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Meet the ‘Covid expats’ who moved overseas during the pandemic

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LONDON — Moving overseas might not seem like the most obvious thing to do during a pandemic, but for many people, Covid-19 provided the nudge they needed to take the plunge.

InterNations’ expat site reported that one out of 10 respondents said they were considering moving abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic. surveyThere were more than 12,000 online users in January 2021.

Maria Eilersen, a PR coach and yoga teacher is among those who moved. As Covid was on the rise in Britain, Maria Eilersen, a yoga teacher and PR coach, left London to head for Lisbon in Portugal in November 2020.

Eilersen is a Danish citizen who heard the Portuguese capital would be a new center for the international community after Brexit. It was also her dream to be able to enjoy a more sunny climate than Britain. It was very, very, really, “Why not?” We didn’t really do a whole lot of research — we were like, let’s just see what happens … and it was the best decision ever,” Eilersen told CNBC by video call.

Portugal ranked fifth on InterNations’ 2021 survey of best expat destinations. It was highly rated in terms of affordability, quality of life and leisure opportunities.

Eilersen used the apartments she found to rent with her Spanish partner. AirbnbTo try different parts of the city, they settled down in Campo de Ourique. They loved its wide sidewalks as well as the park that allowed them to take their dogs.

Eilersen was already coaching clients over video via her company Be Conscious PR. It made the transition from Workwise to Lisbon easy. “Whenever I talk to new clients … it actually just [helps]To inspire and to show them [that]She said that you really can work wherever you are.”

Lisbon’s Skyline. It shows the Ponte 25 de Abril, which spans the Tagus.

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After attending a yoga class in Lisbon and being asked by the studio owner to teach a few classes, she found that teaching yoga was easy. She now teaches often. “It was something I saw happen when we moved from London to Lisbon… All those things that used to be so difficult and hectic in London suddenly happened very easily.”

Due to pandemic restrictions, travel restrictions, and other limitations, it was not always easy.

Anais Nesta is an entrepreneur who was formerly a business analyst. She moved with her husband to Boston in February 2020.

We didn’t know the full extent of Covid-19 at that point. We found our home quickly. CNBC’s email revealed that she had barely enough time to get a table and chairs after the closing of all restaurants and shops. Nesta’s professional ideas were put off because the children of Nesta couldn’t attend school.

I had imagined expatriation scenarios but they were far different from what we would live in. It was then that I found out we were pregnant with our third child. She said that we arrived in a new country without knowing anyone and had the chance to make social connections.

Nesta’s extended family has been welcomed to her new baby girl two years after the ban on travel was lifted. She feels fortunate to have been able to travel to Louisiana and Florida, as well as New England after a difficult start.

Nesta offers advice to anyone considering moving. It’s worth it. Being abroad can be a great way to accelerate your personal growth.

She added, “If you’re going as a couple or more [so]I believe it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the wants and needs of children. [person].”

Nesta made a list of five top destinations and then made a note of what the cons and pros were. Next, she analyzed the possible career options in each location. Quebec was highly regarded, but Boston was preferred by her husband because of his work and reputation for science and its proximity to the ocean.

Plan your move

Nina Hobson, a British expat, was in Santiago, Chile when the pandemic broke. She advises people who are considering moving abroad to make sure they plan properly.

Now, she and her family have returned to Yorkshire in the U.K. where they are planning for their next move. They will be moving to Punta del Este (Uruguay) in September. It is important to take some time for reflection. “Discuss the options with all those involved. Listen. For example, my husband and I set aside time at a café and agreed to just listen to each other in absolute silence so we could both really get our thoughts out in the open,” she told CNBC by email.

I recommend making a plan and saving enough money so you can get back home in the event of a disaster. Talk to everyone about your decision. Talk to your spouse and children. “Make a plan and be ready to scrap it if necessary,” she said.

Uruguayan city of Punta del Este

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Hobson is a Life Coach and also operates TheExpater.com, a blog that helps women around the world. Hobson uses multiple apps and websites for her overseas work and manages her personal life. After being caught up in seasonal clock movements, I switched to using Time and Date CalculatorTo double check all my work calls. I love WiseFor international organizing [money]Transfers are fast and secure, which is what I trust Slack, [workplace software] AsanaAnd ZoomShe thanked me for my efforts.”

She focuses on a tidy, clean and bright workspace and separates work from home when it is finished. She suggested that you put away your laptop and draw curtains. Hobson is a stickler for a certain routine. She said, “My children know that I work in the mornings and need to study. But in the afternoons, I am there for them.”

Beachside paradise

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