Moving to a new place can be exciting yet challenging. In leaving behind your home and starting from scratch in a new city, you may have to face many challenges. At the same time, you can’t deny that a world of opportunities and experiences awaits you on the other side. However, there is one bridge you have to cross before thinking about the aftermath of the move. That is the relocation process and how to make it smooth and stress-free.
The relocation process begins right when you decide to move and lasts until you’re settled in your destination. Without proper management, moving can become a nightmare and set a stressful mood for the rest of your journey. If you’re planning a long-distance move and need help ensuring your move goes by without a hitch, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we will discuss how to ensure a smooth moving experience.
- Learn about your Destination
The thing that most people struggle with when it comes to relocation is adjusting to a new environment. It is especially the case when moving long distances to a different city, state, or country, or in your case, an entirely different continent! Moving outside the US is a huge culture and environmental shock. For instance, if you are moving from Florida to South America, things will be completely different. The cost of living in South America is lower than in Florida, including food, housing, and other necessities.
Hence, if you’re a Floridian, the cultural exposure you’ve experienced while living in the ultimate American holiday destination will be completely different.
However, that’s not to say that the move will be easy. Moving from Florida to South America may have its perks, as you get the gorgeous blue waters of the Southern Atlantic Ocean in exchange for the Florida beaches. However, the culture, the norms, and even the language will be different. Plus, being unable to walk into the corner diner for a delicious slice of Key Lime Pie is bound to get your mood down occasionally. Therefore, by learning about the culture and laws of your destination beforehand, you can better prepare yourself for the move.
- Make a Plan
All complex tasks to be completed properly require a plan. The more complicated a job, the better your planning and organization need to be. Especially, for moving to a new country, you need a concrete plan that covers the entire moving process. Starting from packing your belongings and deciding on a timeline for the move.
A plan will allow you to stick to a fixed schedule and clarify important matters. It will also help you deal with delays and emergencies without wasting too much time. This way, you can have a smooth relocation process without any last-minute panic and hassles.
- Notify Concerned Parties About Your Move
You must take care of many things before leaving a city to wrap up your affairs. It includes canceling utility subscriptions and changing correspondence addresses with banks and other companies. While most of these things can be done even after the move, the process becomes much more difficult without you being physically present in the city.
Moreover, unless you deal with these things and tie up all loose ends before the move, neighbors often suffer at the hands of delivery, and courier persons insist on making the delivery. Therefore, to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to anyone, it is essential to send out a notice of intimation to all relevant parties, informing them of your relocation.
A notice of intimation is quite simple to draft. All you need is your move’s written announcement, the move’s date, and the new mailing address. If you still don’t have the new address, just request the concerned authorities to hold your subscription until further notice.
- Out with the Old
Moving to another country is one thing, but bringing your entire furniture is a terrible idea. While it is natural to have the urge to pack your entire apartment into a box and take it with you, it is not practical or feasible. Firstly, transporting heavy furniture is not worth the process and cost. Secondly, there is no guarantee that your current items will fit well into your new home. Therefore, it is best to sort out your belongings before the move.
Make a list of the belongings you absolutely cannot part with, such as your favorite grandfather chair or the family heirloom cupboard, and see if it is possible to take them with you. If not, keep those items in a storage unit or with a family member or friend for safekeeping. Everything else, sell and donate. Take pictures of your furniture and put them up for sale on Facebook or any other online classified portal. Anything that you are unable to sell goes into the donate section. With less clutter, you will have less trouble with the logistics.
- Hire a Reputable Moving Company
For moving across countries, hire a professional moving company experienced in facilitating long-distance moves, as they can help transport your belongings. There are many reasons for hiring a moving company. Firstly, a professional moving company is a one-stop solution for packing, unpacking, furniture disassembling and assembling, and transporting needs. Therefore, you can rest easy and not worry about finding separate people for these tasks.
Secondly, as professionals, moving companies know all the technicalities and formalities needed while transporting personal belongings into another country.
What makes it more logical to hire movers is that there is little difference in the cost when you put it all together. So why not pick the option that is less stressful for you? However, before you finalize a company, make sure they have all the necessary registrations and licenses required by the USDOT and have a comprehensive insurance policy.
- Pack your Essentials
We all have the essentials that we need with us at all times. It includes our gadgets, favorite shoes, and other everyday items. Before the movers arrive at your house, pack your essentials bag. After all, once the move is complete, you will be at a place where you may not even know where the local grocery shop is. At this time, having your essentials with you will help you relax and give you the space to unpack at your own pace.
Your essentials bag can include anything and everything which you feel like you need to have on hand. However, your basic checklist should include clothes, towels, medicines, chargers, toiletries, and any valuables you may need, With this checklist, you can avoid last-minute hassle and stress about your everyday essentials.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, moving to a new country is a challenging time in one’s life. However, with the right guidance and using the above tips like hiring a moving company, making a checklist and a plan, decluttering unused or unnecessary stuff, and notifying your address change or relocation to the service providers, you can make the process easier and less stressful for yourself.
