If you ever had to pack all your personal belongings and move them to another location, you know just how stressful this can be (even if it’s just a few doors down the road).
So much so, that many people rank moving homes as the third most stressful life event, only after death and divorce!
Add the international factor into the mix and the stress levels can rise even higher. Truth be told, moving homes doesn’t have to be a chaotic and hair-pulling experience. In fact, we know just how to make international relocations go off without a hitch.
If you’re in the process of moving to a new country, this is the article for you. In this blog, we’ll share all our best tips and tricks to ensure you make the transition both smoothly and successfully. Keep reading to find out how!
Write a Checklist
When you’re about to move to another country, you have a thousand different things whizzing through your mind. That’s why it never hurts to create a long and precise to-do list. From arbitrary things such as getting rid of perishable items to more serious tasks such as notifying your insurance company, this checklist should act as the ultimate roadmap.
Purge Before You Pack
The last thing you want to do is take a bunch of unnecessary items with you halfway across the world. It’s better to travel light and get rid of all the things you no longer need. You can even host a garage sale to set aside some extra money for your relocation. If not, take your unwanted items to the nearest donation center.
Create a Home Inventory
When you’re going to hire a moving company, you’ll need to know exactly how much stuff you’re planning to take. This isn’t just helpful in terms of organization, it’s also useful for insurance purposes. We recommend you create an excel sheet that details all of your items and their approximate value.
Hire the Best Moving Company
Let’s face it, the most stressful thing about moving is the packing, unpacking, and transportation. However, this intimidating factor can be remedied by hiring the best international movers possible. Sure, you may have to pay a premium, but it’s an investment that will pay off in the long-term.
Organize Your Documents
Another top tip we have for anyone relocating internationally is to create a document folder. When you move to another country, you’ll need to bring plenty of paperwork and documents to verify your identity, provide proof of income, and so on. Make sure you have everything to hand by creating an organized folder.
Let Everyone Know
We hope you’re not planning on making a silent exit from the country. Aside from letting friends and family know you’re no longer living in your town, there’s a long list of other people you need to contact. This includes your internet provider, bank, doctor, and pretty much anyone else important you can think of.
Start Learning the Lingo
If you’re moving to a country where they speak a foreign language and you want to settle in as fast as you can, we recommend you start learning the lingo beforehand. You can take language lessons or even download a free app like Duolingo to get you started. Make sure to practice as frequently as you can. Once you arrive you can find people to have conversation classes with as this is a great way to get to grips with a new language and socialize at the same time.
Get on Facebook Groups
One of the best ways to get all the answers you need before and during an international relocation is by joining the local expat group on Facebook. These online communities are full of helpful people that are more than happy to provide answers. Plus, it’s a great way to find out about local events and even make a friend or two before you land.
Give Yourself a Few Days Off
When you have so many things to organize, trying to find the time to fit everything in can be hectic. That’s why we recommend you give yourself a few days off work. This way, you can get your affairs in order, enjoy some moments of relaxation, and have plenty of time to say goodbye to friends or family.
At the end of the day, moving to another country is bound to involve some difficulties along the road but the worst thing you can do is let the stress get to you. Give yourself plenty of time to plan and prepare so you’re not in a rush. Write up a checklist of all the things you need to do and ensure you check it twice. Last but not least, get ready for a new adventure in a foreign country!