This can make quite a difference to your lifestyle – to where you live and how you live. Before you set out on your exciting journey, spend some time investigating how much things cost. Consider the following:

Food
In many countries food can be costly in the main cities or tourist areas however it is usually much cheaper in more rural areas. And of course you won’t always be able to get the same foods you’re used to in the UK. Thankfully, however, there are various internet companies that will ship British food all over the world, so you need not go without your baked beans.

Utilities
The costs will vary, depending on the size of your home, inhabitants and where you are located. Many countries have less expensive rates, however, several surprisingly charge more than you’d expect. For example, keeping a home warm in Italy during the winter is very expensive due to high rates and poor insulation.

Healthcare
EU countries have a state healthcare system that residents can use and that EU visitors can access for emergency health care. For this, you need to arm yourself with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Otherwise you may need to pay for healthcare and this can prove very expensive. It is essential to check this out before committing yourself, as this can be a massive cost.

Transportation
Each and every country has a different transport scheme (or not…be warned) and costs vary tremendously. In Johannesburg, South Africa, for instance – there is virtually no public transport system at all. The cost of running and maintaining a car varies drastically – some countries require very little to keep a motor running, however island nations often have high costs due to import duties and expense.

Taxation
Many people that emigrate assume that taxation in other countries works similar to the UK, however this is a big mistake. Different countries tax people on different things – some tax heavily on land, property, goods and services and/or roads. Before committing to move, find out how the tax system works.

Culture
Aside from living and possibly working, you may want to see the sites – take in a movie, visit a museum, check out local attractions. Unlike the UK, many countries charge for arts and science museums.

The ‘cost of living’ actually means the cost of living your own life. There may well be some things that are non-negotiable but there may be other things that you can compromise on in order to exchange your present life for one that you perceive to be better. The point is that you need to do your sums and take all the factors into account before deciding exactly where you are going to put your roots down.

Kim Brown
is the author of the Emigration Guide. To get your copy go to: www.emigrationguide.com