Archive for the ‘International Relocation’ Category

International Relocation to the Mediterranean

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

Europe is going through some difficult economic times in the past few years. Despite this, it remains a popular destination for international relocation. Cities and towns along the Mediterranean Sea in particular are especially popular due to the nice weather and interesting culture. European countries along the Mediterranean include Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Albania and Greece. While all of these places share a border with the sea, the quality and type of life in each of these countries is drastically different from each other, especially between Eastern and Western countries.

Spain, France and Italy are considered part of Western Europe. Their economies are modern with significant sectors in high technology service and manufacturing. They also have significant social safety nets that allow for a somewhat comfortable way of life despite economic difficulty. Finding a job for an immigrant in one of these countries may be really difficult after an international move, so if you are looking for employment in one of these places, it’s a good idea to have a job set up before you leave. For seniors with a significant retirement savings, these countries are great for settling down during retirement.

Eastern European countries along the Mediterranean are not quite as modern as those in the West, and thus have a cheaper cost but less quality of life. Many of the countries in this region were part of the former Soviet bloc and are still building more modern capitalist economies. People moving to Europe choose the East because of the reduced costs and because they are looking for a way of life that is significantly different from the West and the United States. It’s a good idea to visit Eastern Europe before moving there to get a sense of the culture, language and way of life.

Relocating to Mexico

Friday, February 24th, 2012

Mexico doesn’t have the greatest reputation in our modern times. With a rampant drug war ravaging the north and poverty stretching across the countryside, many people have absolutely no desire to move to Mexico. This isn’t true for everyone, however. People emigrate from the U.S. to Mexico every year for a variety of reasons. Some are moving back home after having made a living in the U.S. for a number of years if not decades. Teachers move there to help people learn English and enhance education. Other people may find the more simple way of life in many towns and cities more appealing than life in the U.S. Whatever reason someone has for moving south of the border, a global relocation service can help make it happen.

The process of crossing any border with a truck full of goods can be a complicated one. Mexican border officials do not have a strong reputation for thorough examination of cargo, but border guards do regularly examine trucks to make sure that all goods crossing the border are following proper laws and regulations. Moving goods across the border yourself can be a recipe for disaster if you are not familiar with all of the laws. An international relocation company can help move all of your goods across the Mexican border for you so that you don’t have to worry about missing some small but important detail.

Driving a truck yourself through the countryside of Mexico can also be dangerous. It is not common, but there have been stories of gangs or thieves who hijack trucks they believe to have precious cargo in them. Transport companies who are used to relocating goods to Mexico know how to deal with these situations, but many normal movers may not understand the risks. Driving a truck through Mexico also presents a logistical challenge because there are not as many gas stations, service centers and general help available in much of the desert. If you’re planning on relocating to Mexico, make life easier and use a global relocation service like Unipack.

Scouting for a New Home Overseas

Saturday, February 18th, 2012

Moving internationally is a wonderful opportunity to discover a culture and start a new exciting life. The perfect place for one family or individual may not be perfect for another, so it’s important to explore all possibilities before jumping into a new property overseas. The best way to find out what new country or city is the most perfect fit is to visit as many places as possible for as much time as possible. This way you can experience a variety of different cultures and climates and find out which one is the best fit for you and your family. Scouting is also important for determining which places are most financially accessible on a fixed income if you’re not going to be working.

Scouting for a new place to live overseas can be an opportunity for fantastic adventure and exploration. As someone looking for a place to live you’ll be exploring the areas of cities and countries that most tourists never go. You’ll get to see exciting local restaurants, bars, cultural venues and you’ll get to see how people act and live on a day to day basis. Take these opportunities to meet the locals and decide whether the personalities of the community are compatible with your desired way of life.

If you’re not only scouting for a new place to live but also a place to work, traveling is a good chance to see what the employment situation is like in each place. Trying to find jobs overseas trough the Internet is popular, but a lot of prospects for employment can go missing if you don’t explore the community in person. Not only are there jobs available to only people who are local, but exploring a community in person gives you the chance to network with individuals and businesses that may offer you the job of a lifetime.

Getting a Driver’s License When Moving Internationally

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

If you plan on driving when moving abroad, it’s advisable to get an international driving permit, even if you don’t plan on doing much driving. The permit is valid in over 150 countries and is translated into 10 languages. It’s necessary for driving but can also be used as a universal identification.  It’s a good idea to investigate the driving laws in your new country as soon as you arrive.  Each country has different rules set up regarding how quickly you need to get a new license after you arrive and what information you will need to provide to get one.

Some countries honor a United States driving license while others don’t.  You may also need an international driving license or international permit, which is a certification of license and is available in nine languages. A grace period is usually given when you arrive in a new country in order to give you time to obtain the proper permits and licenses. Be prepared to take a whole new test which may include a written exam, eye exam and actual driving test.

If you’re moving to a country, such as Australia or Britain, that drives on the opposite side of the road, you will want to get some good practice in before having to take the actual examination.  Even experienced drives may find some serious challenges in navigating roads that have a completely different orientation.

Where People Are Moving Overseas

Sunday, August 21st, 2011

The United States remains one of the most popular destinations for immigrants worldwide. More people move to the USA to work and live than anywhere else on earth. But residents of the U.S are moving out of the country as well. Whether it be for jobs or a better quality of life, people relocate to new countries all the time. Outside of the United States, some of the most popular destinations are in Europe and the far east.

Germany has the highest immigration rates in the European Union. It also has the largest economy in Europe and the 4th largest economy in the world. People immigrate to Germany for a variety of reasons including employment in a high tech manufacturing economy and high level of social services. Germany is also home to a large US military base which may be attractive to American businesses. Other countries in Europe like Spain and the United Kingdom also see high raters of immigrants.

In the far east, Japan remains one of the most popular destinations for immigration. Japan has the third largest economy in the world behind the United States and China. It hosts a high tech manufacturing and service economy with limited land space. Japan, like Germany, also has US military bases which attract American families and businesses. Japan has been known for stagnant growth in the last couple of decades, but they maintain a low unemployment rate and a high standard of living.

The Expert Relocater

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Is the prospect of international relocation something that fills you with excitement and intrigue or do you find yourself becoming bogged down by the anxieties that naturally come with the prospect of moving yourself, your family, and your possessions to a foreign country?

Quality matters…

If you are moving abroad then you need to be able to entrust your international relocation to a caring and responsible international moving company whom you can rely upon for providing you with cutting edge moving and relocation services that are an essential part of the smooth transition from A to B.

No half measures…

When caught up in the stresses which are traditionally associated with international relocation one can be easily taken in by moving companies offering gimmicks or cheap rates when the true key to stress-free international relocation is a quality and personalised service with an effective and uncompromising delivery. A worthy moving company will have perfected the fine balance between experience and adaptability, which will demonstrate itself in the tailor-made services they provide to you. Prioritising your needs as an individual is essential and allows you to exert a comfortable level of control and trusted dependency over your international relocation.

Quality Management and International Relocation

Monday, June 20th, 2011

On an international scale, factors which effect service delivery and the ability to measure it, are magnified. International Relocation demands rigid, thorough and effective systems of Quality Control in place. Service quality is dependent on expectations of the client, limitations on what can be achieved (customs, housing market, school availability etc) and a seamless service delivery from suppliers and contractors. Coupled with this, the corporate relocation sector demands top block service delivery for extremely high value clients. Operating in this area means that Unipack Global Relocation has applied this ethos throughout the company meaning service quality is consistently exceptional.

To maintain a high level of quality, Unipack Global Relocation has a dedicated Quality Management Team (QMT), reporting directly to the CEO and Managing Director.

The team compliments service offering by measuring and monitoring service delivery at every stage with the assistance of a dedicated and internally developed system. The QMT monitors all factors which effect service quality from the complex relationships with suppliers, partners and agents, to individual assignee satisfaction grading.

Building Relationships

Sunday, June 12th, 2011

The International Relocation Company that you choose will be a vital resource in the transition to your new home and should therefore regard you as importantly as you regard them. They should be determined to build a close relationship with you. An essential part of this close and trusted relationship is the provision of an experienced, friendly, and trusted move coordinator (or equivalent) by the company in question. The move coordinator is your main point of contact for any questions, comments, or concerns regarding your move throughout the relocation process. The Move coordinator should do all they can to provide you with the best possible services in all aspects of the move at both origin, destination and all in-between!

First class service, business class delivery…

A quality International relocation goes far beyond providing the heavy lifting service provided by all international moving companies. If you trust your move to a company like Unipack Global Relocation you can expect to choose from a whole range of services from handyman and maid services to finding a new Tennis Club! Support is a priority and Unipack offer a range of online guides, FAQ’s and tips to help plan your move.

Relocating to Bulgaria

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Below are a number of important considerations for anyone considering moving overseas and to Bulgaria:

1. Income –  Wherever you decide to relocate to, you will need a source of income. It maybe that you have a  pension, or can work from home via the internet, but a steady source of income will be required to cover your general living expenses. When considering moving to Bulgaria, you need to keep in mind that without a good knowledge of the Bulgarian language, you will find it difficult to get any sort of normal job and most expats tend to end up working in trades required by other expats such as building, property management, gardening so these areas of work are already over saturated.

2. Education – If you have children you will need to consider how they will fit in to the local education system or if you are going to attempt home schooling. In Bulgaria, children go to kindergarten from an early age and then start primary school at around the age of 7. Young children will pick up the language quickly, but for older children it can be very difficult to fit in.

3. Medical Care – The state health system in Bulgaria is under funded and fairly basic, although the actual standard of care is good in most respects. However, if you have a pre-existing medical conditions or require regular medication you need to check you can get the medicine or care required in Bulgaria. It is important to find an English speakingdoctor close to your location. Private health clinics are numerous, cheap and very good.

Is There Anything Bad About Relocating?

Sunday, June 5th, 2011

Although a fresh start may sound nice for a large number of individuals, it doesn’t mean that it is right for everyone, like you or your family. Relocating Internationally may be difficult or even impossible for you to do if you have a spouse who is currently employed or if you have a teenager is satisfied with their current school and friends. These are all factors to consider. With that in mind, relocation isn’t a decision that you should make on your own, especially if you have a family. It is a decision that should involve everyone who would be impacted, in one way or another, with relocation.

The cost of relocation is another disadvantage or downside to doing so. With that in mind, it is advised that you speak with your employer about assistance. If you aren’t given a choice or if your employer wants to keep you on their team, you may be able to get financial assistance for relocating. This financial assistance, if it is offered, will likely vary, but you should be able to get assistance with the hiring of a moving company, as well as the cost of gasoline or airline tickets to your new destination. Even if financial assistance for relocating is not offered, it would not hurt for you to at least inquire about it.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration if you are ever given the opportunity to move overseas. As a reminder, the decision to relocate is one that should be made in conjunction with you, your employer, as well as your family.