A List of 8 Important Things You Should Do When Moving Abroad
Moving abroad is a very big decision and will alter every aspect of your life. There are so many things to do that it can get quite overwhelming, especially because it can be an emotional time. Since you have so much to accomplish, a moving abroad checklist is a good idea, especially when it comes to the small things that people tend to forget about in the chaos.
In this post, you’ll learn about some of the important things to do during your journey of moving abroad, whether it’s big, small, or somewhere in between.
Decide what to do with your things
It’s no secret, most of us have a lot of . . . stuff. Furniture, clothes, utensils, books – the list goes on and on. There are two main routes you can choose when going abroad: take it or leave it. Most people either choose to close their eyes and pay for a container to take all their possessions with them, or they decide to get rid of it all and buy new things once they’ve arrived. You need to decide which option is best for you.
Pack and sell
Once you’ve decided whether you’ll be keeping everything or getting rid of it, it’s time to get to action. If you’ll be hanging onto it, you need to get packing. If you’ve decided to say goodbye and start afresh, you’ll need to either sell or donate the things that are staying behind. There’s also the matter of selling big things, like your house and car. These can take a while to sell, so start advertising early if you think getting a buyer will be hard.
Transfer your accounts, memberships, and details
You don’t ever truly realize how many accounts and memberships you have until you move abroad. We have them for nearly everything, from big things such as bank accounts, to smaller things like memberships for the gym. The two big things you need to transfer are your bank details and insurance. You’ll need to move all your financial information from your current bank to your future one, as well as cancelling your insurance and arranging new insurance wherever you’ll be moving to. It’s a good idea to keep a list of what insurance you’ll need, since there are so many types, from medical insurance to car insurance to insurance for small businesses.
Sort out your temporary living arrangements
Most people wait until they’ve moved to choose a permanent home, but even if you already have a home in mind, you probably won’t be able to move in the day you arrive. The last thing you want is to arrive in your new country and to have no idea where you’ll be sleeping. Whether you’ll be staying with someone or renting a hotel room, it’s a good idea to have everything in order long before you leave, so that you don’t need to worry about that.
Get your medical affairs in order
You might need to do a medical evaluation before you move abroad, but that’s not all you need to think about when it comes to the medical side of things. It might be beneficial to try and stock up on a few prescriptions to last you through your journey and until you can find doctor in your new country who can give you a new prescription.
Get your documents together
There is so much paperwork involved in the process of moving abroad. You’ll likely need more than one form of identification, as well as a passport and visa. Aside from that, you may need additional documents, such as proof of a medical exam, bank statements that show you can support yourself, and even possibly a letter from your employer (if you’re going abroad on a work visa). Keep track of these documents and make sure that they’re all together. Also be sure to check whether photocopies are okay or whether the original copy will be required.
Budget
Moving abroad is expensive, and that’s a fact that most people are aware of. However, people are usually so relieved at having the money required to move that they don’t think about what will happen once they’re there. Even if you already have a job secured, there are always unexpected expenses when moving anywhere, and even more so when moving abroad. Looking at the cost of living in different countries should give you a good idea of how much your first few months will cost you, so that you’re prepared.
Schools
If you have children, you should be researching schools. You don’t need to know the exact school you’ll be putting them in, but having a few in mind is a good idea. Moving abroad is a big adjustment for a child and school might help them acclimate easier.
