Relocations are, in essence, a lot of work, especially if you plan to move abroad. It’s a process that takes time and many tasks to be done right to be successful. Staying organized and on top of things isn’t easy to pull off, but a moving checklist will help you achieve just that.
People relocating across the world mostly go with their families, and up to 70% of expats move with their spouses or partners. Others are relocating abroad alone to work, study or explore foreign countries. But no matter your reasons to move, keeping everything in check is crucial for a swift and effortless transition to another country. So, to figure out what things need to be done when you move, you should use our checklist for moving and all the tasks mentioned as a reminder. Let’s see all the crucial steps you should take.
Make a Moving Checklist Eight Weeks Before Your Move
The first thing you should do is not figure out how to live in another country; that’s something you will do after relocating and overcoming the culture shock. Instead, you should remember that starting preparations early is the best way to secure a stressless relocation and avoid tension and panic. But is there a checklist for moving that you can print out? Sites like Canva offer you customizable and printable templates.
The First Item on Your Moving Out Checklist Is to Make a Binder
Perhaps it seems incredible that making a binder for the relocation is at all critical, but since you’ll have a pile of papers, from receipts to documents needed to travel abroad, you should keep them in one place. That’s why it’s crucial to create a binder where you’ll place it all and put away the to-do list on the top of it. Do this for any important paper and document related to the move, and place all the receipts, invoices, agreements, and everything else you don’t want to misplace.
Call the Utility Company Weeks Ahead of the Move-Out Day
It’s too early to disconnect water, gas or electricity, or any other service you’re using, but it may be the right time to contact utility companies. You can set the disconnection date early on if you know the date of your move, which may be the case if you’ve landed a job and you’ll be working in Europe as an American. Although taking care of utilities may seem like something you can postpone for later, we often completely forget about it and have trouble dealing with the problem later on. Since you’ll be in another country, it can get complicated, so remember to put it on your relocating abroad checklist.
Update Your Address Before You Enter Your Future Home
Before you set out and move to another country, one of the vital things is to change your address and notify everyone of your move. Here’s a list of companies and services that should be given a heads up:
- Start with the Post Office to get your mail forwarded to your new place. The good news is that you can do this from your home through an online form.
- Your state tax agency and federal revenue agency should also be notified of your address change. As for the state tax, you should go to the website specific to the state, but the IRS has an online form, the same as the USPS.
- Contact the bank you’re using and the credit card company to see if you can update the address online, and if not, to ask for directions.
- Home insurance agencies and insurance providers will have to transfer your policies, so remember to update them on time.
- Other financial institutions shouldn’t be forgotten, too. PayPal, credit union, and other agencies should get your new contact information.
Different subscriptions, magazines, and clubs should be updated on your move also. But to keep in touch with friends after you move overseas, you should tell them you’re leaving and say goodbye.
Get Your Finances in Order and Plan the Budget
One of the perhaps most vital steps to take to move abroad with no hassle is to plan your budget thoroughly. Overseas shipping is expensive, but there won’t be any unpleasant surprises ahead of you if you set your limits. You should be aware of your financial state and determine how much you can spend. Consider whether you’ll invest in all services that a professional company offers, such as overseas vehicle shipping.
Hire an Overseas Shipping Company
Traveling abroad during Covid-19 isn’t easy, as we have to take precautions. But investing in international moving service by a reliable company will allow us to relax, as the movers will do everything they can so our belongings can arrive safely. It’s important to contact them on time, get an estimate and agree on the move-out day. To avoid any relocating stress, make sure the company you want to hire is legit, and keep your eyes open for any signs of scammers.
What Should I Do 30 Days Before Moving? Getting Packing Materials and More
Before you get to the most dreaded part of relocation – packing your household items, you need to stock up on suitable materials and tools. You should obtain enough sturdy boxes of all sizes, especially the medium ones. Some heavy-duty tape is required to secure the lids of each box so you don’t get any nasty surprises. A wise move is to get the painters’ tape, too, to keep the glass surfaces secured by making an X. Framed artwork and mirrors can be taken care of with pool noodles, and packing fragile items can’t go without cushioning materials and bubble wrap. Specialized blankets cover and protect the furniture, while a tape dispenser and scissors will make the whole process quicker.
Even if you’ve invested in a packing service, you should declutter your home and get rid of anything you won’t be taking into the new place. You should sort everything into several piles. Everything broken, damaged, and unusable should go into the pile for throwing away. The second pile should be made from items you can donate to a charity, such as working electronics, clothes and shoes in good condition, and canned and dried foods. The third one should be for everything you can sell and add some money to the budget. You can organize a garage sale or sell unwanted items online.
After decluttering, figure out what to pack when moving abroad and which items you’ll leave to the movers to handle. Designate a room for sorting, packaging, and piling up closed boxes, so they won’t clutter your home and get to work. You should thoroughly seal the bottom lids of each box to prevent them from opening up while in transport. Cushion them with care, and pack your belongings by category or room.
While you’re packing, make sure you have a marker at hand, and before you close the boxes, label them. If you want to be more specific with labeling, you can color-code each package by room. If you number them, you can write down the contents for easier managing and unpacking. Snapping a photo of the contents with your phone and making a photo inventory is also a wise tip.
While you’re in the packaging process, make sure you set aside some stuff that will go into the bag with essentials or the first-day survival kit. Besides your documents, the bag should contain basic toiletries, kitchen utensils, a change of clothes for each member of the family, chargers, and something for entertainment, like books and puzzles. Since the Corona safety precautions are still valid, pack a few masks and sanitizers, too.
Prepare All Belongings That Will Go Into Storage
Using self-storage for a few weeks or longer is a wise choice, especially if you’re not sure about the layout of your new residence. But to store your belongings safely in storage units, each item should be both clean and dry. All your possessions should be protected the same way you pack them up for transport. Keep in mind that a reputable company may offer a free storage service for the first 30 days, so be sure you check it with them.
What Should I Do 7 Days Before Moving? The Tips for the Final Week
It’s seven days until you move, start living overseas and do your best to adjust to a new country. The final week is usually reserved for packing up the rest of your home, disassembling the furniture, and move-out cleaning. Suppose you’re going to disassemble furniture by yourself. In that case, there’s one tip you should remember – place all screws, hooks, and other hardware into ziplock bags and tape them to the disassembled parts for easier reassembling. If you are shipping a car overseas, prepare it properly – empty it of personal items, gather all the documents about the vehicle, leave some gas in the tank, and take a few photos of the exterior for the insurance.
Clean Like a Pro, From Top to Bottom
The cleaning should be done with great care, whether you want your deposit back or you’re about to sell your home. As you’re focusing on jobs for Americans in Europe and all the relocation questions to ask the employer, get your hands busy with cleaning sprays, degreasers, bleach, mop, and a bucket. It’s best to clean room by room and from top to bottom. Reach all the high places to wipe off dirt and grime, and remove cobwebs. Vacuum the floors, and scrub where needed. The kitchen and the bathroom need your special attention. Faucets should be cleaned and all the stains and mold removed. Do the same for the sinks. Bleach is the ultimate cleaner for the toilet, but remember to be careful when using it. Once you’ve finished, mop everything for a sparkling finish.
The Move-Out Day Is Here
The big day is finally here! You should do a couple of things to ensure everything goes smoothly. If you’re relocating with kids, you should find a sitter for that day, because it will be hard to watch the children with so many things to do. Prepare some refreshments and snacks for movers, and try not to stand in anyone’s way. Don’t stray too far from them, though, in case you are needed. In the end, prepare some cash to tip the movers for the job well done.
After Handling Everything Like a Pro, Relax and Focus On Your New Life
Whether you’re relocating to another country for love and thinking about how to get a job in Europe as an American, or you are going overseas to study, a lot of excitement awaits. That’s why it’s imperative to handle the whole process with commitment and determination. But don’t let all these tasks frighten you because the movers are there to back you up. There’s a new chapter in your life awaiting you, so focus on the expat communities you can join and all the fresh opportunities ahead in your new home in another part of the world.
