how to prepare for a move | Claire Kurtz is The Well-Organized Woman

International Moves: How to Prepare & What to Do

Recently, WOW has been assisting a client with her impending move to a foreign country. Although any move can be stressful, an international relocation adds much complexity to the process. It is important to prepare for such a move months ahead of time and maintain an organized strategy. To help with this, we have created the below list of tasks to address prior to your move. Follow this list and you’ll find yourself living in the new country without issues left over from the U.S.

Tasks to address in your current home:

Prepare home for move: cancel lease, sell home, engage renters, etc.
Contact utility companies and schedule service end-dates; arrange to pre-pay final bills or have a new billing address/system set up
Disengage services: maid, gardener, pool maintenance, etc.
Donate non-relocation items to Goodwill. Arrange for a pickup one week prior to move
Return any borrowed items and retrieve anything you’ve loaned to friends or neighbors
Pack house and all belongings. If shipping your belongings, be sure to pack with extra care

Tasks to prepare for the relocation:

Research your new location and secure housing
Request digital statements for all necessary incoming mail and bills
Make arrangements to obtain copies of school, medical, dental and veterinary records
Make preparations for schooling in the new city
Obtain list of all schools your kids attended and dates, including contact names and addresses, original transcripts or report cards, list of current text books and course outlines (This will assist you and the new teacher in determining what level your child is at), test results of tests, in particular any standardized exams, particularly for English, Maths and Sciences.
Determine if immunizations are required in order to enter new country
Double check that passports and travel documents are up-to-date
Prepare for communication in new country (international calling plan, etc.)
Secure an international drivers license, if necessary
Obtain insurance in new country (health, driving, personal, etc.)
Meet with an immigration official, if necessary, to discuss required documentation (visas)
Check with your account regarding tax requirements in the U.S.
Get custom forms for household goods if shipping
Arrange for access to funds while overseas (maintain one U.S. bank account)
Communicate your new forwarding address to family, friends, interested parties
Exchange some money prior to leaving for arrival expenses

Shipping Belongings vs. Selling/Leaving Everything:

Determine if you will be engaging an international shipping service or if you will sell all items prior to moving
Research at least 3 international freight companies that ship to your new location and compare estimates
Make a list of all items being shipped, including values
Purchase shipping insurance
Prepare to have items packed and ready up to 3 days before pickup
Confirm destination location, pickup/drop-off procedures, tracking, and contract details
Research airline baggage policy to ensure maximum allowances are not exceeded if bringing many belongings via commercial airlines

Items to carry on the plane:

Hard-to-replace documents: passports, birth certificates, immunization records, ID’s
Jewelry and other valuables
Medications
1-2 days worth of clothing and toiletries

Good luck with your exciting journey and moving company!

For more information on stress free moving, please, visit http://thewellorganizedwoman.com/2012/05/22/international-moves-how-to-prepare-what-to-do/.

Organized Moving: A Checklist

Many of our clients have recently moved into new homes. While a move can be an exciting event, it can also trigger many chores and responsibilities. In an effort to keep you organized and minimize the stress associated with moving, we have created a basic checklist of tasks to execute before, during, and after a move. There are also some packing tips you can follow. In our experience, preparing for these common issues and needs can help to create an easy transition.

4-6 Weeks Before the Move:

Research and book a moving company or organize for friends and family to help.
Purchase or acquire moving supplies. Moving supply stores are great, but if you’re on a budget you can usually find free boxes behind major retail stores.
Sort, organize, and purge while you pack. Ensure an easy move, by carefully labeling boxes with room and contents.
Create a moving list inventory and organize a strategy of what will go where.
Measure your current furniture and the new space to ensure you have enough room. Door dimensions and tight corners should also be taken into consideration.
Investigate new professional service providers and organizations that you may need and set up relationships. These can include doctors, dentists, schools, vets, pharmacies, banks, etc.
If you are moving in or out of an apartment building, secure the elevator for your moving day. And ensure to leave the apartment, through Maid2Match, as clean as it was when you first moved in. If your moving truck will need to block anything or park in a designated area, make the necessary arrangements and notify those affected.

1-2 Weeks Before the Move:

If repairs or improvements are needed in the new home, attempt, if possible, to get them done prior to the move. They will go more smoothly without furniture or family members interrupting.
Set up a change of address with us-mailing-change-of-address.com and notify your subscriptions and bill providers directly. This is also the time to send out moving announcements to friends and family.
Call utility companies (gas, electric, water, garbage, sewage) and organize for the new home to be switched into your name. Schedule a turn-on time for the new place and turn-off time for the current home. Don’t forget to ask the waste management company what day pickup occurs.
Research cable, internet, and phone providers in your new area. Set up appointments for service installation.
Start using up perishable items and liquids that can be difficult to move. Throw out flammable or potentially toxic items prior to the move.
Procure or update items pertaining to your address, including insurance policies, car registration, voter registration, and driver’s license. (Read here to find out how a risky borrower can get car finance).
Empty, defrost, and clean your fridge 24 hours before the move to ensure there will be no leakage.

Moving Day:

Verify licenses of movers if applicable.
Prepare payment, including tips for the movers.
Pack snacks and drinks and/or order lunch for those helping you move.
Organize for a cleaning crew to come following the movers departure from the old home.
Leave all sets of keys and garage door openers in the old home when you are officially out.
Take a wrap up inventory to ensure nothing is missing or broken, prior to signing any close of move documents.

Following the Move:

Replace smoke and carbon monoxide batteries. Mark the next replacement on your calendar.
Consider having locks re-keyed for safety.
Locate your circuit breaker box, water shut-off valve, and fire extinguishers for emergency purposes.
Create a filing system for documents related to the new home. The following categories are useful: warranties/purchases, insurance policies, repairs/home improvement, and tax write-offs for moving related expenses.
Determine if you need any new storage items, furniture, or other household goods in the new home to create organization from the start.
Ask neighbors for referrals for pool maintenance firms, gardeners, and cleaning services. Since they are already in the neighborhood, you can often get a discount.

Remember, the key to a successful move is organization and planning.

Good Luck and visit this site for more information.
TWOW

Reference: Northern Lights Exteriors.