British Benevolent Society

expat network

British Benevolent Society

Office address:
555 California St
Suite 4925
San Francisco
CA
CA 94104
USA

Business phone:
T : +1-415-421-7195

Mobile phone:
C: +1-415-832-0653

Customer service email:
annabel.lavielle@britishbenevolentsociety.org

Website: http://events.britishbenevolentsociety.org/

The BRITISH BENEVOLENT SOCIETY (BBS) is a San Francisco based charity (501©3) whose mission is to build and nurture a diverse community of British expats through advice, support and relief when needed.

Our service to our mission:–

We Protect: BBS provides emotional and financial relief and care coordination for our members and those in need
We Support: BBS supports and helps expatriate families in their transition and integration to the Bay Area. Our annual Welcome to the Bay Orientation Day” accompanied with our bimonthly meet ups brings community together to meet new friends and make useful connections, accompanied with our bimonthly meet ups.
We Prepare: BBS provides essential information and support for earthquake preparedness and connects their new members to their neighborhood response team.
We Connect: BBS provides connection to the UK through advancing British cultural and educational interests in the Pacific West Coast.

Executive Director: Annabel Lavielle

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.