If there is one thing that’s more stressful than moving house, it’s moving overseas. Moving overseas can be one of the most exciting life experiences. But, what will it take to get there from here? Are you prepared to pack up everything you own and move to a strange land and experience new cultures, people and languages? Are you willing to do your homework to make your international move as smooth as possible?
Moving to a new country requires a lot of preparation and planning, but it can be done. If you are well-prepared and organized, you will succeed. So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about international moving. However, you may decide that the following information is even more valuable.
Here are just a few challenges regarding moving overseas you should think about:
Family issues: how will everyone adjust to the new country and its culture? What special importance should be made for the children? What about the family pet? For example, if you have a cat, make sure to cat-proof your home. And if you move to a furnished apartment, make sure your cat doesn’t scratch the furniture.
Individual paperwork: time to start getting all your personal, financial, legal and tax affairs in order.
Finding a place to live: how to go about home searching and decide whether to rent or buy.
Schools: some tips on how to go about choosing a school suitable for your children’s needs. Should you take your car, and will you need an International Driving Permit?
Health and insurance: what to expect of the health services where you’re headed and what insurance arrangements need to be made for medical and other coverage.
What to take: how to decide what to take with you and what to leave behind. How well do computers and electronics travel, and will what you have now be suitable for the destination?
Is there any information about international moving that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant may be crucial to another.
How to pack for an international move
Getting ready to pick up and move an entire household to a new country can be a frightening prospect. It necessitates some careful planning and as much time as you can give it, but it is not without its bright side. This may be the best chance you’ve ever had to clean your existing house from top to bottom; take a hard look at what you have, and think about whether you want to take it all with you.
You may be shocked by the cost of overseas shipping. In addition, some companies place restrictions on the size of household moves, either by weight or volume or by excluding certain larger items. Before choosing what to include in your household shipment, it is advisable to check with your employer whether any such rules will apply in your case. On the other hand, you do not want to leave behind all your stuff you associate with home, or your new home will not feel familiar and welcoming without at least a couple of your favorite things.
As with any decisions to be made, the more information you have, the simpler it becomes. If you are making a discovery trip, this is a good chance to do some investigation: What is the local climate like? It may not be a good idea to take everything especially valuable or irreplaceable things, which could be sensitive to climate changes. Humidity and temperature may damage fine art, furniture, and books. Antiques may disintegrate in arid destinations. How big is your new home likely to be? Will your large appliances and furniture fit? What is the electrical standard? Will your current appliances work?
Do you ever feel like you know just enough about to be dangerous? Let’sThen, let’s see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from experts.
Hopefully, the information presented so far has been applicable. However, you might also want to consider the following:
Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to than you may have first thought.
Will you be able to buy household and other items in your destination country? If not, is there anything you must buy before moving to your new and include in your shipment? If you know the length of your assignment and have some expectations of whether you will return home or move on to a new house, this will also help you decide whether you can manage without some things for a while or whether you need to take them with you. Find out if there are any import restrictions or high duties applied to expensive furniture and appliances.
There’s no doubt that the topic can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions, you may find what you’re looking for in the next article.
There are some more questions to keep in mind as you sort out the essentials to take with you from those that can safely be left behind or disposed of: Do you need this to live comfortably overseas? Would it be better to leave this home? If you don’t take it, can you safely store it? Do you know where your next move will be? Will you need this in the future or when you return home?
Will you be able to purchase household and other items in your new location? If not, is there anything you should buy before you leave home and include in your shipment? If you know the length of your assignment and have some expectations of whether you will return home or move on to a new location, this will also help you decide whether you can live without certain things for a while or whether you should take them with you. Find out if there are potential import restrictions or high duties applied to expensive furniture and appliances.
Remember, the goal is to make your international move as uncomplicated as possible. So try not to be overburdened by nonessential possessions, but keep in mind that you create a home away from home.
Seek the advice of overseas moving experts before an international move
If you’re seriously interested in learning about Moving Appliances Overseas, you need to think further than the basics. This educational article takes a closer look at things you need to know about Moving Appliances Overseas.
Here are some important issues for your move:
Should I include my major appliances in my shipment?
If your corporation is paying for your move, check what’s included? For example, are they paying for everything you own, or is there a limit to what you can take?
If you are paying for your move, check before including major appliances that may incur an extra freight charge to see whether they will be suitable for use at your new destination.
Will my home appliances work overseas?
There is a good chance that your appliances will not work at your new destination:
Are electrical voltage/cycles compatible? If not, find out whether your handheld appliances will work using a transformer? Also, check if your appliances have a multi-system or dual voltage option?
Different nations have different broadcast signal standards in the case of DVD players and TVs: check that your TV will receive local broadcasts.
Are your plugs and sockets compatible? If not, what type of electrical outlets does your destination country have? Make sure to purchase the right plugs or converters.
Will the space available be sufficient to house what you have? Take a measuring tape with you on your pre-assignment trip, and note down the size of the pertinent rooms and spaces, counting any stairwells and elevators that will be used to access your new accommodation.
What about warranties and servicing your appliances overseas?
Check what warranties exist on your appliances. If you are purchasing new, make sure that the warranty offers international coverage.
Find out whether there are maintenance and parts services available locally for the brand of appliance that you are considering.
Is there any information about Moving Appliances Overseas that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant may be crucial to another.
Local conditions may dictate the need for different types of appliances. In a tropical climate, a larger refrigerator may be needed since more food items will need refrigeration than in cooler climates where pantry-type storage is adequate.
In some countries, built-in vacuum systems are the norm in newer houses, so a vacuum cleaner may not be needed.
Does your washing machine have a built-in water heater so that it can run on a cold water supply if required
Should I buy new appliances in the U.S. or should I buy them after I move overseas? If I have to acquire new appliances, should I purchase these before I leave and ship them or purchase them after arrival?
- Are suitable appliances easy to find locally?
- Are suppliers well-stocked, or will you have to wait for delivery?
- How do prices compare
Moving internationally with a car
The best course of action to take from time to time isn’t clear until you’ve listed and considered your alternatives. The following paragraphs should help clue you into what the experts think is significant.
Whether or not you decide to take a motor vehicle to your new country assignment depends on many factors, including your target country.
Here are some general questions before you move with a car:
- Is a car necessary in your destination country?
- Is it easy to transport it there?
- What are the customs or import restrictions and costs?
- Knowledge can give you a real advantage.
- Does your employer cover the cost of shipping your vehicle, or will you have to bear the expense yourself?
- Will you be able to maintain it at a good standard?
- Will you be able to re-export it or sell it?
- Can you purchase a motor vehicle after you arrive? Would this be more or less expensive than shipping your vehicle from home?
- If you decide not to take your vehicle, should you sell it or store it?
Your driver’s license and moving overseas
If you plan to drive while living over abroad, you should think about obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP). In many countries, you are only required to have a valid driver’s license from your home country, but you must also have an IDP in others. In yet others, an IDP will allow you to drive so long as you are in the process of acquiring a local license.
For further information on driving abroad, including a listing of countries that accept or require the International Driving Permit, and for IDP application information, contact the appropriate Automobile Association.
An IDP is not a license but more certification of a national license in nine languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish). When driving, if you are stopped for any reason by a police officer, the IDP indicates that you have a valid national license and that your credentials should be honored. An IDP can save you hours of delay should you be involved in a traffic violation. You must obtain the IDP in your home country before departure.
How to find a home before moving overseas?
When you think about moving overseas, what do you think of first? Which aspects of moving overseas are important, essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.
The entire process of locating an appropriate home in your destination country can be something from a comparatively simple matter to a nightmare.
There are many variables:
- The home market in your destination country
- The size of your family
- The anticipated length of your stay
- Costs, expenses and applicable taxes
In most but not all situations, you will perhaps be looking to rent your new home. However, the number of rentals in observance with international standards may be limited, and language and cultural differences may complicate the give and take of leases. By contrast, you may be entering a well-supplied housing market, where property owners are used to accommodating the requirements of expatriate families.
So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about moving overseas. However, you may decide that the following information is even more interesting.
You can make your encounter easier if you maximize the contacts and assets available to you. This is not a time to refuse help or advice.
Get as much advanced information as possible. Ask your employer for contacts, and if possible, retain the services of a relocation consultant or destination services provider. The Internet supplies an ever-increasing amount of information and resources. Get to know expatriate colleagues who already may be living in your destination country; find out whether there is an established community of foreign residents who can provide advice and assistance.
That’s the latest from the moving overseas authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.
Should I rent or buy when moving overseas?
When most people think of home buyers, what comes to mind is usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there’s a lot more to home buyers than just the basics.
The process of finding an appropriate home in your destination country can be anything from a comparatively simple matter to a nightmare.
There are many variables:
- The housing market in your destination country
- The size of your family
- The expected length of your assignment
- Costs, expenses and applicable taxes
In most but not all circumstances, you will probably be looking to rent your new home.
The more authentic information you know about home buyers, the more likely people are to consider you a home buyers expert. Read on for even more home buyers facts that you can share.
The number of rentals in keeping with global standards may be limited, and language and cultural differences may complicate the negotiation of leases. By contrast, you may be entering a well-supplied housing market, where property owners are accustomed to accommodating the requirements of expatriate families.
Get as much advance relocation information as possible. Ask your employer for contacts, and if possible, retain the services of a relocation consultant or moving consultant. In addition, the Internet provides an ever-increasing supply of moving or relocation information and resources: international home buyers and rental guides. You can make your relocation experience easier if you maximize the contacts and resources available to you. This is not a time to refuse help or advice.
Get to know expats who already may be living in your destination country; find out whether there is an established community of foreign residents who can provide advice and assistance.
