However, with the right combination of must-have removals factors, your down-the-street or across-the-country move can be a success. Before you pack away a single book, make sure you’ve got these three removals must-haves ready:successful removals

1.    Strong and flexible storage.

That’s flexible in terms of storage space, not construction. It’s best to look for storage equipment that can house and protect your possessions and valuables. Store items according to size, weight, and value, with similarly shaped and composed items put together in the same storage containers. Ultra-valuables are best left on your person, or at the very least in your own moving vehicle.

2.    A reliable removals company.

There’s nothing worse than uncertainty during a move. Pick a removals team that’s professional, not just the cheapest provider in the area. Almost all experienced removals teams will be able to provide insurance and equipment that suits you. Piece of mind is important, and sometimes it takes a professional removals company to provide it, especially when valuables are on the line.

3.    Excess time.

It’s amazing how many small things can go wrong during a move. These aren’t minor disasters, only small hiccups, but the amount of time they can drain is still incredible. Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need, and treat distractions and hold-ups as an inconvenience, not a crisis.

With many British pension plans paying out internationally, a number of UK citizens are considering moving abroad for their retirement, new studies show. Of the retired Britons surveyed, over 40% noted that they were considering moving overseas during their retirement, with approximately 38% of participants claiming that a move within five years was likely.

Expat-friendly locations such as Spain and France still top the list of potential destinations, while developing nations are becoming frequently eyed up as potential cost-cutting lifestyle choices. Many retiring Britons opt to travel overseas to take their income further, using low-cost countries outside the European Union to counteract the pound’s ever-decreasing value.

Many retirement-aged expatriates barely consider currency fluctuations and income in their search for an overseas destination, figures show. Many are simply searching for a better lifestyle, often in a location with lower spending requirements. With many overseas removals companies offering competitive service, moving an entire home’s worth of possessions overseas is becoming less costly and more realistic for many expats.

With Britain coming off one of the harshest winters in recent history, the draw abroad could be stronger than ever. With the right combination of planning, long-term investment, and overseas removals preparation, many Britons could be making the right choice in moving overseas.

While a number of international movers firms provide excellent service and flexible moving conditions, many expatriates are finding that the overall moving process can be quite difficult. Culturally different countries carry an extra stress-test for Britons, as many find themselves without a common language or platform for communication.

With the UK economy on the mend, it’s estimated that many expatriates out of the country for financial reasons may consider returning. The lowered value of the pound makes Britain a relatively affordable place to live, especially for expatriates that have been earning in strengthened foreign currencies.

However, reverse culture shock is often an annoyance for expats, particularly those with long-term positions outside the country. Much like many Britons underestimate the physical and mental requirements of moving overseas, a move back home can result in some taxing moments and potentially difficult adjustments.

Beyond furniture removals and business rearrangements, there is a lot going on during an overseas move. Brits considering an international career should consider it in its entirety, much like those returning home should consider the potential adjustments. Long-term overseas placements can be a relaxing and growth-filled affair, but only with the right degree of planning and consideration.

Of course, these properties aren’t for emigration, but temporary moves for the better climate, lifestyle, and attractions on offer. Despite overseas home ownership slumping since 2006, over 430,000 foreign properties are owned by Brits. Many are used as holiday homes – often summer houses in warmer climates – while others are used as investment properties or short-term rentals.

The vast majority of the overseas properties were situated in Europe, giving many Brits a convenient location for overseas removals and complete long-term moves. Of the 75% situated in Europe, over 25% of the homes were in Spain, with another 25% spread throughout France and Italy. Many international homeowners keep their homes furnished with relatively spartan equipment, choosing an international removals firm to move further items as required.

This investment in lifestyle comes at a time when many Britons are cutting costs left and right. Seen more as a lifestyle investment than a potential source of income, these holiday properties demonstrate that no matter what the economic season, lifestyle expenses will always account for a portion of national spending.

Of course, moving abroad is a major decision, and an action that requires significant planning and security. From insurance to overseas removals, many pre-planned investments are required, some of which are absolutely essential for a successful relocation. These two important investments stuck out as necessities for a successful foreign relocation:

1. Health Insurance

Public healthcare levels can be abysmal in some overseas locations, particularly low-income countries and developing nations. By contrast, the level of private healthcare available overseas can often verge on luxury – hospitals closer to 5-star hotels than the healthcare facilities we’ve grown to know.

Health insurance is very important for an overseas relocation. While many professional expatriation packages include adequate health insurance, it’s worthwhile for independent expats to look on their own for quality overseas care.

2. Reliable Overseas Removals

Moving down the street carries a certain level of risk, and moving internationally amplifies the risk level significantly. By hiring a reliable overseas removals firm to help you transport your possessions, you lower the risk of property damage or misplacement, and ensure that your overseas relocation will be stress-free.

Of course, many Brits are moving internally throughout the UK, searching for job opportunities or relocating as a result of their careers. For the recession-hit jobless, new locations within the UK represent a new opportunity – the same opportunity that was once pushing many Brits to move overseas.

The number of citizens leaving the UK fell by 12 percent in 2009, landing at 146,000. At the same time, over 87,000 British citizens returned home to take advantage of the UK’s welfare and relatively supportive economy. As foreign expatriates, British citizens are subject to relatively few welfare options and supportive financial programs.

While a large number of British citizens still look for opportunities overseas – over 140,000 left the UK in 2009, while only 87,000 returned home – the change in expatriation rates suggests that Britain’s professionals may eventually look for employment in the UK. Whether the moves were the result of financial necessity or long-term planning is debatable – a decision that the next five years are unlikely to uncover.

Expatriation is nothing new, but the recent surge in open borders and expat-friendly countries has given new life to what was once a rarity. With more people choosing to leave their country and start a new life or career in another, these three mistakes and basic moving errors tend to be emerging.

1.    Arranging overseas removals too late.

Most international removals firms are happy to help you relocate overseas, but almost all require a small window of time to arrange everything. The administrative side of moving internationally can be quite complicated, particularly when large possessions and household goods get involved. Arranging everything too late can lead to unnecessary stress and urgency – two things that definitely aren’t desirable before an international move.

2.    Moving too much.

Moving overseas allows you a great opportunity to determine which possessions you really value. Humans are incredibly talented at collecting stuff, our homes acting as much as collection chambers as they do as comfortable accommodation. Use your overseas relocation as an opportunity to sell, donate, or throw away your excess possessions.

3.    Rushing through your schedule.

There are hundreds of potential problems that can arise during a move overseas. From visa issues to long-term accommodation difficulties, many expatriation issues can take weeks, sometimes even months to be resolved. Don’t rush things – create a schedule that’s both accommodating and flexible, and plan around difficulties, not against them.

The BBC Trust signed a £2.2 million eight-year lease for the new HQ in Great Portland Street — one of London’s best addresses.

Another £1 million was spent on refurbishing the building, of which more than £400,000 was spent on “construction and fit out” and £250,000 on design, project management and business removals.

The Trust rejected space in offices used by the corporation at neighbouring Broadcasting House and at the BBC’s Television Centre in White City. Between 40 and 50 members of the watchdog’s 60-strong staff are now housed in the converted Edwardian building.

They moved from offices in Marylebone High Street last October as part of the corporation’s “property portfolio consolidation”.

The latest Primelocation International Search Index found that searches for international property increased by 134 per cent between January 2009 and 2010.

Many people could benefit from looking at currency exchange rates and the cheapest available options when considering moving abroad.

Adam Samuel, director of online overseas property resource website Nubricks, commented: “A lot more people are looking at what is available and considering where to invest.”

He added that Turkey, which charted at number five on PrimeLocation’s survey, was of particular interest “because prices are still relatively low and there are bargains to be had”.

Number one on the chart was Spain, closely followed by Florida and then France.

“I never used to believe those surveys which ranked moving house in the Top 10 most stressful experiences in life. But following our move from North London to Surrey last week, I now know this to be true.

Stressful? There should be a Government Health Warning on moving house. Throughout that long, exhausting day I’m convinced my blood pressure hit danger levels on a number of occasions.

Watching the removal lorry slowly reverse into our car was certainly one of them. Only minutes earlier I’d taken the baby out of his car seat. We were parked a good 30 feet away, yet all three removal men swore they couldn’t see our family estate car in their rearview mirrors. It was a small dent in the bumper; a larger one to my confidence.

Then there was the £40 parking ticket slapped on the windscreen in the 30 seconds it took me to pick up my son from nursery. It was the equivalent of a goodbye card from those diligent employees of Islington Council.

While all this was going on, I was speaking to at least seven different operators at a call centre in the hope that one might possess the talent to set up an account on our new landline phone. They did not.

By the time we arrived at our new house (an hour stuck in rush-hour London traffic, another hour to get there) it was getting dark. Without a working landline phone I kept my mobile close at hand… until, that is, our over-tired toddler posted it down the toilet while I was running his bath. I suppose I can’t blame that one on house-moving: that’s just parenthood for you.

The next morning started with promise. We woke in our new home; the sun was shining, the birds tweeting. What could possibly go wrong today?

Within half an hour, a full mug of coffee slid off what we thought was a flat surface and all over the only carpet in the house that didn’t need replacing.

Then we locked ourselves out of the house. The previous owner had forgotten to drop the rather important Yale key with the agents on completion. We only realised this after we had slammed the front door.

How my husband managed to wriggle through the tiny downstairs window with the dodgy catch, I have no idea. I hadn’t seen such a contortionist since the Chinese State Circus came to town. He dropped six feet down onto the carpet, landing headfirst, and hasn’t been quite the same since.

Perhaps removal firms should provide an “after care” counselling service to help repair the shattered nerves of homeowners? Or a welcome pack containing spare keys, carpet cleaner, plasters, bandages, scotch and Valium?

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