Moving Away From Home for the First Time

Let’s face facts: packing up your belongings and taking the first leap to move abroad is a difficult and life-changing decision. 

Such an undertaking is a catalyst for growth in both the personal and professional dimensions of your life, but it naturally comes attached with logistical challenges that you may not know how to easily navigate just yet.

With all the things that need to get done days—even weeks—leading up to the move, going through the process can feel like a never-ending waterfall of tasks that are constantly piling up. And it’s not unheard of for some vital tasks to slip between the cracks because of all the errands you’re trying to stay on top of.

If you find yourself in this dilemma, then you’re in the right place. This article will give you a rundown on things you must pay attention to to ensure that your move abroad will be as seamless and airtight as possible.

Let’s jump right into it.

Check Your Passport and Visa Requirements

The first thing you must do before planning an international move-out mission is to make sure you have secured all the necessary travel documents before you fly out to the place.

For Australian citizens moving to a different country, they’ll need to have an appropriate visa to ensure that they can rightfully live in their target destination without breaking the law of either country.

A tourist visa is not enough if you intend to stay in a place for more than two or three months. It’s essential to apply for the appropriate visa—whether that’s a student visa, a working visa, a digital nomad visa, a dependent visa, or something else entirely. 

Furthermore, it’s also crucial to ensure that you have a valid and unexpired passport with you when you travel out of the country. This is oftentimes the only accepted form of identification as you step foot in your new country, so having it with you ensures that authorities can identify you and process your entry smoothly.

Make sure to prepare supporting documents as well. This may include proof of funds, acceptance letters, employment contracts, health insurance, accommodation details, police checks, and medical records. Getting these documents ready early ensures that your move abroad goes smoothly.

Need more assistance? Muval’s first time moving checklist can be a great resource to help you cover everything you need to move out successfully.

Declutter Your Belongings

Another must-do activity to put in your checklist is the act of decluttering your belongings. Over the past few years, you’ve likely accumulated a tonne of random knick-knacks and items over the years. 

Instead of packing the random assortment of items in your attic and bringing it to your new home, consider parting ways with them from the get-go. Put these things you want to get rid of inside a box labelled in one of three categories: to throw away, to donate, and to sell.

Make sure to dispose of items properly, keeping in mind local segregation rules. And for items you want to sell, take clear photos and list them early so you’re not rushing to find buyers right before your move.

If you need extra hands, you can always request the help of a loved one, a friend, or a neighbour to lend a hand as you move boxes of stuff inside your transport vehicle. That said, the best option is to hire a dedicated removalist who can take your stuff and ship it to your new place—and there are, fortunately, many such services online.

Decluttering before you pack helps reduce the number of things you’ll have to bring with you. This, in turn, makes your transition much smoother as you enter this new stage of your life abroad.

Mind Your Finances

Before you move out, you should be financially prepared to undertake the move. 

This doesn’t only entail having enough money to cover minimum rent requirements or the down payment of the new place you’re staying at—it should also consider the various miscellaneous expenses that come with the moving process, such as transport costs, utility setup fees, furniture purchases, emergency expenses, and more.

On top of that, you should also build a large enough savings account to cover the cost of living for the first few months of you settling into your new space. Consider researching the relative cost of living of the place you’re moving to, and adjust your budget to fit these standards accordingly.

Lastly, be sure to also notify your bank about the timeline of your move-out date. This way, they won’t freeze your account when you’re withdrawing or making transactions internationally. You should also contact a local bank ASAP and open an account with them—having local currency helps a tonne in getting you settled in, too.

Coordinate With Utility Providers

Besides the physical load you’ll have to bring with you and unload, you’ll also have to stay in close contact with utility providers in both your home country and the one you’re moving to, whenever relevant.

It’s much more seamless if you transition into a new home with a working electric, water, and gas meter. It’s also financially responsible to cut your utilities (and pay the outstanding bill) in your old home before leaving it altogether.

Specifically, you should be updating your billing addresses, returning any rented equipment, taking photos of meter readings, arranging final meter readings, and contacting all utility providers to schedule a disconnection (or connection). 

By doing these things, you’ll avoid incurring a hefty bill that you may have missed—or stay in a home that’s lacking the bare essentials to live comfortably.

Prepare a Day Bag Kit

Finally, before moving out, you should also prepare a small bag that contains items that’ll make it easy for you to settle into your new space during the first few nights.

In this bag, you should bring with you valuables such as your wallet, phone, chargers, keys, personal identification documents, hygienic products, medication, laptop and important electronics, basic cleaning items, and a reusable water bottle.

By preparing a day bag before the drive or flight to your new place, you’ll be able to comfortably settle into it without having to shuffle through your boxes of belongings.

We hope these moving tips will serve you well as you navigate living in a new place. All the best in moving to your new place abroad!

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