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By: Terry Neff
UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA
Moving is stressful whenever and wherever you move. However, when you’re moving internationally it can be a bit more challenging because of all that moving abroad entails. You will need to prepare and plan carefully and double and triple check everything from your packing lists, to the movers who are getting you overseas and the proper documentation you need to get there. We have come up with a checklist to help you stay on track and be prepared for all that you will need to move overseas.
1. Obtain the appropriate paperwork
Make sure you know what documentation you need to move and live in whatever country you’re moving to. Some countries require visas to work or live there for an extended period of time and in most (if not all) cases you will need both an ID and a passport just to enter a country. You can contact the embassy to ensure you have everything you need.
2. Research the country
Research the town, parks and recreation, and especially schools if you’re moving with your family. You can research online and/or contact the U.S. embassy for recommendations about potential schools.
3. Find an international moving company
Research online for moving companies and then check the Better Business Bureau for the company’s ratings and licenses. Call the company and get all your questions answered, including pricing, insurance policies and their experience with moving.
4. Consider whether to ship your vehicle
Look into all that shipping a vehicle entails; find out if there are tariffs or special taxes on shipping the vehicle and check if you’re license is valid or what you would have to do to get a license in the new country. If you decide to ship your vehicle, talk to the international moving company about what their shipping options are available.
5. Determine what you will take with you
You most likely will not need everything you own to move abroad. Once you decide what you don’t need to bring, either get rid of the items or store them. Portable storage containers offer short and long term storing options.
6. Pack your belongings
Make sure to pack properly for an international move. Most likely your items will be shipped by plane or boat, so pack carefully by ensuring all your items are packed neatly and tightly together. Prepare to not have all your belongings right away, so keep the items that you will need the most with you during the move.
7. Double check your packing
Make sure you’ve packed everything you need. Having anything shipped to you overseas will not be an easy task. Double and triple check what you’ve packed and make sure you don’t need anything that you’re leaving behind.
8. Stay connected to friends and family
Make sure to leave your contact information for your friends and family to reach you during and after the move. Keep in mind that cell phones may not work the same and the charges for using a cell phone internationally can be very expensive. Check the rates and policies of the service and make sure to advise your friends and family of the different options to reach you.
Moving abroad can be a very exciting time in your life, but it can also be a very overwhelming one! There are a lot of preparations to be made, but having the proper paperwork is a crucial first step. If you’re moving internationally, use this checklist to ensure that you have a smooth and easy transition into the new country that you will call your new home.
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
By: Terry Neff
UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA
You have surely seen the ups and downs of the economy lately. I know our team at UNITS Portable Storage has, whether it is a family we are helping that has been foreclosed on or someone needing to move back home after losing a job or being unable to find one. With unemployment holding steady at around 10% across the nation, more people are finding their way back home now than ever before.
If you are a college graduate or somebody struggling to find a regular paycheck and are leaning on your parents or another family member right now for a place to live – these tips are for you. We’ve serviced a lot of UNITS customers lately in this situation and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. We can help you move home and offer up a few additional tips to save money while you look to get back on your feet.
• Sell it! Living on your own you will find yourself owning and buying a bunch of stuff that you know, you will not need in the real world. So have a yard or garage sale, and turn these items into a profit. Post it on Craigslist or Ebay. Every piece of junk is a treasure in someone else’s eyes.
• Find another use for it! Many items can have a variety of uses, as long as you are creative. Do you still have that giant CD player that was the center piece of your old entertainment center? Use the speakers and add them to your computer. Or try turning your college poker table into a kitchen table -the possibilities are almost limitless.
• Go digital! Transfer the CDs and Movies that are taking up space in the corner of your room, onto your computer, MP3 player or Cell Phone and sell the originals!
• Store it! Many people have found themselves owning a Washer and Dryer and have found that they simply do not have any room for it, yet they do not want to get rid of these items before finding a new place. I’m sure the move back to your parents is only temporary, so contact a UNITS representative or other storage facility and have them store these big personal items for you instead of having to invest in new ones down the road.
• Give it to charity! The best thing to do with any unwanted items you don’t feel comfortable selling but know someone else could use and benefit from more than you is to give them to charity. There are millions of charities out there and most would be more than willing to take on what you consider “unnecessary items.” Find one in your community you care about and see if they could put your stuff to use.
Moving back in with your parents can not only be a major downer in your social life, but a major downer in your real life as well. Stay upbeat and let others help you during this time. You’re not alone!!
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
By Terry Neff
UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA
In a fast paced and ever changing world, change is something that we have gotten used to. One of the biggest changes, and one that people are constantly going through, is relocation. There are various reasons for relocating, including a change in jobs, the need for a larger home, or simply to be closer to family. Despite these very important reasons for a move, actually undertaking a move can be both difficult as well as daunting. There are many choices that you need to make before you start this process, as well as many things that you need to keep in mind. Remember that there are numerous different moving companies out there who all offer different services that might or might not fit your personal needs. It is up to you to choose the company that best fits what you need.
The best way to start the process of moving is to contact various moving companies in order to get a price quote on their services. You need to keep in mind that these quotes may not be perfectly accurate due to the fact that they are based on the size of your home as well as the distance you are traveling. If you have a large home, you will receive a quote based on the amount of goods that a home that size has on average. Your particular home may contain more or less that this average, and as such, your actual move may cost more or less than the quote that you receive.
There are a variety of different services that moving companies offer. You can choose a full service mover, a self service company, or a truck rental. You may also need storage, so keep this in mind as you look into the services of various companies.
Full service moving companies are those that provide everything that you need for your move. This includes packing and packing materials, loading and unloading, and the actual driving required. If you choose this route, make sure to include an extra fee for any stairs that the movers will have to traverse. Also keep in mind that packing materials and labor can become quite expensive, so you might want to consider either packing yourself or a self service option.
A self service move is quite a bit cheaper than a full service move because you are in charge of packing, loading, and unloading. The self service company only provides the space to store your belongings and the transportation needed to get it when you are going. You will have to purchase and procure packing materials on your own when you go this route. Because so many people like to do things themselves these days to save money, this type of move has become quite popular.
If you are only moving a short distance, then you need to consider a totally different method of moving. Usually a short distance move will not meet the weight or distance requirements of commercial van lines, so you will have to find an alternative in order to move your things. There are many local companies who are willing to provide services that range from full service to self service when you are considering a short distance move. You can choose to move only bulky or large items using a moving company or you can choose to move your entire home in one step. While the cost of a local company will always be cheaper than a long distance move, prices will still vary depending on what you want the movers to do.
Storage is another aspect of your move that you need to consider. Most moving companies, both long and short distance, offer some form of storage. You can also have the company deliver your goods to a storage facility of your choosing. Storage will cost extra, with the exact fees depending on how long you need your goods stored. You can also choose to have your goods delivered to your home at the end of the storage contract.
It is vital that you check references of any moving company before you sign a contract with them. You can look for reviews and speak with others to find out if they are known for being on time as well as reliable.
Don’t forget to ask the company about any insurance that they will provide to cover damage that may occur to your belongings. You may need to purchase some extra coverage to make sure that all of your things are protected.
Finally, it is very important that you always read the final contract. There are some companies out there who do not hesitate to take customers for a ride. They often provide low estimates and then charge thousands more for the move. It is important that you make sure your contract includes a binding estimate that will hold the company to its original price quote.
Look no Further!
By following these simple steps, you will ensure that your next move is completed smoothly by a company that you can trust. While there is a lot of information to keep in mind, you can always find the information that you need right here at
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
By Terry Neff
UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA
Whether it’s another state, across town or even just down the street, a move is still a move – and they’re all difficult. Don’t be fooled into thinking that a shorter distance makes things that much easier, because preparation for any move, big or small, requires some thinking about how to handle the three “P’s” of relocation: planning, packing and the process.
Planning
You wouldn’t start a project at work or around the house without a plan, and you shouldn’t move without one either. First and foremost, decide whether you’re going to move yourself or hire some assistance. Figure out how you are going to handle the big things before you think about all the small stuff. Do you need to rent a truck? If so, how big of one and for how long? Also consider how much you really have. Chances are, it’s more than you’re anticipating, so think about when you need to start moving things out and where you’re going to put them. It’s amazing to see what’s lurking in the back of the closet, down in the basement or up in the attic after you’ve been in one place for several years. Mobile storage containers can be a wonderful thing, especially for anyone who needs to start the process early and get as much out of the old house before moving day as possible.
Packing
Moves are all about making the most of your space and moving as much as possible in a short amount of time -that starts with boxes and organization. Bars, restaurants and local liquor stores are great places to look for boxes, because these businesses go through a lot of bags, bottles and cans on a daily basis and almost all of them come off the truck in some kind of box. Most of these places are more than happy to give them away, so check around your area and see what you can find. After you’ve got the boxes, the next step is to figure out what stays and what can go.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that everything is essential, because something that’s just filling space in a cabinet, closet or cupboard in one house is just going to do the same at another. Pack a little bit every night. One more box each day leading up to a big move can make a big difference. Organize your things in a way that makes sense to you, take everything you need and get rid of what you don’t. For most movers, a trip to a local thrift store or nonprofit can save a lot of time, space and frustration when its time unload and unpack.
The Process
Efficiency is always the goal. Use every bit of your space, whether it’s a car, truck, mobile storage unit or anything else. Why make two trips when you could do one, or even five trips where you can do it in four? Make the most of each load, and make every trip and every inch count.
When you get to your destination and start to unload, go ahead and take things to where they need to be. If something is destined for the bedroom, take it there and don’t just drop it off inside the front door. The same goes for things like holiday decorations that you know are destined for the attic. Go ahead and get those things to where they need to be so you don’t have to deal with them again.
It’s tempting to just get everything inside and drop it, especially at the end of a long moving day, but in the long run it will just make the unpacking process that much harder.
A few minutes of planning can go a very long way when it comes to a move, regardless of how many miles you’re actually trying to go. Think about the three “P’s” ahead of time so when the day arrives, you know what to expect, what to do and where to put everything when you finally get there.
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
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