So, you are thinking about moving abroad? Well, the first and most important thing you will need to do is research. Research really is key and I cannot stress that enough; it informs you, it protects you, and most of all, it is fun. Research can even provide that minute detail that affirms or changes your mind about the whole thing!

If you are not prepared to research, then you could be in for a shock, as the old saying goes, ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’ and when it comes to moving abroad, this statement really could not be truer. It doesn’t matter where you are moving to, you will find you have an ever growing list of things you need to find out about; areas, property types, visas, working, schools, lifestyle, laws, money, driving, and so much more.

So where do you go to get information on all of this? First and foremost the internet is an excellent place to start. Type ‘move to…’ into any search engine and you will open up a whole world of advice, opinions and experiences which will enlighten you. You could also search for expat forums online; here you will find a wealth of advice from those who have already made the move, been there – done that.

They have experienced things first hand and are usually more than willing to share good and bad experiences as they want to help others. You can also talk to peoples on using social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, blogs are also really useful so look around - the most random pages could store useful information.

Asides from looking online, you could visit a bookshop and have a browse in the ‘countries’ section. Magazines can be a great way to keep up to date with current goings on in the country, and you might want to think about subscribing to one for a couple of months.

Once the initial research has been completed, you will probably be in need of some more specific information; this is the perfect time to attend all those road and trade shows which happen throughout the year. A Place in the Sun or migration shows are the perfect place to start. At these shows you will get first hand, face-to-face advice on all things ‘foreign’ and it is also the perfect place for you to start ‘window shopping’ for the property of your dreams.

Start your hunt for a home abroad here…
If you’re searching for an overseas property, a good place to start is the Overseas Guides Company’s new property search facility. To start your search now visit http://www.emigrationguide.com/content/emigration-properties