Overseas relocation

Dear 48 Days members -

I am a full-time software developer working for an amazing Christian ministry in Arizona. Over the past few years, I and my wife have dreamed of living in England, as we are both diehard Anglophiles. My employer knows of this dream, and has made me the proverbial "offer I can't refuse". They want my dream to come true, and as such, have offered to allow me to continue working as a full-time employee thru the end of 2011, while granting me 10% of my time to be spent researching the logistics (work visas, etc.) of moving overseas. They are also going to grant me an 8 weeks' pay severance package as a kind (and extremely generous) going away gift.

Once this happens, and my full-time employment with them ends, my plan for continuing income is to expand my freelance work. I'm considering focusing my marketing efforts to UK organizations, given that my heart (and hopefully soon, my home) is there, and that technology allows me to work from anywhere. But as Dan often says, freelancing is a linear income producer, and I'd like to spend time developing other recurring revenue streams (such as what Jim Hodges is doing with recording history books - I love this idea, as I too am a fan of history, and British history in particular).

Given all this, I'm curious as to this community's thoughts and insights. Specifically: are there any glaring holes? (Yes, I am aware that the UK isn't the easiest place to move to nowadays!) Are there any plan "accelerators" that might prove helpful? Any similar experiences to share?

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
Chris

Tags: England, Freelancing, overseas, relocation

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Permalink Reply by Dan Miller on October 22, 2011 at 7:28pm

Chris - as you know, I'm a big believer in just following your dreams. Joanne and I have never moved anywhere because of a "job" but rather, we moved every time just because we were moving to some place we thought would be cool to live.

We happen to love the Cotswolds in England and have spent chunks of time there. If you want to live in England I say go for it. As you say technology allows you to live anywhere so just enjoy the process of moving and starting this next exciting season of your lives.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Valdivia on October 26, 2011 at 1:35pm

Thanks Dan - I appreciate your reply. And of course, all your books, podcasts, etc. As many others have indicated, you've become a long-distance mentor for me, joining the likes of Dr. James Dobson, the FamilyLife Today guys, R.C. Sproul, and others.

Blessings,

Chris

p.s. I'm blogging about this journey at http://acactusincornwall.wordpress.com

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Permalink Reply by Brent Green on October 22, 2011 at 9:45pm

Chris -

I'm a huge fan of cross-cultural living. It's such a rewarding experience...that helps us to see life through new lenses. I lived in England for a while in the past and loved it....that was my first 'cross-cultural' experience. It was an easier transition there than other countries. Later, I lived in Eastern Europe and studied another language....also an enriching, but a more challenging experience. Sounds like you've got a deep, God-given desire living in England. If it was me, I'd take the leap of faith and do it. I plan to do more cross-cultural living in the future myself :)

Thanks for starting the good discussion....