Sacramento Movers Share A Checklist For Moving To A Foreign Country

If you are considering moving to another country, there are many arrangements that will need to be made. Not only are you uprooting your home and family, but you also must adapt to new laws and customs. Keep track of all the relocation to-do’s for a move to a foreign country with this checklist.

(Photo Credit: Moving Guides)

□   Make sure your passport is current

□   Make arrangements for moving pets

□   Make arrangements for moving specialty items such as pool tables, grand pianos, or wine and liquor collections

□   Consider storing items at either end

□   Have at least three household movers come out and perform onsite estimates for the move

□   Get timing and pricing guarantees in writing from the mover that you select

□   If you own a home, contact your real estate agent to help you sell the home or contact a property manager to rent it out

□   Sell your car or make arrangements to have it shipped overseas

□   Research health insurance and primary care physicians available in the area you are moving to. Gather your medical records and pack them with your important papers or have them sent over directly from your current physician.

□   Make sure that your bank is aware of your relocation, and open a banking account in the country you are moving to if necessary.

□   If you have children that will be moving with you, talk to your kid’s current school and the school they will be transferring to in the foreign country. Set up to have school records transferred to the new school

□   Get vaccinations and visas for yourself and any family members that will be moving with you

□   Develop a timeline for packing and stick to it. Begin with items you will not need for a while

□   Look into items that cannot be moved into the new country so that you can dispose of these prior to the move

□   Look for accommodation in the new country. You may do better to stay in a hotel or apartment for a few weeks or months until you can find a suitable place to buy or rent.

□   Wait to buy or sign a lease on a place until you have seen it in person. Don’t rely on internet to make that decision.

□   If possible you may consider visiting the country prior to the move to check out the real estate that’s available.

□   Talk to a lawyer about purchasing property in another country so that you can fully understand taxes, fees, liens, caveats, etc.

□   Your current attorney may be able to give you a recommendation for an attorney in your new country

□   Host a garage sale to get rid of any excess items that you don’t need across country or don’t wish to store

□   Find out if your driver’s license will be valid in the new country or if you will need some form of international driver’s license

□   Provide notice to your work of the relocation in plenty of time before the move

□   Use social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and email to keep in touch with friends and family you've left behind. Use Skype to have face-to-face talks: it's almost like being there

□   Find out if it is possible to get a job there before moving

□   Learn all that you can about the country. Learn about local customs and laws and determine whether you can abide under those laws and if the customs and routines will affect your daily life.

□   Learn about the country's immigration laws and procedures. Some countries have very strict requirements for immigrants based on income, age, skill set, training or family connection.

□   Consider learning the language to a proficient level before leaving your own country

□   When learning a language, don't forget to learn slang terms and idioms—learn how people really talk

□   Be sure that you're clear on work and work rights in your new country. Many developed countries, for example, now offer eased work permits.

□   You may experience discrimination. Remember, you are the foreigner in the new country

□   Arrange for a medical health check to be sure you are in good health before you leave

□   Obtain guidebooks and the like for learning cultural information

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Manager at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.