Hey, are you thinking about moving out of the country? Is it time to leave the US for a while and set up shop in Europe, Asia, or South America? Our world has gotten so much smaller. Where once upon a time, it would be very unusual to move out of the US to follow a career opportunity, today’s professionals are willing to relocate.
Here are a few things you want to know about planning the international move:
First, give yourself plenty of time. Yes, I know that in the movies, there’s a phone call one moment and in the very next scene, the hero or heroine is comfortably set up in their new home, but in real life, international moves don’t work that way. Depending on your destination, you’ll need to factor in time for your possessions to arrive via cargo ship or air. Being cleared through customs can also lengthen this process. There are a lot of logistical details to figure out, including where your possessions will be shipped to, who will be there to receive them, and when will they arrive.
Work with an experienced international moving company. Ask them how many times they’ve helped someone move to the country you’re headed to. If they’ve never even heard of the country (True story! Ask me about my exciting journey to Benin!) this is not a good sign. Reputation and experience are your top considerations when choosing a moving company for your international move.
Price is also important, of course, but this is definitely one instance where you don’t want to go with the lowest bidder. The best practice is to get bids from one or more South Shore international moving companies, and then compare prices, experience and reputation. Ask yourself who do you think you can trust the most, and act accordingly.