Planning a Move to the UK

Planning a move to the UK is a huge endevour. My last move was overwhelming, and in hindsight, I could have planned better and procrastinated less. It didn’t seem like there was all that much left to go through, and near the end I gave up and  took a lot of stuff to the dump, while shipping very little. I’ve taken that as a sign to accumulate less junk, but that’s for another website, or for Marie Kondo. What I did get right was getting all of our three pets prepared for the flight, and meeting all of the requirements. Everything else was FUBAR.

Planning and Emotional Considerations

Moving is one of the most stressful life changes, but combined with the reason for a move, such as family or job changes, this makes it even more stressful. You’re leaving a life, friends, your home, and adventuring into an unknown. It’s both exciting and scary. There is no right or wrong way to feel, at any point in this journey. Circumstances evolve and your feelings can change. Don’t be too hard on yourself or your family members.

Careful planning and allowing plenty of time for each task are good ways to reduce the possible stress, seeking support from family and friends, researching and finding answers to all of the right questions and having options for the possibility that things can go wrong. Above all, practice self-care.

Self-care to Reduce Moving Stress

• Get enough rest – moving is demanding oth physically and mentally, recharging will help keep your energy up
• Practice relaxation techniques like Mindfulness or Meditation  to help reduce stress and keep calm
• Exercise – physical activity is known to reduce feelings of stress, even if it’s just taking a walk
• Take breaks – disconnect from the stressors and do something you enjoy
• Don’t forget to eat balanced meals and stay hydrated

Find what works best for you to promote your well being throughout the moving process. You can do this.

Know Your Visa Path

The first thing you need before you can plan your move is to know your route to become a resident, your visa path. Just like immigrants to America need a Visa or green card before they can move legally, you will need a visa to move to the UK, unless you are eligible for a British passport by birth.

This journey is expensive and time-consuming, with the costs increasing and rules changing yearly as the government fumbles to reduce the numbers in any way it can. (These numbers continue to increase anyway.) Unfortunately, the easiest way  to reduce migration has been to curb family visas with more challenging income requirements.

In the same way that some Americans feel threatened by immigrants, with the media and politicians fueling anti-immigrant rhetoric, Britain is similar. This time WE are the migrants they’re talking about, the migrants they’re trying to reduce.

Example Moving Timeline

Visa / Passport / Travel Documents / Pet Travel Scheme – Sort these out first!!

Six weeks before moving:

Confirm Move Date

Make Travel Arrangements for Family / Pets

Research your new area

Notify landlord

Arrange shipping

Arrange storage if needed

Notify utility companies/landlord/etc

Purge excess possessions, sell or give away

Order anything required, luggage, travel gadgets

Two weeks before moving:

Start packing non-essential items, and non-seasonal clothes

Get medical records such as doctors, dentists or opticians

Make arrangements for mail, forwarding.

Get medical records such as doctors, dentists or opticians

Get school records if needed.

Make a list of anyone else to notify of the move, send change of address cards or emails.

Confirm dates and arrangements with shipping companies.

Double check the attic/basement/etc for leftover items.

Start to empty the fridge/freezer/pantry

One week before you move:

Confirm with estate agents when new house keys will be available.

Return any library books/items.

Collect any items out to dry-cleaners or repairs.

Make a list of important numbers or other details for your arrival.

Clear out fridge and cupboards of unwanted foods.

Pack rest of belongings in advance of shipping.

Moving Day

Take final meter readings.

Do any final packing of essentials. Double check nothing is left behind.

Take lots of deep breaths. Good luck!!