Moving abroad is an exciting endeavor, but it comes with a lot of stress. Luckily, a lot of this stress can be reduced if you know how to plan a move to another city properly. Our guide is here to help you do exactly that so your journey to another country can be as smooth as possible.
To plan a move to another city in another country, it is crucial to break down the process into manageable steps. You will have to do good research on the city you plan to relocate to and arrange all the logistics, such as hiring movers, packing, and finishing all the paperwork. But fear not – with our detailed guide, planning a move to a new city will be a piece of cake.
Do Your Homework and Research the City of Choice
International moving requires a lot of preparation and one of the most important things you need to learn is how to live in another country. So, to make the adjustment to a new location easier, you need to do good research. Start by searching online – you can use websites like Numbeo to research the costs of living in the city of choice. Also, you can go on the government website and learn more about the destination you are heading to. When doing research here are the things you need to consider:
- Costs of living – Even if you choose to live in some of the best places abroad, the cost of living can be high. So before you decide where to live, find out all about that. Do the math and see how much money on a monthly basis you will need for food, rent, and transportation.
- Neighborhoods – Another important aspect you need to research is the neighborhood where you will get accommodation. If you are relocating to a big city, whether it is Berlin, or Tokyo, or Bangkok, the neighborhood you choose can determine a lot – commuting to work, cost of rent, and overall safety.
- Transportation options – Another thing to consider is transportation. For example, most cities in Europe will have good public transport. On the other hand, if you plan to relocate to an Asian country, you will have to ship a car or buy one once you relocate.
- Work options – If you are relocating without a job one of the top priorities will be to find one once you arrive. It would be good to research the job market before you decide to move to that particular city.
- Schools or daycare – Even if you choose to live in some of the best countries for families, you need to research school and daycare. If you are relocating with kids and worry about how well they adjust and learning a new language, you can move to the neighborhood that has an international school nearby.
Find Right Accommodation
Relocating to a new home always comes with stress, and this stress is even bigger when moving overseas. Whether you decide to buy or rent a place, you need to research different factors we mentioned above and arrange everything before relocation. If possible, stay in a hotel for a couple of weeks and try to find a place to live while you are there and before belongings arrive.
Make All the Arrangements Around Paperwork
From a passport to a visa and work permit, there is a lot of travel documentation to acquire. Go to the government’s website for US citizens traveling abroad and see what kind of paperwork you need to have for the country of choice. Also, go on the local government website and see if there are any other requirements you need to meet. If you are relocating with kids, make sure you get international health insurance for them and yourself.
Familiarize Yourself With the Local Culture and Community
Keep in mind that some countries have laws and regulations that may seem strange to us.
For example, if you are relocating to Singapore, you should know that local law prohibits the importation or selling of chewing gum.
In short – research before you arrive.
Also, you can connect with the expat community in the city of choice and ask them for advice and guidance before you relocate.
Make the Move Smooth With a Couple of Steps
Still wonder how can I plan a move to another city? Here’s a step-by-step guide and relocation tips you can follow to make moving internationally as efficient and stress-free as possible.
Step 1 – Create a Budget
Planning a move to a new city is not possible without a good budget, so this should be the first step. Go through finances and try to figure out how much money you will need. This implies you have already decided where you wish to move and that you have researched the city. First, divide the budget into categories – you will need a relocation budget (for moving services), an accommodation budget, and other expenditures. Here is what the budget should look like.
| Budget Category | Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Relocation budget | Costs related to hiring an overseas moving company for packing and moving services | $1,500- $15,000, depending on the distance and weight of belongings |
| Accommodation budget | Expenses for securing a new place to live, including deposits, first month's rent, or home purchase costs | $500 to $2,000, depending on the rent |
| Utilities and setup | Fees for setting up utilities, internet, and other essential services in the new home | $50 to $300, depending on the location |
| Travel costs | Expenses for traveling to the new city, including gas, flights, or other transportation | $500 to $2,000, depending on the location |
| Miscellaneous expenses | Unexpected costs or minor expenses not covered in other categories | Set aside at least $1,000 |
Step 2 – Decide What Kind of Services You Need
When we talk about the steps to moving to a new city, the second one on the list is deciding what kind of overseas shipping services you want. The cost can change depending on what kind of services you pick. In most cases, companies will offer you two types of shipping services – international moving by air or sea. Both options have its advantages and disadvantages.
For example, relocation by air is faster, but you will be limited in the number of items you can bring. Also, this option will cost more. But if you don’t plan to bring many things this option is the best. On the other hand, moving by sea means you can ship the entire household, as there is no limitation. But you may end up waiting for stuff to arrive for a couple of weeks.
Inquire and find out what options are available and see which one fits the budget the most. Some companies, such as Sunset International Shipping, offer special deals. For example, you can rent the whole container and ship a car as well, or you can book half the container and pay less.
Step 3 – Book an International Moving Company
Once you have done research, it is time to book an overseas shipping company. Ask for a quote from at least three companies and see what deal works best for you. When choosing a company, make sure you check whether that company is legit. Check if it is registered and whether it has all the necessary documentation. Also, check if it offers insurance for shipped belongings.
Once you have checked their credentials, it is time to compare the services they offer. Before interviewing with the representatives of the movers, make a list of all the questions that you need to know the answers to.
Step 4 – Make a Good Packing Plan
As you can see, shipping overseas means you will have to pack belongings appropriately. Whether it is shipping by sea or air, belongings will be handled by a lot of people, from movers to customs workers. So to prevent any damage, you need to pack belongings like a pro. And like in any profession, a good plan is key to a successful job. Here is what the plan should look like:
- Make an inventory – You need to decide what items you plan to bring and list them. This way, packing and unpacking will be much more organized.
- Declutter and downsize – Once you know what you will bring with you, it is time to get rid of all the items you will not. Organize a garage sale to earn some money or a moving away party and give all the unwanted items to friends and family. With all the clutter away you will have more space to pack properly.
- Pack one room at a time – Firstly, pack the room you don’t use that much, then move to another one. Leave the rooms you use the most, like the kitchen, to be the last.
- Deal with valuables and fragile items carefully – For fragile items, use double layers of protection before placing them in the box. If you have a lot of valuables or antique items you can hire movers to pack only those items.
- Pack essentials – Aside from the travel bag with clothing and necessities, you will have to pack one bag of essentials needed to function normally until your stuff arrives. Keep in mind that you are traveling to a different country so make sure you bring appropriate adapters for chargers and electric devices.
Have a Smooth Relocation With the Best Movers in the Industry
As you can see, planning a move to another city is not an easy task, especially if that city is across the globe. There are a lot of things you will have to arrange and finish before the relocation, so to minimize stress, you should hire professionals to help you with all the hustle and bustle regarding the transportation of belongings.
Sunset International Shipping is one of the leading companies in the industry, with years of experience in overseas shipping. Contact us, get a relocation quote, and we will make sure this new adventure starts with a smile on your face.
