MOVING COUNTRIES WITH KIDS? USE MY GO-TO MOVING CHECKLIST
Embarking on a journey to a new country? The excitement of moving overseas can sometimes be overshadowed by the stress of planning and organising. Fear not! As someone who has made an overseas move 7 times, I’ve got your back with a stress-free moving checklist. My comprehensive tips cover all the essential tasks to make your relocation an exciting adventure and stress-free.
MY GO-TO-MOVING CHECKLIST
Moving countries involves a lot of planning and organisation to ensure a smooth and stress-free relocation. To help you stay organised, here's a handy moving checklist that covers the essential tasks for a successful move:
Start with your mindset - Start as you mean to go on. If you’re going to approach the move as something stressful, you will inevitably find it stressful.
However if you can open your mind and approach the move with positivity, flexibility and curiosity, you’re on the right mindset track with making it a smooth transition.
Expect the unexpected - Of course, you’d like everything to go according to plan, but what if it doesn’t? Allow yourself the mental space for things to go wrong, and instead of focusing on how it went wrong, I invite you to focus on how you can make it right. Then the key here is to move on. Don’t fester on it.
3. Keep your family’s emotional well-being a top priority especially if you have kids who are attuned to your emotions. - Anxiety happens when you think you have to figure out everything all at once. If you plan ahead using this checklist, you’re already in good shape
4. Research and Plan Ahead:
It pays to get ahead and have a better understanding of what’s to come. Some key areas to research include:
The new country, including its culture, language, and customs
Housing options and neighbourhoods that align with your preferences
Schools in the area that fit your children’s needs. Apply early and secure the place with a deposit if required. This is worth it than not having a place at all.
Visa requirements - Familiarise yourself with visa requirements and the application process early on. Engage with an international immigration lawyer to assist you in giving yourself the best chance of success.
The UK rental market is dire at the moment so we engaged with a relocation company to assist with finding a rental home. They’re the experts with local market knowledge. We wouldn’t have found our home without using this service so I highly recommend using one if needed. I recommend www.chilternrelocation.com for anyone moving to Buckinghamshire, UK.
5. Organise Logistics
Arrange quotes and book a moving and shipping company for your belongings. Some shipping companies are incredibly busy during summer periods so book in as soon as your move is confirmed. We know of families who went weeks without their furniture as they left booking a shipping company too late. We used Boxchain and highly recommend them.
6. Take Care of Personal Admin:
Notify relevant people about your move, like employers, schools, and banks
Cancel or transfer utilities and subscriptions
Ask for records such as medical, dental, car insurance etc. We initially had a hard time trying to find a car insurance company as we didn’t have records of our no-claims bonus and treated us like we were freshly licensed 18-year-olds!
Sort out your tax matters and ensure you have the right paperwork before you leave.
Make a note of the subscriptions and bills you receive so you know who you need to notify about your change of address, and cancel any subscriptions that are no longer relevant in your new country.
Organise and categorise important documents and paperwork for easy access.
Make a list of ‘Throw, Donate and Sell’ and use this as an opportunity to be ruthless and start decluttering your personal items and furniture as soon as possible.
Back up your phone in case you need to transfer numbers and/or phones.
Notify your post office of your forwarding address
If you run your own business, try and allow for some time before and after the move to experience the change and be the emotional support your family needs. Block out your calendar to allow for a more stress-free period.
7. Personal Time
Moving countries can be a very stressful time so it’s important to dedicate some time to keeping you calm and grounded, especially if you have kids! I walked every morning, and if I could sense a bit of overwhelm, I would take some moments for deep breathing, or researching restaurants or activities I could do once in my new town! I provide more tips on how to stay calm during a relocation move further down.
Speak to other friends and family who have relocated before, and ask them what they found was the most challenging part about their move. Perhaps it’s something you hadn’t thought about on your checklist, and then you’re at least prepared to address it.
I help support individuals with life transitions8. Work with a Coach For Moving Abroad
Not only do I help people find clarity but I also assist people going through transition whether it’s within their personal life, or with their careers or business. As someone who has gone through 7 overseas moves in the last 20 years, I know a thing or two about how you can benefit by working with a coach that includes:
Emotional Support
Goal Setting and Action Planning
Overcoming Challenges
Building Confidence and Resilience
Accountability and Motivation
Personal Growth and Exploration
Working with a coach (you can search for a Transition, Life and Relocation coach) can be a game-changer when moving countries, and it can help create a smoother and more fulfilling transition to your new country. You can find the services I offer here.
Embarking on a journey to a new country is undeniably exciting, but it can also come with its fair share of stress and uncertainties. However, armed with the invaluable insights of someone who has undertaken overseas moves seven times, you now possess a comprehensive stress-free moving checklist that encompasses every essential aspect of the relocation process. As you prepare for this adventure, remember that your mindset sets the tone for the entire experience, so focus on this first. With this moving checklist and the prospect of expert guidance, your move becomes not just a change of place, but a transformative experience towards a brighter future.