How to Prepare to Move to a New Country

Congratulations! You’ve made the incredibly brave but rewarding decision of moving to a new country (we’re assuming so, anyway, cause you’re reading this blog…) We’re also going to guess that the excitement of this news has started to cool down, and feelings of stress are starting to creep in. Don’t worry - It’s totally normal! But we’re here to help.

Moving to a new country requires a huge amount of admin: Research, Paperwork, Packing, Travel Arrangements, Healthcare and House Hunting…. To name a few! So much to take care of, such little time… To help you get started with all of this, we’ve partnered with the Relocation experts at Matutto, to share the most important things you’ll need to prepare when you move to a new country. Let’s get into it.

Creating a plan for the Big Move 

Before diving into the logistics of the move itself, it's crucial to lay a solid foundation for your journey. Following a checklist or organising all your moving documents in one single place will help you stay on track and keep focus when things get hectic. Here’s some of the things Matutto recommends to do at the start of a relocation:

1. Set Clear Goals: Begin by defining your goals and expectations for your new life abroad. Understanding why you're making the move will help you make important decisions later on and stay grounded when things get tough.
2. Research Your Destination: Research your new country to better understand what you’ll find when you arrive. Familiarise yourself with its culture, language, customs and ways of doing things. If you’re moving to the UK or the UAE, you can Sign Up to Matutto to access their comprehensive guides and save hours of research.
3. Finances and Budgeting: Assess your financial situation and create a budget for the move. It will be crucial that you understand your costs in your new country, so you can find suitable accommodation options and adapt your new lifestyle in a way you can afford. Matutto has a Cost of Living Calculator for Dubai and London, which will be very helpful if you’re moving to any of those cities.

Sorting, Packing and Storing your Stuff

Now that you've organized your pre-move essentials, it's time to tackle the task of sorting and packing your belongings (Not an easy one, shall we say!). 

It can be very easy to feel overwhelmed - How do you even choose what to take? You can’t possibly take everything with you to a new country. 

1. Prioritise Essentials: Identify those items that you can't live without. This includes important documents (duh, cause who are we without our passports!), sentimental items, and essentials for daily living - Be careful with what you consider “essential” - If you don’t use it every day, it probably doesn’t fit in this category…
2. Downsize and Donate: Consider downsizing by selling, donating, or recycling items that won't have a place in your new life. This step will not only simplify your move but it may also benefit others.
3. Declutter and store with easyStorage: As you prepare for your move, you'll inevitably come across items that you may not want to take with you but aren't ready to part with permanently. This is where easyStorage comes in handy. Our storage solutions offer a secure and convenient way to store your valuable possessions.
4. Pack Strategically: Pack similar items together and make sure you have easy access to the things you’ll need during your first few days in the new country. Perhaps there are things you don’t need to take with you right away and you can bring abroad in the future?

Staying on top of Admin

Once your travel date is getting closer, you may want to seek support from experts, to help you handle all the admin ahead of your landing in the country. Matutto offers a large range of support with your relocation, where you’ll get to work with an Advisor who will guide you and help you with your selected topics. Some of the things they can help with are:

• House Search: You can find a comprehensive guide for renting a home in the UAE and UK on their website, but you can also book further House Search Support. If you do, they will guide you through the requirements of renting a home as an expat, and even help you with the search and viewing appointments of your next dream home abroad.
• School Search: If you’re moving with your little ones, finding an appropriate school will be one of your main concerns. Matutto can help you understand the Education system in your new country and help you find and apply to the schools that best fit the needs of your family.
• Logistics Support: In addition, they can assist with other relocation logistics, like moving your pets abroad or helping you ship your belongings.

The Matutto team can also help you with moves to other countries outside of those listed on their website. You can reach out to them here to submit an enquiry.

Last Few Things Before Departing

You’re almost ready to go! There are just a few more things you can’t forget to do before you leave your home country: 

1. Notify Important Parties: Inform banks, utility companies, and government agencies of your move. Make sure any outstanding bills are settled and that all your paperwork is in place.
2. Finalise your Travel Arrangements: Book your travel and ensure you have all the necessary documents, including passports and visas.
3. Healthcare: Make sure you have health coverage in your new country (whether that's private insurance or access to public healthcare). It’s always advised to take your medical records with you to your new country.
4. Goodbyes: Schedule in time to say goodbye to friends and family - A bittersweet farewell before your new adventure commences!

Now you are finally done. If you follow this guide, you should be able to move without issues, but if you are still feeling overwhelmed by the process, remember that you can always seek relocation support at Matutto.