Whether you’re moving interstate or relocating abroad to be with your long distance partner, adapting to your new home and life can be just as difficult as the actual process of moving. Obviously, it is more likely to be easier if you relocate within the same country as opposed to moving internationally, but adapting to any new location can take both time and an open mind.

The point is, relocating to a new state or country can present you with a drastically different way of life. For many, this new transition is adventurous and exciting. For others, this conversion may take a toll on their emotions and cause anxiety. Most couples working through the complexities of long distance relationships and relocating are able to eventually adapt, especially when they have the support of their partner throughout the process. There are also steps you can take to make settling in a bit easier

Adjusting to Your New Life with Your Long Distance Partner After Relocating

Giving yourself time is one of the biggest keys to successfully adjusting to your new life. Settling in doesn’t happen overnight and the length of time to do so will vary from person to person based on their individual personalities. It would be impossible to predict how much time it will take you to feel at home. It could be weeks, months, or it may even take years. Don’t book a plane ticket home the moment things get rough. Be patient and don’t be afraid to ask for help or talk about how you are feeling with your partner.

Where once you may have lived in a warm tropical climate, you now may find yourself having to shovel snow or learning how to drive in dangerous blizzard-like conditions. Stores you may have been used to shopping at may not be present in your new location and products you love may not be available. You may need to learn how to deal with new natural disasters or poisonous animals you are unaccustomed to. If moving from a rural area to a big city, you will be introduced to the wonderful world of traffic congestion.

It definitely helps to build up a new social network and you should make it a number one priority to meet new people. Having friends allows you to share your experiences, plan fun activities, and really get to know a new place. You can socialize with colleagues, classmates, or even other expats which will understand what you are going through. A great way to meet new people and to make friends is by participating in an organized sport or hobby. Being part of a sports team tends to bring people close together, which will make it easier for you to settle in more quickly.

It is also important to get into a daily routine or at least begin to get some consistency. Having a routine allows you to take your mind of the challenges of relocating. Try driving around your new area to see everything it offers and use this time in your life to try new things.

Don’t be afraid to make your new residence feel more like home to you. If you are planning on moving into your long distance partner’s home or apartment, discuss giving the place a makeover to make it more appealing to you both. This may involve redecorating or simply giving the place a fresh new paint job to make it feel new. You want your new home to feel comfortable, so tell your partner the various ways this can be achieved. If you are planning on getting a new place to live as a couple, be sure you are both offering input into the place you choose and how its set up.

It’s important to keep in touch with your family and friends back home, and we’re quite fortunate in today’s day and age that all we have to do is jump on the internet or pick up the phone. Family and friends can offer a great deal of support. Knowing that you can easily contact them goes a long way to not feeling so isolated.  It’s quite natural to miss your friends and family and talking with them will allow you to speak in your own language if you’ve had to learn a new one in your new country.

Relocating abroad will often mean you have to learn a different language. Even when you move to another country where the same language is spoken, accents and slang may be a bit different. When Mike came to Australia, I had to explain to him that a thong was a sandal and not a g-string, a baby stroller was a pram, capsicum was a bell pepper, the boot of a car was its trunk, and a good root meant great sex!

You may discover that finding your favorite foods from home is a lot more difficult in your new country. You may have to resort to the internet to purchase and have items from your home country shipped to you abroad. The shipping can of course get a bit costly but over time you will learn to do away with your previous food cravings as you embrace the new flavors of your new home.

Driving can prove to be a new challenge since you may find yourself having to drive on the opposite side of the road. You’re likely to get into your car to drive only to find yourself on the passenger side by mistake the first few times, as breaking old habits can be difficult. Road rules may be quite different in your new country as well, so you will need to thoroughly research what the differences are. You may be used to gauging your distances and speed in miles and now be forced to use kilometres.

One of the most important things to remember when relocating to another country is to embrace its customs and values. You have to remember that you should be the one to adapt and not the country having to adapt to you. That is not to say you have to give up your beliefs, values, or religion, but you should generally try your best to assimilate. You shouldn’t be afraid to be yourself and bring new ideas to the table, but you should do so in a respectful manner that stays true to the values and laws of your new country. If you are unwilling to fully adapt to your new country, you should ask yourself why you chose to settle there in the first place.

It is important to remember and value where you came from but also realize that you now have a new culture and home. Embracing a new country and its culture can be truly rewarding and act as a new chapter in your life. Sometimes we can try too hard to hold onto our past instead of letting ourselves grow as a person. Life is all about new experiences and challenging yourself. In addition to the love you have for your partner, part of the romance and enjoyment that comes from a long distance relationship is about learning to love your new home just as much.

 

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