Thinking of moving abroad solo in your 20's? It's a scary decision and feels like the biggest one you'll ever make, so if you're feeling unsure whether to take the leap – read this article to help you decide. Moving abroad is actually quite a complex subject – there are a lot of different ways to do it. From studying abroad, to working holiday visas, to becoming a digital nomad to simply relocating to another country for a job or a fresh start. Whichever opportunity you might have to move your life abroad, the fear often remains the same and that constant barrage of questions and worries racing through your mind.

In the last decade, I've moved to Australia for two years and Germany for a year, while also spending long periods of time in Thailand, Bali and Mexico as a digital nomad. I'm a solo travel expert of 10 years who has travelled to 50+ countries and I'm here to share my experience of moving abroad honestly – what I've loved and the things that haven't worked for me. If you're considering moving abroad, keep reading this blog post for answers to all your questions and expert tips and advice from someone who has been there and done that!

Moving Abroad in your 20's? Here's where you'll find:

  1. Should I Live Abroad in My 20s or Save Money?
  2. Is it Good to Move Around in your 20s?
  3. What is the Best Country to Move to in your 20s?
  4. Is 25 too old to move abroad?
  5. 8 Ways to Move Abroad in your 20's
  6. 14 Reasons to Move Abroad Solo in Your 20's
  7. 8 Tips for Moving Abroad Solo in your 20's
  8. Moving to Australia
  9. Moving to Germany

Is it Good to Move Around in your 20s?

Moving abroad in your 20's is one of the most character-building experiences you can have. You become incredibly resilient as you learn to pack up your life, reinvent yourself, build a home and a life in a new place and build a new support network. As someone who spent they're entire 20's travelling full-time, living abroad in multiple countries and working as a digital nomad – I think you learn so many lessons by moving around in your 20's. It allows you to see the world, experience life in different places and to decide how you truly want to live. 

What is the Best Country to Move to in your 20s?

For those looking to move abroad in their twenties, I really recommend looking at Australia and New Zealand. Both are incredible countries with so much to see, do and explore. They're also English-speaking countries which removes the challenge of a language barrier and they have great visa options for staying long-term and extending your time there.

Is 25 too old to move abroad?

I was 25 years old when I first moved to another country and it was the perfect age to move. There is no such thing as a right or wrong age to move, simply the stage you are at in your life and whether you feel ready. It's also worth knowing that people move to another county at all ages. It is usually easier to move when you are younger due to the availability of visas for students or working holiday travellers, but that doesn't mean it's not possible when you're older! The world is your oyster, if it is your dream to move abroad, you should make it happen no matter what your age.

8 Ways to Move Abroad in your 20's

Working Holiday Visas

If you're aged 18-35, you could be eligible for a working holiday visa in a variety of countries including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Canada and many more for a year. Some of these visas, such as Australia and New Zealand, can be extended up to two years and many travellers are able to apply for work visas and eventually residency if they so desire. They're an amazing way to test out whether you love a country for a few years with a visa that is easy to apply for and gives you a window of time to decide whether to pursue living there long-term. Check out this Ultimate Guide To Working Holiday Visas For UK Citizens

Digital Nomad Visas

Did you know that there are nearly 50 digital nomad visas available for countries worldwide? If you work online or remotely (either for yourself or employed but for a company based in another country) you could set up residency in countries including Malta, Thailand, Turkiye, Croatia, Costa Rica and Spain among others. Often they ask you to meet minimum income requirements and get health checks among other criteria. Check out this Ultimate Guide To Digital Nomad Visas For UK Citizens

Student Visas

Studying abroad is a great way to see the world and experience life in another county either when you are still in school, university or after you graduate. There are lots of programmes where you can study alongside working and living abroad, from learning languages to qualifying in marketing or many other subjects. Many of these programmes have grant funding available, or you can simply choose to study for fun instead of a visa. Check out Global Work and Travel for study abroad programmes

Nanny or Au Pair Jobs

Working as an au pair is a great way to move to countries including the USA, Italy, France, Canada, New Zealand and many more. Many jobs will offer room and board with the family which means you're already set up when you arrive, you also are associated with a company which means you have an in-built support network if you need it. Check out these Au Pair programmes

Teach English as a Second Language

If you're planning to travel and then settle in a destination, getting your TEFL qualification before you go is a great way to ensure that you have a way of earning money. You can apply for fixed teaching posts in a location – popular ones include Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, or you could teach online which gives you an income to help you get settled in a new location. Check out this blog on Getting a TEFL certificate – all you need to know

Pick an In-Demand Career

There are some career choices that remain in-demand across the globe – healthcare, technology, engineering, finance, and education are all areas where there are skills shortages worldwide. It will vary from country to country, but if you pick your skillset wisely when studying, you could open yourself to the possibility of being sponsored by a workplace to move abroad. If you work for a large company in the UK (or your home country) it's also worth looking for opportunities to move when they open new offices around the globe or jobs come up within the company. A company is far more likely to sponsor a work visa if they already know you and see you as an investment.

Partner-Visas

If you don't meet the criteria for these types of visas – but perhaps you have a partner who has residency, is native to, or has an in-demand job role – you could be eligible for a partner visa. My advice is always to try and source your own way to legally moving abroad before plumping for this visa options. I know from friends that even for a strong relationship, it puts a huge amount of pressure on you both. But also, if things don't work out, you are at a disadvantage as long as you rely on your partner for a visa.

14 Reasons to Move Abroad Solo in Your 20's

Thinking about moving abroad but finding it a terrifying thought? If you're afraid to take the first step, or you're unsure whether it's the right decision for you, you need to read these 14 reasons to move abroad solo in your 20's. If friends or family aren't being supportive of your idea – or don't think you have what it takes – read these reasons to put a fire in your belly for the experience. Don't let anyone stand in your way!

  1. Life is short – so much shorter than you realise and your twenties is the best time to make a big decision like this. You will never be as free from responsibility again in your life.
  2. It's a great way to escape toxic patterns and people in your life – to have a fresh start and reinvent yourself.
  3. The world is not as dangerous for women as you have been led to believe.
  4. You will learn so many invaluable life skills that will help you in the future
  5. Moving abroad solo in your twenties is the biggest boost to your self-confidence – if you can handle that, you can handle anything!
  6. It opens your eyes to new cultures and new ways of living outside your experience.
  7. Moving to a new country solo will really show you who your true friends are, only the strongest friendships will survive
  8. You will become an expert at meeting new people and making new friends wherever you go
  9. Living abroad solo teaches you how to become truly content and happy in your own company
  10. You will find it much easier to learn languages when you are younger
  11. The experience of moving abroad will teach you how little you need to be happy, your life will fit into a bag
  12. It's actually much easier and cheaper than you think to move abroad
  13. Working holiday visas are one of the easiest ways to move abroad solo in your twenties – many expire for anyone over 30
  14. You deserve a big life full of adventure and vibrant people who challenge you daily

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8 Tips for Moving Abroad Solo in your 20's

Moving abroad solo in your twenties is a big decision and can feel overwhelming. After all, its not everyday you move to another country where you might not speak the language, and where your friends and family don't live. The truth is, living abroad in your 20's is one of the most amazing, life-changing and yet challenging experiences you can have. As someone who did it twice in her twenties – I think it's an experience everyone should have. Here's 8 tips for making moving abroad solo a little less scary and a lot more manageable for a 20-something-year-old:

Make a Moving To-Do List

If you're feeling overwhelmed or don't know where to start, the best thing to do is write a list. Separate tasks into "before I go" and "when I arrive", then break those lists down into importance. For example, 'getting a visa' is high importance but 'deciding what to pack' can come much later. For the when you arrive list – you can also work out what needs to happen within the first week and the first month – that way you don't have to tackle everything at once. Don't let yourself feel overwhelmed, just focus on each small task and ticking those off, it will help you feel far more prepared for the move.

Double Your Money for the Move

If you have the time and the means to save more money before you move, definitely do it. My best advice? Pack half of what you think you need and take twice as much money. Always remember you can pretty much buy everything you need anywhere in the world and if you forget something it really doesn't matter. Make sure you plan your finances well – you will need money for accommodation and settling in, unless you have worked lined up already, you should expect some time where you are not earning. If you plan to travel a bit when you arrive before settling in one place (I did this in Australia) it's worth taking extra money so you can really enjoy yourself.

Have a Plan for When You Arrive

Solo travellers who fail often make the same mistake – they spend so much time focusing on the build-up that they are not prepared for the most scary and vulnerable moment. It's the moment when you first arrive and you're alone in a new country. That's when the adrenaline wears off and the enormity of what you have done really hits. That is the moment you need to plan for – are you going to allow that feeling to swallow you up? Or are you going to step into your new life – go explore your new neighbourhood, make some friends or make a plan to meet someone for coffee (if you've already connected with people).

I really recommend planning your flight time so you arrive in daylight to your new home and book a transfer or know exactly how to reach your new home. It will make everything feel safer and more welcoming, especially if you're a woman travelling alone. It also means you have the option to walk and explore while it's still light and busy.

Know What to do When You Feel Lonely or Sad

If you're moving to a new country alone, you are going to become very comfortable in your own company. But that's not an overnight process, it does take time and a lot of learning to love yourself and feel content in the quiet moments. Everyone gets lonely, or feels sad and homesick at times – that's okay. What really helps is having a plan to cope with those moments when they hit you. Allow yourself time to cry or feel sad, it's okay to wallow in the feeling for a while and call a friend. (if your friends/family are prone to telling you to just come home when you feel like this – it might be worth asking them not to or simply not calling them when you are vulnerable.)

What is important is that in these moments you also need to be your own best friend – you need to be able to pick yourself up, brush off the sadness and take care of yourself. Think about what brings you joy and makes you feel better when you're sad – have a little note in your phone with a list of these things and go do them all when you feel like this. It might be getting your nails done, going for a run, eating your favourite food, a playlist that makes you happy or watching the sunset.

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Be Patient, Don't Expect to Feel at Home Right Away

Moving abroad solo feels so different to going travelling – you're often plagued with impatience at wanting a place to feel like home straight away. You just want to build your "new normal" and have a routine, have your friends and feel settled. But trust me, you should slow down and relish this time. One day you will look back at this special time in your life. Don’t be impatient, enjoy being a tourist in your new home and building your new daily routine - one day you’ll look back with pride and realise what an incredible life you created.

Don't Be Afraid to SMILE

Everyone is lonely and a smile goes a long way in this world. People just want to connect, but often they're too scared of rejection to make the first move. You've already done the scariest thing in moving to a new country solo, so why not just give people a smile and ask them how they are? You'd be amazed how many friends I've made by simply not being afraid to start the conversation or have a laugh with a stranger.

Research Before You Go

There is SO much admin when you move abroad and some countries can be more challenging than others. It's worth researching what happens when you arrive and what local processes you will need to complete to register as living there, to get set-up with healthcare or insurance and even a pension and bank account for work. Some countries are fairly straightforward but others have archaic systems that require you to speak the local language and can leave you frustrated. If you know what you are dealing with, it can make it a lot less stressful when you arrive. You can also speak to others in Facebook groups if you have questions or need help with the language.

Build Your Support Network

This is so important – you don't realise how important your support network becomes when you live so far from "home". Building your support network begins long before you even arrive in your new country. If you're moving abroad, you'll quickly realise who your real friends are and which friendships will survive the distance and time zones. Make the effort to get face-time with the ones who count before you leave, let them know how much they mean to you. Don't put pressure on yourselves by setting days/times to catch up, but make the effort to arrange Facetimes once you're settled in. In the meantime, use Whatsapp to be there for each other.

Before you even move abroad solo, you can be making connections in your new home. Join Facebook groups and communities for expats, locals, backpackers, solo female travellers and solo travellers for the destination. Post in the groups introducing yourself and asking if anyone wants to get a coffee or hang out when you arrive. If you have any friends/family or loose connections to anyone already living there, why not contact them and say you'd love to catch up. Having real people on the ground when you arrive is huge for helping you feel safer, more comfortable and more confident when you arrive.

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Moving to Australia

Moving to Australia solo when I was 25 was one of the best decisions I ever made. I went to Australia on a working holiday visa and stayed for two years, living long-term in Melbourne and Darwin, and travelling the entire country. It was one of the best times in my life and I'm still such good friends with so many wonderful humans I met over there. If you are planning to move to Australia – I recommend reading these blog posts:

If you're nervous about travelling to the other side of the world solo, you should check out my friends at Welcome to Travel, a tour operator providing welcome tours across Sydney, Melbourne and the East Coast, plus packages to help you get settled. Their aim is to help backpackers feel confident for the rest of their time in Australia AND give them the most unforgettable travel experiences! They've given me some exclusive discount codes for you to save up to $150 on a trip to Australia:

Moving to Germany

I moved to Germany when I was 28 to live there for a year and was based in Hamburg. I'll be honest and say living in Germany was one of the most challenging experiences – mainly due to the language and cultural barriers which I found more prominent than in any other country I have visited. However, that doesn't mean living there is a bad idea, I simply like to be honest about my experiences so you can use them to plan your own adventures. Read these blog posts if you would like to move to Germany: