Tentatively Planning to Relocate to Europe for 6-12 Months - Give Me Advice!

[TractorBoys]

Title pretty much says it all, with driving license likely to be in hand within the month, and considering I've been beat up pretty hard with recent life events, I've reached a stage where I'm legitimately giving thought to the idea of moving to (and around) many of the countries in the EU for a period of at least 6-12 months.

Considering I'm self employed and all my work is carried out for clients remotely, it really has zero impact on my work nor earnings based on where I'm living.

So, why the thread?

Well, despite me being fairly sure I want to do this (afterall the world isn't so big anymore, I can be back on UK soil within 3-4 hours pretty much irrespective of where I am at the time)... I really haven't researched any more than ensuring my finances would be OK and made preliminary plans to ensure everything is handled back home.

I'm looking for suggestions on starting points, locations... order of my trip, places to definitely go etc. Other than English my language skills are pretty much non-exist, and while I won't be ignorant towards learning, naturally if the majority of locations are English speaking (as either first or second language) that would help me.

In relation to driving, how difficult will obtaining rental cars be considering I will have literally just passed my test (I'm planning to go before end of July)? If next to impossible then I'll need to factor in buying a car as soon as I'm out there.

Other than that, I'm looking for points that I need to consider before making this leap... so if you can think of anything, regardless of how obvious it seems, please share as I'm sure I'll have missed things.

 

[mistermagic]

I think Great Britain are still in the EU.

 

[Stagat]

If you want to easily meet new folk and push on with your business while you're away, head for somewhere like Berlin or Barcelona or Budapest or Lisbon or anywhere else that's a bit of a hot spot for digital nomads (hate that term).

Join groups like this or this for wherever you go and get making friends and networking. A ready made community that you could learn from, potentially get work from, or just hang out with.

I'd be including maybe month-long stops in a few of these places to get in with some cool people and to get my head down into work distraction-free for a bit.

 

[silkyman]

You might struggle with rental cars?

 

[blade1889]

Voting remain is probably a good idea or those plans may be scuppered in 6 days

 

[JaseTheVillain]

We won't break away completely in 6 days!

 

[blade1889]

We won't break away completely in 6 days!

You don't know the french very well do you?

 

[JaseTheVillain]

I try to avoid them if I'm honest. (No offence MisterMagic!!!)

 

[TractorBoys]

If you want to easily meet new folk and push on with your business while you're away, head for somewhere like Berlin or Barcelona or Budapest or Lisbon or anywhere else that's a bit of a hot spot for digital nomads (hate that term).

Join groups like this or this for wherever you go and get making friends and networking. A ready made community that you could learn from, potentially get work from, or just hang out with.

I'd be including maybe month-long stops in a few of these places to get in with some cool people and to get my head down into work distraction-free for a bit.

Great post, I've joined those groups (fantastic shout) and will give those places more attention to work out living costs in comparison to my current setup here in the UK. I think initially adjusting and getting myself into the swing of work wherever I end up, at least at first is extremely important to make sure my plans don't come crashing down around me should I get sidetracked early doors.

You might struggle with rental cars?

I figured as much, to be honest. I am 25, no idea whether that makes a difference- but yeah, my license will clearly show that I only passed the month or two before. I'll research this some more but perhaps I'll need to pick up an old banger once I'm out 'there', wherever that turns out to be.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

Get one of these:

 

[White Army]

If your'e planning on moving to Germany make sure you have wifi installation organised before you move. Most landlords wont provide it because of the strict legal issues in the country surrounding downloads etc. When i first moved it took 2 weeks for it to get installed and was more complicated than it is to do in England.

 

[TractorBoys]

I've moved this forward a little today by joining as many Europe based Digital Nomads groups on FB as I could, largely based on this list: http://uk.businessinsider.com/econo...ost-liveable-cities-in-europe-rankings-2015-8

Already had some interesting conversations. Quite excited as to how fast things may move...

 

[JimJams]

I think you should watch the movie 'Hostel'. It'll teach you a lot.

 

[Stagat]

I've moved this forward a little today by joining as many Europe based Digital Nomads groups on FB as I could, largely based on this list: http://uk.businessinsider.com/econo...ost-liveable-cities-in-europe-rankings-2015-8

Already had some interesting conversations. Quite excited as to how fast things may move...

More location suggestions

I spent a fair few months in Chiang Mai in similar circles. There's a great mindset in the nomad community. An abundance mentality rather than a crabs-in-a-bucket scarcity one. There's more than enough business out there for everyone so no reason not to help others succeed.

You ask for help in exchange for a coffee or lunch or skills exchange or whatever else, someone will pipe up and help you - because they're happy to help, but also for the networking side of it too.

Hell of a lot cheaper than paying a consultant for an hour of their time. And if you're in a position to be the one helping others, then obvs do so.

You'll be well set anyway. A lot of people go somewhere with savings and start something when they get there so you're gonna be grand having a business already up 'n' running. And being somewhere with like-minded people will really help you to push on with your business. The digital nomad mind I mean, not just other SEO folk.

Having said that, I did go to a couple of SEO meet-ups in Chiang Mai. Folk talking shop and giving short talks on techniques and whatnot. I'd be asking in those groups when you arrive if there's anything like this. If not, maybe set some up.

As I said, you can have sessions with people mutually picking each other people's brains, and you can also get your name out there by helping people who know less than you - beginners, bloggers, ecommerce people who need to learn some basic SEO etc.

 

[EricSabin]

Definitely head out to Eastern Europe if you can, cheap living costs and still decent locations for your work

 

[TractorBoys]

Is the freedom of movement likely to be affected by the leave Vote, at least in the next 12-24 months?

 

[Destruction]

Is the freedom of movement likely to be affected by the leave Vote, at least in the next 12-24 months?

Don't ask Daniel Hannan.

 

[Gashead]

Is the freedom of movement likely to be affected by the leave Vote, at least in the next 12-24 months?

I doubt it really, its not even 100% that article 50 will be triggered in 2016.