Moving Abroad – Countdown down to 4 days

If you still want to vote whilst abroad contact the electoral commission and they will send you the appropriate forms to complete/ you can vote in UK Elections up to 15 years after moving abroad.

Look around the house and make sure you have cancelled all subscriptions, papers and other recurring items. Find your library books and return them. Similarly return all items borrowed from friends and family.

Start to run down the freezer stock and use up items from the kitchen cupboards. Defrost about three days before you go. Empty the fridge and freezer; throw away any items you can’t give away. Wipe them out.

Sort through your clothes and put aside those you will need up to when your stuff arrives at your new home. Put these aside for taking on the plane with you but check weight restrictions. Your stuff may take up to three months if going by sea, so check how long your clothes will have to last and plan ahead.

Pack your valuable items like jewellery and important documents in hand luggage to carry on the plane with you. Buy your currency or arrange for it at your bank or other exchange.

Re-home your house plants as they cannot be taken with you. If you don’t fancy cleaning your house before you leave then book a cleaner or cleaning company to come in and do this for you.
Around 4-3 days before do a last wash and then make sure the plumber comes to disconnect the washer if you are taking it with you.

Make sure you collect any items from the dry cleaners, any items you are having repaired and then iron your last wash before packing clothes.

Moving Abroad – countdown (2 months)

At about two months before you are due to leave confirm and clarify all your moving details and packing needs with the shipping company.

Arrange a car boot sale, advertise stuff on eBay, take unwanted goods in good condition to the charity shop and generally take a grip on yourself and get rid of items that just won’t fit in your new place. Make sure the family are not hiding too many treasures. (No you cannot take 10 years back copies of Golf International….)

If you have a parking restriction around your house make sure you have made arrangements for the removal company to park outside your property at or around your moving day (they may take more than a day to pal). Ask the shipping company for the size of the van and ask the local council for relaxation of parking restrictions for not just the size of the van but extra space for getting in and out.
Write or print out labels for change of address to all your friends and business contacts if applicable.

Put all your important documents in a folder so they don’t get packed. Passports, visas, birth certificates etc. Also flight details, hotel details and other essential l travel information.

Make arrangements for appropriate vaccinations at your doctor and for your pets at the vets. If you or a family member is one special medication ensure you have plenty to last you until you have a new doctor. Take copies of all prescriptions and tell your doctor’s practice about your move.

Moving abroad – things to sort out before you go (3 months)

You will need to start planning at least three months before your due day to move. Even if you haven’t a precise date for actually moving it is better to look for a company to move you at this time and go for at least three quotations. Look for shipping companies that specialises in moving to the country you are going to – shipping to USA or Europe for example. Find out exactly what services they offer for you and how you are expected to prepare for removal day. [Read more...]