Inspired Overseas Living

Anytime you move from one place to another, packing up, storing and shipping your belongings is quite a task. But if you’re planning on moving overseas, it becomes a whole different ball game. Knowing what to expect in your new country and packing efficiently can go a long way to reducing the stress of such a long distance move.Throughout the entire process it is important to keep in mind the shipping costs. This will likely place limitations on how much you can bring. In addition to moving and shipping costs, find out how much your destination country taxes imports as you will have to factor this into total costs. When you move to a new country you are going to be surrounded by new people, new places, and a new culture, all of which can be overwhelming at times. In order to cope with all of this, you want a place to come home to that is cozy and comfortable. When packing, focus on bringing items that will create a homey feel, not just all the clutter you have in your current house. Photographs, a special quilt or afghan, or decorative items you’ve acquired on various trips can add so much to a home without taking up too much space. You should also consider the new house or apartment you will be moving into and how it differs in style and design from your current home. Chances are it will be quite different and most of your current dcor may not go well. This can actually save money because purchasing a few new home items typically costs much less than shipping all of those items overseas. (more…)

Moving to another country means you will be subjected to the laws and regulations of their government and there are limits to what documents and licenses are valid in each individual nation. Before you leave and while you are abroad, there are a few things you should remember to do in order to ensure a safe, problem-free international experience.

1. Acquire necessary documentation: The US State Department has a list of all the countries with links to pages describing what documents you are required to obtain prior to arrival. You also need to make sure your passport is up to date because it will be needed for travel to and from your destination country. You will find yourself with quite a mess to fix if your passport expires while you are abroad and you need to return home. (more…)