Checklist for moving overseas – minimalism

Are you moving overseas? That’s definitely an exciting opportunity! Moving overseas is an fun way to make a dramatic change in your life! You’ll end up getting new experiences, and a new perspective on life. You’ll get to immerse yourself in a brand new culture! If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, moving overseas is sure to change that. It might be daunting to uproot your life like that, but if your heart is set on it, you shouldn’t fear. Everything can be conquered with proper organization. Moving is no different! However, the longer the move the more complicated it is. And it is important to be realistic in your goals. That’s why everyone suggests hiring long distance specialists. That way, you won’t be tackling on this huge dramatic change all by yourself! You’ll have a team of professionals to back you up!

Make a checklist for moving overseas

Of course, you have a lot to consider before moving overseas. First, you have to prepare. You have to research your new country. You have to make a plan. And every good plan starts with a checklist. Tackling this problem head-on can seem overwhelming, yes, but if you partition it into small tasks you’ll get it done in no time! Plus, if you’re feeling stressed about the amount of things you have to do, you can just focus on the problem at hand instead of worrying about the bigger picture.

• You have to make sure all of your documents are up to date. That includes your passport and ID, and medical records! You might want to get a copy of your birth certificate too.
• You have to get a visa in order to move overseas! Of course, what kind of visa depends on the country you’re moving to!
• The visa application process can be notoriously slow. It is important to check and apply as soon as possible. You don’t want to be stuck in your first country because your visa isn’t there!
• Getting insurance is always a good thing.
• You have to figure out your immunizations. Are all your shots up to date?
• Do you have children? You have to figure out their documents too. Not to mention how important it is to figure out their schooling if they’re school-aged! Get all of those papers and research how to transfer schools between countries.
• Do you have pets? You need to check pet regulations – maybe your pet needs to be vaccinated to avoid quarantine.
• You need to think about finance. Will you be able to use your old accounts once you’re overseas? Will you need to set up new accounts? What will the banks need?

Packing for moving overseas

When it comes to packing, minimalism is the goal. Even if you usually like clutter – you can always buy things in your new country. You have to consider shipping costs first and foremost! If you’ll have to have them shipped, would it be cheaper to just buy them when you get there? For example, would it be cheaper to buy a washing machine in your new country than ship one? Almost certainly. When it comes to moving overseas, most people forget to take into account the shipping costs for their belongings. No one is going to carry a dining set in their luggage on an intercontinental move. Your grandma’s old silverware dining set that has a lot of sentimental value, however? That’s more feasible. Of course, if packing itself is the problem, you can always hire packing services!

What do you do with things you don’t pack?

So you’ve narrowed down your belongings to things you absolutely need. Congratulations! It can be very difficult to part with your items, especially if you’re moving overseas. So don’t feel ashamed if it took you a while or if it was emotionally taxing! Suddenly, every little trinket is a memento of your previous life, in your previous country. You can feel like you’re slowly parting with very important things, even if it’s just your mom’s favorite mug. But, what now? What do you do with things you’ve removed? Do you just throw them out?

Not necessarily. You can host a garage sale for a quick buck, if you have the time. You can donate them to charity, especially if it’s things like clothing. If they’re big and difficult to move, you can even use our furniture disposal services! Definitely give them to friends and family or donate to charity if they’re perishables like food or sanitation products. If you have a lot of food you won’t be able to eat, why not throw a big going away party? Not only is it stopping food waste, but it’s adding a sweet memory!

How do you handle your first day after moving overseas?

Hopefully, with preparation! You should, if at all possible, exchange some money for the local currency before you move. While you can get it exchanged at the airport, airport rates are notoriously bad, so you’d be saving money. Great way to stay on budget! Now, it’s important to know in advance where you’ll be staying, especially if your new place isn’t ready yet! Double especially if you have children and pets! You’ll want to know your short-term housing in advance because the last thing you’ll want to do is hunt for it after a long exhausting day. Now comes the challenge of getting food and possibly medication. You should have set aside some money for takeout or restaurants on your first day – who’s going to cook the first thing after moving? It could be you, but you’ll probably be very tired, so if at all possible save yourself the hassle.