Posts Tagged ‘International Relocation’

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.

Lifting Heavy Objects during Your Move

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Most household injuries occur when we are unaware of proper safety precautions for certain jobs and activities. Injuries can occur when we are trying to fix electrical, plumbing or structural damage. Injuries can also occur when moving in and out of property due to a lack of knowledge in lifting techniques and proper support of heavy objects. Below is a short list of safety precautions you should be aware of before you start your international or domestic move to help ensure the safety of you and your family.

Lift with Your Legs – Most people outside of professional moving and weightlifting aren’t aware how important it is to lift heavy objects with the leg muscles and not the back. This means bending down at the knee and using the quadriceps and hamstrings to lift. Lifting at the back can cause serious injury.

Use Padding – Use regular or furniture blankets to protect the exposed edges of any piece of heavy furniture you are moving. This has the double effect of protecting the item itself and protecting the lifters from injury should the item become loose or move in unpredictable ways.

Belts and Gloves – Wear any or all protective gear if the situation calls for it. It’s a good idea to use a weight lifting belt when carrying heavy objects to encourage correct lifting techniques. It’s also a good idea to use gloves in order to protect from splinters or other sharp objects that may be coming out of appliances or furniture.

Dollies – When conducting a domestic or international relocation it’s a good idea to use all tools at your disposal. This includes things like dollies, which will greatly decrease the amount of muscle work needed to be used by human labor. There are lots of different dollies on the market for different types of lifting situations.

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.

Relocating Internationally for Employment

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Have you recently been asked by your employer to relocate internationally? If you have been, you are not alone. Each year, thousands of individuals are asked about relocating by their employers. In today’s society, many companies are finding it difficult and costly to run a business. This is what leads many companies to consider downsizing or moving their headquarters to areas in which it is cheaper to operate a business. With this common occurrence, you may find yourself being asked by your employer to relocate.

If you have been asked by your employer to relocate, you may be unsure as to how you should proceed. One of the best ways to determine if relocating for your job is the right decision for you is to examine the advantages and disadvantages of relocation. These advantages and disadvantages can make it easier for you to make the decision that is best for your needs and possibly the needs of your family. Just a few of the many advantages and disadvantages of relocating  are outlined below.

Perhaps, the greatest advantage to relocating for a job is the fact that you are able to keep your job. While circumstances may vary, you will often find that you are given three choices when asked to relocate. Those three choices often include accepting the relocation offer, quitting your job, or being fired or laid off. If you have been faced with these choices, you may want to seriously consider relocating globally, as it will enable you to keep your job and often your current position, pay, and seniority as well.

Another one of the many advantages to relocating for a job is a fresh start. Many times, families or individuals just need a chance to start over. If you or your family are currently unhappy with where you live or life in general, a change may do you good. It is also important to mention cost of living. To save money, many companies make the decision to relocate in areas that are known for their low or affordable cost of living. This is what can enable them to save money. This low or affordable cost of living may also make it easier, as well as more affordable for you to go about buying a new home and so forth.

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.

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.

Some Tips for Moving Overseas

Monday, January 16th, 2012

People have been moving overseas as far back as history has been recorded. Early settlers of the pacific islands moved from the mainland thousands of years ago in homemade wood boats.  Nomads crossed the frozen tundra during the ice age to reach North America. Pilgrims set sail across the rough north Atlantic to find a world that was new to them. Thankfully, moving overseas has gotten a lot easier, and quicker, since the days of the past. But moving overseas can still be a big stressful hassle, so any tips about the process and ways to make things easier is invaluable.

Probably the most important aspect of making an overseas move more manageable is to stay organized. This can be accomplished through keeping a detailed notebook, calendar or any other organizational system that works. With this system costs like insurance, travel tickets, food, lodging and other items can be accounted for so that the budget is not broken. Other items such as documentation, permits and important dates can be kept track of as well.

Another important aspect of moving overseas is research. Learning as much as possible about a new location before getting there is a great way to start the immersion process and feel more comfortable in a new home. Research involves learning primarily about language, but should also include other cultural things like food, music, art, socializing, games and any other aspects of the new culture that you may find interesting. The more you research about your new home the more comfortable you will feel when you get there.

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.

Affordable Overseas Relocations

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Moving across the ocean to a new home can be a daunting prospect. Most people aren’t even sure how they can get their household goods to their new home. Moving your household goods overseas can involve lots of different modes of transportation including ships, trucks, planes and even trains. Arranging and coordinating all of these different forms of transportation is not easy if you are not experienced. That is why it is recommended for people moving internationally to contact a global relocation company that can arrange the transportation of your goods for you.

When you are planning a move overseas, it’s a good idea to get quotes from several different companies so that you can compare and contrast services and costs. Price alone should not be the only factor in your decision, however. Make sure to pay attention to online reviews and get an in person recommendation if at all possible. Also make sure that the international relocation company you hire has all the proper credentials and insurance.  In the end, you will have been glad that you did all of the proper research an chose a reputable global relocation service like Unipack.