One of the best ways to ensure that you don’t forget anything important for an overseas move is to create a moving-out-for-the-first-time list. This way, you can keep track of everything that needs to be done and make sure that nothing gets left behind.
Your Moving-Out-for-the-First-Time List Should Have a Budget Section
One of the most important things to have when moving across the globe is a clear financial perspective before you even start organizing the relocation. Going with the flow without doing preliminary calculations and estimating how much money you’ll need to go through the move is only likely to result in you running out of money in the middle of the relocation. And that would certainly not lessen the already severe stress associated with relocating.
Learning how much money you’ll need to set aside to pay for the necessary international moving services will help you customize your budget, cut down on these costs, and possibly even make some extra money in the process. Even though you’re facing one of the terrifying life events, having a good plan will help you feel calm and in charge. So, create a first-time moving-out list and, why not, even a relocation binder. That way, you can rest assured that every task will be done on time.
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Don’t Forget to Go Over the Cost of Living in a New Country
One of the most important things to remember when you’re planning a move to a new country is to factor in the cost of living. Depending on the country you’re planning to live in, the cost of living can be significantly higher or lower than what you’re used to.
For example, if you’re moving from the United States to Japan, you can expect the cost of living to be much higher. This is because Japan is a developed country with a high standard of living. On the other hand, if you’re moving from the United States to Mexico, you can expect the cost of living to be lower.
If you’re relocating alone, this step is a must. Before you choose the best time of the year to move, be sure to do your research and include the cost of living in your budget. Otherwise, you may struggle to make ends meet in your new home.
Gathering All the Right Documents When Moving Overseas Is Also a Must
Not putting this task on your checklist surely is one of the biggest relocation mistakes. Regardless of your trip plans, you will require a valid visa, passport, and insurance. But if you’re going somewhere you plan to live there permanently, you’ll need a different kind of visa and insurance.
When traveling abroad, the passport is one document that you absolutely must have. There is no need to worry if you, your family, and others already possess one. But if you still haven’t retrieved your passport, be prepared to wait many months to have it on hand. You won’t need to worry if you start the application procedure immediately. You must submit an application to the US Department of State along with documentation of your ID card, US citizenship, and a recent photo.
Be careful to have the necessary international insurance coverage, as this will lower your stress level and keep you secure and safe in the case of any unanticipated accidents. Your family members must all possess one.
Entering most countries will most certainly require you to have a valid visa. Check on the official site of that country before embarking on the adventure of gathering all the needed documents. Also, remember getting these documents will need time, so avoid last-minute relocating and avoid all the relocation stress it can cause.
Finding Work Should Be a Part of the List for Moving Out for the First Time
Sometimes, all you want to do is call an international moving company, fly out, and relocate somewhere else. However, if this is your first time living abroad on your own, will you be capable of going there and starting a job? We all are aware that migrating globally could be problematic, despite the fact that it seems obvious. It involves more than just spending money on international relocation services.
You might be considering your options right now and, more importantly, how to locate employment in your chosen place abroad. Start off by describing your interests. Do you like it when the weather’s nice most of the time? Maybe you should consider finding employment in sunny Barcelona. Or maybe you’ve always wanted to go to Berlin or Paris; now might be the moment!
Examine the usual industries and median salaries in different cities. Do you fit in there perfectly? Is it a good enough reason to relocate, worth calling a global mover, paying for efficient packing services, or spending money on overseas car shipping?
Hiring an International Moving Company Is a Way to Make Your Move Easy
Knowing how to pick a relocation company is also a thing you must learn in order to avoid some relocation scams. To do so, you can follow some relocation tips, like reading overall consumer reviews and comments on the Internet beforehand.
The next step is to get in touch with businesses you’re interested in and ask for no-obligation quotes. Compare all estimates you have now received from relocation teams. Request recommendations from friends and relatives if you are still unsure of your choice. Select a background-checked mover who appears to be the best fit for your needs.
You Should Not Skip on Decluttering Process Before Packing
There are a lot of people who think that decluttering is not necessary when they are about to move. However, this is not true at all. In fact, decluttering is one of the most important things that you need to do before you start packing your things if you want to have an efficient move. So, here are the reasons why you should put this task on your to-do list:
- It will save you time – If you declutter your home before you start packing, it will definitely save you a lot of time. This is because you no longer need to pack the things that you do not need. You can just focus on the things that are important to you and leave the rest behind.
- It will make packing easier – Packing can be quite challenging, especially if you have a lot of things to pack. However, if you declutter your home first, it will be much easier for you to pack since you no longer need to worry about the things that you do not need. You can just focus on packing the things that are important to you.
- It will save you money – If you declutter your home before you start packing, it will also save you a lot of money. This is because you no longer need to buy packing materials for the things that you do not need. You can just use the packing materials that you already have at home and save yourself some money.
- It will make unpacking easier – Unpacking can be quite challenging, especially if you have a lot of things to unpack. However, if you declutter your home first, it will be much easier for you to unpack since you won’t have that many boxes to go through.
In the video below, check how to do it in the quickest possible way.
Donate Items You Won’t Use Anymore
Why not give away or donate the items if you don’t want to throw them away? All those things will be appreciated by your friends and family. You can also host a live auction and a garage sale to get extra income.
Once you decide what to keep, donate the rest of the stuff to charity. Choose whether you’ll go directly to the local charity organization or you’ll do it through the Goodwill website. In both cases, you’ll help others in need.
Have Specific Packing Tasks on Your List
Make sure you have certain necessities, such as documents and medication, before you pack everything into the boxes. You must also consider your children’s birth records, passports, and possibly other paperwork if you are moving with them. Therefore, take care of the legal aspect of your overseas relocation before you start shopping for containers and other necessary packing supplies to preserve your shoes and clothes items. Here are some other inquiries to consider.
Get Rid of Items International Movers Can’t Move
Can all items be moved by professional movers? No, as there are some objects that movers won’t transport. This is particularly crucial while relocating abroad. International movers are very strict on this matter, and for a good reason. Things that are marked as hazardous for overseas shipping can be extremely problematic for businesses as well as for individuals who are moving. So it’s important to understand what is prohibited and ask movers everything you want to know about the move.
Prepare a Bag of Essentials for the Road
There are a lot of things to think about when relocating internationally – especially if you’re doing it for the first time. One of the most important things on your list should be preparing a bag of essentials to help you through those first few days (or weeks) in your new home.
Here’s what we recommend putting in your bag of essentials:
- Passport and other important documents,
- Money (enough for a few days in case you can’t access your bank account right away),
- Phone charger and the right adapter because in many countries, it’s different than the one in US,
- Medications,
- A change of clothes,
- Toiletries,
- Snacks and water.
Pack the Valuables Separately
When you are moving internationally, it is important to make sure that you pack your valuables separately from the rest of your belongings. So, when preparing your valuables, ensure to:
- Pack them securely so that they cannot be easily lost or stolen,
- Keep them in a place where they will not be damaged,
- Make sure that you know where they are at all times.
Follow the List, and You’ll Relocate Without a Fuss
In just a few short weeks, you and your family will be picking up and moving to a new home. The prospect of a new home can be exciting, but the actual process of relocating will be terrifying if a professional international mover isn’t by your side. There is so much to do and remember in the weeks leading up to the move, so it’s easy to let things slip through the cracks. But with a thorough list of tasks, you won’t have to worry about anything.