You have always dreamed of living in an exotic country where you can enjoy various exciting events and adventures during the whole year? Moving to Peru can provide you with all sorts of activities, indoors and especially outdoors. Reasons for relocation to this country in South America are many, but one of the most common is the cultural experiences that expats just can’t miss.
Relocating overseas to the Land of the Incas isn’t something you can do without planning and good preparation. There are many questions you should answer before you actually begin planning the relocation process, from finding a home, checking if you’ll have enough money for the average cost of living, and what documentation is needed to adjusting to the unknown culture and fitting in the surroundings. That’s why living overseas should be planned thoroughly, especially now when international traveling during Coronavirus is made quite difficult. Here’s a guide to all the things you should know if your next destination is the Land of the Incas.
What’s Drawing People to Choose This Destination to Be Their Future Home
Many people want a change in their lives because everyday routine is getting harder and harder to overcome. So, relocating to one of the friendliest countries in the world is an entirely understandable step in one’s life. However, it’s good to prepare yourself before you make such a big change and explore the basic facts about the country, local lifestyles, laws, and many other things. Here are some things you should be aware of when relocating to the potato land:
- It’s called Potato Land because there are over 4,000 varieties of potatoes. Don’t be surprised that you’ll find over a dozen different types just in grocery stores. With so many different shapes and flavors, you’ll be challenged to try each one of them.
- After Argentina and Brazil, it’s the third-largest country in South America, with a population of more than 31 million. The capital and the largest city is Lima, with over seven million inhabitants, with Arequipa and Trujillo as the second and third largest cities.
- Official languages are Spanish and English. You’ll get a chance to learn a new language very quickly.
- The currency is Nuevo Sol or just Sol. One Sol is 0.24 US dollars.
- The largest rainforest in the world – Amazon, the second largest mountain range – the Andes, and the Amazon river are situated precisely here.
The Inca Civilization
Once you found the best place to live abroad, it’s essential to know some part of that place’s history. When we talk about the cultural influence and legacy of South America, the Inca civilization is undoubtedly the most important one. They started as a small tribe that grew steadily, and its importance lay in the contribution to the religion, architecture, and roads they built throughout the region. We can learn a lot from knowing how ancient civilizations lived, their habits, and how they reacted in certain situations. Not only will it help us in the present, but also in the future.
The Inca was the largest pre-Columbian empire with a population of over 6 million people. Their concept of family is the same as in the modern model in the region. For example, relatives like aunts, uncles, cousins, and the distant ones, according to their concept, are the family, and you should treat your neighbors with respect as if they were your blood relatives.
The Dream Came True – Prepare All the Documentation When Moving to Peru From the US
The one thing you can’t avoid when looking for the best countries to live in abroad is documentation. You know that if you don’t have a valid passport, visa, and other documents, your trip and all the tasks you put on your relocation checklist will be in vain. So, the first thing you have to do is gather all the documents needed to travel abroad, and you should start with the passport. If you don’t have one, apply as soon as possible. Renew it because the passport should be valid for at least six months.
When finding the best places to live abroad with family, that means you have to think about their documentation, as well. Ensure you have yellow fever vaccination certification because it’s required, and vaccines for hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies are recommended.
If you’re traveling with pets, more precisely with a dog, make sure your furry friend is vaccinated against rabies between 21 days and 12 months before the trip, and you have to be able to provide evidence of Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Parvovirus vaccinations. Another thing to be checked is the airline company that can get your pet transported.
Is a Visa Needed at All?
Getting informed about the Peruvian visa system is one of the two most crucial things if you opt to travel and eventually move here (besides international moving services that will take care of the actual move.) This is the country where the entrance can’t be easier – you don’t need a travel visa. This means you can stay in the country for 183 days, and then you have to leave because you can’t extend your stay. If, for some reason, you have to stay(you found work, or because of the family,) you have to request a visa from the Peruvian consulate in your own country.
Get Used to More HOLA and Less HELLO
You figured out what to pack when moving abroad; you should start thinking about learning a language when moving overseas. Although the official Peruvian languages are both English and Spanish, the majority of the population speaks only Spanish. So, if you never had a chance to meet with this language, it’s about time for some tips for learning a new language. It will be hard work, but once you move, you’ll break the language barrier much easier, and it won’t take too long before you start using Hola instead of Hello. It’s good to know that Peruvians use slang and colloquial expressions. So, take some awesome tips from the video below on pronouncing Spanish words and sounding like a native.
What’s Like to Live In the City of Kings
Most expats in Peru live precisely in Lima and its capital district. That shouldn’t surprise you because its seaside location is the main reason why this city economically and culturally grew in time. That’s why moving to Lima, Peru, will give you many opportunities – from work opportunities to different amenities in a thriving metropolis. And if you want to retire in the cultural hub with so many other districts, that can be done too.
You’ll find many Peruvian local shops and restaurants here with the typical local food. The anticuchos was and remained the most popular barbequed street food in the whole country, and Lima is no exception.
How Much Money You’ll Need for a Comfortable Life in the Octopus Country
The cost of living here isn’t high, depending on, of course, which city and the part of the city you choose. The most significant expenditure you’ll need to make as an expat will be the housing, which in most cases amounts to rent. As you may know, the upscale areas are more expensive, and that’s why, if you wish to find a home in the Miraflores or San Isidro, you’ll be paying a monthly rent of around $1,000 for a 2-bedroom apartment. The important thing to remember is that you can always bargain and lower the price. As far as the rest of the expenditures go, such as groceries and utilities, many expats are surprised that they managed to save some money precisely on these two at the end of the month.
Is Buying a Property Possible for an Expat – How to Find a Perfect New Home in Peru
No matter the reasons for your international travel, whether you’re relocating for love or you want to make a fresh start, you’ll want to have your own home, right? The good news is that there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Peru. However, if you want to obtain a mortgage, that could be a challenging part – you need a Peruvian bank account, but if you don’t have an ID or a residence visa, you can’t get one.
Health Insurance and Healthcare System for Expats – Things Americans Moving to Peru Should Know
Knowing and understanding how the healthcare system and insurance work here, no matter how long you plan to stay, is essential. You, as an expat, will be surprised that the private health care you’ll be provided with here has a very low price. The medical insurance is also on a high level, and the prices go between $35 to $100 a month.
Good Level of Education and Possibility of Instructions in Both Spanish and English
If you’re traveling with school-aged children, this means you’ll have to find a suitable school for them, and your budget, too. As you can imagine, in the capital you’ll have the biggest range of private schools (public ones are in Spanish, while private schools have courses in English.) Don’t be surprised if some schools ask for an entrance quota you’ll have to pay for each child, but know that you can also make a deal, especially when having more than one kid.
Don’t Touch or Take Any Archeological Artifacts
Since the place is full of the world’s wonders and archaeological excavations, many people are tempted to bring even the smallest piece of rock with them when leaving the country. Don’t do it because it’s illegal without proper authorization, and you can end up in prison for that.
Overseas Vehicle Shipping Is a Good Idea Regardless of Congested Traffic
Relocating across the world and trying to stay in touch with your friends and family isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Luckily, all those online video call apps will help you get used to the new life and adjust to the fact that you’re an expat. On the other hand, you can always find expat communities online, and depending on how long you plan to stay in the country, you can make friends for life.
Relocation stress can be a nasty thing if you don’t take care of yourself. If you’ve never done it before, you should know that having a helping hand from the professionals with the packing services and the storage facilities where you can keep some of your belongings is a life changer. When it comes to overseas vehicle shipping, you should consider that you’ll find heavy traffic in Peru, but you’ll still get to a wanted destination faster with a car.
International Moving Company Will Make Your Relocation to El Pulpo a Breeze
How to live in another place as an expat is a challenging task to do. There are many things you should know before you hire a professional overseas shipping company that will take care of all the services regarding the move – from checking the cost of living and whether a visa is needed to how to fit in the new surroundings. And you might feel overwhelmed. Luckily, you can deal with all these tasks unburdened when you have a reliable relocation crew by your side.
