Making the arduous decision to move abroad isn’t easy, but it certainly is exciting. Experiencing life in a different country, whether for family or work, can be an exhilarating prospect. However, the move ahead is unlikely to be a straightforward process. Moving to a whole new country may take weeks or even months of planning so that the process runs as smoothly as possible.
Here at Rose Removals, we’re experienced in the moving industry, which means we have gained years of knowledge in the best practices for moving abroad.
Read on to find out our top tips for making your overseas move run as smooth as possible.
Planning is
key in making your move a success. Moving abroad takes a lot of preparation;
from planning your mode of transport to organising items and notifying everyone
in your current residential country about your move.
Do take time to plan your move and make a checklist of everything you need to
do before the big moving day. This might include:
-Planning the packing of your house
- Organising your flights and transfers
-Application of visas
-The details of your new property; rental or estate agent details
-Investing in insurance
-Relocation of pets
-Application of new schools, doctors, dentists
-Closing your utility accounts and notifying your suppliers
-Notifying the authorities and bank of your move
One of the biggest parts of the planning process is research. Research plays a large role in the smooth running of your move and can be the difference between it running well or not.
You might already have experienced a holiday or period of time in the country
that you are planning on moving to, so you may be familiar with the local area
and facilities. If not, it’s always a good idea to do your research to find out
as much information as you can before you land.
For example, where is the local doctors or hospital in relation to your new
property? Are you in walking distance of shopping facilities or a convenience
store?
As well as understanding the local surroundings of your new property, you should also research restrictions for your flight and move.
Some items
are prohibited in different countries, so bear this in mind when packing. For
example, if you’re moving to Australia
you are unable to take live plants,
animals and fresh fruit and vegetables.
You should also check with the airline with which you have booked to see what items you can and can’t take. You might find that you can take some essential items from your home with you by paying for additional luggage.
Find a reliable moving company
Once you’ve done your research into your location and the restrictions of items that you won’t be able to take with you, it’s time to find a removals company.
You should have a vague idea of how much you will be taking with you to your new home and you should mention this when searching for quotes.
In order to find a reliable removals company, you should consider looking at your
prospective company’s reviews to ensure that previous customers have had
positive experiences.
When you think about going on holiday, there’s nothing worse than reaching a
new destination only to find that your belongings are lost. Compare this to moving
to a new country and you can imagine how stressful it might be. You want to be
able to rely on a trustworthy company to be able to get your sentimental home
items from the UK to your new destination, so researching a few companies and
speaking to them about what they can offer is highly beneficial.
Give yourself plenty of time
To avoid feeling rushed when the big moving day comes around, give yourself plenty of time to organise everything. Whether that means starting to pack your belongings a month or two in advance, contacting the removals company ahead of time or pre-booking your flight.
Being organised ahead of time will give you peace of mind that the process will run smoothly.
Account for unexpected costs
Moving countries isn’t a
cheap process, so you should budget for unexpected difficulties during the
move, just in case. To avoid personal loss, always purchase insurance before
taking on a big move so that in the unfortunate case that your belongings are
stolen, damaged or missing, you’re covered.
Don’t forget to account for the little things like airport transfers, taxis and
food for when you arrive, and think about carrying some local currency just in
case you might need it the other side of your flight.
Pets are part of the family so it’s important to be sure that you take the necessary steps to make sure the move is as smooth running for them as it is for you. It is a good idea to speak to a vet before relocating to make sure that you have the advice you need with regards to keeping them safe and happy while relocating.
There is a lot more to moving a pet abroad than simply preparing them for the flight, however. Do your research on what is needed for your pet prior to booking your travel.
Depending on where you are moving to, your pets will need up-to-date vaccinations before they are relocated and possibly an up to date rabies blood test and micro-chip, so be sure to store any paperwork you have for such procedures somewhere safe in case you are asked for proof.
Relevant documents
Prepare for your move ahead of
time by ensuring that you have all the relevant paperwork. Some of the
documents you might need to present include;
-Work permits or proof of employment
-Evidence of income or funds to support yourself
-Marriage certificates
-Driving licences
Don’t forget to keep copies of these safe, in case you happen to misplace them during the move.
It’s also a good idea to check with the local embassy of the country you are moving to and ask what is required in terms of work permits. You might have already been offered a job, or perhaps you intend on finding one there; whatever your circumstances, it is a good idea to research the immigration process to understand the laws.
Consider
storage
If you’re planning on returning to the UK, or are going to make a few repeat
visits to pick up your home items, you can choose to opt for storage solutions
for your needs.
The great thing about storage units and self-storage is that you can keep your
furniture and home-goods safely locked away until you need or want them.
If you haven’t had time to properly plan whether your home items should come with
you or be sold on, you can choose to leave them in storage until you decide
what to do with them.
Rose Removals: Reliable overseas home removals in Exeter and Devon
Whether you’re moving cities or relocating to a new country, Rose Removals are here to make your move from Devon a smooth one. From arriving on time to providing clear communication, we pride ourselves on the great service that we deliver to both our home movers and commercial mover customers alike.
If you’ve been searching “movers near me” and are based in the Exeter or Devon vicinity, you should consider Rose Removals to help you move successfully.