Moving overseas means leaving family, friends, career, and a familiar culture behind.
Moving abroad can be a daunting task for many, and that’s why we’ve put together this guide of the most essential tips to follow prior to an international move.
Whether you’re embarking on a temporary adventure or the best places to live in London is not what you want, at London Local News, we know that making a permanent move to a long-loved holiday destination, or having a lifelong dream come true, preparation is always a must.
However, compared to long-distance relocation, moving to the US is a more complicated and time-consuming process.
All this can significantly raise your stress levels and if the moving process becomes too much of a chore it can weigh on your health too.
Making the decision to move overseas is an enormous step, yet research shows that many are leaving home due to the turbulent economics and environment. Choosing a reputable company for international removals with a guaranteed insurance certificate is absolutely crucial. Keep tension at bay and make the moving process as straightforward as possible.
Moving Out of UK Overseas to the US
Research is a Must
Always insist on a pre-visit by a friend or family (if you are with a company), and check out all the different areas before you commit to a residence. Don’t agree to a blind audition. You put too much into this.
Finding an actual place to live in the next (essential) step, once you know you’re moving. Researching and evaluating rentals can take a lot of time, but the extra legwork is worthwhile.
Search online for photos of the house/serviced apartment. Google street view is great for a virtual walk around the neighborhood. You should also check for grocery stores, shopping centers, schools or kindergartens, sports centers, and any other activity dear to your lifestyle.
Prepare Managing Your Belongings
Ideally, you’ll put together all your personal items you’d like to relocate in a thorough asset register, note storage professionals experts the Henfield Storage company. That’s why ensuring a reliable place to store stuff you can’t immediately transport is the best option if you want to have belongings in a safe and risk-free place. And if you have mobile assets such as an RV, why not rent it instead of selling it.
Meet Local People
When you first arrive in your new country of residence, don’t hold back to meet with locals and making new friends. If you are not in the mood for that, just try to say “yes” to everything. If you are a parent then get involved at school, seek out local groups and look beyond the ex-pat circle…
Then take turns having brunches at your new friend’s houses. Make them something traditional, and they will invite you back.
Get Familiar with Local Language & Jargon
- Learn the lingo.
- Take lessons if you have to.
Being able to say “hi, how are you”, “goodbye”, “no I really have no idea what you are saying” and our favorite life-saver “and you” which can be used for a variety of situations!
“Have a lovely day” – “and you”… “Have a great weekend” – “and you” “Your driving is terrible” – “and you”…
See? It honestly makes all the difference.
Basic Steps to Follow When Searching for New Housing
Stress levels will go up to the ceiling when moving out is on the agenda. Here are a handful of steps that will help you minimize the hassle and nerves of moving to another country:
- Your first (and sometimes second) month of rent as well as a security deposit will be required as you sign your lease. Figure those ahead of time if you’ll be able to issue a check from your home bank account. Usually, a phone call to your local bank is enough to lift a withdrawal limit to the cash out of your account.
- Be sure to have enough savings to cover these upfront costs without resigning to Ramen till your first paycheck.
- Estimate your water, electricity, rubbish, and internet expenses in advance.
- Seek out local help, so you organize your housing. An insider’s perspective will prove invaluable to avoid potential scams and extra fees (“Foreigner’s tax,” if you will). You can also apply for a Foreign Housing Exclusion to decrease your housing expenses. If the local is a personal friend who genuinely cares about you, it would be best.
Tips on choosing a moving company are surely a hassle, but looking at reviews and asking a few important questions will lead you to a clear decision about who is the best, comment cross-border experts at Fantastic Removals.
- What Valuation do they offer?
- Can they do it for a fixed price?
- Have they performed international moves before?
If you are an entrepreneur or a company ready to move overseas, you might need to plan an office move. If you do, make sure that you hire a mover that has previous experience with international office relocations.
For more details and guidance, explore what helpful checklists for office moving you can find or the dash of tips for relocating your home office.
What are the Top US Overseas Destinations?
If you’ve just arrived in the US or have been living here for a long time, you will find it hard to move fast and efficiently between states. A reputable company can provide you with a professional long-distance moving service that will save you all the hassle.
With us, you can travel from state to state with minimum stress, and effort as we will safely transport all your goods to the destination address.
Even though rent in the US will widely vary from state to state, here are the top 3 locations based on our humble experience at Roadway Moving:
1. New York
New York City is one of the most famous racially diverse cities in the world. The city is rich in districts and landmarks that attract millions of tourists each year. The megalopolis tempts not only tourists but also many US citizens too.
Some of the most popular landmarks in NYC are worldwide popular, such as:
- The Manhattan skyline;
- Central Park;
- The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum;
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art;
- Patrick’s Cathedral;
- Top of the Rock;
- Brooklyn Bridge;
- Broadway;
- Grand Central Terminal.
Roadway Moving is a US-based moving company that will assist you with your house move. You will get all your belongings safely packed and transported to your new address.
In addition to long-distance moves, you can also take advantage of the storage service we offer. We have the safest place where you can store your luggage for as long as you need until you realize what to do with it. It will be well taken care of and protected from physical damage and theft.
2. Miami
Miami is a tourist destination for many reasons, but mostly because of the southern Florida cruise port. Travelers stop for a break in Miami to enjoy the warm weather and sunbathe at its lovely beaches. Miami is within a tropical region, which makes it a perfect location year-round.
The nightlife is extremely vivid, the local architecture is beautiful, and you have a rich choice of casinos to visit. Miami also gives you the chance to enjoy outdoor sports activities such as tennis, beach volleyball, golf, fishing, and more.
Locations you should visit in Miami:
- Miami Beach
- South Beach
- Everglades National Park
- Miami Seaquarium
- Zoo Miami
- Lincoln Road
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- Coral Castle
- Miami Children’s Museum
3. Los Angeles
No wonder Los Angeles ranks #3 in our list of top destinations in the U.S. Located in Southern California, the City of Angels is a global center for the film and television industry. Young actors and rising TV stars go to Hollywood, Los Angeles with the hope of a bright career. It’s no secret that the city offers tremendous opportunities.
The Universal Studios Hollywood film studio is among the most popular destinations to visit. Also known as “The Entertainment Capital of LA”, it’s not your regular film studio, but in fact, one of the most popular theme parks in the world ranked #15 most visited parks.
Haven’t seen a 7-story IMAX theater before? In Universal Studios Hollywood, you will have the opportunity to do so, along with 4d, 5d movie theaters and a lot of private tours.
Some more places we suggest you visit while in LA:
- Disneyland in the Anaheim area;
- The Hollywood Walk of Fame;
- Hollywood Sign;
- Santa Monica Pier;
- Griffith Park;
- Grauman’s Chinese Theatre;
- Paul Getty Museum.
Have you thought about Transportation & Foreign Bureaucracy?
The first time you successfully handle mass transit on your own, you’ll want to do a victory dance. It can be a daunting task, familiarizing yourself with all the zillions of bus routes, having the right change in foreign currency, or buying a ticket from an automatic dispenser with instructions written in a language that may pass for gibberish.
Keep these tips in mind as you traverse your new home:
- Be sure to have your visa in order Know where to find government offices and how long each appointment will take. Bring a book, try not to become upset by the red tape, and celebrate with your new pals when it’s all over.
- Mastering local transport will help you immensely. Metro, bus, taxi, rickshaw, biking – are absolutely crucial to learn. Find out if you can purchase a monthly pass or whether you’ll have to buy a ticket for every trip. Buy a helmet if motorcycle-taxis is the best way to get around, and definitely make sure that these are safe forms of transport.
- The flow of traffic is extremely important. You need to know whether or not the cars will stop for pedestrians, or if you’ll have to play survival every time you cross the road. Especially if you’re on a moped or motorcycle, you’ll have to learn to keep an eye on everyone else at all times.
Mastering Different Cultures’ Etiquette Norms Take Time
You’ll make mistakes, of course, but as long as you develop a bit of common courtesy and basic etiquette, you should be fine.
There are, however, certain civilizations that are pickier than others.. Here are a handful of tips to help you move in peace with your neighbors:
- Figure out any specific ways you might be angry with the locals, and avoid such acts! It could mean not eating with your left hand, revealing the soles of your feet, or placing chopsticks vertically into a mound of rice, depending on where you are.
- Learn how to introduce yourself and how to share a meal with others These are two of the most crucial lessons you will learn during living abroad, and you will most likely come to return with a few new, delicious ideas to share with your friends back home.
- Look up the local holidays. This will assist you in navigating the cultural terrain of your current location. Having a list might even warn you about impending non-stop fireworks, massive water fights, or celebrations filled with colored powders.
- Whatever you do, no matter how disgusting a gift of food or drink it may look, never make a face or refuse it. You can drink yak butter tea if I can.
On The Day Of Your Big Move!
When traveling to your new home destination, you should pack the most personal items that you’ll need on hand. A leather duffle bag is a perfect piece for this, as it’s not only stylish but heavy on durability. Store your items in a small, easily accessible bag for the journey. Be prepared for the long haul and bring snacks and plenty of water to drink. You’ll want to stay hydrated, especially if you’re moving to a hot climate.
Wear comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your movement. Layers are always a good idea in case of temperature changes during your trip. Most importantly, relax and enjoy the ride! You’ve got this. After all, you’re embarking on an amazing adventure that will change your life forever. Congratulations!
