| BE SURE - Moving can be extremely stressful, be as | | | | course ;-) Seriously though, saying goodbye to |
| certain as you can be that it's the right move for you | | | | friends and family can be the hardest thing about |
| before you go. If possible visit the country before | | | | leaving, be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster |
| you make up your mind, don't rely on other people's | | | | ride as the day of departure draws near. |
| impressions. Ask yourself if the new culture will really | | | | YOUR BELONGINGS - Will you be taking everything |
| suit you (and your family). | | | | with you or leaving some items in storage (or even |
| BE PREPARED - ...For anything and everything to go | | | | getting rid of them completely)? How will you move |
| wrong. Don't assume that you'll be able to find the | | | | your belongings? Can you transport them yourself or |
| perfect job or house immediately. If possible make | | | | do you need the services of a moving company? Set |
| sure you've got enough money to see you through | | | | aside those things you need to take with you in |
| the first couple of months at the very least | | | | person so they don't get packed accidentally |
| (preferably longer). And to do that you'll need to... | | | | (passports, tickets, etc.) |
| BUDGET - As unglamorous as it sounds, good | | | | INSURANCE - Once you've decided what you're |
| budgeting could be what makes the difference | | | | taking with you, insure it. If you haven't already |
| between a successful relocation and a disaster. | | | | arranged appropriate insurance (health/life/travel, etc.) |
| Before you go, work out what everything is going to | | | | for yourself and your family as well...DO SO! |
| cost during those crucial first months when you're | | | | BANKING - You may need to open a new bank |
| trying to find your feet in a foreign land. | | | | account in your new country - look for information |
| DON'T DELAY - Start preparing as early as possible, | | | | on the one which suits you best. Do you need to |
| just getting all the necessary paperwork in order can | | | | close your current bank account? At the very least |
| take a long time. Make a checklist of everything you | | | | you'll need to tell your current bank that you're |
| need to do! | | | | moving. |
| CHECK YOUR BENEFITS - If your company has | | | | CREDIT CARDS - Credit card companies need to be |
| initiated your move you may be eligible for relocation | | | | informed you're moving. Also, will the credit cards |
| benefits. Make sure you ask if they haven't told you | | | | you're taking with you be widely accepted? |
| already! | | | | DRIVING - Depending on where you're going and |
| HEALTH - Make sure that the country you are | | | | how long you're going to be there you may need to |
| moving to has adequate healthcare facilities and | | | | apply for a new driving license or even take a driving |
| infrastructure to support you (and your family), | | | | test. Will you take your car with you or buy/rent |
| especially if you suffer from a medical condition which | | | | lease one when you get to your destination country? |
| requires treatment or medication. | | | | UTILITIES etc - Gas, electricity, cable companies and |
| YOUR HOME - Think about what you want to do | | | | so on will need to be informed of your departure and |
| with your current home (e.g. sell it, lease it, leave it | | | | contracts terminated where appropriate. Make |
| empty) and what kind of accommodation will be | | | | arrangements for final meter readings and bill |
| most suitable in your new country. If you don't know | | | | payments. |
| anyone in the new country who can help find | | | | POST REDIRECTION - Having your mail redirected |
| accommodation, consider the services of a relocation | | | | after you leave can prevent you from missing |
| agent. | | | | something important. |
| EMPLOYMENT - Will you be looking for work in your | | | | ELECTRIC DEVICES AND MOBILE PHONES - Check |
| new country? If so, consider starting your job hunt | | | | whether or not your TV, video, hair dryer, alarm |
| before you go (use the Internet!) Will you be able to | | | | clock etc will work in the new country. You may |
| use your existing qualifications or will a period of | | | | need to take out a new network subscription for a |
| retraining be necessary? If you're moving somewhere | | | | mobile phone (or buy a new one with a subscription) |
| where they don't speak the same language as you | | | | - watch out for roaming charges with your current |
| then you should... | | | | phone if you use it. |
| LEARN THE LANGUAGE - Few skills will have such a | | | | EMAIL - If moving means you can't keep your |
| positive impact on your relocation experience as | | | | current email address, consider a free web based |
| being able to speak, or at least understand, the local | | | | email account you can access from anywhere. |
| language. Getting to grips with the local lingo before | | | | And finally, a couple of important tips for when you |
| you go is a great idea! | | | | get to your new country... |
| PAPERWORK - No matter how insignificant that old | | | | MAKE FRIENDS - Whether locals or fellow expats, |
| document at the back of the bottom drawer may | | | | nothing will help you more than being able to rely on |
| seem now, take it with you, the chances are at | | | | the assistance of your friends when you need it. |
| some stage you'll have to show it to someone. | | | | Don't think that socialising is time wasted, it's what |
| Moving countries can be a bureaucratic nightmare at | | | | makes a new country feel like home. |
| the best of times but if you come prepared with the | | | | DON'T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF - Moving to a |
| necessary paperwork you stand the best chance of | | | | new country is difficult. Even when everything goes |
| a stress free relocation. Things to think about include | | | | according to plan it's still difficult. There will be times |
| birth certificates, wedding certificates, educational | | | | when you're physically and emotionally exhausted but |
| certificates, medical certificates (including those for | | | | try not to let things get on top of you. Don't be shy |
| your pets!), etc. | | | | about asking for help or support, there are plenty of |
| FRIENDS & FAMILY - Don't forget to inform | | | | people who have been there before. |
| everyone of your new address and when you're | | | | Good luck! |
| going (unless you don't want them to find you, of | | | | |