“Does Amazon deliver to Paraguay?” and other small-but-big questions
“Does Amazon deliver to Paraguay?” and other small-but-big questions
Visas. Healthcare. As you prepare for your big international move, dozens of questions and concerns are spinning around in your head. Passports. Financial papers. Peanut butter. Legal fees.
No, the availability of peanut butter isn’t likely to top your list of concerns when it comes to choosing or moving to a new home country. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t on the list. If comfort foods and Amazon delivery — helpful conveniences, little touches of home — have come up as a consideration, you’re not alone. These are just a few small but perfectly valid questions we’ve fielded at Expatsi.
“Does Amazon deliver to Paraguay?”
Yes. Amazon delivers to just about any country you might want to settle in, by van, car, moped, rowboat, or mule. But you can expect to pay for it, and you can expect to wait for it — shipping costs will be higher, and shipping speeds lower. The one-click convenience of Amazon Prime overnight delivery will not follow you to Costa Rica.
The big adjustment moving abroad is going to be less about what you can get, and more about how to get what you want. A number of American retail chains do have a presence elsewhere in the world (you can shop at Costco in 13 countries). But you can also shop local — find local versions of the thing you’re looking for, and shop local retailers to buy them. And for items you really can only find on Amazon? Just get used to planning ahead.
“Will Italy like my dog?”
Italy will love your dog. Italy will let your dog ride the train and will bring out a water bowl the moment you sit down at an outdoor cafe. A number of countries are enthusiastically pet-friendly, most are at least pet-accepting, and the countries on the Least Friendly list tend to also have other reasons not to move there.
That said, there are rules to follow. Most countries require pets to have updated vaccines and microchips, and some have quarantine rules and paperwork for entry. You’ll want to do your homework on pet laws and import requirements for your destination country. (We actually have an article all about how to move your pet overseas.) You’ll also want to be prepared for the possibility that you’ll arrive in your new home and your dog will instantly become more popular than you.
“Can I watch Netflix in Mexico?”
Yes, mostly. Your Netflix account will probably work in your new country, but you might not be able to catch the shows you’re used to watching — availability of different shows and movies can change according to regional streaming rights. The same issue will apply to Hulu, Disney+, and basically any other streaming platform. It could limit your access to American shows, but it could also give you access to new shows to binge obsessively.
When it comes to that bingeing, understand you may not get the same streaming quality as you’ve experienced in the U.S. — the U.S. is near the top of the international list for broadband speed. That said, the “perfectly reasonable” list is a long one, so don’t worry you’ll be stuck back in the dial-up era. As with everything else, check out your county of choice to make sure it has the digital infrastructure you’ll need to do work or distract yourself from doing work.
“Does France have Tylenol?”
It doesn’t have Tylenol, but it does have Doliprane, which is essentially the same thing but with a French accent. Elsewhere in Europe, you might see paracetamol — they’re all just acetaminophen with different brand names. Pharmacies all over the world are sources of most of the over-the-counter drugs you’re used to in the U.S., just with different names (and often a lower price tag).
The bigger adjustment you might have to make is cultural. In the U.S., you can grab a family-sized jug of Advil from the grocery store shelf and head home. In much of Europe, for instance, you’re going to walk into the pharmacy, ask the pharmacist, and walk away with a smaller box — often after a quick chat about your symptoms. What you lose in convenience you make up in a personal experience we’re not used to in the U.S.
“Can I find peanut butter in Spain?”
Of all the foods Americans miss when they move abroad, peanut butter somehow always lands toward the top of the list. Alas, it just isn’t a household staple in many other countries like it is in the U.S., and it usually tastes somewhat different than what Americans are used to. The world isn’t totally bereft of peanut butter, but it tends to be more of a specialty item.
But even if your favorite American comfort food is harder to find, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Take this as an opportunity to discover a whole new selection more common to your new home country. Have you tried hazelnut butter? Walnut butter? Don’t forget the unique flavor notes in local jams and honeys to round out your WBJ. And if you absolutely can’t go another moment without your Jif, you can usually find some in one of the larger grocery stores — at a higher price, in the International Foods section.
