Are you moving to the UK for your career? Or perhaps the education of your children? Or simply to alter the course of your life? Whatever may be the driver behind this decision, you are certainly in for a lot of planning.
The Challenges of Moving Abroad
Moving overseas is often a long and demanding process. There are numerous requirements to fulfill so the move is done in a legally compliant way. Likewise, it is imperative to take into consideration the psychological aspect of it.
If you are coming from the opposite side of the world, for sure, you may experience culture shock. And of course, there’s always the inevitable longing for family and friends who have always been your support system.
But, these challenges are all manageable, especially when you anticipate the fresh start you’ll have. Opportunities to learn so many new things are awaiting you, and if you plan for this life development wisely you’ll soon be enjoying your new life.
7 Helpful Tips for Moving to the UK
To make planning easier, here are seven helpful and practical tips to follow.
1. Use an international moving checklist.
If you do not know where to start because of the many tasks involved in moving overseas, look for an international moving checklist online. Relocation and removalist companies that offer international relocation services usually have such a list and you can use one as a guide to organizing the tasks, the schedule, and the help you need to tap into.
2. Identify and list all the important services that you will use for the move.
The number one item for this is the international removalist company to use. You may also need assistance in finding a place to stay (that is if you’re not moving for a job and accommodation is not yet provided for you), a car rental if you will be moving to the countryside, and a home cleaning service if you want the house you’re moving into to be spotless upon your arrival.
Take the time to sit down and think about all of the services that you need to assist you for the move.
3. Do the math.
Visas and other necessary paperwork often come with fees. Ditto with other move-related products and services. Itemize everything and determine the costs. Add everything up to get a fair estimate of the total amount of money that you will need to prepare in order to cover everything.
Also, use a budgeting notebook where you can easily jot down every new expense for the move and the deals (see number 4) you can apply to adjust costs.
4. Determine ways to save on costs.
If the cost of moving is proving to be overwhelming, get creative. Find ways for you to save on costs and reinforce your budget. One thing that you can do is to sell many of the items that you cannot bring with you. Another is to look for good deals on packaging supplies and moving services. Also, ask about discount programs that you can qualify for.
For tips and tricks on how to cut the cost of moving, visit blogs, Pinterest, and YouTube.
5. Look for a reputable international removalist company.
It is an absolute must to use a reputable international removalist company’s services for your move to the UK. Not only can you trust the quality of their services but you can have the peace of mind that they have a seamless process to ensure the safety of your items and your convenience.
Get recommendations from family and friends. Also, look up reviews, ratings, and testimonials online about the different companies you’re considering.
6. Reduce the number of items to bring.
To effectively manage the cost of an international move, it always helps to just have a small collection of items to bring with you. As much as possible, bring only the absolute necessities and irreplaceable prized possessions.
If there are items that you are considering bringing because buying them in the UK would cost more, factor in the cost of transporting them to the UK when you do a price comparison. It may turn out to be cheaper to just replace them with new ones when you get to your new place.
7. Create a well-detailed contacts list.
Do not forget about updating your contacts list. Just in case you forgot to settle something, you will need to be able to reach important people back home who can help you out. Make sure you have their address, phone numbers, email address, and even their active social media accounts.
Save their contact details on your phone and planner, and create a few more copies that you can attach to your fridge and other accessible places.
Plan Carefully and Thoroughly
For anything to be done in the most organized way for the best results, thorough planning is key. Hopefully, the tips shared here improve your planning process for your move to the UK and make everything go as smoothly as possible.
AUTHOR BIO
Robert Wise, Sales Administration Manager at Nuss Removals, has been a respected figure in the removals industry for over 20 years. His attention to detail and the ability to truly understand the needs of the customer have ensured the successful relocation of thousands of satisfied individuals and families. For moving and storage across Australia and around the world, Robert’s wealth of experience ensures his customers are in safe hands.