Moving house is one of the most stressful things you will ever do in your life. There are so many things you have to sort out in the weeks leading up to the move, and then on the big day, you have to work hard to make sure that everything runs smoothly, which it probably won’t.
All of those challenges are magnified if you are moving to another country and there are a lot more logistical challenges to deal with. Whether you’re moving for work or just for a change of pace, you need to start planning early. Here are some of the main things you need to think about when moving overseas.
Visit the New Country in Advance
Hopefully, if you’re moving to a new country, you’ve already been there before. However, even if you are familiar with the country, you should visit again in advance of the move. There are a lot of logistical challenges to deal with and that’s tough to manage remotely. So, spend a week or two over there sorting everything out and dealing with things like opening bank accounts and registering with doctors, etc. You can also get to know the area a bit better so you can get your bearings once you move. It will make life a lot easier for you once you arrive if you do this in advance.
Arrange Specialist Shipping for Large Items
If you are taking large items like your car and all of the furniture from your home, you’ll need to arrange international shipping (check sites like https://www.shiply.com/us/international-shipping for more info) to make sure that your items arrive safely. You must work with a professional company that has experience with international shipping. If you cut corners, you’ll end up with a lot of broken possessions when you arrive in your new home.
Join Some Expat Blogs
Expat blogs are an excellent source of information. People that have already made the same move will be able to help you with all of the questions you might have and you could even make some friends while you’re at it. Visit https://www.silverdoorapartments.com/blog/best-expat-blogs/ for a list of the best ex-pat blogs.
Get Local Insurance Ahead of Time
Insurance is so important when you’re moving into a new home. If anything gets damaged in transit or while you are unpacking, you need it to be insured. You’ll also need insurance for the property itself as well as your car. It’s a good idea to get this sorted out ahead of time, so you are covered as soon as you arrive. If something happens before you get your insurance sorted, you could end up in serious financial trouble. Bear in mind that the insurance system works differently in all countries so it might take you some time to get to grips with it all.
Moving overseas is never going to be easy, but if you remember these important things, you can take some of the stress out of it.