Ultimate checklist for moving abroad

Moving abroad can be an exciting event, offering the opportunity for memorable new experiences in a whole other country. However, making the move can be a complex process that requires careful planning and organisation. Read our ultimate checklist for moving abroad now and prepare for a smooth and successful international move. 

Plan and prepare

Much of the process of moving abroad is involved with planning. This should involve:

• Researching your destination country. Learn about its culture, customs, laws and cost of living.
• Obtaining visas and permits. Make sure you have all the necessary documentation for your stay.
• Plan your budget. Moving abroad can be costlier than you think. Calculate the costs of moving and your living expenses.

Sort and declutter

Decluttering your home before moving abroad is essential to streamline the moving process and reduce the items you’ll need to transport. For effective decluttering, you’ll need to:

• Start early. Begin the decluttering process well in advance of your move to avoid feeling rushed.
• Sort into categories. Create categories such as “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” and “dispose.” This will help you organise your belongings.
• Be ruthless. This is essential when decluttering your home before moving abroad. Ask yourself if each item is essential or has sentimental value. If not, consider letting it go.

Arrange suitable housing

Where you’ll live should be a key concern when moving abroad. Things you’ll need to do include:

• Find accommodation: Research and secure housing in your new country.
• Consider temporary accommodation. Arrange temporary housing for the initial days or weeks to give yourself time to explore and find a permanent home.
• Research and visit in advance. If possible, visit your new country before the move to explore different areas, housing options, and local amenities.
• Notify your current landlord about your move, giving the required period of notice. 

Consider health and insurance

Consider your health now and in the future when moving abroad. You’ll need to:

• Arrange health insurance. You’ll need to buy health insurance for yourself and your family in the new country. 
• Research healthcare options. Find doctors and hospitals in your new location – this can be vital in case of an emergency. 
• Obtain copies of your medical records.

Make sure your finances are in order 

We’ve briefly touched upon budgeting for your move abroad but there’s more to consider, including: 

• Open a local bank account. Set up a new bank account in your new country so you can easily manage your finances.
• Plan for currency exchange: Be aware of exchange rates.
• Inform your banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions about your move. Make sure you update your contact information.
• Settle existing bills and debts. This can help to avoid complications. Notify utility providers and creditors about your move.

Learn about the new culture 

Learning about the culture in your new country is essential since it can help you feel at home more quickly. Steps you can take include:

• Learn the language. Start learning the local language to ease communication and make integrating into your new community easier. You’ll find that learning the lingo can help you to make friends faster.
• Familiarise yourself with local customs and etiquette.

Book an international removals company 

This is one of the most important tasks in our ultimate checklist for moving abroad. The right removals company can make this mammoth task of relocating to a different country so much easier. 

• Do your research. Consider your options carefully when looking for an international removals company in Bradford, taking your time to find out exactly what services they offer, what experience they have, and checking online reviews from past customers. 
• Check if they provide a packing service. Packing to move abroad can be extremely daunting, however, a professional removals company can assist you with this. Not only does it take a lot of hassle and stress away from you, but because professional packers know how to pack delicate and fragile items securely, it reduces the risk of breakage during transit. 
• Enquire about storage services. Many removal companies offer storage solutions, usually in the form of secure units where you can keep all kinds of belongings during your transition overseas. Store furniture, valuables and paperwork until you’re settled in your new country.  

Choose Darvills for international removals in Bradford

Hopefully, our ultimate checklist for moving abroad has provided you with some valuable help and guidance if you’re planning on relocating overseas in the future. At Darvills, we’re proud to be the leading international removals company in Bradford and the surrounding areas. Our team of removal experts have helped many people move to new countries, making the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible from start to finish. 

We offer a full range of international removals services, such as packing, shipping, unpacking, storage, and assistance with documentation. We offer comprehensive solutions that are tailored to your needs. We’ll carry out a comprehensive pre-move survey and discuss your requirements in detail to ensure that we can provide a service that’s right for you. 

We provide detailed and transparent quotes that include all costs, such as packing materials, shipping fees, insurance, customs charges, and any additional services. You can rest assured that our prices for international removals in Bradford are some of the most competitive in the area. You can find out what to expect when you use our service by checking our online reviews, which you’ll find on the testimonials page on our website.  

Contact us 

To discuss your international removal requirements, get in touch with our team today. You can reach us by calling us on 01274 963 057 or by sending a message via the contact form on the website. We’re on hand to book your pre-move survey and provide you with a competitive quote for our services.