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war survival guide - How to survive a military invasion Expat Books

The 2023 Polish Guide on How to Survive in…

The Official Guide about How to Survive in a War – Check here how it may be useful for YOU


Due to the military conflict in neighboring Ukraine, the Polish government issued a 36-page guide outlining how to survive in a war and what we (civilians) should do in this type of event.

The manual is in Polish, but I translated the most interesting points for this article. This is not an official translation.

The manual’s advice on how to survive in a war was written by specialists and is useful not only to Poles but to anyone living in a region threatened by military action.

It even includes instructions on what to do in the event of a radiological, chemical, or biological disaster.

RCB: Poland’s Emergency Management

Flag of Poland, which has a very advanced emergency protocol (RCB), and even issued a general manual on how to survive in a war
Poland has a very advanced emergency protocol (RCB), and even issued a general manual on how to survive in a war

The manual publisher was RCB. If you’ve lived in Poland for more than a few months, you’ve probably heard of this acronym. It is the Emergency Management System of Poland.

When a dangerous situation approaches, they have a system that automatically sends SMS messages to all Polish phone numbers, as well as messages across TV and radio channels.

Throughout my years in Poland, I received warnings about severe storms, blizzards, and even a local outbreak of the rabies virus (the RCB SMS told us to stay away from stray dogs and report to the authorities).

Now that you know who wrote the manual — people who know what they’re talking about — it’s time to get to the core of the matter. The first pages are more concerned with preparation, while the second half of the manual is concerned with what to do if a war has already begun.

The first step is family coordination.

Coordination at a family level on how to survive in a war

Picture of a family. Family coordination is one of the crucial points in the guide to how to survive a war.
Family coordination is one of the crucial points in the guide to how to survive a war.

You increase your chances of assuring yourself and your loved ones’ safety by preparing for unusual situations and planning conduct in the event of a disaster or the occurrence of threats. You will also limit the tangible damage.

We should start preparing at the most personal level — the family.

  • Designate the safest places in the house (most often the basement, far from the windows)
  • Establish a contact place, in which you all will meet after an accidental separation (a place where everyone will be able to do so ).
  • Prepare an evacuation backpack (more about it below) and home survival supplies to last at least 7 days without access to water, electricity, or food.

How to handle disinformation

False information appears more frequently in the media, social media, and messengers, mislead you, and impacts your assessment of the situation, events, phenomena, or people.

Remember that information can be used as a weapon, and you are its intended victim!

Resisting emotions and verifying the message are the best defenses against false information and propaganda. Before you believe something is credible, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is the statement’s author (source of information) known?
  • Can the information influence your decisions?
  • Is the information credible and present in at least two independent and reliable sources? Is the information widely disseminated?
  • Is the information available through official channels of government communication or state security structures?

Spreading rumors and unproven information should be avoided; instead, use more than one reliable source to determine whether the information is true.

Crisis Communication

  • Expect that phone communication will be limited during a crisis or war.
  • Listen to the radio for official announcements.
  • Maintain your cool, concentrate, and follow the official coordination. It has the potential to save your life!
  • Dial 112 (in Poland) for assistance. Phones should only be used sporadically, to call family or close friends. Otherwise, communication lines may become overloaded, complicating the work of police, firefighters, and ambulance personnel and possibly risking the lives and health of hundreds of people. If you want to let people know you’re safe, send them an SMS.
Moving Out, Working Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity Cover
Book recommended: Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity

Understanding Alarm Sirens

Alarm signals and warning messages are transmitted using loud alerting equipment, which includes sirens, megaphones, and bells (including church bells).

If a treat is detected (this is valid for Poland, since your country may have different patterns):

  • Sirens will emit a modulated sound (up and down) for 3 minutes
Sound modulation of alarm sirens. Source: RCB. War survival guide
Sound modulation of alarm sirens. Every country has a pattern and it is essential information in any emergency survival guide. Source: RCB
  • Radio and TV will announce the threat, and repeat it 3 times.
  • A golden triangle may be broadcasted as a visual signal.

What you should immediately do:

  • Stop working, and turn off all equipment, gas, and electricity.
  • Turn on the radio and tune to a local station; if possible, follow the information on governmental pages.
  • Follow your crisis coordinator’s orders.

If the alert is to be canceled (false alarm):

  • Sirens will emit a continuous sound for 3 minutes.
The sound emitted by sirens if an alarm is canceled. Source: RCB.
The sound that is emitted by sirens if an alarm is canceled. Source: RCB.
  • Radio and TV will announce that the alarm is canceled, and repeat it 3 times.

Regardless of the various methods and techniques for delivering an alarm or warning message, it is possible that people close to you will be unaware of the impending danger. People who live nearby who are elderly or sick can be at risk.

What can YOU do to help others in your neighborhood?

  • Check to see if the people around received the information and provide actionable instructions.
  • Inform neighbors as well as people who may be unaware of the dangers, particularly the elderly and the sick.
  • During an evacuation, provide transportation to those in need.
  • Organize a shelter for people who have been evacuated from the dangerous area.

How to Prepare an Evacuation Kit

During a crisis, there is a high risk of power, water, and food shortages. Make certain that you have everything in order ahead of time.

To save time and ensure that you take everything you need in good time, start by the preparation of an evacuation kit, which will assist you in your first days away from home. Your goal is to make it through the week.

Important! Each member of the household should have their own backpack with the most essential items. Attach a name and address card to the backpack.

What should an evacuation kit contain?

Ascertain that your loved ones are aware of the location of your evacuation kits, which should contain:

  • Radio + batteries
  • Flashlight + batteries
  • The most necessary documents — ID cards, deed of ownership
    apartments and other valuable assets, basic medical information,
    insurance certificate, birth/marriage/pension certificates. Copies and digital files on a flash drive.
  • Whistle
  • Lighter / matches
  • First aid kit (paracetamol,
    ibuprofen, drugs against diarrhea,
    nausea, vomiting, electrolytes,
    thermometer, gauze, etc) and respiratory masks.
  • Map with local roads, compass, and GPS.
  • Can opener, cutlery set, meals for 2 days, and knife
  • Pencil, and notebook.
  • Rainproof Jacket and a change of clothes
  • Trash bags, soap, and disinfection gel.
  • A good amount of cash — it is possible that
    you will have to buy food and fuel.
  • Sleeping bag
  • Crowbar, multi-tool box.
  • Water bottle with filter.

Stocking Food and Water

You must be prepared to secure alternative access to water because, during a crisis or war, it can be hampered. Stock 14 liters of water for each inhabitant of the house — this will allow you to survive a week without a running water supply.

Food for emergencies should be stored in a cool and dry location. Avoid stockpiling products that need to be refrigerated or heated before use. Prepare products with a long expiration date that can be eaten cold, such as bars, canned food, ready meals (bigos, meatballs, beans), and dry bread.

How to Proceed during Evacuation

The evacuation can be either voluntary or mandatory. So, how should you prepare for it?

  • In the event of an emergency, go to the safest place in the building — it’s best to seek refuge in a room away from windows and doors.
  • Maintain fuel reserves or refuel the car to full at the nearest station; make sure you have a spare tire and know how to replace it, and be prepared for the GPS to fail. Stock up on maps and map out primary and alternate travel routes.
  • Establish a contact point with your family members to which you will go in the event of an accidental separation (a location to which everyone will be able to get through without difficulty).
  • Before evacuating, change into protective clothing, including a jacket, thick-soled shoes, a cap, and cargo pants. Avoid brown, green, and camo backpacks unless you want to be mistaken for a soldier!
  • Take a prepared emergency backpack (more about it in previous paragraphs). 
  • Before leaving, secure your home by turning off the water and gas valves, disconnecting all electrical appliances, removing products from the refrigerator and freezer, and locking the door with a key.
  • Prefer to travel in only one car with your entire family. This will reduce the possibility of separation.

Evacuation routes

  • Follow the orders of the services in charge of the evacuation; use recommended routes— other roads may be blocked.
  • Be cautious when driving on bridges and viaducts, and avoid driving under high-tension wires.
  • Avoid unknown roads and those with particularly important buildings (this includes not only military facilities but also power plants or TV/Telephone towers).
Budget Travelers Digital Nomad and Expats Book
Book recommended: Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights

What to do if you hear gunshots

The most important thing is to get out of the way of the shooter, as far as you can. If possible, inform others about the location of the attacker.

If you can’t get away, hide. Use the terrain and available obstacles to your advantage (walls, metal beams, structures). Mute your phone, barricade the door, lower the blinds, and turn off the light. Try to keep calm. 

Avoid hiding in groups. The presence of 5 people locked in a closet increases the likelihood of some undesired noise!

If your attempt to escape or hide fails, you must fight. Make the most of your abilities.

Also, remember the lessons of first aid. Ensure that you recall how to stop a bleeding injury, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, etc.

What to do in the case of an explosion

Good preparation and preventive action are required to increase your safety in the event of an explosion.

Consider the best shelter in the places you frequent (work, school, and home). You’ll need a room with thick walls, no glass windows, but some air circulation — unless the explosion involved CBRN hazards, in this case, air circulation is not indicated. See more about CBRN below.

The basement is usually the safest place to be; have an emergency kit on hand and be prepared to evacuate.

When you witness the explosion:

  • Drop to the ground and cover your head with your hands;
  • Seek shelter and don’t leave it immediately after the explosion.
  • In the case of evacuation, avoid using elevators and take the stairs to the emergency exit.

CBRN

CBRN symbols. Basic knowledge in any guide about how to survive in a war or catastrophic event. Source: RCB.
CBRN symbols. Basic knowledge in any guide about how to survive in a war or catastrophic event. Source: RCB.

CBRN is an abbreviation for weapons of mass destruction: chemical ( C), biological (B), radiological (R), and nuclear (N). CBRN substances or weapons often cause severe illness and death.

Biological and Chemical Weapons and Substances

What should you do if you come into contact with a hazardous chemical?

  • Protect the respiratory system and the skin.
  • After leaving the contaminated area, take a shower and change into clean clothes. Pack dirty clothes in a plastic bag and transport them away from your location.
  • Seal the windows, doors, and ventilators. Turn off any fans or air conditioners.
  • Don’t go outside just for the sake of going outside, remain in the building.

Biological Weapons and Substances

  • Remove yourself from the contaminated area.
  • Protect the respiratory system and skin — if there is a possibility of coming into contact with dangerous biological substances, a protective mask can help reduce the risk of contamination.
  • Hand hygiene and disinfection are essential.
  • Take a shower and change into clean clothes. Dirty clothes should be placed in a plastic bag and removed from the location where you are.
  • Close all windows and doors, and turn off any fans or air conditioners.

Radioactive and Nuclear Weapons and Substances

  • To avoid irradiation, take shelter in the nearest building. If possible, seek refuge in a basement, shelter, underground parking garage, or subway.
  • Keep a safe distance between yourself and the outside walls.
  • If you return from a contaminated area, take a shower and change into clean clothes. Pack dirty clothes in a plastic bag and remove them from the location where you are.
  • Avoid eating or drinking anything that has been exposed to radiation.
  • Remain inside. Close all windows and doors, and turn off all fans and air conditioners.
  • Use the phone only in exceptional circumstances.
  • Control your emotions and don’t panic — you’ll save energy by reducing unnecessary air consumption in a closed room.
  • Pay attention to messages from services and the media, and follow official recommendations.
  • Unless otherwise directed by the services, stay inside for at least 24 hours.

What to do if there is lack of electricity

  • Prepare to have an alternative power supply — a power generator
    and reserve fuel will ensure long-lasting access to electricity.
  • In the event of an evacuation, it will be extremely useful to have loaded
    power banks and a car electric charger.
  • Limit Your Cell Phone Use — turn off WI-FI, data package, and turn on the energy-saving mode.
  • Make a list of the most necessary things powered by electricity and prepare a kit of matching batteries. Remember
    to have a battery-powered radio.
  • Prepare a flashlight, candles, matches, and lighter.
  • Secure the right amount of cash that will help you get through the first days, because ATMs may not work if electricity is interrupted.

How to behave in the presence of foreign soldiers/temporary loss of terrain

  • Keep calm; if you see soldiers on your way, choose an alternate route and avoid unnecessary contact.
  • Avoid getting closer to foreign cars and military hardware if you don’t want to be identified as a spy.
  • Do not photograph or videotape the soldiers as this may provoke them to become aggressive toward you.
  • Do not put your hands in your pockets or make sudden movements during a conversation.
  • Do not argue with someone armed;
  • Have documents on hand.
  • Don’t look around, and don’t talk to anyone.

In the event of temporary occupation by an invading force and the implementation of new rules:

  • Fill bottles, pots, and even a bathtub with water. Obtain water from a well if possible
  • Use the stockpiled food or food that has been distributed as part of the humanitarian aid.
  • Even if a local store has been raided, food can still be found there.
  • Don’t go out after dusk if you don’t have to — everyone will think you’re a spy.
  • Wear neutral colors with no symbols or emblems.
  • Find some company. It will be easier for you if you work together with others, and you will have a better chance of defending yourself.
While wishing that you would never use it, we hope this article about how to survive in a war was useful to you.
While wishing that you would never use it, we hope this article about how to survive in a war was useful to you.

Other pieces of information in the polish guide on how to survive in a war.

The manual also has other pieces of information regarding what to do if you become a hostage, and about first aid procedures, as well as the template of a checklist of things to put in your evacuation backpack and a template of emergency phone numbers.

The complete manual can be downloaded here.


If you liked this article about the Polish guide about how to survive in a war, check this one about how to react in case of war.

I also wrote two other articles about the war in our neighbor at Ukraine and the refugee crisis here in Poland:

3 Touching Stories About Ukrainian Refugees I Witnessed in Poland

Sleeping in Warsaw Became More Expensive Than in Monaco


First, subscribe (for free) to receive my articles directly in your inbox and receive as a special gift the digital book 20 Essential Hacks for Saving Money While Travelling.

Second, if you liked this article, please consider supporting me and other writers by becoming a Medium member. By using this link, you will directly support me with a piece of your fee; there will be no additional cost to you. Thank you a million times if you do!

Levi Borba is the founder of the Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel Small Business Hacks and The Expat, and best-selling author.

Moving Away from Home - Author in Qatar Cultural Shock

Moving Away from Home in 2023

The Best Lessons I Learned about Moving Away from Home (After Doing It 14 Times).


Moving away from home is not an unknown subject to us. My generation moved from one place to another more than any other in history.

While our parents and grandparents (the Baby Boomers and Generation Xers) stayed in the same area for an average of 4 to 6 years, Millenials move every two years.

For many of us, moving away from home is an exciting time in our lives.

It gives you the chance to start over. However, it can also be one of the most stressful times in your life depending on where you are moving to, who you are moving with and why you are moving in the first place.

I compiled this article with some of the best tips and insights I learned after fifteen years away from my hometown and 14 moves across three continents. Things like:

  • Why is moving away from home so hard?
  • Pros and cons of moving out of your parents’ house
  • Can I afford to move out of my parents’ house?
  • How to handle the anxiety about moving away from home?
  • How to cope with moving away from family and friends?
  • Other recommended reading for anyone planning to move far away and start a new life.
  • The steps I will recommend, from the decision until the ride to the airport.

As with everything in life, context is important, and that is where we begin.

Wanting to Move Away and Start Over

Women Wanting to Move Away and Start Over while carrying some boxes.
Wanting to Move Away and Start Over? So Keep Reading.

I want to move out of my parents’ house!

Many of us will say this phrase at some point between our adolescence and our early thirties. Some people carefully plan this moment, while others do it on the spur of the moment when an opportunity appears on the horizon.

But when we take the time to breathe and analyze carefully whether it makes sense, there are a lot of things at stake.

We frequently overlook or ignore factors that are extremely important later in life.

In this article, I will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of moving out of your parents’ home. This is a decision I made when I was 18 years old, and I have seen many friends and relatives do the same since then.

Many were satisfied with the results, but some had regrets.

Check also: The Least Stressful Cities in The World

Why is moving away from home so hard?

First off, you should feel proud of yourself for even considering this challenge.

Not many people dare to step out of their comfort zone and test themselves in new situations. It’s normal to have these thoughts — don’t worry!

One of the main drawbacks is that you will miss your family, friends, and loved ones. You will miss family gatherings and having dinner with your parents. Maybe you are too young and you don’t want to be far away from them or maybe they simply don’t want to let you go.

Another drawback is that you may not know how to take care of yourself in some aspects and it may be difficult for you at first. For example, if your family has always cooked for you and has helped you with everything in the house, it may be difficult for you to prepare something other than fried eggs. 

Also, many times living on your own can be more expensive than living with your parents because you have to pay rent, food, bills…

If all of these reasons are making you think twice about moving out, I have a word for you:

You are right. 

Think twice. Even thrice. But don’t let the difficulties stop you. Use them as a guide to self-improvement and getting completely ready to move out, not as an excuse to cancel your plans. I will help you in the next paragraphs and with many useful links.

Remember that moving away can be very rewarding.

You will develop skills that no one taught you before and become more independent and autonomous. You will make new friends and open doors for massive opportunities.

All that starts with a plan, and like in every plan, we need to assess the pros and cons.

Pros and Cons of Moving Out of Parents’ House

Boxes Prepared for Moving Out of Parents' House - Discover Below 10 Pros and Cons of
Discover Below 10 Pros and Cons of Moving Out of Parents’ House

Benefits of moving away from home:

  • You get to learn how to fend for yourself and manage your money (both income and expenses).
  • You will learn (or should learn unless you want to live in a squat) how to cook, clean, and take care of your living space. Maybe you will learn how to fix a leaking sink — it’s not that difficult.
  • There will be silence and privacy (maybe not if you are a student sharing a dormitory).
  • You will have space for yourself and your friends to hang out.
  • You’ll be able to set your own schedule, so you won’t have to compete with your brother over who gets to use the shower first.

Cons of moving away from home:

  • You have to pay for everything, including rent, food, utilities, insurance, and so on. Your paycheck may not be as large as you think it is once you look at all the bills that need to be paid. According to Forbes, in 2021 the cost of moving out increased 15%.
  • You must deal with any repairs that may emerge. If something breaks, such as the stove or washing machine, you must pay for its repair or replacement unless it is covered by insurance or a warranty agreement.
  • If you are moving to a distant place, you will miss your old town, your friends and your family. A lot.
  • If you are going to live in an unfamiliar place, there will be a learning curve until you adapt to the local way of life. You will eat at bad restaurants, take the wrong buses, and so on during this time. It is an inconvenient period, may cost you extra money, and can take weeks or even months.
  • You will need to adjust to a new climate, and I mean literally new climatic conditions. For example, olive-skinned Latin Americans like myself may require special supplements during the winter in Europe. Here I explain how Vitamin D helped me to survive the European winter.

Can I afford to move out of my parent’s house?

Even if you’re not sure where you’ll be living, estimating the basic costs of living on your own will help you determine if you can afford it or not. The main expenses you should evaluate are rent, food, utilities, transportation, and furniture.

In any list of pros and cons of moving out of parent’s house, financial planning of the whole process should take priority place! Especially if you are moving away by yourself.

Rent cost

This is your biggest monthly expense, and it depends on where you live and how much space you need. A small studio apartment in the city is more expensive than a large two-bedroom house in the countryside. However, you must ensure that wherever you live, the rent is within your means. Move into an apartment with a roommate or two if possible to reduce your monthly expenses.

Food expenses

Food is probably the second-largest expense after rent, so consider your budget carefully — especially if you’ve been living at home and eating most of your meals there. Americans spend an average of $550 each month on food, according to the most recent data. Eating out frequently can add up quickly, so plan accordingly.

Utility bills

You need utilities like electricity, water, heating (to discover how to save money on heating, check here), and internet to live comfortably, and there’s no getting around paying for these items every month. In some cases, they are included in your rent payment; if that’s not the case, ask if there are any utilities that are included (such as water). This will help reduce your monthly spending.

Depending on where you move, prices may require a habit change. For example, a shower will cost in Poland 6 times more than in Brazil.

Transportation costs

Transport costs can add up quickly — especially in big cities like London where the Tube or buses can be costly. While it’s not necessary to have a car in every city it’s often essential in smaller places. Here I wrote about the considerations to have in mind before buying a car.

Furniture and other expenses.

When you live at home, your parents are responsible for furnishing the place and purchasing new appliances when necessary. When you move out, those costs come out of your pocket — and they can be significant if you don’t shop around for the best deals.

In another article, I compared the cost of living for a single person in 6 different European capitals. The results are surprising.

Anxiety about moving away from home

Anxiety about moving away from home is normal. Whether you’re moving to a new city, state, or country — or just to a new apartment across town — it’s completely natural to feel nervous and excited at the same time.

Moving Far Away from Home: Ways to Ease the Process.

  • Connect with others.

If you move in with a roommate or group of roommates, try to strike up friendships with them. If you’re living by yourself, seek out social groups in your area that interest you, such as meetups for your favorite hobby or book club gatherings.

  • Establish a routine

Maintain structure and routine. Have a regular schedule for sleep, meals, and study. This can help to mitigate feelings of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.

  • Talk to the grocery store cashier.

Take some time to explore your new city and make a point of trying something new each week — a new restaurant or coffee shop, for example — but don’t be afraid to set boundaries that make you comfortable. Asking about the new place to the grocery store cashier or other people you meet at random can speed up your adaptation.

  • Try to understand the cultural differences of your new place.

I am a big fan of the 6-dimension model created by Dr. Geert Hofstede breaking down the cultural differences into 6 major areas. His team analyzed multiple countries in the world to better understand cultural differences. So far, their conclusions match almost perfectly my own experience living in Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

  • Don’t be afraid to get embarrassed.

The joy of embracing (and occasionally failing) a new idiom and discovering a new place in the world is priceless. When I first moved to Poland, I faced three comical situations that taught me that being embarrassed isn’t all that bad.

How to cope with moving away from family and friends

Guy sitting in a bench, apparently sad: moving away from friends and family has a mental impact that should not be neglected.
Moving away from friends and family has a mental impact that should not be neglected.

In order to cope with leaving your family and friends, you must remember that you are doing this for a reason. It may be for your education (here is a list of the best countries in the world to study) or your career, but you must have a goal and stick to it. Keep that in mind when you are dealing with loneliness or homesickness abroad.

Why are you moving away?

There are different types of expatriates, something that is also valid for anyone that is moving out within a country. Understanding which type you are will help you to understand what you need and what you should avoid.

How to Prepare for a Mov Ahead of Time

You can start preparing yourself for moving away well before the day arrives. For example, staying in close contact with your loved ones through social media or by visiting before moving may make it easier for you to adjust once you have left. Start planning visits to see your family and friends as soon as possible so that you know you will be able to see them again later on.

Keep In Touch

Regular communication with loved ones is one of the best ways to cope with separation. If possible, try talking to your family and friends in person at least once each month by scheduling a visit or inviting them over for a weekend stay.

This will also avoid you to feel guilty later if the worse happens. This is a lesson I learned the hard way.

Take advantage of technology — but don’t get enslaved or restricted by it.

You might not be able to see your family and friends as often as you’d like, but there are many ways to stay in touch using modern communication devices such as smartphones and computers. Video chat applications such as Skype, FaceTime, or Google Hangouts are great for keeping in touch visually and can make you feel like you’re together even when you’re far apart. 

Whenever possible, use apps that allow you to communicate visually or audibly, as written messages lack depth and dimension. Besides, excessive text messaging is making us dumber.

Moving away from home — Additional reading

I made a lot of mistakes when I left my country nine years ago to become an expatriate. Errors that could have been avoided if I had only known a few things.

Instead of giving up, I learned by experience during my relocations to the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, which forged a better version of myself.

This guide’s tips and methods assisted me in getting promoted, increasing my earnings, finding my wife, and starting my own business.

These rules are universal; they worked for me in South America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, and they will work for you as well.

  • I wrote a guide with the best countries to start a new life abroad with no money. There you will discover what you need to begin a new life in places like Chile, Qatar, or Poland (I lived in all of them), among many others.
  • Here is a list of 9 books to read before moving abroad, with useful tips and ideas to improve your daily life far from home.
  • Sometimes it takes time for someone to find work in a new city, therefore in this article, I give you an idea about how to make money after moving out to a new place.
  • Here is what you should do if you moved out and war erupted somewhere nearby.
Moving Out, Working Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity Cover
Book recommended: Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity

Conclusion: How to Move Away from Home

I moved away from my parents’ home when I was 19. Since then, I moved another 14 times — meaning, almost one time per year. Sometimes, it was because I wanted, others, because I needed due to do my career and later my businesses.

10 Steps to move out

  1. Decide where you want to live
  2. Contact locals via social media or other means to learn about prices, lifestyle, and potential issues.
  3. Save enough money to pay your bills for the first month (at least).
  4. Get a job (or a paid internship if you are a student and have time for it). Every time I moved, I used Linkedin to find a new job.
  5. Know how much you can afford to spend
  6. Prepare a backup plan in case things don’t go as planned (Eg: expenses X percent higher than what you expect). Here I explained how to make a plan B when moving out.
  7. Plan your move and hire a moving company if necessary. Prepare your documents and sign the rental contract early.
  8. Use the signed rental contract to set up internet, water, and other utilities.
  9. Schedule a medical checkup, and a blood exam. In your new place, doctors may not have access to your medical history. This is one of the untold but crucial life-saving tips for moving out.
  10. Pack your belongings.

First, subscribe (for free) to receive my articles directly in your inbox and receive as a special gift the digital book 20 Essential Hacks for Saving Money While Travelling.

Second, if you liked this article, please consider supporting me and other writers by becoming a Medium member. By using this link, you will directly support me with a piece of your fee; there will be no additional cost to you. Thank you a million times if you do!

Levi Borba is the founder of the Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author.

Digital Nomads

Things to Know When Moving Out in 2023

Things to Know When Moving Out – How to Avoid Expensive Headaches

Moving Out, Working Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity Cover
For more valuable, time-tested prove advice, check this book about moving out.

Moving house or settling into a new property is an exciting yet stressful time for anybody. It’s a time for your organizational skills to come into play, as you transfer your whole life from one property to another. Here is a list of things to know when moving out. Amongst sorting paperwork, documents and ensuring the transition will go smoothly, one of the most important and yet slightly tedious jobs comes down to packing your belongings.

No matter how many times you move, there are always things you wish you had done differently to make the day as stress-free as possible, and this is where pre-planning comes into motion. Moving can seem less of a chore if things are broken down and organized properly, and as there are multiple ways to prepare for moving house, We Buy Any House has compiled their top tips to help you prepare to move house within a set time frame.

Check also: The 9 Best Books About Living Abroad.

What do 8 weeks before moving out

By this point, the papers for your move have probably come to completion, and the plan to move is officially in motion. The first step among the things to know when moving out is, after sorting your legal documents and any other paperwork, to deal with the logistics of your move, finding out when and how the move will take place- preferably in the least stressful way. During this period, here are a few things to do:

▫ Researching moving companies and getting recommendations from family and friends who have had positive experiences with specific moving companies.

▫ Find out more regarding the legalities of moving. What your rights and responsibilities are with moving.

▫ If you aren’t familiar with the area, research banks, doctors, and schools. You must gather and fill in any paperwork you may need to set up accounts.

7 weeks before moving out

At the 7 weeks mark, you will more than likely still be researching and preparing for your move. But there are still things to know when moving out. You must finalize things for the big day, such as hiring a moving company and finding out all relevant expenses. In this time, get an estimate from a removals company. If necessary, ask them to come and do an inventory so they can see exactly what they are moving. Additionally, it’s a good time to file important paperwork that you may need at hand, alongside making lists of people you will need to contact and inform about your move.

6 weeks before moving out

This is where things to know when moving out get into motion. Although you may not be ready to box up your life entirely, it’s a good idea to start getting organized. Here are a few ways to start:

▫ Start by decluttering your home- and your wardrobes are the easiest place to start. Assess which clothes you want to keep, and then, with the rest, put them in a box to either be donated or taken to the bin. Once the wardrobes are done, then start with items in the room. Keep going systematically around your house until all rooms are decluttered.

▫ It’s important to get rid of what you aren’t keeping. Make sure that they’re not just left in a box somewhere around your house. Make time to take them to the charity shop or tip.

▫ Start packing items that aren’t frequently used, such as seasonal items or things that are stored in the loft, garage or shed.

▫ If you have children, now is a perfect time to complete the final paperwork for school transitions.

5 weeks before moving out

Once you have decluttered your house, it’s now time to prepare how you are going to pack and box up your home. Additionally, it’s also a good time to inform neighbors and loved ones of your move, so that they have time to prepare and perhaps free up space to give you a hand with the move. Some other things to consider are:

▫ Refrain from doing big food shops. Start using up food that’s left in the storeroom or fridge. The same rule applies if you have your shopping delivered- try not to bulk buy.

▫ For your loved ones who you wish to keep in contact with, send out your new address so they don’t think you have disappeared.

▫ Purchase moving supplies. This includes boxes, packing materials, labels, tape, and box cutters. Try to vary the types of boxes you have, as some things such as cutlery or ornaments may require more sturdy boxing.

▫ Get a labeling system and packing schedule in place.

4 weeks before moving out

It’s officially the month you’re moving, and before you invest all your time in packing, there are a few other things that need to be sorted.

▫ Confirm major details such as removals company and insurance. You want to be crystal clear about the plan of action.

▫ Fill out an official change of address at the post office.

▫ Get the time off work for the day of the move. If you have children or pets, it’s also a good idea to get sitters for the day as you won’t want the process to be extra stressful.

▫ Consult any businesses or services and ensure that they have changed your address to all relevant accounts.

3 weeks before moving out

At three weeks, this is a great time to sort out the smaller but important issues. Firstly, cancel any home deliveries that you currently have, or forward them to your new address. This includes things such as newspapers or milk services. Secondly, gathering important items in the house such as family heirlooms, and keeping them separate from the rest of the moving boxes. Take pictures of precious items, and then you will be able to notice any scratches or damage done.

2 weeks before moving out

It’s almost crunch time, and now is the time to get the last things in order. You want to prepare as if you’re going on an extended holiday. So here are a few tips:

▫ Pack little and often so that everything isn’t left until the last minute.

▫ Confirm important information such as that you’ve registered your new address and things such as insurance are complete.

▫ If you’re taking appliances with you, such as freezers and microwaves, make sure they’re cleaned and ready to go. For things such as freezers, remember that they need to be disconnected and defrosted.

1 Week before moving out

The moving day is so close, and it may appear everything is set in place. However, there are a few minor tasks you shouldn’t forget about, such as:

▫ Turn off all utilities the day before you move out.

▫ Back up all technological devices in case they get damaged or important files get lost because of turning the system off.

▫ Go over what you’ve packed, ensure everything is labeled and securely packaged.

▫ Dispose of anything that isn’t fit for transport, such as aerosols, chemicals, or flammable items.

▫ Make sure you and your family members have packed a suitcase that comprises everyday comfy clothes and toiletries to wear and use while you’re in a transitional phase.

▫ Deep clean the house and ensure it’s left in a spotless state.

Read also: The dirtiest cities in the world.

Other tips and things to know when moving out

In the case you plan (or already decided) to move out, there are a few other articles I wrote to help you. 

If you are in the planning stage of your relocation, check my article about how to successfully move abroad.

There is also an article with simple calculations to help you decide between renting or buying a house and another with 3 rules to follow before purchasing a house or a car.

I also wrote a guide to help anyone willing to move abroad for retirement (even though retirement for younger generations may be an illusion), one about moving abroad to invest in emerging countries, or as a student (and how to survive on a tight budget). 

And, at last, here are two useful lists to decide about your relocation: one of the most stressful cities on the planet, and the other of the most laidback cities.

In your opinion, what are other things to know when moving out? Let us know in the comments.


If you wish to become a Medium member and have access to articles like this, check this link. It is only $5 per month — less than a coffee at Starbucks and it supports multiple independent writers.


Levi Borba is CEO of expatriateconsultancy.com, creator of the channel Small Business Hacks, and best-selling author. You can check his books here, his other articles here, or his Linkedin here. The text above may contain affiliate links.

Innsbruck is not a stressful city Business in Europe

The World’s Least Stressful Cities in 2023

Consider Moving to the World’s Least Stressful Cities


Do you live in a large, stressful city and always wondered how is your life compared to residents of other metropolises?

Back in 2011, while stuck in a traffic bottleneck in São Paulo, Brazil, I wondered if residents of other mega-cities had a comparable level of stress. Because life in São Paulo was stressful: noise, pollution, traffic, floods, pickpocketers, and the awful smell in certain places all contribute to a sense that this is not the life you should be living.

In the end, this contributed to my decision to move out of São Paulo (and Brazil). It turned out that the other large cities that I lived in (Santiago, Doha, Warsaw, etc) had similar problems, but in different dimensions and with different causes.

Days ago, I found a ranking of the least and most stressful cities in the world, and to my surprise, all the mega-cities that I lived had similar positions — that explained why I felt that life, in all of them, was not really as good as it could be — or at least as peaceful as it was in the small city where I was born, in the Brazilian countryside.

All the cities that I lived in are almost equally stressful. So are London, New York, Mexico City or Kuala Lumpur. But it doesn’t need to be like that.

Moving Out, Working Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity Cover
Recommended book: Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity

And that is the most important lesson that the ranking — elaborated by the German-based wellness products brand VAAY — taught me.

The VAAY Ranking of the least stressful cities in the world.

To build the ranking, VAAY used a method considering indicators like:

  • Governance — Safety, Security, Socio-Political Stability, etc.
  • Demographic and Geographic factors — Density (population/km2), Traffic Congestion, Weather, Air Pollution, Noise Pollution, and Light Pollution.
  • Finance — Unemployment Rate, Financial Stress, Social Security,
  • Citizens’ Health

The VAAY stressful cities index is calculated by scoring and averaging each indicator in the following way, as explained by their page:

z-Score = x — mean(X)Standard deviation(X)in short x — μσ

[…] Where present for a factor, scores are normalised such that 1 equals the lowest value in the final dataset and 100 the highest value in the final dataset. The equation for normalization is as follows: score = (100–1) *x — min(X)max(X) — min(X)+1

The final score was determined by calculating the sum of the weighted average score of all the indicators.

Knowing the method and what they considered, I understood why the ranking reflected so precisely my own perception. I had been to some of the least stressful cities (and lived for years during some of the most stressful ones). From my experience, I could only agree with the results.

But why cities like Innsbruck or felt so… relaxed?

After careful analysis of their results, I will tell you why in this article.

The Eight Least Stressful Places to Live in the World

8th Least Stressful City in the World: Innsbruck, Austria

Landscape picture of Innsbruck, in  Austria, the 8th least stressful city in the world.
Innsbruck, in Austria, is the 8th least stressful city in the world.

I visited Tyrol’s capital 8 years ago. Although the 6-digit number of residents does not allow me to call it a small city, it had the feeling of a local community, except for the crowds of tourists during winter — ski resorts surround Innsbruck.

Innsbruck achieved such a prominent place in the ranking thanks to factors like the low pollution indicators: it is not a noisy city, and the air is as clean as one could wish. That a large winter resort had such a clean atmosphere, in fact, surprised me.

This Austrian city was also considered the best place to visit in Europe during the month of March.

I am used to places like Farellones (Chile) or Zakopane (Poland), where the atmospheric pollution in the winter skyrocket. Since I am not a climatologist, I cannot how Innsbruck can keep such low levels of pollution, but I attest they are true.

Innsbruck total score (from 0 to 100): 92.2

Read also: What Are the Safest Big Cities In America?

7th Least Stressful City in the World: Copenhagen, Denmark

I also visited Copenhagen, more recently than Innsbruck but for a shorter period. The feeling of a larger city was more present there than in Austria, but the parks and pedestrian paths allow you to go in your own rhythm.

Copenhagen, a remarkably safe city, achieved some of the highest results in indicators like safety, healthcare access, and political stability. That makes sense: when was the last time you heard about major riots in Denmark? Maybe in Hamlet.

Air pollution levels are also very low, despite the proximity to industrial centers in Germany, and Denmark has a cleanliness rating superior to Switzerland or Austria. Another remarkable feature of the city is the abundance of green spaces, and nearly anywhere there is a park less than 300 meters away.

Copenhagen total score (from 0 to 100): 92.6

Read also: In the Swedish Capital, Rampant Crime is Shattering Illusions. Is Stockholm Safe?

6th Least Stressful City in the World: Oslo, Norway

I never had been to Oslo. I planned to travel there two years ago, but I asked a friend that lived in Denmark and visited Norway a few times, and he told me that the danish complain about the unbelievably expensive prices of Norway.

Since I wished to respect my budget, I traveled somewhere else. Yes, Norway is expensive. The Norwegian capital, even more. A BigMac there can cost as much as a fancy restaurant in other parts of Europe.

But for its residents, Norway offered one of the strongest economies in entire Europe. Plus, the local government uses part of the enormous profits from Oil exportation to boost the quality of life.

Norway has unemployment rates below 5%, the — allegedly — best healthcare access on the planet, social welfare systems sponsored by the enormous oil and gas revenues, and world-class public transport. These features granted Oslo a place in the Top 10.

Oslo total score (from 0 to 100): 93.9

Book: Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights
Recommended book: Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights

5th Least Stressful City in the World: Melbourne, Australia

One of the two southern-hemisphere cities in the top 8, Melbourne counted with — surprise surprise — excellent results in the climate indicator. Compared to Northern European cities, it looked almost like cheating the fact that the Australian city scored a whopping 71.2 in the weather index — an index measuring how close the city’s climate is to the ideal for human life.

This is more than double Oslo’s result, for example.

But it is not only the sunny skies and mild winter that gave Melbourne 5th place. The city scored high in political stability, and health services.

Melbourne also scored low in Pollution — as low as Copenhagen. This is remarkable, considering that Melbourne has a population almost 10X larger than the Danish capital.

Melbourne’s total score (from 0 to 100): 94.2

4th Least Stressful: Wellington, New Zealand

The 4th place is a city close to the previously mentioned Melbourne — meaning Oceania standards of closeness since they are 2500km apart.

Wellington scored a perfect 100 in the indicator of social and political stability. It also had remarkably good results in demographics (because of the low population density) and presented one of the lowest unemployment levels of all cities in the research: 4.6%

Curiously, among the top 8, Wellington has the worst stress indicators in traffic. Maybe the sheep — New Zealand has 5.6 of them for each human — are forcing the cars to wait too long while they cross the roads.

Wellington’s total score (from 0 to 100): 95

3rd Least Stressful: Helsinki, Finland

Landscape image of Helsinki, in Finland, is the 3rd least stressful city in the world.
Helsinki, in Finland, is the 3rd least stressful city in the world, despite the climate.

Among the cities in the top 8, the Finnish capital has the second-worst results in the Climate index — ironically, the worst weather belongs to the best city in the ranking, to be revealed soon.

The climate is not, however, an obstacle for Finland to top the World Happiness Report ranking.

Still, Helsinki reached the podium by having near-perfect governance indicators and excellent health services for the population.

Helsinki total score (from 0 to 100): 95

2nd Least Stressful: Bern, Switzerland

Bern, in Switzerland: one of the most laid-back cities in the world
Bern, in Switzerland: one of the most laid-back cities in the world

Yes, the ranking of the least stressful cities on the planet would not be complete without a Swiss city. There are not many nations in the world that value peace and tranquility as Switzerland — their non-belligerent approach to diplomacy being a reflex of this culture.

The country also boasts a safety rating that is among the best in the world (despite the high number of guns per capita).

It is not surprising it is one of the favorite retirement destinations for the affluent.

Among all the cities surveyed, Bern has the lowest population density, meaning that people lucky to live in this breathtaking city have space enough for their kids to play, their dogs to run, and to hide their colossal gold reserves.

Another high point of Bern (and entire Switzerland) is the fact that one of the highest causes of stress (high traffic) is minimized by a very efficient public transport system.

They also have the lowest unemployment among all the cities in the ranking: 2.8%. This is such a low unemployment level that, in less stable economies, it could be considered harmful. But apparently not in Bern.

Bern total score (from 0 to 100): 96.6

The Least Stressful City in the World: Reykjavik, Iceland

Image of Reykjavik, in Iceland, which is the least stressful city in the world
Reykjavik, in Iceland, is the least stressful city in the world.

My reaction after seeing Reykjavik (I have a typing speed of 450 words per minute, but I write the name of this city slower than my Mom) in the first place was:

What about the weather/climate component of the ranking? How can the capital of a country called Iceland take the first place?

VAAY, however, did not forget the climate index. In that component, Reykjavik scored the lowest result of all the top-ranked cities. Their weather index result is even worse than Moscow.

But still, Iceland’s capital got first place.

How?

  • Almost perfect results in Governance
  • Almost no traffic.
  • A perfect 100 score in the air pollution index (where 0 is the most polluted and 100 is the least polluted).
  • Another 100 in sound pollution — Icelanders apparently do not use their car honks that often.
  • Health services are comparable to Switzerland.

Lesson from Reykjavik? When you are a fairy-tale city with no traffic, no pollution, no noise, and good doctors, you can have a miserable climate and still be the least stressful city in the world.

Reykjavik total score (from 0 to 100): 100


If, instead of a stress-free, relaxed life, you are looking for challenges and countries with business opportunities and fast-growing economies. These articles below will help you with that:

The Best Countries to Start a New Life Abroad with No Money

10 Business-Friendly Countries with Low Taxes and Little Bureaucracy

Starting a Business in Europe as a Foreigner 

The best city for Digital Nomads and (some) expats!


Levi Borba is CEO of expatriateconsultancy.com, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author. You can check his books here, his other articles here, or his Linkedin here.

Moving Out from Home Digital Nomads

5 Things to Buy Before Moving Out and Star a…

Moving Out, Working Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity Cover
Moving Out, Working Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity

Things to Buy before Moving into a New Home

You are leaving! Time to think about things to buy before moving out! It is a new step in life — an increasingly frequent step. According to FiveThirtyEight, a person in the USA moves on average 11.4 times during a lifetime.

Millennials break this number much earlier. As the author of this article, for example.

I am not a globetrotter, but just a random, simple entrepreneur. Still, in the last 15 years, I moved 17 times, to 6 different cities, in 4 different countries, on 3 distinct continents. There are a couple of things that I learned through practice.

Some of these experiences were painful. Like when you realize you have no tools to fix your new home or no pillows, and the entire country is on a 4-day long holiday. To use a plastic bag filled with clothes as a makeshift pillow is a useful travel hack, but it is far from ideal.

In the next paragraphs, I listed 5 items (or 6, considering the bonus) to avoid regrets, back pain, and coronary disease. Some of these are affiliated links.

All of them are things to make your life abroad easier and free your time to explore the neighborhood and meet interesting people at your new place.

Check also: The Best Books About Living Abroad.

A Tool Set (Or Tool Kit) – The first among the things to buy before moving out.

Why it is one of the things to buy before moving out:

Hammer, knife, scissors, hex keys, screwdrivers, tape measure… Everything you need for DIY around the house are there!

One could argue that an adjustable wrench, instead of dozens of fixed wrenches, could do the same job as half of the pieces of a toolset. They are not wrong. The problem is when you lose (or loan to someone that never returns it) an adjustable wrench, you will have no alternative.

Another plus of toolsets is the cool case that comes together with them, making it easy to organize and use little space in your apartment.

What I recommend: Any decent toolbox with 120 to 150 pieces. My brother-in-law gave me one at Christmas — a nice gift! The Cartman 148Piece Tool Set General Household has everything you will need to assemble furniture, fix a shower, or make basic repairs.

A Good Mattress

Why it is one of the things to buy before moving out:

My father had a mattress store in my hometown. I was raised hearing the phrase:

Do not save money on your mattress, because one-third of your life you will spend on them.

This phrase was convenient for the sellers, but it was true. Or at least partially true: to spend 1/3 of life in a mattress, one needs to sleep at least 8 hours per day, on average. Who sleeps that much? Certainly not me.

Buy the best mattress you can afford. The philosophy is the same for an office chair. These things can either ruin or boost your productivity, therefore, they affect your earnings multiple times more than whatever you are saving.

What I recommend: If you are a man in his 30s and more than 90kg, like me, check the Casper Sleep Element Mattress. It is one of the best-reviewed mattresses in the world for a reason — and it has an affordable price. If you are a lighter person, there is a softer version of it. Always remember to choose a mattress that fits your body weight.

A Pillow Gentle to Your Neck

Why it is one of the things to buy before moving out:

Besides a bad pillow, there are not many things in a bedroom that can cause neck pain — unless you have company.

A person should not save money on a pillow for the same reasons already stated for the mattress above. It is the kind of item that can ruin your productivity and make you lose much more than whatever you are saving.

The world deserves you in your best state. For that, you must rest with good neck support.

What I recommend: Have you ever noticed how the pillows at good hotels are splendid? It is because they know how to choose. To turn your room into a 5-star hotel, opt for the Lincove Hotel Collection. As they describe it, The 90% White Duck Feather chamber surrounded by 10% White Duck Down creates the signature thick and fluffy support you feel on a pillow at your favorite luxury hotel!

There are some types made of memory foam. Some people love it, others cannot adapt to it. I am in the second group.

A Scale

Why it is one of the things to buy before moving out:

To move to a new home is hard work. With so many tasks and a myriad of things to work on, it is easy to lose control of how much you eat and how little you exercise.

When I moved to the Middle East, I gained almost 10kg. My family was thousands of kilometers far away, so there was none of their comment (sometimes cruel but honest) about my terrible shape.

Don’t commit the same mistake. It is difficult to return when you go too much off the rails.

What I recommend: Scales are an inexpensive item, so look for one that, besides your weight, it also measures your body fat — how precise they measure it is a subject for another article. The RENPHO Scale does that, and has two extra benefits: an elegant design and synchronization with your cellphone to upload your measures.

Working on a White-Collar Job? Buy a Steamer.

Why it is one of the things to buy before moving out:

You should buy it because wrinkled shirts are ridiculous. People may not tell you directly, but they will talk about it at the coffee shop at the corporate headquarters of your company.

Before opening my business, I worked at a corporate, white-collar job. The steamer was lone of the most useful gadgets to guarantee me a neat appearance — together with a beard trimmer.

What I recommend: Choose a device that has an inbuilt hanger, so you don’t need to hold the garment while you steam it — and burn your fingers in the process. The PurSteam Garment Steamer has that, plus a fabric brush to brush away wrinkles.

Bonus: The Book Moving Out, Working Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity

Why it is one of the things to buy before moving out:

At the beginning of the article, I told that, by moving 17 times across 3 different continents, I committed plenty of avoidable mistakes.

In this book, I tell you all of them. Including:

  • The source of information to make you like a local, still you are not using it! (hint: I revealed it in this article)
  • How to adapt to the local behavior and etiquette in a few days.
  • How to build a time capsule and avoid the death of Harambe — I am kidding, that I am still trying to discover how to do.

If you liked this article, you may also check:

Best Cities for Remote Workers in 2021/2022: Save Money and Enjoy Life

Living in a Stressful Place? Consider Moving to the World’s Least Stressful Cities

How to Successfully Move Abroad


Levi Borba is CEO of expatriateconsultancy.com, creator of the channel Small Business Hacks, and a best-selling author. You can check his books here, his other articles here, or his Linkedin here.

Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read Digital Nomads

5 Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read This Year - Even Before…

If you are planning to start your own business abroad, this is the book I wrote for you. Image from the author.
Starting Your Own Business Far From Home: What (Not) to Do When Opening a Company in Another State, Country, or Galaxy

If you are an entrepreneur or aspire to open your own company, I would bet that the last 12 months made you think twice. At least this was my case as an owner of two different businesses. One is in the hospitality industry, and the other is a consultancy, and both suffered during the Covid-19 crisis. Fortunately, we survived, thanks to some of these books every entrepreneur must read.

If you want to prepare your enterprise for the oncoming reconstruction — a word that is more and more used by government worldwide — there are a few things that you should know.

The first is that the new business climate is more efficient than it had ever been. The 2020 economic crisis accelerated the natural selection among inefficient companies. Survivors have leaner costs and better systems.

The second is that customer experience changed. People are, slowly, going back to socialize. They will have renewed expectations of how your firm should serve their needs.

The third is that scarcer resources demand better negotiation. That applies to government grants, contract renewals, or debts.

The books that I recommend below address these problems.

While they may not be recent, neither are economical crises. The causes change — sometimes are the subprime loan, others the oil prices, and now a global pandemic. The challenges are similar. This reading list will help you be prepared to thrive in this, and the next, post-crisis conditions. We also have an article answering about the best age to start your own business.

Exceptional Service, Exceptional Profit: The Secrets of Building a Five-Star Customer Service Organization

Author: Leonardo Inghilleri, Micah Solomon and introduction by Horst Schulze (former The Ritz-Carlton president)

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3b1FbiU

Why read it:

A must-read if your enterprise relies on customer service (meaning most businesses) or if you manage people who do. This book gives you the necessary knowledge for identifying a company in a congested market. It teaches valuable lessons about how to build a brand, improve customer loyalty, and obtain the most elevated of all forms of publicity: passionate word of mouth.

Especially helpful is the contrast between predictive service and reactive service. Clear examples are presented, and their effects.

The primary reason any entrepreneur should read this book is that you lose customers if you disappoint them, regardless of how amazing your product is. Additionally, if your product is easy to copy, providing exceptional customer service not only differentiates you in the market but also builds loyalty. Loyalty makes your customers less sensitive to price changes. Price changes that may be needed in the post-crisis, inflationary scenario.

How it helped me: It is the second book by Leonardo and Micah that I read. Again they delivered flawless lessons of service culture and delivery to customers. This is a book that anyone in the service industry should read. I shared with my staff the insights about predictive service, and it helped us to achieve better satisfaction ratings.

Hacking Growth: How Today’s Fastest-Growing Companies Drive Breakout Success

Author: Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3uqZUo8

Why read it:

Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown are leaders of the “growth hacking” tendency; one of them being the creator of the term. This book is not about tactics and strategies. It is also not about one single hack that will drive crowds of customers. It is about tuning processes (like testing alternative solutions) to reduce risks and generate quick wins. It is all about iteration and incremental growth.

The authors lead the reader through the steps to build a growth engine, with the help of examples from actual businesses. Instead of isolated cases, they bind each case so you can understand the entire process from the start to the end.

Hacking Growth does not give you the formula to go viral or escalate your business. Especially because there is not a proven formula for that. But if you are looking to learn about process improvement and designing agile companies, this is an excellent book to start.

How it helped me: The grocery story examples. Instead of delivering their lessons using deep-pocketed startups from California, they create situations with a small brick-and-mortar and use it to exemplify their message. It makes it easy to understand even the most alien concepts.

The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand out From The Crowd

Author: Allan Dib

Amazon Link:https://amzn.to/33eq5T0

Why read it: Allan Dib dismisses the myth that print marketing is dead. He brings the concept that all forms of media may be useful, and should be mixed to find the perfect blend for your business. To find this blend, he suggests a sequence of tests and trial-and-error. The testing relies on measurement, and that is why this is one of the critical points from Dib: calculate your marketing ROI.

Once you find your ROI, you start to optimize it. This means cutting out everything that is not profitable because we cannot position a business to everyone in every niche. Have a narrow focus on your customer avatar (another idea from the book), and you will create a robust marketing model.

How it helped me: It helped me with my pricing decisions — something I explained in this article. My firm competitive prices compared to our regional competitors. I did not realize, however, that our standard of service was far better.

The problem is that cheap prices gave the wrong message about our market positioning. Potential guests thought we had an inferior quality just because of our prices.

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It

Author: Chris Voss

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3b3HW3u

Why read it: 
Chris Voss served as one of the main FBI negotiators in many crisis, not only in the USA but also abroad. In the Philippines, for example, he negotiated with the members of Abu Sayyaf, an ISIS-affiliated terrorist organization. With all his career expertise, he translates in this book brilliant insights, useful in multiple sorts of negotiations. There are lessons to avoid the fight-or-flight reactions that often make both sides lose.

We negotiate dozens of times every day. Some of these negotiations change the course of our life: a salary raise, a new job; buying a house. Still, most of us have no serious training in negotiation. And that is why this book makes such a difference.

Chris Voss presents techniques like the Ackermann model, isopraxis (also known as mirroring), calibrated questions, and many other proven solutions he used during his career at the FBI.

How it helped me: It helped me to reduce the costs of my business during the COVID crisis — like the negotiation that I described in this article.

High Output Management

Author: Andrew S. Grove

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3eiytr1

Why read it: 
This is the oldest book on this list. It is even considered “old” by current standards.
Curiously this makes it a must-read. It is from a time when what was needed to be said (or written) was said. Andrew Grove does not save words or is afraid of crushing sensibilities. He put on the paper what he applied during his decades at the head of Intel, overcoming plenty of crises.

Andy Grove explains complex organizational concepts and processes into simple steps that anyone can comprehend and execute. The former Intel CEO was a decisive individual, and the book shows it. He lays out dilemmas, lists the pros and cons of decision making, and then makes a judgment, for better or worse. Over the 272 pages, there are frank stories of the difficulties of management, including the mistakes committed by the author. Brilliant lessons from a legendary CEO.

How it helped me: I learned I can’t control my customers, but I can control my enterprise inputs and processes. As a manager, I should do everything possible to reduce brief stops caused by minor issues. This led me to quick reactions and responses to emergencies.

Extra Mention (Maybe not exactly one of the books every entrepreneur must read)

Starting Your Own Business Far From Home: What (Not) to Do When Opening a Company in Another State, Country, or Galaxy

Why read it:

I put this book as an extra mention because I am not overconfident to the point of listing my own books among titans like Andy Grove or Leonardo Inghilleri. Still, I think it is a good reading for starting entrepreneurs, written by one himself.

Four years ago, I dropped a promising career just after a promotion, to follow the dream of opening my own business. It was difficult, especially because it was a hospitality firm and we faced one of the worst crises in history in this sector during 2020.

As an additional obstacle, I opened this company in a country totally different from my culture and with a language that I barely speak (at the beginning).

But both I and my business survived. The lessons I learned, the mistakes I made, and the solutions I found are all in this book.

PS: some links above are affiliated links to Amazon.

Do you have any other title to suggest to this list of books every entrepreneur must read? Let us know at the comment section!

If you are ready to go for the next step and start your business, take a look at this article about the types of business risks that we prepared for you, and the damage that agency problems can cause for your enterprise. Also, take a look at this list of must-read self-development books to transform your life.


Levi Borba is CEO of expatriateconsultancy.com, creator of the channel Small Business Hacks, and a best-selling author. You can check his books here, his other articles here, or his Linkedin here.

Books about moving abroad Digital Nomads

Books About Moving Abroad for 2023

9 Books about Relocating to Gain an Edge in Your Life

I moved away from home more than 14 years ago. 9 years ago, I moved out of my country. Both times, I tried to gather information, but at that time, we could rely only on the scarce advice on social media or from rare relatives and friends that had a similar experience. Back then, there were no such things as books about moving abroad.

Finding information was so rare that sometimes we relied on advice from people that moved to Canada when actually we were relocating to South America. Any idea was welcome because, in fact, it was all we had.

But if you are moving out in 2022, you are part of the lucky ones. Never in history, has there been such an extensive amount of great blogs, posts, and even entire books with life-saving advice about moving out from home.

In this post, I will tell you the best books about moving abroad, for anyone leaving their cradles and relocating. 

The post is divided into 4 parts:

  • Books about moving abroad or away from home. Here are the best titles in terms of cultural adaptation, general life advice, and psychological preparation. It doesn’t matter if your destination is another city, state, or overseas, take a look at these pages.
  • Books about Digital Nomads. Digital Nomads (an especific type of remote worker) are an increasing community of people that leave their homes without a fixed address, a possibility offered by remote jobs. In this post, there is a longer explanation about what they really are. You can also check the best city in the world for Digital Nomads.
  • Books for entrepreneurs. Some of us leave our homes because of our studies. Others, due to relationships or professional opportunities. There are also individuals that move out to execute business ideas. This is my case.
  • The Best Book if you are leaving the United States. Here you will see only 1 recommendation, inserted especially for my dear American readers that are planning to move elsewhere.

Books about moving away from home

Move to the Place of Your Dreams: A Relocation Handbook

Publication year: 2014

Amazon Rating (From 1 to 5): 4.2 stars.

Why you should read it:

This book will tell you about the benefits of moving and why you might want to do it. The book gives you a low-stress, step-by-step plan for finding the best place for you, moving there, and getting used to a new place.

This complete guide is full of exercises and tools to help you organize your thoughts, questions, preferences, and plans. You’ll also find an amazing collection of up-to-date resources about moving that cover practical, legal, and financial issues.


Moving Out, Working Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity: 11 secrets to make your expat & digital nomad life better than you imagine

You can find this book here.

Publication year: 2020

Amazon Rating (From 1 to 5): 4.4 stars.

Why you should read it:

You can learn the following things from this book:

  • Despite having access to a certain incredible resource of knowledge, you aren’t using it. (Hint: It’s not in the media or on forums for expats.)
  • The family advice you will never regret taking. Neither will they.
  • How to succeed in your expatriate job by quickly adjusting to the customs and mannerisms of the area.
  • How to gain the respect and admiration of the locals by acting like one of them.
  • How to prosper locally without actually being one.

What readers say:

  • This is THE book to buy if you’re soon going to be an expat. very thorough research Plenty of information about how to flourish, survive, and maintain contact with home. The author’s anecdotes are quite moving, especially the one about his grandma. The five stages, which go from honeymoon to yearning, all applied to me. enjoyed the resources especially in the conclusion.
  • There is some great guidance in this book! You must read it if you want to live abroad because the author gives you so much information! Make sure you do your homework, that your goals are measurable, and my personal favorite: speak with the cashier and cab driver rather than the agents because they won’t have any ulterior motives. highly advisable
  • Excellent advice and information that is evidently drawn from the author’s personal experience living abroad. It explains how to get ready for any move overseas as well as what to do (and what not to do) after you arrive in your new nation. It provides insight into the kind of expat you are and the various emotional phases you will go through during your overseas journey. Tons of useful suggestions and guidance.
Cover of Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity, a recommended book full of stories about moving to another country:
A recommended book full of stories about moving to another country: Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity

Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking

Publication year: 2019

Amazon Rating (From 1 to 5): 4.5 stars.

Why is it a good book about moving abroad:

Richard Conrad deftly and expertly navigates the most delicate and frustratingly elusive subject for anyone trying to understand Asia’s rise: the complex role of culture in nations like China and Japan and its intersection with trade, business, and economics.

Conrad examines everything from best business practices to how business and political elites consider different cultural factors when making decisions to the escalating tensions between the US and China with the expert analyst’s eye of someone with years of experience and fluency in both languages.

Cover of Culture Hacks, One of the best Books About Moving Abroad
Culture Hacks – One of the best Books About Moving Abroad

Books about moving to another country as a Digital Nomad

The Digital Nomad Handbook

Publication year: 2020

Amazon Rating (From 1 to 5): 4.2 stars.

Why you should read it:

This helpful book is split into two parts. The first part talks about how to make money while working on the road, how to handle career changes, how to stay in touch with family and friends, what to do with your stuff, how to get over common fears before leaving, how to stay healthy on the road, and much more.

The second shows a number of great places for digital nomads to go. It gives helpful travel tips and information about each place, including its pros and cons, as well as inspiring stories from digital nomads on the road. […] This book was written by some of Lonely Planet’s own nomadic experts, and it’s full of tips, insights, and real-life stories about what it’s like to work on the road.


Tales of A Digital Nomad: A Narrative of Freeing Oneself Through Travel, Adventure, and Self-Realization

Publication year: 2019

Amazon Rating (From 1 to 5): 4 stars.

Why you should read it:

This amazing journey will really move people who want to fly off into the distance and see the whole world. Imagine how scared and excited Nadia must feel when she takes the brave step to start her own business, then goes traveling to meet new people and work toward a hard and painful lesson in self-realization.

Book: Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights
Recommended book: Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights

Best Expat books for entrepreneurs

Expat Secrets: How To Pay Zero Taxes, Live Overseas & Make Giant Piles of Money

Publication year: 2018

Amazon Rating (From 1 to 5): 4.1 stars.

Why you should read it:

Mikkel Thorup uses his more than 20 years of experience living overseas to give you an easy-to-understand guide to living overseas, saving money on taxes, getting a second passport, and traveling the world as an Expat.

This book will save you years of trial and error and give you a detailed plan for how to plant flags all over the world as a PT (Previous Taxpayer, Permanent Tourist, Perpetual Traveller).

Expat Secrets is full of information that will always be useful, based on Mikkel Thorup’s travels to more than 100 countries. It gives you a straightforward look at the offshore markets.

Cover of Expat Secrets - One of the books about relocating from the financial point of view.

Starting Your Own Business Far From Home: What (Not) to Do When Opening a Company in Another State, Country, or Galaxy

You can find this book here.

Publication year: 2020

Amazon Rating (From 1 to 5): 4.5 stars.

Why you should read it:

You will find out in this book:

  • When choosing a place to start a business, you should think about both business and non-business factors. They are often overlooked, but they make the difference between huge failures and amazing successes.
  • How to find allies in your area
  • How to know your rivals better than they know themselves!
  • How to find business-killing paths and stay away from them.
  • How to adapt to changes in your environment and make the most of them. (Hint: Taleb).
  • How can you avoid being tricked?

What the readers say:

  • The author starts by saying that starting a business takes a sincere desire, a lot of planning, being careful, and “a spark.” The book makes sense, is easy to read, and covers a lot of ground, both from a business and a personal point of view.
  • This book couldn’t have come at a better time for me as I look to move my business to another country. It shows what you should be aware of wherever you are in the world and gives great examples from the author’s own life and from his research.
  • As someone who works in business, I agree with a lot of what he says at first. However, as you read more, you realize how much you didn’t know or think about. You would be glad you knew about it before you jumped into a completely different culture, environment, and way of life.
Cover of One of the recommended books about moving and starting over: Starting Your Own Business Far From Home: What (Not) to Do When Opening a Company in Another State, Country, or Galaxy
One of the recommended books about moving and starting over: Starting Your Own Business Far From Home: What (Not) to Do When Opening a Company in Another State, Country, or Galaxy

Global Career: How to Work Anywhere and Travel Forever (Become a Digital Nomad Today with Remote Work!)

Publication year: 2018

Amazon Rating (From 1 to 5): 4.6 stars

Why you should read it:

This detailed book is full of real-life stories and actionable advice, such as:

– The exact tips and shortcuts you need to build a world-class career on the go

– Skills for negotiating and getting higher education, internships, and high-paying jobs overseas


Best Book if you are leaving the United States

U.S. Taxes for Worldly Americans: The Traveling Expat’s Guide to Living, Working, and Staying Tax Compliant Abroad

Cover of US Taxes for Worldy Americans - One of the best expat books if you are leaving the US.
US Taxes for Worldy Americans – One of the best expat books if you are leaving the US.

Publication year: 2017

Amazon Rating (From 1 to 5): 4.4 stars.

Why you should read it: 

Olivier covers a lot of international tax information that has been updated for 2021. This includes:

  • Step-by-step instructions for the Forms and Schedules you will use to file your offshore tax, no matter where you are.
  • How to get special tax breaks, credits, and exemptions when dealing with international taxes.
  • Why it’s easier than you think to open bank accounts and companies in other countries.
  • How living in another country or becoming a citizen of that country can legally lower your taxes.
  • How do your American or non-American spouse and/or children affect your tax situation?
  • What to think about before giving up your American citizenship and saying goodbye to the IRS for good.

Are there any other books you would recommend to people that are moving out from home? Please let me know in the comments about your best books about moving abroad! Also, check this list of must-read self-development books to transform your life.

Check also: The Best Places to Retire in Europe This Year and The Most Laid-back Places to Live in the World


Levi Borba is CEO of expatriateconsultancy.com, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author. You can check his books here, his other articles here, or his Linkedin here.

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About me

Expatriate Consultancy Levi Borba

I'm Levi Borba, and after living on multiple continents during my career as an airline specialist, I started a company to help expatriates, producing 3 books about moving abroad. Check out my podcast, our YouTube channel The Expat, my LinkedIn profile, or my Twitter. Also, you can find my writings on Medium (where I am one of the top-writers on my field of expertise).

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