The shift: rethinking home, career and where you belong
From Dalbir’s Desk
So… anyone for Dubai, Italy, or the USA?
As I wrap up my 12-month assignment in Istanbul, I’ve been thinking a lot about how moving abroad has shaped me—not just in business, but in life. From running my own company in Mumbai to working as a Vice President for Zalando in Berlin, Business Coach in Istanbul, and back again, living and working internationally has become second nature.
And yet, I know for many people, the idea of uprooting everything can feel huge—even impossible. But lately, more and more women I speak to are asking the same questions:
“Is this country really serving me anymore?”
“Could I actually live—and thrive—somewhere else?”
Whether you're dreaming of Dubai's sunshine, Italy's beauty, or the boldness of the USA, this week’s newsletter is for you.
Here are 10 things I’d really consider before making the move—at any age.
Let me know if any of them speak to you. ✈️
Dalbir x
The 10 things to consider before moving abroad —
at any age
So you’re thinking about moving abroad. A fresh start. A new chapter. A total reinvention.
But before you get swept up in sunset reels and remote work fantasies, let’s have a real conversation. Here are 10 smart, grounded questions to ask yourself — whether you’re 25, 45, or 65.
1. Why now?
Be honest: are you running towards something exciting, or running away from burnout, boredom, or heartbreak? There’s no shame in either — but clarity will shape everything that comes next. Moving won't magically fix things unless you’re intentional about what you want to build.
2. Cost of living vs. quality of life
That trending city might be cheaper — but will you be trading your sanity for savings? Factor in healthcare, food, transport, schooling (if relevant), and small pleasures. Quality of life is about more than just rent. Think: can you live there, not just exist?
3. Legal and tax implications
“Tax-free” sounds sexy until you’re knee-deep in visa admin or get hit with double taxation. Understand your tax residency status, healthcare rights, and local laws. Speak to a professional before you pack your bags — not after.
4. Work culture and job market
You might be escaping hustle culture, only to land in a place where "slow mornings" are considered laziness. Can your skills translate? Will your experience be valued? Don’t just move — plan how you’ll thrive.
5. Community and belonging
Instagram doesn’t show the loneliness that can creep in after the novelty wears off. Will you find a like-minded community? Or will you feel like a guest in someone else’s story — forever on the outside?
6. Healthcare and safety
Especially crucial if you’re over 40, have dependants, or manage chronic conditions. Is the system reliable? Will you be able to access the care you need without drama (or a 12-hour queue)?
7. Language and accessibility
Are you ready to decode paperwork in a language you barely speak? Will you be comfortable navigating daily life — from doctor's appointments to emergency calls? Google Translate can only take you so far.
8. Daily joys and conveniences
It’s not just about palm trees or pretty cafes. Can you buy decent bread? Walk to a park? Access good coffee, warm mornings, and a reliable pharmacy? It’s the small stuff that makes a life.
9. Exit plan or long-term vision?
Are you taking a break, or building a future? Think beyond the honeymoon phase. What happens if it doesn’t work out? Or if it really does?
10. Your support system
Your people might be miles away — but do they still feel emotionally close? Whether it’s WhatsApp voice notes, flying visits, or new friendships, how will you stay connected, grounded, and emotionally supported?
Moving abroad is bold. Brave. A little scary. But when done with clarity and intention, it can be one of the most expansive decisions you’ll ever make. So go — but go well.
This week at Santalan
Podcast spotlight: What Mumbai taught me about working abroad
Culture, courage, and finding your rhythm
As more women consider leaving the UK in search of a different pace, a better balance, or a bold new beginning — we’re taking it back to one of Dalbir’s most personal episodes.
Recorded live at Soho House Mumbai, this solo episode unpacks the raw reality of moving from the fashion world in London to launching a lingerie brand in India. It’s a story of career reinvention, cultural adjustment, entrepreneurship, and the deep personal growth that only comes from starting over in a new country.
Dalbir shares the highs and lows — from building a business in a completely new market to navigating loneliness, redefining identity, and learning how to lead without a map.
If you’ve ever asked yourself “What if I actually did it?”, this one’s for you.
Highlights that got our attention
Jo Malone’s gap year — and the power of starting over… again
Jo Malone built a fragrance empire. Then left it. Then started again. And again.
In this feature from The CEO Magazine, she opens up about taking a “gap year” in her 50s, packing up her life in London, and moving to Dubai — not for retirement, but for reinvention.
She describes it not as a dramatic escape, but as a necessary pause — a moment to find space, silence, and clarity after a lifetime of hustle, illness, rebuilding, and high-pressure creativity.
What she found in Dubai? Stillness. Stimulus. Energy. Room to create.
What she left behind? Fear of letting go.
This isn’t a story about luxury. It’s about permission.
“I was frightened I was going to miss out on my life.”
– Jo Malone
For anyone standing at a crossroads — whether personal, professional, or geographical — this is a reminder that it’s never too late to change your pace, your view, or your entire trajectory.
Why so many are leaving the UK — and why it’s not about escape
According to recent data, the UAE has become the second most popular destination for UK millionaires. In fact, more than 800 high-net-worth individuals left the UK for Dubai and surrounding emirates last year — a record-breaking shift driven by rising UK taxes and a changing attitude toward success.
But it’s not just about tax.
Many of these relocations aren’t reactionary. They’re intentional.
A reassessment of values. A quieter rebellion against burnout economics, social pressure, and legacy expectations.
This aligns with what we’re seeing across the Santalan community:
Women questioning the rules.
Asking better questions.
Leaving not to run — but to reset.
The common thread?
They’re no longer willing to build lives around structures that don’t serve them — tax, career, location or otherwise.
As the article notes:
“The UK has seen one of the biggest outflows of millionaires globally… driven by a combination of rising taxes and quality-of-life factors.”
Which begs the real question:
If you weren’t tied to postcode, passport, or prestige — where would you live? How would you work? What would success actually look like?
Book Spotlight: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
What if the real problem isn’t that we don’t have enough time — but that we’re spending it all trying to have more?
In Four Thousand Weeks, British author and recovering productivity addict Oliver Burkeman makes a radical suggestion: stop trying to get everything done.
The title comes from a brutal truth — if you live to 80, you’ll have roughly 4,000 weeks. That’s it. And most of us are spending that precious time chasing inbox zero, upgrading calendars, and postponing joy.
This book isn’t a time-management system. It’s a mindset shift.
It’s about confronting finitude — and then choosing, consciously, how to live.
Why we’re featuring it:
Because The Rule of 5 told you to carry less. Jo Malone reminded you it’s never too late to begin again.
This book tells you: don’t waste the good years waiting for the “right” time.
One quote that lands:
“The average human lifespan is absurdly, terrifyingly, insultingly short.”
And yet — there’s clarity in that.
If you’re feeling the pull to make a bold move — geographically, emotionally, professionally — this is your permission slip.
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