Here’s Everything a Printable Moving Checklist Should Have

No matter if you are relocating for the first time or you have done this before, you need to know that moving overseas will require some additional preparation compared to regular cross-country moving. But if you make a moving abroad checklist, this whole process will be much easier. Here is what your moving list should look like.

Creation of a Printable Moving Checklist Should Start 8 Weeks Before the Move

The earlier you start planning for your move, the better. So, eight weeks before you’re set to leave, sit down and make a list of everything you need to do. This includes both the big things, like finding a new place to live and quitting your job, as well as the smaller details, like getting a new driver’s license and updating your passport. Once you have everything down on paper, you can start ticking items off as you go.

To make things easier and more efficient, put your list of things to do when moving in one place, preferably in a binder. Here is where to start:

• Make an online list – Create a google doc with all the things you need to do before the move. It will be easier to keep track of things you need to do in digital form, and once you have made your list, you can easily print it out.
• Create a section for important documents – Your binder should contain all your important home documents. This includes your travel documents as well.
• Have a list of necessary appointments – This can be blank paper or simply a section in your binder where you can write down all the appointments you will have along the way. Those are, for example, your visa appointment, doctor visit, real estate agent meeting, and booking an overseas shipping company.
• Research more about the country you are moving to – This is also a good time to do a bit deeper research about the country you are relocating to. The best would be to connect with expat communities in that country and ask them all the questions you may have.
• Find a place to live – Whether it’s Airbnb, a hotel, or a rented apartment, you need to have a place to live once you relocate, especially if you are moving with kids. You don’t need to find a permanent place to live, but you will need some accommodation and an address to give your movers.

Here’s What Should Be On Your List Six Weeks Before Moving Abroad

The past two weeks you have spent organizing. It’s time to go a little deeper at this point. Your objective is to determine the shipping overseas services and supplies you’ll need by gathering free moving boxes and photographing your valuables. Here is what you need to do.

Four Weeks Before the Move You Should Decide on an International Moving Company

It’s now time to focus on the practicalities of moving across the world. If you haven’t already done so, apply for a long-stay visa or residency permit if required. Make copies of important documents like your passport and birth certificate, keep one copy with you when you travel, and leave another copy with someone back home who can easily send it to you if needed.  Also, choose an international moving company carefully.

Get recommendations from friends or family members who have moved abroad recently, read online reviews, and compare quotes before making your decision. At this point, you can also make a decision on what kind of services you need. For example, will you book movers for packing service, car shipping, or custom crating?

Make Travel Arrangements and Get Insurance

If you are relocating abroad alone, you can make your travel arrangements later on, but if you are relocating with the family, the best is to start an early search for flights. Not only will this be cheaper, but there are better chances to get a good connection. Another important thing you need to do when relocating to another country is to get moving insurance. Hopefully, nothing will be damaged or broken when you arrive at your new house. But just in case, you can choose moving insurance to safeguard your possessions.

Buy Packing Supplies and Tidy Up Your Car

If you don’t hire movers for packing services, you will need to get packing supplies yourself. You will need medium size boxes, packing paper, labels, and bubble wrap. For your fragile items, like dishes and glasses, you can buy special boxes for extra protection. Another thing you need to do is to make all the arrangements regarding the transportation of your car.

As you may know, living overseas means you will have to change insurance, pay off your car, and have all the paperwork ready to transport the car. Make sure you do deep research on the laws and regulations in the country you are relocating to because the rules and regulations in Spain will be completely different from those in Bangladesh.

Things Start to Get Serious Two Weeks Before Moving Internationally

Two weeks before your move is time to do some final preparations. This is when you will be updating your address and notifying everybody about your move. From the post office to the IRS, all of these institutions must be informed about your move. Also, cancel all the memberships and contact your utility providers to inform them you will not be needing their services anymore.

Prepare Your Pet

It’s always better to be safe than sorry! And if you are moving with dogs or other pets, make arrangements for their transport as well. Book their flights (if applicable) and make sure they have all the necessary vaccinations and paperwork in order. Also, part of moving day preparation should be getting someone to keep your dog out of the way.

Last but Not Least, Start Packing

Now it’s time to start packing! Two weeks before moving day, begin going through your belongings and decide what’s coming with you and what’s staying behind. If you’re having trouble making decisions, think about what items you use on a daily basis and what can be easily replaced once you’re settled in your new home. Once you’ve sorted through everything, start packing up non-essentials first, so they’re out of the way early on.

Here’s What Your Moving List Should Look Like a Week Before the Big Day

The week before moving day is all about tying up loose ends. Double-check that everything is packed and ready to go. If not, now is the time to finish up. Make sure your travel documents are in order and that everyone in your family knows where they need to be on moving day. And finally, say goodbye to friends and family — this is usually the hardest part of moving abroad but try to focus on all of the exciting adventures that await you in your new home.

Start Cleaning Empty Rooms

Even if your goal isn’t to get your security deposit back, you can improve the property’s appeal to potential purchasers if you clean everything up. Also, all keys and garage door openers should be collected. When you vacate, you must give these to the estate agent, the new owner, or the new renters. Lastly, plan a final inspection of your new house. Ascertain where things like the circuit breakers, water heater, and water shut-off valves are located.

A Moving Day Tasks Are Also Important

Finally, the moving day has arrived! Now is the time to roll up your sleeves and do some hard work you have prepared yourself for weeks in advance. The first thing you need to do is to ensure that the professionals helping you move can safely transport the boxes from your home to the moving truck.

Extra moving tips – make sure you have some kind of protection for your floors. This moving hack will save you from a lot of stress later on, once movers leave your house. Also, have plenty of water bottles ready for your workers, and make sure you make lunch breaks.

Moving List of Things to Do Is Not Wrapped Up When You Move, Here’s What You Should Do After the Relocation

Even though you have moved into your new house, not everything is finished. Your objective right now is to set up the bare essentials and begin settling in, from changing your locks to getting to know your neighbors. You may experience culture shock, but the best way to adjust to this new country is by forcing yourself to go out and mingle with people.

And what is a better way to do so than by grocery shopping? Go to the local grocery store and get familiar with local cuisine. You can also have a housewarming party. Even though this is not custom in most countries, you will be surprised how people react well to this kind of invitation. Take a look at this video and see how other expats overcome cultural shock:

With This List, Your Move Will Be Easy

Moving abroad is a big undertaking — but with careful planning and execution, it doesn’t have to be stressful. By following our to-do list for moving (starting eight weeks before your big day,) you can rest assured that everything will go according to plan, leaving you with nothing but excitement for what lies ahead in your new home abroad.