The first three months abroad are the most expensive months you will ever have in that country, so budget for that reality rather than for normal life. Deposits, first rent, furniture, kitchen basics, transport passes, phone plans, and a dozen small setup costs all land at once. Most experienced movers suggest arriving with a cushion of at least three months of expected living costs, more if you do not have income lined up.
Once landed, the winning habits are boring but effective: track every expense for the first sixty days so you learn real local prices, cook at home, buy second-hand furniture from departing expats, get a transport pass instead of ride-hailing, and resist recreating your home-country lifestyle with imported products immediately.
Rent is the lever that matters most. Choosing a shared flat or a slightly farther neighborhood in year one can save more than every other economy combined. Live lean until you understand the market, then upgrade deliberately.