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Comparing Quotes From Moving Companies

Make sure you get quotes from three potential removal companies. Then you will need to evaluate them and make a choice. Price will clearly be a factor, but you should decide what is important to you and ensure that you take these into account and avoid choosing the cheapest and then incur more cost down...

Do Expats Need Private Health Insurance?

When living or working abroad one of the major issues to be addressed is how to access good quality healthcare. In many countries you can access the state healthcare system if you are a resident of that country, but there may be conditions before you qualify. Whenever you travel abroad you need to consider how...

Emigrating Is The New Norm For Millennials

Nearly two thirds of Millennials want to move abroad, and nearly half expect to move multiple times according to a study by Crown Relocations. Improving quality of life tops the list of reasons for moving abroad and pragmatic issues top the list of concerns over emotional ones An increasing number of UK millennials are considering leaving the UK...

UK Expat Mortgages Are Easier To Find Than You Might Think

One of the key reasons many expats move abroad is to realise their dreams of living a better quality of life and gaining financial independence. By choosing to work in a low tax environment, expats willingly make a choice to live and work away in order to help realise not only their own dreams but...

Buying Property In Switzerland

Switzerland is popular among the international community for the sense of reliability, stability and security it offers, its quality of life, education and construction, and its position in the heart of continental Europe. This has led to great demand from overseas for Swiss residence or second homes. By Swiss Alps Properties The Swiss had feared...

Expats Head Overseas For Work, Not Play

While the traditional picture of an expat has long been a retiree enjoying their later years in the sun, the Quality of Life Index from NatWest International Personal Banking (IPB) has seen a significant shift in the type of UK adult choosing to live abroad. Work rather than play, makes up the motivation for more...

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.