15 Reasons You Should Move Abroad in Your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond
As a child, how did you envision your life as an adult? Did you think you’d own a house with a white picket fence in your hometown? Were you planning to climb up the corporate ladder? Or perhaps, did you see yourself living a life that was a bit more adventurous?
Regardless of how you thought your life would be, how would you describe your path if you’re now in your 30s, 40s, or 50s? If things turned out how you expected, pat yourself on the back. On the other hand, if you’re not happy with how your life is going, remember that you still have the power to make your dreams happen! Even if that dream is to move abroad after 30.
Before delving into learning how and why you should shake things up so you can live overseas, take a moment to see if the following thoughts resonate with you:
- I’ll travel once I retire.
- I have too many commitments that I can’t leave behind like my dog, house, children, and job.
- I’ll do it later or next year.
- I don’t have enough money or time to make a move abroad happen.
Since these words are only thoughts, you can reframe them so that you can achieve your dream of moving abroad after 30. To help you start looking at these limited beliefs differently, review these inspiring words of wisdom:
- Why put off tomorrow what you can do today?
- Life is too short.
- There’s no time like the present to make it happen.
- Tomorrow isn’t promised.
- Just do it!
Now that you know that there’s really no reason why you can’t live a life of travel once you reach a certain age, read on to learn why moving abroad after 30 is for you.
Am I too old to move abroad?
If you believe that age is just a number, then why should the date on your birth certificate dictate how you’re supposed to live?
For many, the stigma about being too old to follow your travel dreams stems from thinking that living overseas is only for college students and recent graduates who want to backpack around the world. So, while it’s common for students from North America to have an international experience in college, it’s less common to hear about people moving abroad after 30.
To dismantle the thought that you’re too old to live overseas, let go of the assumption that moving abroad is only for people in their early 20s. Once you do this, you’ll realize that you’re never too old to live life your way!
15 Reasons Why You Should Move Abroad in Your 30s, 40s, or 50s
After you’ve accepted that age really is just a number, there are plenty of other reasons why moving abroad after 30 is a good thing. If you’re curious to know more, check out the following list.
1. You don’t have to live out of a backpack
One of the many perks to getting older is that you have a better sense of what works for you. So, while living on a tight budget and staying in a youth hostel might’ve been the only way for you to explore the world when you were younger, you now have more options. This includes staying in a boutique hotel, vacation rental, co-living space, or even house sitting.
2. You can reinvent yourself
A major bonus to moving abroad after 30 is that you can start fresh since you’ll be saying goodbye to what you knew. While reinvention means different things to different people, you’ll have time, space, and opportunities to figure out who you’d like to be once you’ve hit refresh in your new home.
For inspiration on how to radically change your life and reinvent yourself, take a look at She Hit Refresh’s founder Cepee Tabibian’s thoughts on becoming who you’re meant to be.
3. More culture and less partying
Priorities tend to change as we age. Although hitting the clubs and staying out late was the thing to do when you were younger, moving abroad after 30 will provide outlets to experience your new home much differently than what you would’ve as a student. And while you probably don’t stay out to the wee hours anymore, you might be motivated to get up early and go for a hike or spend your Friday night at a museum.
4. Technology is at your fingertips
If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, you didn’t have access to an iPhone and all the apps that go with it when you were younger. For someone seeking to move overseas in today’s world, they’ll have more ease reading maps thanks to Google. They’ll also be able to stay connected with their loved ones by texting, WhatsApp, and other services. As a result, it’s easier to feel connected and less isolated as you adjust to living in a new home.
5. Less is more
If you’ve lived overseas before or consider yourself an avid traveler, you’re probably clear as to what your needs are when living in another country. Therefore, you’ll be able to prioritize what stuff to bring so that you don’t overpack your suitcases.
For information about how to simplify what you’re bringing with you when moving abroad after 30, check out our 25 Essential Packing Tips for Moving Abroad.
6. You can afford more luxuries
Along with not needing to count every penny and stay at youth hostels (unless you want to), moving overseas as an older adult means you can afford more since you’ll probably have resources that’ll allow you to splurge on a nice meal and take day trips. You’ll also be able to rent a furnished apartment that’ll be significantly less (and nicer) than what you’d pay in an American city.
7. Push your boundaries
If you’re apprehensive about living overseas, embrace the fear. When you do this, you’ll learn more about yourself and realize what you’re capable of doing. Then, the voice inside of you will serve as a guide and help you thrive as you set off on your international adventure.
8. Your dollar will go further
American expats, regardless of age, tend to state cost of living and economics as a main reason for starting fresh in a different part of the world. Hence, another perk to moving abroad after 30 is that your money will go further. This means that along with affording more luxuries (as mentioned above), you’ll be able to save more for your retirement too.
9. More remote job opportunities
Nowadays, it’s much easier to work for a company that’s based in your home country and be a digital nomad. For ideas of what type of work you can do upon moving abroad after 30, take a look at out list of 11 high-demand jobs you can do from anywhere. And if you’re looking for specific companies who allow employees to truly work remotely take a look at these top companies that let you work from anywhere in the world without limitation.
10. In some European countries, skilled workers are in high demand!
As someone who’s planning to live overseas later in life, you have the added benefit of having more professional experience. If you have extensive experience in tech or finance to name a few, there are numerous opportunities with large companies in countries like Ireland and the Netherlands for foreigners with skills in these high-demand industries.
11. Say goodbye to should’ve, could’ve and would’ve
By the time you’ve reached a certain age, chances are you’ve had life experiences like job loss, health issues, and other unforeseeable challenges. Therefore, one of the gifts of moving abroad after 30 is that you’ve done hard things and you know better than to live with regrets!
12. You have a better sense of who you are
Along with realizing that your time is now, more life experience tends to provide clarity about your goals and what you want for yourself. This means it’ll be easier for you to focus on what you want from your moving overseas adventure.
To learn more about living life on your terms, check out this She Hit Refresh podcast episode on Mastering Your Move Abroad and Living a Life of Ease with Sienna J. Brown.
13. Free to be you
For women who are single and childfree, moving abroad after 30 is a fantastic reminder that you have the power to live life in a way that works for you. This can be anything from going out any time of day during the week, to picking up whenever you’d like to explore and learn about your new home.
14. You’ll have access to more travel opportunities
One of the joys of living outside of the United States is that countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America are close enough to each other that you can get away quicker. Some countries are close enough to travel by train and since flights are closer, they’re cheaper too. This means you can say goodbye to cramming touring into a two-week vacation.
15. Build confidence
Diving into a new experience, regardless of your age, is a fantastic way to learn more about yourself. As you stay true to your gut, instead of “falling in line” with how life is “supposed to be”, watch your confidence soar. Then, pat yourself on the back for living how you’ve always wanted!
The Benefits of Moving Abroad When You Are Older
Now that you know some key reasons for moving abroad after 30, read on to understand some of the benefits you’ll get from living outside of your home country.
The cost of living in many places throughout the world is significantly less than the United States. For instance, a one-bedroom apartment in Madrid, Spain will run about a third less than what you’d expect to pay in a major American city. So, if you’re working for an American company and getting paid in dollars while living outside of the States, you can live very well.
Health care in the United States is literally through the roof. For Americans planning to live abroad, private health insurance plans tend to be much more affordable than paying for a policy in the United States.
Weather can make or break an experience. Aside from its warm culture, countries like Portugal have many options for expats and retirees seeking to live in a relaxed environment with tons of sunshine and water views.
While you might think it’s hard to make friends as you get older, it’s fairly easy for those over 30 because you’ll find a lot of other people in similar situations. For ideas of how to build community once you land in your new home, check out this piece on how to make friends abroad after 30.
You’ve probably heard that the best way to pick up a new language is through immersion. This means living overseas will be like living in your own classroom; full of exciting ways to practice the local language.
Steps to make a move abroad happen!
Now that you’ve been reminded that you’re never too old to live the life you deserve and want, get going on making your move happen. Find helpful information to guide you towards living overseas withe these 12 things you need to do before you go.
If you’re interested in moving to Europe grab your copy of I’m Outta Here! An American’s Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe to learn about the 17 easiest countries to move to in Europe! You’ll find over 50+ viable visa options—and their requirements—including digital nomad visas, work visas, non-lucrative visas, student visas, investment visas and more so that you can make your European dream a reality!
Join the free She Hit Refresh community! Members range from 30 all the way to 70+! So, if you’re a woman, age 30 and up, who needs a “refresher” that you’re never too old to follow your dreams, join our group of over 8,000 members from all over the world, and get inspired!
1 thought on “15 Reasons You Should Move Abroad in Your 30s, 40s, or 50s (and beyond!)”
When I first saw the picture for the article it looked like San Cris in Chiapas, MX where I lived for 5 years. I don’t recognize the “Fernweh” business, though I do know the word which is very appropriate for the article. Fernweh: German word for the longing for far off places you have never been.