”
👉 “Will this be good for all of us?

Before the decision-making anxiety takes hold,  I want you to pause and ask yourself one powerful question. It’s the single question that helps my clients (and personally my family) get super clear on whether the opportunity to move abroad is the RIGHT one for them.

No 1 Question:

“Will our new life in [X country] be SIMILAR or BETTER than the life we have now?“

This question cuts straight to the heart of what matters. Here’s how to interpret your answer:

• If the answer is “no” – The move likely isn’t the right choice. Uprooting your life only makes sense if it offers a clear improvement in career, lifestyle, opportunity, or connection.
• If the answer is “yes” – Then it’s a resounding heck yes! A move that brings growth, joy, and new possibilities is absolutely worth pursuing.
• If the answer is “similar” – This is where things get interesting. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t move, but perhaps you’re on the fence about it and that’s your cue to dig deeper into the details of your pros and cons list.

How to Dig Deeper: Pros, Cons, and Lifestyle

If your answer lands in that grey “similar” space, it’s time for a more thorough evaluation. Ask yourself:

• What will our day-to-day life actually look like there?
• Are we gaining meaningful experiences, career opportunities, or cultural growth?
• Will this move align with our long-term goals for work, family, and lifestyle?
• What might we lose by leaving our current life behind?

This deeper reflection often uncovers hidden factors. Support networks, work-life balance, or cultural differences can dramatically change the equation. Sometimes, what looks “similar” on paper can actually turn into a major upgrade (or reveal that staying put is the wiser choice).

Don’t Forget the Hidden Costs of Moving Abroad

Most companies offering relocation packages will cover basics like flights, furniture shipping, and visas. But there’s a LONG LIST of hidden costs of starting a new life in another country that can significantly impact your lifestyle. Hardly any companies are paying housing allowances, school fees or premium level health care anymore.

• Rental deposits & housing: Almost all landlords require a security deposit for a rental property; this can be one to three months’ rent or 5-10% of the annual lease upfront. In some countries, you may also need to hire a real estate or rental agent to negotiate lease terms with the landlord on your behalf, their fees can be as high as one month’s rent. That’s often and extra cash expense on arrival expat’s haven’t factored in.
• Schooling expenses: Admissions fees, textbooks, uniforms, and extracurriculars are often out-of-pocket.
• Healthcare: Many corporate plans include only basic or mid-level coverage. Upgrading to meet your family’s needs is an extra cost.

Example: We made the expensive mistake of not reading the fine print on a Health Insurance contract in Singapore. My husband’s company paid for our “medical insurance” as part of his package. We assumed it covered all three of us in the family for everything. But we didn’t realize my son and I were NOT covered on the dental and vision insurance(!) UNTIL I needed an urgent root canal and to see an Opthomologist for a tropical eye infection within the first few months of arriving! My submitted claim’s were rejected “applicant not listed . We’ll never not read the health insurance contract in full again.

Understanding these realities upfront helps you build a more accurate picture of what life abroad will truly cost – financially, emotionally, and socially.

Need Help to Plan Your Move With Confidence?

Making the leap to move to another country is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. But with the right questions, research, and tools, you can approach it from a place of clarity… not guesswork!

WATCH HERE: For a deeper dive into the #1 question I always ask before deciding whether a move abroad is the right choice.

DOWNLOAD OUR: Free Expat Move Planning Checklist

Before you sign that contract, the checklist will help you know who is likely going to paying for what within the move, so there are no hidden costs when you start your new life as an expat abroad!

• Learn about the 35+ expenses most expats never plan for
• Empower yourself for company negotiations knowing the real costs involved
• Make sure nothing catches you off guard!

Lastly, moving abroad isn’t just about changing locations, it’s about transforming your life!

When you approach the decision with a clear framework and a deeper understanding of both the opportunities and challenges, you give yourself the best chance to thrive.

So, ask yourself: Will our new life be similar or better?

Your answer might just reveal everything you need to know.

-Janel

Questions or comments? email us! hello@expatwomenscollective.com