Los Angeles Residents: Your 2025 Guide to Moving Overseas
Why More Angelenos Are Moving Abroad
If you live in Los Angeles, you already know: life in the City of Angels is as fast-paced as it is expensive.
Sky-high housing prices, relentless traffic, and a rising cost of living have more Angelenos asking an important question — what if there’s a better way to live?
For many, the answer lies beyond U.S. borders.
In 2025, new global opportunities, expanded remote work options, and welcoming immigration programs around the world are making international relocation not only possible, but smarter than ever. Whether you’re a professional ready for a change, a retiree looking for a relaxed lifestyle, or a family seeking more affordable living, moving abroad is a powerful step toward building a new kind of future.
At SDC International Shipping, based right here in Los Angeles, we’ve been helping Californians realize their overseas dreams for decades. If you’re ready to turn your “what if” into “what’s next,” you’re in the right place.
How to Choose the Right Destination
Choosing the perfect place to relocate is one of the most exciting — and overwhelming — parts of the journey. Where you move impacts your lifestyle, finances, and overall happiness.
Key Factors to Consider:
- Cost of Living: Research the cost of housing, healthcare, food, transportation, and entertainment in your desired country.
- Lifestyle Fit: Think about climate, culture, pace of life, outdoor activities, and urban vs. rural living preferences.
- Visa and Residency Options: Some countries are more welcoming to U.S. expats, especially those offering Digital Nomad Visas, Retirement Visas, or Investment Visas.
- Healthcare and Education: Access to affordable, high-quality services is crucial for families and retirees.
- Language and Culture: Language barriers can be a challenge; consider whether you prefer a country with strong English-speaking communities or are excited to immerse yourself in a new language.
Popular Destinations for LA Expats:
- Portugal: Affordable, stunningly beautiful, and welcoming to Americans.
- Mexico: Close to home, vibrant culture, and lower living costs.
- Spain: Sun-drenched cities, rich culture, and new remote worker visas.
- Australia: English-speaking, diverse cities, and strong job markets.
Pro Tip: Visit your potential destination first if you can! Spending a few weeks “test living” abroad can confirm your decision before you make it permanent.
Choosing your destination is deeply personal — but whatever you decide, SDC International Shipping is here to make sure your journey from Los Angeles to your new home is smooth, safe, and stress-free.
Timing Your Move: Why 2025 Is the Perfect Year
If you’ve been thinking about making a move abroad, 2025 is handing you the perfect opportunity.
Right now, remote work is giving people more freedom than ever to choose where they live — not just where they work. Companies are getting more flexible. Governments are getting more welcoming. And with the cost of living rising fast here at home, there’s never been a better time to seriously consider a change.
Countries like Portugal, Spain, and Mexico have rolled out special visas to make it easier for Americans to live, work, or retire abroad. And with services like international moving insurance making it safer to ship your entire household overseas, the transition has never been more secure.
At SDC International Shipping, we believe opportunity favors the prepared. If your dream is to swap LA traffic for Lisbon’s waterfront cafés, or California’s high costs for Costa Rica’s pura vida lifestyle — there’s no need to wait any longer.
The world is ready for you. Let’s start planning your international move.
What to Expect When Moving from Los Angeles
We know firsthand — moving internationally from Los Angeles is exciting, but it’s not without its moving parts (pun intended!).
Here’s what you can expect when you team up with SDC:
Your journey starts at the heart of global trade.
Most of our Los Angeles shipments leave through the Ports of San Pedro or Long Beach — two of the busiest international shipping hubs. If you’re planning a large move, we’ll help you decide between shipping by sea or air freight, depending on your timeline and budget.
You’ll choose the right shipping method for your life.
If you’re moving an entire household, sea freight is usually the best fit. If you need fast delivery of a few essentials, air freight can be your best friend.
Customs and paperwork? We’ve got your back.
International paperwork can be confusing — but not when you have a team guiding you through every form, rule, and regulation. Check out our helpful customs clearance guide to see just how much easier we make the process.
Need a little breathing room? We’ve thought of that too.
Not ready to move into your new home the moment you land? No problem. We offer secure storage services right here in LA, so you can move at your own pace.
Our promise: When you work with SDC, you won’t just be another number in a warehouse.
You’ll have a dedicated relocation expert helping you from the first box packed to the first sunset in your new home abroad.
Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Overseas from Los Angeles
We’ve helped thousands of Californians move abroad — and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that a little preparation can save you a lot of stress.
Here are a few common mistakes we’ve seen — and how you can steer clear of them:
Waiting Too Long to Start Planning
International moves are complex. Between packing, paperwork, customs, and coordinating shipping schedules, things move slower than a local move across town.
Our advice: Start the process early. Get your international household moving quote at least three months before your planned move date to stay ahead of the curve.
Trying to Pack Everything Yourself
DIY packing might seem like a money-saver, but it often leads to damages, delays, or customs headaches. Most people don’t realize that international shipments require special materials and an accurate inventory.
Our advice: Trust our professional packing services — we’ll pack everything to meet international moving standards and protect your belongings.
Overlooking Customs Paperwork
Every country has its own rules about what you can — and can’t — bring in. Missing one form or packing restricted items can hold up your shipment for weeks.
Our advice: Use our customs forms guide to stay compliant, and let SDC handle the tough stuff for you.
Skipping Moving Insurance
Even with the best packing and shipping, ocean travel can be unpredictable. Having the right protection for your belongings is essential.
Our advice: Ask us about international moving insurance to cover your household goods door-to-door.
Ignoring Storage Needs
If your home abroad isn’t move-in ready yet, you’ll need a safe place to store your belongings temporarily.
Our advice: We offer secure storage solutions at multiple points — giving you flexibility and peace of mind during your transition.
Our promise: When you work with SDC, you’ll always have an expert guiding you, every step of the way.
Why SDC International Shipping Is LA’s Trusted International Moving Expert
At SDC International Shipping, we understand that moving overseas isn’t just about boxes and shipping containers — it’s about starting a new chapter of your life with confidence.
Based right here in Los Angeles, we’ve been helping Angelenos turn international dreams into reality for over a decade. We’ve seen the excitement, the nerves, and the endless to-do lists — and we’ve built our services around making the process simple, secure, and even enjoyable.
Here’s why families, professionals, and retirees across LA trust SDC to guide their move:
Personalized, Door-to-Door Service
Your move is unique, and we treat it that way. From your first consultation to the final delivery, you’ll have a dedicated relocation expert managing every detail. No call centers, no endless transfers — just personal service you can count on.
Expert Packing and Protection
We don’t just move boxes; we move your life’s treasures. Our professional packing services ensure your belongings are packed with international-grade materials, inventoried for customs, and protected at every step of the journey.
Clear, Transparent Pricing
Moving overseas can feel overwhelming — but worrying about hidden fees shouldn’t be part of the story. We offer easy-to-understand quotes. You can even compare international moving quotes with confidence before you commit.
Customs Expertise That Saves You Time
International customs paperwork can seem complicated, but it’s second nature to us. We’ll walk you through every form, regulation, and requirement, backed by resources like our customs clearance guide.
Flexible Storage Solutions
Sometimes life doesn’t follow a perfect timeline. Whether you need short-term or long-term storage services, we can securely store your belongings until you’re ready to receive them abroad.
The bottom line:
We don’t just move your household.
We move your future — with the care, professionalism, and clarity you deserve.
When you choose SDC International Shipping, you’re not just hiring a mover. You’re partnering with a team who believes your big move deserves big peace of mind.
Your New Life Abroad Starts Here
Moving overseas is more than just a big decision — it’s the start of a new adventure, a new lifestyle, and a new chapter filled with opportunity.
At SDC International Shipping, we’re here to make sure that the journey from Los Angeles to your new home is everything it should be: exciting, smooth, and stress-free.
From your first call with us to the moment your last box arrives safely at your new doorstep, you’ll have a trusted guide by your side — answering your questions, clearing the path, and handling every detail with care.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward your dream life abroad, we’re ready to help you get there.
🌍 Start planning today.
👉 Request your free international moving quote with SDC International Shipping — and let’s turn your dream into reality.
