Moving Abroad Checklist

They say that moving house is the most stressful situation you can impose upon yourself, and when that move also includes another country it can feel a little overwhelming to say the least! When I moved abroad to London from Australia back in 2006 I felt like there were a million things to do in a very short time frame, and there was nothing that helped me more than a good old fashioned list!

Moving Abroad Checklist

Here’s my thorough Moving Abroad Checklist!

12-3 Months Before You Leave

  • Start to de-clutter your life. Throw out things you don’t use or wear and resist the temptation to buy new things – no, you don’t need that collection of 110 steak knives that cut through cans.
  • If you require a removalist, start getting quotes early to find the best deal.
  • If you are flying to your new home shop around for a cheap airfare with a carrier that allows a decent luggage allowance. Call them up and see if you can negotiate any flexibility. If you have a lot of luggage it may end up cheaper to fly business class, so take this into account when searching for fares.
  • Apply for any necessary visas or permits required for your move.
  • If you have a car, or pets start planning what you’re going to do with them when you leave. Yes, if you have children you will have to take them with you.
  • Start reading about your destination and figuring out where you might like to live, as well as the best places to party and hang with all the cool people.

2 Months Before You Leave

  • If you have not yet found a house of flat to live in when you arrive, book a hotel/hostel for a few days to help you find your feet.
  • Confirm your removal with removal company, if required.
  • Have a garage sale, get selling on eBay or just throw it out – now it’s time to start being ruthless with that embarrassing 80’s record collection!
  • Resign from your job in a spectacular fashion, depending on your relationship with your boss. Don’t burn too many bridges though, you never know when you’ll be back!
  • Visit your doctor and get any necessary prescriptions or vaccinations before your move.
  • Purchase travel insurance for your trip, and depending on your destination, for the length of your stay in your new country.

1 Month Before You Leave

  • Arrange for a postal re-direction service to a relatives address, or your new address, if known.
  • Contact everyone you know to let them know you’re leaving and that they better come to your going away party!
  • Throw a massive going away party, give an impromptu drunken speech and generally make a fool of yourself – it doesn’t matter, pretty soon you’ll be outta there!
  • Start packing – throw what you know you don’t need, and put any documents and all you’re taking with you to one side.
  • Cancel your bills and any monthly direct debits.
  • Notify your bank that you’re leaving. If you pay hefty monthly fees you may want to consider closing it until you return.
  • Double check you have all the documents you need and ensure they are in a safe place until your departure.

1 Week Before You Leave

  • Book a cleaner for the day before you leave if you have new tenants moving in.
  • Eat whatever food you have left, and the rest feed to your (lucky) dog or give to a friend.
  • Order any foreign currency/travellers cheques, if required.
  • Do some last minute washing so all of your clothes are clean for the big moving day.
  • Pack your suitcases and whatever’s going with you, and do the obligatory check and re-check 50 times before you leave.

1 Day Before You Leave

  • Confirm your flight and check in.
  • Double check your luggage to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.
  • Order a taxi to the airport, or any transfers needed.
  • Relax, put your feet up and crack some bubbly – you’ve almost made it!

Leaving Day

  • Celebrate, you’re MOVING ABROAD today!!!!

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Comments

  1. Oye! I was recently offered the opportunity to move to London next year and I know I would like to but it does seem overwhelming. But then I realize that for the weekend I could make a quick trip to Paris or Spain!
    I think what would be most difficult is being away from my family. Decisions Decisions!
    Where did you live in England and did you enjoy it?
    What did you like most and what did you least like about it?
    Thanks for the tips!

    The Wanderfull Traveler

  2. WomanSeeksWorld says

    Oh, how exciting!! You should definitely do it! I actually live in London now, it’s the best! And perfect for those trips to Europe! Let me know if you have any questions – am happy to help! : )

  3. Great tips – why didn’t you write this post ten years ago when I was first moving abroad? The decluttering is the best part. We had a huge garage sale and made some handy cash for our travels. So glad I don’t have (quite) so much “stuff” now.

  4. Murissa I hope you’re not even considering saying no! It’s only overwhelming until you’ve done it (hmm, does that make sense?) then suddenly you’ll realise that you can actually do whatever you want! That’s how it worked for me anyway. I was terrified when I first moved abroad but it was the best thing ever.

  5. WomanSeeksWorld says

    Thanks…yes, its a great feeling liberating yourself from all that ‘stuff’ hey? Ive gathered quite a lot in London now, so looking forward to turfing it all sometime soon!

  6. Great, practical tips! I would have benefited from this list prior to my vagabonding a few years back 🙂 Great to see you traveling the world…and inspiring others to do the same!

  7. WomanSeeksWorld says

    Thanks Brent, glad you found them useful!

  8. Great tips. You really mentioned very well about things which must be done and at what time. Planning really must be done prior to your move.

  9. thanks for your checklist… Just retired and moving to Ecuador soon. Of all things, I was closing down my local bank in favor of an international banking system, and forgot that I have automatic withdrawals every month for insurance policies. Just happened to Google “moving checklist” for the 10th time and you popped up and reminded me to “cancel your bills and monthly direct debts” O my god, how could I forget that? !!!

    two hour panic crisis later I’ve resolved the issue. Thank you.. You saved me a whole lot of pain and trouble down the road…. or up in the mountains or in the Galapagos… …..

  10. WomanSeeksWorld says

    Hi Gary, what a fab story – Im so glad you found this page too, for your sake! Thanks for letting me know – I wish you al the best on your adventure!

  11. WomanSeeksWorld says

    Hi Gary, what a fab story – Im so glad you found this page too, for your sake! Thanks for letting me know – I wish you all the best on your adventure!

  12. Such a useful and helpful list for those moving to London. If you’re thinking about moving to London but are fearful of being alone sign up at http://www.WouldLoveToGo.com where you can search through hundreds of like minded people in the city and make new friends. New members will be automatically entered into a competition to win two tickets to New York!

  13. Moving abroad and starting over in a new country is one of the most terrifying yet exhilarating adventures ever and there is so much to think of! Making a checklist definitely helped and ensure that you allow extra time for anything which may go wrong/take longer than you thought! Hiring a relocation specialist is definitely recommended. It is natural to make mistakes when you are involved in such a big relocation, but as long as you get everything sorted in the end that’s all you’ll remember in the long run! Believe me.

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