Moving back to the United States after living abroad can come with a lot of emotion, adjustments, and challenges as you prepare for your return.
While moving back to the US can definitely be exciting, you may also feel slightly overwhelmed with everything you have to take care of to ensure a smooth transition.
Here are our top 5 tips for expats who are moving back home to the United States.
1. Prepare for Reverse Cultural Shock
After spending an extended period of time abroad, you may find yourself dealing with a bit of reverse culture shock after you arrive back in the United States. You became accustomed to the culture of the country you were living or working in, so there will be an adjustment period after moving back home.
You may not feel “at home” again in the United Statyes right away. It may take some time to reacclimate to culture norms and customs. You may even decide to apply some of the customs or transitions you learned abroad to your life back home.
Being patient with yourself as you adjust back into the speed of life in the United States and deciding how you want your life to look after your travels abroad will help make the transition easier.
2. Make Sure Your Finances Are in Order
When moving back to the United States as an expat, one of the first things you want to do is ensure that your finances are set up and in order.
To make sure your finances are prepped, you should:
- Set up or reactivate a US bank account if you don’t have an active one already. Foreign bank accounts may have issues with certain transactions in the US.
- Check on any investments or retirement accounts you have.
- Take a look at your credit score, especially if it has been a while since you checked it.
- Start planning for your taxes, and make sure that you are compliant with any US tax laws, especially if you have been filing foreign taxes during your time abroad.
After you get your finances in order, you can start to move forward with settling back in the US and ensuring proper housing, employment, health insurance, and more.
3. Get Health Insurance Coverage
Getting proper health insurance coverage is another important thing to take care of as soon as possible when returning to the United States from abroad.
Depending on how exactly you were insured or receiving medical care while living abroad, you will likely need to apply for health insurance as soon as you move back home.
You may be able to get health insurance through your employer if you have a job lined up. Alternatively, you can purchase a plan through the insurance marketplace.
If purchasing through the insurance marketplace, it is important to note that there may be some gap in coverage from when you sign up and are approved and when your coverage begins. Additionally, if you are receiving insurance through an employer, there may be a waiting period before your coverage begins.
To fill this gap in coverage, consider short-term health insurance. Short-term health insurance can ensure that you have coverage for emergency medical situations while you wait for a more permanent health insurance option. This is crucial in the US where medical costs are some of the highest in the world.
4. Get Ready for a New Employment Experience
Career transitions can be one of the most challenging parts of moving back to the United States. If you were working during your time abroad, you may find that the work culture in the US is a bit of a shock compared to working internationally.
You may also find it challenging to find a new job if your experience is international. However, here are some tips to help you transition your career in the US:
- Update your resume with your new international experience and skills
- Reconnect with your US professional network and utilize LinkedIn or expat returnee groups to find work
- Be prepared to make adjustments to reacclimate yourself to the US workforce norms
Having your employment situation figured out can help alleviate financial stress and quickly get you immersed back into a social setting in the US.
5. Plan for Housing and Relocation
When moving back to the United States, you may have to find a new place to live or decide on where you want to settle back down. Most expats will move back home with family or friends, which can make the transition easier.
However, if you’re moving to a new area that you aren’t as familiar with, it can be helpful to do your research ahead of time to find proper housing and be more comfortable with your new city.
Some helpful tips for planning for housing include:
- If you’re renting, start researching neighborhoods and housing options before you arrive. If you plan to buy, begin the pre-approval process while abroad.
- If you’re uncertain about where to settle, short-term rentals can give you flexibility while you get reacquainted with the area.
- International moving companies can help with the complex logistics of moving your belongings back home. Make sure to budget for these costs and plan your timeline accordingly.
Get Ready for Another Adventure
Moving back home can be another exciting adventure for expats who have lived abroad for an extended period of time.
With the right preparation and attitude, you’ll be able to tackle the challenges of moving back to the US with confidence and ease.
