Preparing to Move Overseas

One of the most exciting, scary but incredibly thrilling steps you can take in life is to move overseas. It’s a gamble; you don’t know what your life will look like. Will you like it? Where will you shop? What will you eat? Where will you spend your time and what will you be doing? 

You don’t know what it’ll be like living overseas or whether you’ll make friends (you will) and enjoy it. But, it’s an exciting time. Part of the thrill lies within all these unknowns.

You’ve set a date for the big move. You know where you’re going, maybe you’ve even found a new job and accommodation too. There’s a lot of new changes coming up and it can be daunting or overwhelming, especially knowing where to begin with your preparation.

So how can you prepare yourself for the big move overseas?

Our 7-Step Guide: Preparing to Move Overseas

1. Save money

You’ve probably worked out how much you’re likely to earn in your new home and job overseas. But, there are plenty of initial up-front costs that are involved before you even move and start living abroad, from flight tickets, your visa, housing, insurance, and any other emergencies that may occur. 

One piece of advice when moving overseas is to have at least six months worth of savings in your account to provide you with adequate financial support and security. When saving money and budgeting, it is also important to look at the exchange rate for your new currency as well as researching the cost of living in your new country. How much will it likely cost you for housing, food and other household expenses and bills? It is always best to be as financially prepared as you possibly can be.

2. Valid passport

Before booking your flights or sorting any other major details, make sure you have a valid passport, and if you don’t, apply for one. This can take a few months, so make sure you apply for a passport before your move. Some countries have a requirement that your passport is valid for six months or more past your moving date.

3. Apply for a visa

In the first instance, make sure that you have a valid passport, after this you can then begin applying for your visa. This will require thorough research and very much be tailored to the country that you are moving to. You will need to find out which visa you need and then begin the application process. Sometimes this is a lengthy process, so make sure you have all the correct documentation and allow enough time for this to be processed.

4. Keep healthcare in mind

In the UK, we are incredibly lucky to have free healthcare. But this is not always the case in other countries as every country has different approaches to their healthcare. Make sure you research and prepare for this before your move – even if you are fit and healthy, it is worth having an idea of the emergency care or medication situation before you arrive. Alongside this, and particularly if you are on medication, check beforehand whether this is allowed to be brought into your new country as it may not be permitted.

5. Research your new home and country

It is an exciting and nerve-wracking time before you move to a new country. So many different emotions. It is also the perfect opportunity to research your new home and country. Before moving, make sure you have researched the transportation options, culture and laws. 

6.Inform your bank and phone provider

When researching your new country, take a look at what local banks can offer you and whether you should open a new bank account. It is also important to speak to your current bank and tell them about your move as you will need to provide them with updated contact information. The same applies to your phone contract/ plan. When moving abroad, it might be worth buying a local sim card and using this as it will be cheaper than your international sim. For a local sim card to work, your phone will need to be unlocked.

7. Storing or selling/ donating your belongings

Another important step in moving overseas is figuring what you’re going to with all your belongings. Depending on where you are moving to, it may not be possible to take it all with you, especially if you need to travel via an aeroplane and have baggage restrictions. 

Therefore, you need to decide what to do with all your stuff. Do you sell it? Donate to charity? Or put it into storage? Depending on your long term plans for living abroad, it may be best to sell or donate all your belongings and start afresh in your new country. This is particularly key if you plan on living abroad for a long time. However, if your move abroad is temporary, it might be worth just placing your belongings in storage, and picking them back up when you return.

Contact Arden Self Storage

If you’re interested in hiring a self-storage unit or placing your belongings into storage while you move overseas then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team by calling 01675 442 827, alternatively, you can fill out our online enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.