The ultimate international relocation checklist

Moving abroad is never an easy event. Sure, you are excited about the possibility of meeting new people and immersing yourself in a different culture; then again, you are also worried whether you will adapt. While we can't help you when it comes to the period after your move, we can certainly help you with the one that comes before it. With our international relocation checklist ready and printed out, you'll always have an overview of the most important tasks that await in the upcoming period. From renting cardboard and plastic moving bins NYC to finding the best movers, we'll leave no area uncovered!

Find the right international movers - a staple of any international relocation checklist

Can there even be such a thing as a DIY international relocation? We won't go as far as to say that it's impossible (we are firm believers there is no such thing) but it's too big of a task for anyone to attempt, leaving plenty of room for error. That's why the very first thing you should do is find the right international movers. Mind you that this isn't the time for you to be frugal - all of your belongings are supposed to cross the ocean. You need a company where you can rent moving bins NYC, a company with top-notch movers, pristine reputation, and years of experience.

The clock is ticking - before you know it, your moving day will be here!Finding such a company will certainly take time! That's why suggest you tackle this task before any other and do so months in advance. There is no such thing as starting too early but there is such a thing as starting too late.

Plan your upcoming expenses

The money you'll have to pay for your movers is just the starting point. Not only will you have to buy moving supplies, but you'll also have a number of seemingly small expenses that are easy to overlook. But overlooking them can lead to financial burnout, which is why you should make a special place for budget planning on your international moving checklist. Which expenses should you include?

• Moving expenses
• Immigration assistance
• Medical expenses and medical insurance
• Transportation costs
• Housing costs

And these are only some of them! Our suggestion is that you sit down with your family and try to list all the possible costs of moving abroad. This brainstorming session is bound to be fruitful!

Sit down with your family and start working on your international relocation checklist.

Schedule the turn-off date for your utilities

Turning-off your utilities is not a process that's in direct relation to international moving tasks. And that's why people oftentimes completely forget about it. But unless you want to keep paying for services you no longer use, we suggest you make a list of all the utilities you are currently using and start dialing numbers. Our advice? Schedule the turn-off date to be a day or two after the moving day. If something happens and your move gets delayed, you won't have to sit in a house with no power and no internet.

Update your documents - and the documents of your family members

Brace yourself - you'll need a whole separate checklist for this one. When moving abroad, there will be a lot of paperwork you'll have to go through. Not only will you have to deal with pre-move and post-move paperwork, but you'll also have to deal with medical records, visas, school records. And you'll have to do this for every member of your family.And if you are moving with pets, you'll have to find a new vet and update him about your pet's medical history. All in all, you will be swamped day in, day out.Once again, sit down, and make sure you make a list of every document that needs to be updated/transferred. From your driver's license to visas and permits, try not to forget anything. You'll have a lot of trouble if you do forget something of extreme importance.

Health is always a priority, which is why it's on our international relocation checklist

Making such a long journey can be dangerous if you are not in perfect health. Even if there is some underlying medical condition present, you need to be aware of it and start treating it before embarking on another continent. Because the stress of what's ahead can deteriorate anyone's condition, which is especially true if you have some chronic illness. So, schedule a regular check-up for every family member, and go on this trip with some peace of mind once everything turns out to be okay. And if you are on some therapy at the moment, make sure you refill your prescription. Who knows when you will have the time to do so after moving.

Any medical problem and condition should be resolved before moving.While on the subject, also make it a priority to find a new family doctor in the new country. At least do your research, and mark down the addresses and numbers of the nearest emergency rooms, and hospitals. Even though you shouldn't hope for the worst, it's always good to be prepared.

Packing on your own? Then make a good plan!

We won't try to answer the age-old question of whether you should hire professional packers or pack by yourself! But, if you have decided to do it on your own, then you need to make a good plan. That's why packing should be a major item on your international relocation checklist! Will you pack room by room? Maybe you plan to approach it by packing different groups of items in one go? Whatever your strategy is, make sure you start executing it on time! Packing is a time-consuming process that usually lasts much longer than people think it will. You really can't afford to make that mistake - not when moving on another continent. The good news is that, with a good plan, everything should be in perfect order. Just as you planned!