Posts Tagged ‘International Moving’

« Older Entries

International Moving Guidelines for First-Timers

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

If you’re moving to an international country or moving overseas for the first time, the process can be completely foreign to you. Without the right information and tools, you can find yourself lost amongst all of the arrangements that need to be made and all the paperwork that needs to be filled out. Below is an international moving guide that can help you navigate the often complicated waters of international relocation and help you choose an international moving company that will give you peace of mind.

Knowledge about International Customs and Regulations – Any international moving company you employ to transport your household goods overseas should have extensive knowledge on the customs and regulations of international countries. A great way to test this is to call up any prospective company and ask them as many questions as possible pertaining to your international move. Any reputable international moving company should be able to answer all of your questions and help you schedule an international move with little hassle.

Experience is important. The more experience an international relocation service has the better they will be able to deal with your freight or household goods should any problems arise. Unipack is a global relocation service that has been in the business a long time and can make sure that your goods reach their destination in a safe and cost effective way.

 

 

Tags: , ,
Posted in International Moving | Comments Off on International Moving Guidelines for First-Timers

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.

Tags: , ,
Posted in International Relocation | Comments Off on International Relocation to the Mediterranean

International Moving: Ships, Planes and Trains

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Most people are pretty familiar with how a domestic move works. You pack things in boxes, put them on the truck, drive the truck to the new house or apartment and then unpack the boxes into your new home. This process takes quite a bit of work, but it is rather simple. Relocating internationally is a whole different beast. Not only does moving to an international country require moving much further distances on average, it also requires things like permits, taxes, proper documentation and moving over oceans. For these reasons moving internationally requires a significantly different approach than a domestic move.

The best way to conduct an international move is to gather the knowledge of experts in relocation through a global relocation service. Coordinating an overseas move requires precise scheduling between trains, planes and cargo ships. The ability to coordinate these different modes of transportation are not ordinarily accessible to the average consumer. Not only that, but individuals looking to use transportation services will usually find that they have to pay the highest prices because they do not purchase services in bulk. A global relocation service like Unipack can bargain for cheaper rates and pass those savings on to individuals looking to relocate internationally.

Using a relocation service can also save a lot of time. For most families, there are a lot of important things to take care of during an international move. All pertinent paperwork needs to be put together and filed, taxes need to be paid and everything needs to be put into order at the new home. Most people don’t want to have to think about the physical relocation of their household goods. A global relocation service can arrange to have your household goods transported door-to-door. This means the only thing you have to do is pack up your valuables in boxes and have them ready to be picked up; the rest will be taken care of.

Tags: , ,
Posted in International Moving | Comments Off on International Moving: Ships, Planes and Trains

If You’re Thinking of Moving to Canada

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Moving to Canada is not just for Vietnam draft dodgers anymore. Canada is a thriving first world country full of opportunity, culture, universal healthcare and some of the finest cities in the world. Canada has jobs in nearly every market imaginable: high tech, energy, film, industry and some of the finest restaurants you can find. Why anyone would want to move to Canada is no mystery, but not all Canadian provinces, or cities, are created equal. What to expect when you move to the west coast will be different than in the interior or the east. We’ll give you a quick breakdown of how each region operates.

Big cities like Vancouver and Toronto are very much like big cities in the United States. They are mostly English speaking, have large downtown centers like Chicago or Seattle, and have a very diversified population that features lots of different cultural treats like restaurants, shops and markets. Canada’s interior in provinces like Saskatchewan and Alberta mimic much of the Midwest of the U.S. They have a thriving agricultural industry as well as oil production. Quebec is a province that really has no American counterpart. Cities like Montreal have a strong French influence, as much of the architecture and design of the city will remind people of Paris. Most people in Quebec also speak French, so if you are looking for employment in that area of the country, it is a good idea to be at least somewhat familiar with the language.

Tags: , ,
Posted in International Moving | Comments Off on If You’re Thinking of Moving to Canada

Moving Overseas and Learning a New Language

Friday, January 27th, 2012

One of the most disorienting aspects about moving to any new country is not knowing the language. It’s hard not the feel completely lost and helpless in a place where you can’t understand the signs and can’t ask people questions. That is why it is so important to at least learn a few conversational words before moving to a place with a new language. This can be accomplished quite easily with some online tools or a simple language program that you can find in almost any store. At first it’s a good idea to focus on pronunciation, as learning that will make it easier for you to understand native speakers and for them to understand you.

Once you finish your international move, you’ll want to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. This means going out to bars, restaurants and other social venues that will allow you to develop language skills. If at all possible, make friends with a native speaker who you can talk to on a regular basis, and make sure to stick to the local language. This is a great way to get immersed quickly and accurately. This is also a good opportunity to get immersed in the local culture as well. By speaking with the locals, you’ll discover all the secrets and customs of the people that you would most likely never read on the internet or any travel guide. You’ll also find out about the best restaurants and locations that they never tell the tourists about.

Tags: , ,
Posted in International Moving | Comments Off on Moving Overseas and Learning a New Language

Choosing an International Moving Company

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Moving to an international country is one of the biggest steps someone can take in their life. Up until about 100 years ago, moving internationally was a huge multi week or multi month ordeal that involved huge costs and huge risks that sometimes resulted in death. Thankfully, modern travel like airplanes and powered ships have made international moving not only cheaper, but faster and safer as well. Relocation internationally, however, is still a big ordeal. Moving goods overseas can still create tremendous costs and logistical hassles that can have heads spinning. The best way to alleviate these problems is to hire a relocation services company that can handle most of the dirty work for you.

So what makes a good international moving company? There isn’t just one factor, but a trustworthy relocation company should have a positive standing with the community, good reviews and should be properly insured and licensed. These are all things that can be checked through public records like internet databases and through reports with the Better Business Bureau. It’s a good idea to talk to other people who have gone through an international move, or consult online reviews for companies that have a good reputation. It’s also a good idea to ask for quotes from a variety of companies so that you can compare prices and services. The most important part about choosing an international mover is that you do the right research. You are choosing a company that will helping you move your entire life, so don’t make a hasty decision.

Tags: , ,
Posted in International Moving | Comments Off on Choosing an International Moving Company

Preparing for a Move Overseas

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Moving domestically can be a big hassle with a lot of things to take care of, but an overseas move is even more stressful. With large oceans, continents and borders to cross, moving internationally requires a lot of resources, planning and preparation. Why not make the whole process a little easier by following the tips below that have come from people and companies who have experience in moving overseas and who have made mistakes that we can all learn from.

-Learn the language as much as possible. At the very least, learn some words and phrases that will help you navigate and find essential resources in your new city. Once you are immersed in the culture, picking up the language will become much easier.

-Make use of a real estate agent/s. This is important not only for finding a home in your new country, but for selling your home in the old one too. Nothing can be more stressful than leaving behind unsold property, which can be a valuable source of funds for your new life.

-Documentation and Visas. Make sure you have all of the proper documentation and permits before you embark on the final leg of your overseas move. This not only applies to yourself, but to your household goods as well. Obtaining the services of a global relocation service will ensure that all the proper paperwork and documentation goes through so that your stuff can stay with you overseas.

-Research is your best weapon. Take in as much information as possible about your new home: food, culture, language, transportation, art, music or anything else you might think you need to know. The more knowledge you have before you get to your new overseas home the less out of place you will feel.

Tags: , ,
Posted in International Moving | Comments Off on Preparing for a Move Overseas

Relocating to Europe in 2012

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

If you’ve been paying attention to the news at all, you know that there is a lot of economic turmoil going on in Europe at the moment. The crux of the problem has to do with the debt of nations like Greece and how the EU is going to pay it off. The most popular method amongst politicians seem to be austerity measures, meaning cuts in good and services in order to save government money. While this may not seem important for someone who is looking to move to Europe, austerity measures and the current economic climate really do have a huge impact on how life will proceed for recent immigrants.

The main factor to pay attention to is employment. While many people going through an international relocation will have a job or funding from school to get by, some people like to wait and find a job until they arrive. This may not be a very wise decision while the European economy remains in its depressed state. Unemployment rates in many nations are in the double digits. This makes it very hard for ordinary citizens to find a job, let alone foreigners. There might be certain industries or professions that are still in need of labor, but it is a good idea to do your diligent research before departing.

Another concern about relocating to Europe at the moment is that austerity measures might cut back benefits that you might have expected when moving to Europe. One of the most highly prized of those benefits is health care. Many countries offer health care to foreigners as well as citizens, but with cut backs being made everywhere there is a risk of those types of services being cut. Call or speak to your prospective country’s embassy or representative before departing to find out about any changes to immigrant benefits or to the laws in general. Hard economic times tend to bring much change. Your most powerful weapon is knowledge.

Tags: , ,
Posted in International Moving | Comments Off on Relocating to Europe in 2012

Storage and Moving Solutions

Monday, December 5th, 2011

Moving is a great opportunity to go through all of the stuff in your home and find out what you need and what you don’t need. It’s inevitable that you’re going to find a lot of things that haven’t been used in years and would be better off somewhere else. It’s also likely that you’re going to find things you really want to keep but that you will have no room for in your new home. This can be antiques, furniture or lots of other large items that you treasure but simply can’t come with you.  This kind of situation is ideal for storage solutions.

Storage companies have a variety of different services to help people move their stuff into their storage unit. Some companies can send a portable structure to your home for you to place stuff in until you have it picked up for long term placement. You can also rent units from storage facilities where you bring the items in yourself.  Either way, you will need to have the time in your schedule to set up your storage situation apart from the rest of your domestic move. That is where a relocation service might be able to come in and take the burden off of your hands.

A relocation service that helps with domestic moving can take care of all the transportation of your household goods so that you can focus on getting things into storage and other important activities related to your move. You can also hire people to help you move things into storage, meaning even more time for you to focus on more important things. Either way, getting the assistance of a global relocation service will save you a ton of hassle on all of your domestic and international moving and will make the experience of moving easier than you would have possible imagined.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Relocation Services | Comments Off on Storage and Moving Solutions

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.

Tags: , ,
Posted in International Relocation | Comments Off on Getting a Driver’s License When Moving Internationally

« Older Entries