Relocating for work can be a hectic experience. We’ll offer a list of tasks that will help you stay organized throughout the relocation.
Relocating for work to another country can be exciting and hectic, especially when you’re relocating with your family. When you’re relocating with children, you want to make it as easy as possible and have the relocation proceed smoothly, with no awkward or unpleasant surprises.
Relocating for a job in Bangkok can be a rewarding experience. Bangkok, Thailand, is a modern, colorful city full of warm, welcoming people, great food, interesting neighborhoods and places to explore. However, your family will enjoy their lives in Bangkok much more if you follow several recommended steps upon landing that dream job in Thailand.
We’ll explore some of the practical considerations of things to consider when relocating to Bangkok for a job.
The city offers a lower cost of living than many people from Western countries are used to. However, care must be taken to avoid overpaying for services or signing a lease on a home without fully exploring your family’s options. We’ll help you avoid many of the mistakes that new arrivals can make.
Research the Costs of Living
Before you arrive in Bangkok, you should have a general idea of the cost of living. This includes food costs, rents, transportation, education and entertainment. This will help further define your expectations about where you can live, how you can travel, and other daily considerations of life in a strange new city.
Although the general living costs can be lower than in your home country, some aspects of life can be more expensive. For instance, the imported foods you simply can't live without may be readily available, but you should plan to pay much more for them than you would have at home.
Understand Financial Options in Relocating
Bangkok is a vast city with many residential areas. Explore the city and find the areas that will be comfortable and within your family's budget. This includes areas close to convenient schools, inexpensive public transportation, and good places to shop.
Find Schools Before You Relocate
Relocating to Bangkok means your kids will need to apply to an international school, as the local schools only teach in the Thai language. You'll need to have your kids' transcripts and other paperwork available. International schools are practiced at welcoming new students, and once you've decided on a school, transferring to the new school should be simple as long as you have the required records to ensure your child is placed in the appropriate grade level.
Find Several Housing Options
Locate several housing options to consider when finding the best home for your family. Bangkok offers luxury apartments and condos, spacious homes in gated communities, homes in local neighborhoods with lots of kids, homes within the city and homes in the suburbs. Try to find a place that offers something for every member of your family.
Set a Realistic Budget
Once you have a good idea of the cost of living and have a few options for comfortable places to live, set a monthly budget that allows your family to live a decent lifestyle and enjoy what Thailand has to offer. Your family will be much happier if they can enjoy themselves in their new lives.
Coordinate the Moving Date to Match Your Child’s New School
Plan the job relocation at the end of the new school year. This will allow the family time during school break to get acclimated to their new environment before the kids start classes at the new school. This will also streamline your child’s education as they’ll be starting the school year learning the same things as other students in their class.
Stay Organized
Make a master list of everything that needs to be accomplished to provide a smooth relocation to your new life and home. Ask the family to review the list and add items you may have forgotten. Include everything you can think of: special medications, driver's licenses, immigration visas, anything that could cause future problems for family members if the item slips through the cracks.
The goal is to provide a stress and anxiety-free relocation for everyone in your family. It’s important that you begin your new lives with happy and well-adjusted kids who are ready to explore their new surroundings.
Consider Enrolling Your Children in ISB
The International School of Bangkok (ISB) is an international school that serves a diverse community of students from over 60 countries. ISB is recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s top international schools and we offer a quality primary, middle school and secondary school education. Consider enrolling your child in one of the best international schools in Bangkok.