| Let the Adventure Begin! A Week-by-Week Guide to Moving Abroad
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8 Weeks Until Move: Moving Checklist - What to Take & What to Leave Behind
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Note: this is an excerpt of our free e-newsletter, Let the Adventure Begin!. For full access, please subscribe to the e-version of Let the Adventure Begin! (free). This is a synopsis of an e-newsletter issue of Let the Adventure Begin! Subscribe today (free) and you'll receive weekly e-newsletters starting 8 months before your approximate move date and running through your first four months abroad, you'll receive weekly e-newsletters with timely advice related to where you are in the preparation and settling in processes.
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NationPhone&TV's USA TV Abroad Service offers you a real US cable subscription streamed to you live from the US. You can watch on your PC, your TV, or on your mobile device! Go to NationPhone's Website for a demo today.
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| Preparing for "Cozier" Living Quarters!
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We live in an age where we are attached to our "stuff", so when we find ourselves in a situation where we have to figure out how to get our stuff from one country to another, it's often a process fraught with anxiety and expense. Therefore, the more planning and preparation involved, the more smoothly the move will go.
Before choosing a moving company, do everything possible to minimize the amount of items you will move. Now is a good time to have that garage sale you have been meaning to have for years. That extra pocket change can fund some trips in your new country. Whatever items don't sell should be donated to your local charities.
If moving from the U.S. or Canada to another country, be aware that housing in other places is much smaller due to limited land, the cost of utilities, etc. So, if you ship all your goods over, they may sit in unopened boxes stacked in your new cozier abode. Also, in many countries the norm is that rentals are furnished. I moved half of my furniture with me to the London area and had a difficult time finding a place that was unfurnished to house my items. The two flats I rented while living there even came equipped down to dishes and silverware. Also, hallways and stairways may be narrower. My movers complained about my large "American size" furniture. Even with hard effort they were unable to get my sofa up the stairwell, forcing me to sell it. My bed had to be sawn in half to bend it and get it through the hallways and later bolted back together making for an uncomfortable few years' slumber.
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Earth Class Mail lets you view your mail online, then, with a mouse click, have it either opened and scanned for your review and download, shredded to protect your privacy, recycled to help the environment or forward-shipped to you or others 24/7, wherever you are in the world. Reduces forward-shipping costs by 50-90%!
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| What to Take & What to Leave
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If you have some extra special pieces, antiques or items with a strong sentimental value, see if a friend or family member would be willing to store them for you during your time away. Then, you won't be worrying about something happening to them in the move.
Keep in mind that it is usually not worth bringing your appliances due to different voltages and plugs in various countries. Although you can bring a converter, unless you are heading for a remote area it might be cheaper to sell or store many of your items and buy replacements in your new country, rather than pay to have them shipped there. You don't even have to pay for new appliances in your adopted country. When you arrive, find and buy a copy of the local English paper and you will find advertisements of items being sold by expats who are returning to their home countries. Craigslist is even becoming a popular resource in more and more foreign countries.
Take advantage of the beautiful handcrafts of your new homeland. Instead of shipping your bulky bedspread over, buy one from your local market made with the textile of your adopted country, such as Thai silk, Irish linen or Finnish Marimekko fabric.
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It would be a good idea to ship a few boxes of items you will need immediately but which you may not have the option of carrying on the plane. The cheapest way to move goods internationally is usually by freight, but the tradeoff is that it will take longer for your shipment to arrive. You will settle in more quickly if you have the most necessary items with you during the first weeks abroad.
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Living abroad has a lot of benefits but exceptional healthcare isn't one of them. Global Rescue membership ensures your health and safety no matter where you reside. We will evacuate you to the hospital of your choice in your home country. Period.
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Recommended Links:
Going Abroad Moving Considerations
Mexico - Consular Information Sheet
US Department of State
Moving Advice from Expats: What to Bring
Other LInks
My First Steps in Costa Rica!
Romain (Jun 24, 2009)
A Day In The Life Of a Teacher Abroad
Anne Keeling (Jun 02, 2009)
Choosing the Right Location
Paul Allen (Nov 15, 2008)
Moving Abroad Means Making Your Mind Up
Paul Allen (Oct 26, 2008)
Your Insurance Options Abroad
Jack Rutherford (Oct 18, 2008)
Choosing the Right School Abroad
Liz Perelstein (Oct 11, 2008)
Moving a Pet Abroad
PetRelocation.com (Sep 06, 2008)
Choosing an International School
Kevin Bartlett (Jul 12, 2008)
Culture Shock!
Jim Kayalar (May 31, 2008)
Coaching Tips for a Successful Relocation
Piercarla Garusi (May 10, 2008)
>> See More Articles
Related Resources
AAA Nobel Van Lines
International Moving Specialist - Transport Company offering relocation service with vehicle shipping, overseas moving specialized in shipping of household goods, automobiles, boats, general cargo, personal belongings that deals with the entire process of shipping and freight moving.
AAA PriceBreak!Shipping
PriceBreak!Shipping provides a variety of international shipping services. Full Relocation Planning. Full packing / Crating services. 20' & 40' Containers / Small shipments. Over 500 agents worldwide.
American Baggage & Box Transport, Inc.
Fastlane Forwarding UK: cars & goods shipping service
International car and personal goods shipping service from the UK to all worldwide destinations. Affordable rates for both RORO (under the deck) and containers.
Forms4Parents.com
Forms4Parents.com provides parents and their children with travel, medical, custodial and doctor/emergency authorization forms that are customized to the specific needs of each child and family.
International Removals
1st Move International Removals UK offers weekly shipping services for personal and household effects and regular RoRo services for cars and boats. Full packing and insurance available. Free online quote. For shipping and moving from the UK, USA or any worldwide destination contact 1st Move International removals.
Moving Overseas Removals
Overseas removals and shipping. Moving overseas to Spain, France, Germany and all Europe. At Moveme we offer
overseas removals services, insurance and packing to Europe and over 5000 worldwide destinations. Great rates and
fast shipping times. Free online quotation. 24/7 tracking services when shipping your personal effects and household goods.
Sherisen International
Founded in 1980, Sherisen International Inc. is a cross-cultural business training company which provides training, consulting and publications for today's global manager and marketplace.
In addition to training, destination services can be offered in major cities in India.
ShippingQuest.com
Ship freight internationally using our LOW COST LCL international ocean shipping service with instant online rates.
Related Reports
Relocation Advice: China
Relocation Advice: Greece
School Review: Egypt
School Review: Switzerland
Financial Advice: China
Financial Advice: Mexico
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| This Issue Written by Kendra Redman
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Kendra Redman is a well traveled writer with a B.S. in
Journalism and a Master's in Writing. She has lived in
six countries and draws on her experience to write
about her adventures and misadventures. One of her
greatest travel accomplishments was once returning
from a trip with two end tables and two lamps as her
"carry on luggage."
She has been a contributor to websites such as
InsideOutmag.com, freshome.com, iVillage.com,
Vagablond.com and was a former country host for
ExpatExchange.com. Kendra can be reached at:
kredman2001@yahoo.com
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