words Al Woods
We all know that moving can cost an arm and a leg. An international move will cost you all that plus your spare kidney – unless you plan and budget carefully.
Thinking about an overseas move is enough to make anyone giddy with excitement, but it’s important to put your adult pants on and think about your finances before you let yourself get carried away with all the fun and adventure that’s in store for you. Think about your moving budget well in advance – this will help you to ensure you don’t have any surprises halfway into the process. Here are a few of the major costs to consider.
Moving and Shipping
An obvious one to think about is the cost of the actual move. However, this will differ drastically depending on how you decide to go about it. Some people can’t bear to part with a lifetime’s worth of stuff and ship their belongings across the world. Others see their move as a chance to start fresh and sell everything they own, moving to a new country with only the clothes on their back.
Remember that both of these options will have financial repercussions. Shipping costs can be intense, but so could the expense of furnishing your entire home from scratch. Auto transport is another cost to consider if you’re thinking about taking your car overseas with you.
Visas and Travel
You’ll also need to plan for what the travel is going to cost. This includes everything from flight tickets to the Uber rides you’ll need to pay for to get to and from the airport, and the cost of the car rental if you need to use one for a while when you first arrive.
You’ll also need to consider the Visa costs, which can be quite expensive. When immigrating, many people look at options such as a Golden Visa, which allows residency in certain countries like Portugal and Greece. However, these types of Visas come at a hefty price and regular work or study Visas are typically the best choice for some.
Short-Term Accommodation
Unless you’ve managed to secure a new rental agreement from across the world (which can be tough), there’s a good chance you’ll be homeless for a few weeks while you find the perfect place to live.
In these cases, there are a few different temporary housing options that you could consider while you’re house hunting. From hotels to guest houses, or even crashing on a friend’s couch for a few weeks, remember to weigh up the costs.
Pet Transport
Finally, if you have pets, you’ll need to consider how much it will cost you to bring them along with you on this journey. This can take up a major portion of your budget and should be planned for well in advance.
There’s also a lot more to consider than just costs when it comes to relocating with a pet. Remember that the journey may not always be safe for your furry friend – there might be health risks and they might suffer trauma from the journey. There are unfortunately some cases where it’s best to find them a new home.
