Expats Finding Home Away From Home

John Altea lived in Ireland his whole life until an opportunity at a media agency opened up in South Beach that he could not refuse.   Now, less than seven years later, the 38 year old bachelor has already settled in successfully to his second U.S. city. "Maybe I will go back one day, but for now I am having the time of my life; it's like traveling the world while making money and friends along the way."

Unfortunately, the immigration and landing process is not an easy feat for everyone, no matter which side of the Atlantic or elsewhere you find yourself.. There are international work papers to secure along with unwieldy employment and house hunting searches, which can be a grueling and never-ending process if you are coming from a foreign country. For many it's the social aspect - finding new friends and a community to fit into -- which is the biggest long-term struggle. In fact, when online portal Expat Focus polled its members, 30% cited settling into life in their new community as the number one relocation stressor.

So what's the secret to overseas success? Much like anything else, you need to understand local nuances and have a strong support network in place. For many, like John, tapping into a pool of like-minded expats who've "been there, done that before" was a good starting point and safe haven.

According to John, connecting with a group of Irish expats was like having a built-in support network. "It was not just the camaraderie that was helpful" he says, "these people had lawyers who knew the ins and outs of securing a work visa, moving and headhunting services and of course, the bars in the area that served up a solid dish of bangers ands mash!"

So no matter your destination or from whence you come, finding people from your parts can make life abroad a lot less stressful and lonely. To help you get started, here are a list of portals for expats that Single Edition recommends you check out:

Expat Focus: The most comprehensive platform with thousands of downloadable guides, essential forms and up-to-the minute news from around the world.

Expat Exchange: A complete resource which is notable for its comprehensive directory of service providers as well as job listings in all parts of the world.

Expat Forum: With everything from healthcare and property guides to virtual message boards, this online destination offers a library of information and user-based advice.

Expats.com: A classic social network structure, Expats.com brings people in remote places together. Individuals can also find clubs, post classified ads and search for ongoing local events.

If you still haven't found what you're looking for, keep searching online. There are hundreds of organizations and associations that can help individuals just like you. Here are some examples:

Connect to Canada: A list of groups and organizations for Canadians living abroad.

MeetUp.com: Search on the term Expats and you will find everything meetings for everyone from Aussies in America to Swiss folks living in London.

ExpatWomen.com: A comprehensive portal empowering women working and living far away from home.