Moving takes a lot of research, time and energy to coordinate and complete. You may not know where or how to start. If that’s the case, be sure to connect with a Move Coach who can answer your questions and help find solutions that will save you time and money, not to mention spare you some disappointments and complications!
Be upfront with your move coach about your pain points, fears, “must haves” and the areas where you already know you’ll need some help. They’ll talk through your service and assistance options and connect you with the right resources. Some of the services they’ll introduce you to are free and others may have a fee. If you choose not to work with some or any of the partners they introduce you to, no worries. Hopefully you’ll still leave the conversation feeling a little more prepared than when you started.
We have partners that can assist you with many of your needs when relocating, including:
Housing
Settling-in services
Moving
Vetting is the key. The companies we’ll refer you to offer a range of services and service levels. They’ve proven themselves to us and the relocation industry as being reliable service providers and reputable businesses.
Shipping your household goods is one of the most important parts of your move. Our partner, Shyft, maintains a global network of vetted moving companies. The benefits of working with Shyft are:
There’s no fee for working with Shyft to find a moving company, and you can get started with Shyft right away – appointments are available 24/7 and often on the same or next day.
We understand the need to save money and go the do-it-yourself route with a rented truck for domestic or even intracontinental moves. Be sure to talk with your Move Coach about the pros and cons of truck rental, especially if you’ve never done it before. Your Move Coach can tell you the ins and outs and even get truck rental quotes for you. But in the course of that conversation you may decide to do a household goods shipment as an alternative – in other words, packing the container yourself but leaving the driving to a professional. In this and other decisions, we encourage you to explore all your options
Check with the moving or truck rental company you use, but in general, you won’t be able to transport hazardous materials or perishables. We also recommend that you always keep your sentimental and high-value items with you.
Perishable are things that may die or spoil during transit, like fresh or frozen food, open food containers and plants. Any of these could attract pests that might damage the rest of your shipment. If your household goods will be picked up and delivered within 24 hours, a moving company might allow the shipment of certain perishables if they’re properly packed.
But why not start fresh at your destination with a newly stocked pantry or refrigerator? Instead of taking up valuable space on a moving truck with these items, plan ahead to use them up or donate them to a food bank.
Quite possibly, but when it comes to renting a moving truck, be sure to budget for these charges and costs:
Renting a moving truck isn’t the only way to move your household goods on your own. You may want to get quotes for a portable container or freight shipment. Depending on the volume and distance, this could be just as affordable. You’ll still have the flexibility of loading and unloading at your pace but someone else will deliver your belongings to your new location. Some of these container shipping services even include storage options in case you’re not quite ready to receive your belongings when you get to your new location.
Absolutely! If you plan to move yourself, here are some things to consider:
We encourage you to look into using a certified auto moving company. You’ll have two options: open and closed car carriers. In general, the most economical option will be an open car carrier. Price shopping for this service can be tricky, though. The lowest price may not be all-inclusive, and the quote may not be binding. Be sure to get multiple quotes and compare apples to apples to find the best deal.
It’s not uncommon to find yourself with a few weeks or months between arriving in your new location and securing your next home. There are quite a few options when it comes to temporary housing. If you’re still looking for your perfect place to live or if you have a home under construction, be sure to check out:
Finding the right home in the right neighborhood should be a top priority when moving. However, local customs or unfamiliarity with the area can make the search feel overwhelming. There are resources to help, such as real estate agents (for locations where this is customary) or local experts that can help you identify the area you want to live so you can narrow down your search.
Steps in your rental search will include:
Many countries require you to register with the authorities or local government when you arrive. Research this before you move and make sure to have all the necessary paperwork in order when you arrive. You might be required to obtain a personal identification number before you can work legally, open a bank account or get a cell phone plan.
If you’ll be living in a foreign country for an extended period, you’ll likely have better access to your money through a local institution. Withdrawing money and paying for things from your bank account at home may mean incurring bank fees and ATM withdrawal fees. A local bank account may also be required in order for you to receive paychecks or to pay rent if you’re leasing an apartment.
An alternative to a local bank account is to open an account with an international bank, such as HSBC, while in your home country. This will make it easier to pay for things without fees and minimize ATM fees when withdrawing cash at your new location.