Well we’re here to give you the correct advice about what you should and shouldn’t be doing.

First of all, you should be 100% sure that you’ve sorted out your finances before you start to think about any kind of move to another country. Not only will you need to be on an even keel, so to speak, but you will also need to have the cash to hand for things like your flight out of the country, your international removals, your short term accommodation and also things like your groceries and car hire.

Lastly, one rather important thing that should be taken into account when you’re moving abroad to places like Australia or New Zealand. You need to have, at the very least, a rough idea about how you will earn, or save up enough money to pay for your lifestyle.

If you’re planning on moving abroad anywhere, then the one thing that you need to bear in mind that organising you removals and shipping is paramount. Whether you’re shipping to Australia from the UK or just over the channel to France, you should contact Robinsons international removals and see what prices they can offer you. Whether it’s a big job or a small job they are sure to offer you the best possible price which all helps you to save more money for when you finally get to your new home.

For more help and advice when it comes to moving abroad visit Robinsons removals company today.

As easy as this often sounds, there is often many underlying costs that get in the way which may not be apparent on first glance.

Many countries, particularly the desired ones, have tough systems integrated to ensure that the people they allow into their country have something to offer their economy back. For example, if you have a desired skill that a country requires, they will allow you into their country on a working visa. Other countries may allow you in if you have family in the country or a sizeable amount of money to invest.  However, some countries only require you to be financially independent and not living off the state.

Doing your homework before moving abroad is essential to ensure your move is as smooth as possible.

Look to answer the following questions; Are your skills relevant to the employment market? Could you require the necessary skills? Is the culture of your chosen country different to that of the UK? If so, could you and your family adjust? Would you miss your family and friends unbearably?  It is so important to be realistic with your answers to ensure this is right for you.

On top of these primary questions, make a checklist of the following areas, making sure you are in full control and have knowledge of all incomings and outgoings before moving abroad.

1. Visas and residency

Check that the visa you are purchasing is correct for the country you are travelling to and what you need it for i.e. working visa.

Each country requires different things so make sure you are aware of what you are asking for.

2. Personal Finance

Make sure that your budgets are planned properly and realistically before you begin to move. Taxation is a complicated area, particularly when dealing with overseas moves, and need to be thought out properly.

For example Canada’s banking system does not recognise ISA’s which are tax-free in the UK, so check these grey areas before diving in.

 3. Retirement

If you are looking to retire abroad, then you must make sure that you are aware of what is involved before you flee abroad.

Look at how your pension will be handled and whether it protected in the country you are moving too.

4. Healthcare and medical treatment

Look to see whether the country you are moving to provides medical treatment for you and your family before you move abroad.

Some countries, like the USA, have private health care, while countries such as Canada and Spain offer state health care.

Make sure that if you are on regular medication, you have enough with you between leaving the UK and signing on with another doctor at your new destination.

5. Property matters

Whether you are making a clean break and selling up, or renting your home in the UK while you are away, make sure that you are fully aware of what is being paid and spent by you before you move abroad.

It is essential to seek advice from a lawyer who speaks fluent English to ensure that you know what you are signing and what you are taking on.

6. Removals services

Packing and shipping your belongings is something that should not be done alone and employing a removals company to do the hard work for you eliminates the stress and worries that come with moving house.

It is a good idea to contact an overseas removals company in advance to make sure that the move is as painless as possible.

Firstly check that the removals company you use is accredited to a trade association, such as the British Association of Removers.

Next, ensure that they can provide insurance and what it actually covers.

When given a quotation, look to see whether it includes the destination port charges, destination customs and quarantine charges.

Check to see where your goods will be stored if not shipped within the next 24 hours or have to wait in a country for their next pick up.

Ask for delivery dates and times and ensure that you are kept informed with everything from packing to unpacking of your products.

 When looking for a removals company, look to search for a company with plenty of experience. Robinsons is a specialist overseas removals company that can offer a variety of services to aid your move abroad.

With over 100 years experience in the industry, customers can track their personal belongings at any stage of the shipping, purchase insurance to cover their personal belongings, and rest assured that their items will arrive safely and securely within the set time given by staff at Robinsons.

1. Firstly, research the area that you are considering moving too.
2. Make sure you use reputable online websites and get on expat forums to discuss moving abroad with people who have already gone through the experience.
3. Ask your real estate agents as many questions as you can think of to ensure that you are clued up on the whole process.
4. If you are building a new property from scratch it may be a wise move to speak to building company that has a good reputation and valued as a good property building company. Think of the language barrier and the problems you may encounter if you are moving to a country that doesn’t speak your native language. Make sure you have a translator on hand to help you communicate with the builders.
5. Hire a good lawyer to help you handle the sale.
6. Ensure that you comply with all the local guidelines and laws and that you meet their criteria. The last thing you want to do is upset the locals before you have even settled in.
7. Transfer your money through a reputable transfer company or alternatively your bank. It is also good to keep a bank account open in the UK for any problems you may encounter or for when you come back home to visit.
8. Always ask for receipts of every transaction and signed copies of all the contracts.
9. Make sure that you speak to a reliable international removals company like Robinsons who can help you ship your personal belongings to your new destination.

Robinsons removals company have the in-depth knowledge of providing a smooth and hassle-free service, ensuring international movers the luxury of knowing their personal belongings arrive safely across all continents around the world.

As an overseas removals company, Robinson’s provide sophisticated packing and shipping for their customer’s personal belongings, from the initial planning stages to the arrival on destination. Robinson’s organise the delivery to the port, shipping of their customers goods, organising the goods to be picked up from the destination port and finally delivered at the new destination.

Guidance and information is provided by Robinson’s removals firm for international movers. Robinsons can provide customers with a time frame for when their personal belongings will arrive at their new destination. International movers can track the movement of their belongings at any point during the shipping, providing comfort and peace and mind for customers.

The survey also discovered that 92 per cent of people who have moved abroad do not live in an established community of expats.

The report was carried out alongside the Centre for Future Studies which measured expats’ expectations of the new life compared to what their actual experienced were. 25 per cent of international movers rate their new life as ‘excellent’ with 67 per cent saying they are happier living abroad than they were living in the UK.

91 per cent of those retirees who have moved to Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the US have worked abroad before retiring, saying that they couldn’t imagine themselves moving back to the UK.

If you are looking to move abroad and need help with the shipping of your personal belongings then make sure that you speak to overseas removalscompany Robinsons today.

Despite this being a negative issue, many international movers are reconsidering moving to Turkey due to a variety of reasons.

According to Golden Property Guide there are five reasons as to why Turkey would be a good place to invest into a property. The property news provider suggested that Turkey’s lack of European Union (EU) membership could potentially be seen as a positive thing as Turkey is set for economic growth.

At present the country’s banking system is enjoying continued liquidity and is facing a positive fiscal condition.

“This is all increasing confidence in Turkey, at a time when confidence in the EU, and particularly Turkey’s main competitors Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal are at an all time low,” the website explained.

Turkey is proving to be an attractive package for overseas movers with its 300 days of sunshine each year as well as fantastic beaches and its rapidly developing infrastructure.

At present 32,000 British citizens own a property in Turkey according to the Turkish General Directorate of Land Registry.

If you are looking to move abroad and don’t know where to start then why not consider Robinsons removals today, the international removals company renowned for their high quality service and low prices when it comes to packing and distributing your personal belongings to yoru new destination.

A study conducted by NatWest International Personal Banking discovered that while an international move is still a popular choice with retirees, many are wishing to move directly into the community as opposed to a community where there are already international movers established there.

92 per cent of retirees currently living abroad do not live in an established expatraite community, while over half (56 per cent) of those that live abroad live in an expatraite community and didn’t consider it as a major factor when choosing a home to set up.

which could benefit investors with property overseas.

David Isley, Head of NatWest International Personal Banking, said, “Looking at retirees who decide to move abroad, it is enlightening that 92 per cent of expats chose not to retire to a designated expat community. This seems to emphasise the notion that expats have retained a sense of adventure, they really do want to start afresh and experience life as a local rather than settle with other expats.”

The research found that Spain, France, Australia and Us are the firm favourite destinations to move abroad.

If you are looking to retire about and need to speak to a removals company to help ship your personal belongings to your new home then contact Robinsons international removals today.

Make sure that you are sure – Moving to another country can be extremely stressful so make sure that it is right for you. It is a good idea to visit the area a few times, get a feel for the place and talk to the locals about what life is like living there.

Prepare – Be prepared to go through stress and difficult situations. There is so much involved when moving abroad so there will be a few hurdles along the way so make sure that you are fully prepared and keep relaxed.

 Budget - Make sure that you plan a budget and how much you can afford to spend. Don’t forget about the shipping costs and how much money you will need for food etc when you arrive at your new location.

Start early – Don’t waste any time in the planning and preparation of the move. Start early and keep on top of all the planning. The more you prepare the less stresses you will encounter.

Packing – Make sure that you plan ahead with an overseas removals company like Robinsons for all your packing and shipping needs. Don’t leave this too late as it is important that you know how to properly pack your personal belongings and ensure that they arrive safely at your new destination.

For more information about overseas removals visit www.robinsons-intl.com.

We Britons are famous for owning a home away from home or completely emigrating abroad in a bid to escape the cold weather and head out into the summer sun.

Many of us move abroad for a new job, to retire or to simply start a new life with our family.

In a recent study by The Centre of Future Studies and NatWest International who have just recently released their Quality of Life Index, they have found that Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France and America are the top of the charts when it comes to the lifestyles they offer expats.

So read our little input about the good and not so good reasons you should move to the top 5 quality living locations around the globe.

Australia

Australia moved up two places knocking Canada off the number one spot for this year’s 2010 Quality of Life Index. It has now become the best place for international movers to live if they truly want the ideal lifestyle.

The Pros – The climate is pretty good and the ease of integration due to no language barriers and similar cultural beliefs is two of the major reasons to why Brits move to Australia. There are solid professional employment opportunities for those that have the required skills, and as an expat it is very easy to own a property. (69 per cent of expats surveyed in Australia owned a property there as opposed to an average of 31 per cent worldwide)

The Cons – Australians are starting to complain about their country’s immigration policy throwing the ‘multicultural’ card into the frame. Many immigrants from non-western/white/English speaking countries are moving to the land down under and many of the natives are finding it difficult to swallow. This growing country is becoming a problem for some Australians and even the Brits are now becoming one too many for them. Australia is also a million miles away from home so make sure that you are fully prepared to make the move as you could find yourself truly homesick.

Canada

Last year, Canada was the number one favourite country until Australia won this year’s top spot. However it really does have a lot to offer its immigrants.

The Pros – Canada has a fantastic immigration policy that is beneficial for all families wanting to settle down together. For example, if your partner has been deemed worthy as an immigrant to the country and granted a visa, then their family can also apply for residency and can be sponsored by the original visa holder.

Canada is keen to keep families together and this is one of the main reasons why immigrants are able to settle in easily.

Canada’s economy has not suffered in the same way as ours in the UK and housing standards and quality of the natural environment are seen as strong positives when considering Canada as a home away from home.

The Cons – Canadian weather is a bit of a downside for many people plus their good immigration policy still requires people to have a lot of dedication, money and a lot of patience to get a residency visa.

New Zealand

New Zealand has become a very popular choice with Britons who are seriously considering moving abroad. New Zealand has always scored well in these league tables and has a lot to offer its immigrants.

The Pros – Easy to integrate into, good healthy way of living and education provision. It is a massive favourite with Britons because it is so easy to settle in because, native Kiwis herald from the UK anyway, and English is the most commonly spoken language. There are systems in place for everything and the government and law procedures are similar to that of the UK.

The Cons – New Zealand has very many similarities to the UK, but it like the UK of times gone past in many area. Some of the locations are basic, even primitive and there is definitely a lack of sophistication the further off the beaten track you go.

France

France is renowned for its quality of life and works in the favour of many British expatriates. France isn’t perfect, however which is why it narrowly missed the third spot for NatWest’s Quality of Life Index.

The Pros – It is cheap, easy and accessible from all parts of the UK. You can travel across different areas of France and experience an array of different climates and geographical delights.

France also has a wealth of culture and history and has a very good standard of education available. Most property prices are still low and the cost of living is generally a lot less to that of the UK.

The Cons – You do really need a decent standard of French to ever integrate successfully. Healthcare in France isn’t great and isn’t greatly funded so Brits usually need a high level of insurance to top up their level of cover.

America

America is for the professional expatriates and not a country commonly considered by many retirees. It is also often seen as a temporary destination rather than a permanent new home abroad.

The Pros – If you have employment in America where English is the number one spoken language then you are pretty much set. It isn’t as difficult to get a visa if you have employment out there and their health and education facilities are very high.

The Cons – With America you either love it or you hate it. It is difficult to get a visa and the process can be long. Most of the major cities are easy to adapt to and live in however some parts of America have a major problem with foreigners. There are many fast food restaurants and many don’t like the unhealthy way of living. Healthcare is only good if you can afford it.

If you are looking to move abroad and need help with the shipping of your personal belongings then speak to Robinsons, the international removals company who can safely get your personal belongings to their new destination.

For more information visit www.robinsons-intl.com.