A Place In The Sun made me want to move abroad – but when I got there it made me want to cry
IT’S HARD not to imagine what life would be like in a warmer country, once the British winter fully gets going.
Having moved from London to Lisbon in 2020, I can guarantee you there are plenty of headaches while you find your ‘Place In The Sun.’
While I have been able to bask in exotic Portugal with no impending checkout date, it’s also certainly not one big, long holiday…
Here are some of the things I wish I’d known before I booked my one-way ticket…
There are some dull things you have to do first
In fact, it’s a far cry from Emily In Paris – which first came out just months after I moved.
It’s not just a case of stepping on a plane and being on your merry way, and visas for some countries can be complex and expensive to get hold of.
Obviously, there are many aspects of moving abroad that will vary depending on your own personal situation.
For instance, I have rented rather than bought, and work as a freelancer rather than being employed by a company.
Additionally, some of the lesser-known bits of admin hinge on the fact that your extended period away from the UK probably means you are no longer a taxpayer.
That involves letting Student Loans Company know of your new whereabouts, informing HMRC and deregistering from the NHS.
As well as reading the huge amount of official information available online, it’s always worth – if you can – consulting a lawyer or accountant familiar with the UK system and the country you’re moving to, for tailored advice.
It really shouldn’t be a spur-of-the-moment decision
Because, in turn – and I promise moving abroad does get less boring – you’ll need to set yourself up on the other side too, likely with everything from the tax to the healthcare systems.
It’s why properly moving abroad – as opposed to going travelling for a while – really does force you to commit, if you want to do it all properly.
If your language skills aren’t quite there yet, then you’ll almost certainly save stress and money in the long run by paying a local expert, such as a lawyer or accountant, for some extra help.
You’ll likely be ticking off these small milestones on your own individual timeline – unless you’ve relocated with a partner or family.
For instance, I remember celebrating solo when I finally received my Portuguese social security and national health numbers.
However, it’s far easier to make friends than you think
The above is a reminder that moving abroad can feel lonely at the start and I had a real fear I’d make no friends.
But I soon discovered that it’s far easier to find new pals than you might think, when you start putting yourself out there.
Portuguese lessons, the MeetUp app, a co-working space and friends of friends – these are the main ways I’ve been able to build a lovely network in Lisbon over the past four years.
There are other ways, less relevant to me, that others I know have used to find their people after moving abroad – including through having kids at nursery or school, joining a run club or working locally.
And, because everyone – at least in the expat crowd – knows how it feels to be the newbie far from home, people tend to happily take you under their wing.
That being said, chores and errands will take twice as long
Imagine being an adult but with the life skills of a five-year-old – that’s how it feels when you’re trying to get things done that you could practically do in your sleep back home.
For me, that was things like remembering to take my ID to the post office, or finding out that I needed to drop the recycling – already separated into paper and plastics – off half-way down the hill.
Also, that I needed to file my tax return at an entirely different time of year, or that buying a new smoke alarm would prove such a mission – it turns out they’re like gold dust in the Portuguese capital.
You’ll slowly begin to get the hang of everything, and then lesson number 383 of ‘how to be an adult in Portugal’ strikes and you’ll end up in tears again.
You’ll need to get your stuff there (and probably back)
This can add up in cost if you’re not careful, particularly if you’re using a shipping company to move over things like furniture or heavy items like books.
I was pretty proud that I’d managed to head out to Lisbon with just a large suitcase and two boxes, as extra hold luggage on my EasyJet flight.
However, it was shocking how quickly I accumulated items – like hangers and toiletries – when moving between flats on AirBnb, before finally settling in a long-term let.
Of course, some people move abroad for the rest of their lives, but the chances are that you might relocate elsewhere one day – or back to the UK – and it has made me think twice before stocking up on too many Portuguese ceramics.
What’s for sure is that it will be the best thing you ever do
Growing up, my idea of moving abroad was shaped by those families in A Place In The Sun or Grand Designs Abroad, who had sunk a small fortune into a quaint farmhouse in France and had to wade through hellish bureaucracy.
While it can certainly be stressful – like the time I lost my residence permit card and it took me five months to get another – it’s a journey that has pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to be resourceful.
What’s more, I’ve made the most amazing memories – exploring Portugal without having to set foot on a plane and getting to authentically experience an entirely different culture.
I’ve also made friends from all over the world, for life, while also forging really meaningful connections with those who matter back home.
If I could go back in time I wouldn’t change a thing.
Three things Lauren misses about the UK
Packaged sandwiches
There is nothing quite like a egg mayo or tuna and cucumber sarnie from the country of its birth.
I hadn’t realised until I left that it’s the perfect fast lunch – quickly purchased, smoothly transported and easily consumed pretty much anywhere.
Public transport
We love to moan about the price… the delays… the strikes, but we also forget quite how much the car reigns supreme in other countries .
I’ve had to get accustomed again to faffing around with a physical ticket instead of contactless for the metro, and waiting for the bus is a bit of a gamble.
Plus, there are amazing parts of Portugal cut off pretty much entirely unless you’re happy to get behind the wheel.
Proper puddings
Portugal is home to the world-renowned pastel de nata, but in my opinion there is something second to none about British desserts.
Who can resist a sticky toffee pudding, apple crumble or chocolate sponge when spotted on a pub menu.