Use our top tips to help with your move abroadMoving abroad can be an incredibly exciting time. A new home, a new culture, new weather – it can be a very special time for anyone. But don’t forget that when you move abroad you leave behind a significant part of your life that you’ll find it difficult to connect with in the future. Technological advancements such as e-mail, webcams and social networks can help you remain in touch with friends and family but when you move abroad you abandon your previous life and start afresh. Unless you mourn your past, you may find you become depressed after you’ve moved abroad.

Here are 6 things you should always do before you move abroad:

Have a going away party
Going away parties may seem like clichés, but they offer a cathartic end to your time in the UK and provide an opportunity to say goodbye to all your friends and relatives at a central location. Make sure you hold your going away party after you’ve packed everything and are literally ready to travel, otherwise you’ll be worrying all the way through. Going away parties are a time to relax and enjoy your friends’ company, not stress yourself out.

Reconnect with friends
Make sure you reconnect with your friends and relatives you haven’t seen for a while before you leave. You can do this at the going away party but you will only be able to spend a short amount of time with each guest so if you’d like to really reconnect with old friends you should schedule a longer period of time with them.

Complete your old life
This will mean different things to different people, but it’s important to have a sense of completion when you leave your life behind and move abroad. This may mean selling all your belongings and not having to leave any or storage or with relatives. It may mean losing weight and getting fitter so you can start your new life without remembering your old one. Whatever you need to do to move on you must ensure you do.

Inform all companies and friends of your new contact details
Remain contactable when you go abroad. Send out change of address cards at the earliest opportunity and set up a blog/Facebook account so you can keep friends and relatives up to date at all times. Pack lots of writing paper and purchase a camera if you don’t have one so you can send letters and provide ample photographs of your new life.

Make plans for friends and relatives to visit
Arrange a date for friends and relatives to visit as soon as possible. That way you won’t have to mourn your old life too much and have something to look forward to as soon as you arrive in the new country. When you arrange a date make sure you give yourself enough time to get your new house in order so you can welcome your guests without too much stress to yourself!

Get a removals quote early
Make sure you get an overseas removals quote as soon as possible, and understand the different options and costs involved. You can ship your goods by air freight or container, the former being significantly more expensive. Make sure your removals company knows the deal – you don’t want it to get to moving day and find noone is available to send your belongings.


You never have to worry about who you forgot to tell about your move with our great guideOne of the biggest inconveniences of moving house is having to send out change of address cards to businesses and acquaintances. After all, the last thing you want is to forget to notify someone; all your post will be delivered to the old house but you’ll never know.

Thankfully we’ve put together a list of organisations and people you need to send change of address cards to, making it quick and easy to let everyone know where you’re going to be living:

People:

•    Friends – both local, national and international – if you have their email addresses or have them as a friend on Facebook this can be a great and cheap way of getting the word out
•    Relatives – let all your family know you’re moving; it’s best to let them know first to avoid any ill feeling
•    Business associates – don’t neglect your business relationships. Let key people know your change of address so you can continue networking in the future

Organisations:

•    Banks – this includes building societies and e-banks
•    Religious organisations – local churches and mailing lists too
•    Doctors/dentists – very important as your new doctor may need access to your records if you fall ill
•    Insurance providers – your cover, particularly for car and home insurance, may be void if you do not     inform of a change of address
•    Solicitor – they may need to write to you urgently at some time in the future
•    Magazine subscriptions – don’t pay extra for something you can’t read
•    Schools – inform your child’s school they’ll be moving on and return library books
•    Post office – tell your post office you’ll be moving. They may offer a re-mailing service so you still get post send to your old address after you’ve moved
•    Inland Revenue – you should sort out your tax as soon as possible to avoid complications
•    DSS - your benefits may face delays if you don’t inform the DSS as soon as possible
•    Utilities – inform your gas, electric and water suppliers at least 2 working days before you move. Make sure you take up to date meter readings too
•    TV Licensing – make sure you have a TV license in your new home to avoid problems later down the line
•    Vets – your pet may need medical care soon after the move. Find a vet in your new local area and arrange to become a customer early
•    DVLA – you must let the DVLA know your change of address so they can update your driving license and vehicle registration certificate
•    Passport office – your passport may need to be endorsed so put your change of address in writing
•    Premium bond companies – complete and return your holders’ card


Make your move as easy as possibleMoving is a stressful time for anybody, but moving whilst pregnant does put extra pressure on the mother to be. You can put your mind to ease as we here at Quotes4 removals have come up with top tips and advice you won’t be forgetting.

•    Some mothers to be get tired quickly, so get as many helping hands on board as possible, even employing moving guys to help, can help ease a lot of moving pressure. Make sure you do the research to ensure you are getting the job done at the best price available to you.

•    If you are doing most of the packing make sure you start as early as possible and don’t do too much in one go. When packing clearly label each box so you don’t have to do a lot of unpacking.
This is a given but try to avoid bending down too much and lifting heavy boxes.

•    Baby products can take a while to have delivered so when ordering all your baby requirements, get them delivered to your new home, this will save some major packing.

•    Find out where any local baby or toddler groups are, chemists and the nearest hospital. Register with a doctor if your moving to another area and when moving make sure you pack any hospital notes in your handbag.

•    Drink plenty of fluid on the moving day. You will be on your feet all day, so pack some luxuries for the evening in your hand luggage such as bubble bath.