The author moved across the world for love. She's happy she did it, but says she'd do some things differently if given the chance.
Courtesy of Ashlyn Oswalt.
Nearly 10 years ago, I met the man of my dreams and uprooted my life in the United States and headed to New Zealand.The move turned out to be a smart one. We've been happily married for nearly 2 years, and I've built a meaningful life for myself nearly 8,000 miles away from my home in Chicago.Looking back, I would have changed a lot about how I prepped for that move to make my transition more pleasant. If you're planning a faraway move, save yourself some heartache and learn from my mistakes.Treat your new city like a vacation spotI didn't research New Zealand at all before I moved. I was afraid that finding something negative would cast doubt on this huge life decision. This was a terrible mistake.I research extensively when I travel — it helps me get the lay of the land and gets me excited about what I'm about to see. Not doing this for my new home left me feeling disconnected and confused once I arrived.
The author said that she should have spent more time exploring New Zealand when she first moved there.
Courtesy of Ashlyn Oswalt.
