Making the decision to move abroad is certainly not one that should be taken lightly. With so many things to consider and so many ways it could affect you and your family, there are many things worth considering.

So whether you are simply just considering what would be involved in an overseas move if you were to do it, or whether you have already made your decision and now it’s a matter of organising how all the pieces will slot together, the team here at Chappell's Removals have some top tips for moving abroad to share with you.

Research location

There is a lot of research you can do from the comfort of your own home, thanks to the wonders of the internet! However, there are still things that even the internet cannot do for you, and nothing beats booking a flight and going out there to visit the place for yourself.

Even if you have been to the destination before on a holiday and feel like you already know the place inside out, it is still worth going again.

Everything is different when you’re on holiday, so the things around you appear different also, but looking at it with a fresh pair of eyes and from the point of view of living there on a day-to-day basis will highlight things you never noticed before. For instance, you will need to take note of how far away from the nearest supermarket you are or the local school for your children etc. This will give you a good idea of which regions to start looking for a property in.

Government Offices

When you know you are definitely making the move, you will need to let the relevant government officials know, such as your local council and HM Revenue and Customs, so that your tax, benefits, pension etc. can be dealt with accordingly.

Visas

Allow yourself plenty of time to obtain your visa – in other words, you can’t do this early enough. Depending on where you’re moving to will determine how long the visa takes to arrive and it’s always wise to assume there will be delays so you aren’t left in a predicament!

Vehicles

Check what the country’s policy is on bringing vehicles over with you. On the whole, this can be rather expensive and some countries, such as Australia, have specific rules that need to be adhered to, like emptying the tank of any fuel and steam cleaning the entire vehicle before shipping over. So if this is something you’re considering, just make sure you check on the rules and costs beforehand.

Learning the language

Living in a different country can sometimes present a huge culture shock. It can be a totally different way of life, and one that seems alien to you and the way you have always done things. The best thing to do is to prepare yourself as much as possible beforehand, such as getting to grips with their language. Go for lessons so you can interact with people and learn from others. If you only come away having learned the basics, you will be in a better position than before, and when you are there, people will appreciate your efforts.

Storage

When you begin the seemingly neverending task of sorting through your belongings, you may find there are certain things that you don’t need to take with you but you don’t want to throw them away either. Why not consider putting them into storage? Chappell’s Removals offers completely secure storage facilities that can offer the most efficient safekeeping of your possessions until you need them again – just remember, don’t store any food or drink!

Packing

Once you have decided on the items that will be moving with you, it is time to make a start on packing ready for shipment. Most professional removals companies like Chappell’s Removals will provide a packing service carried out by a team of highly trained staff. They will use the most suitable packaging materials to ensure that your belongings are all safely wrapped, packed and loaded onto the vehicle ready for the journey ahead.

Removals Professionals

If you’re planning your relocation abroad then why not get in touch with our expert removals team here at Chappell's. With over 40 years’ experience in executing smooth and stress-free moves abroad for our client’s, you can be sure to put your faith in us. Simply give us a call for more information about our services.