We expats come from all different countries, religions, races, and cultures. But there’s one experience we all, by definition, share: we all moved to get here, and one day, sooner or later, most of us will have to move again. True, we laugh at our disasters – for example, a friend of mine discovered after a cross-country move, during which her stuff sat in storage throughout a hot July, that her movers had packed a full bag of garbage.
Unpacking that was not fun! But most of us prefer to avoid problems like this. I consulted a crack team of experts on moving – expat friends who have made a big move several times – for the best tips on planning beforehand, packing on moving day, helping our kids through the move, and unpacking at our new homes.
Planning: The Secret to a Smooth Move
All my experts agree that planning beforehand is an absolute necessity. When should you start planning? Now! Clean out that drawer or closet that is full of junk and donate or throw away anything you haven’t used in a year. Set aside a regular time each week or month to “purge” so that the move won’t be so overwhelming. I even have a little trick to tempt you to get started right away: after you’ve organized a closet, bury a champagne bottle in there. When you unpack on the other end, you’ll have a nice surprise! Once you have a date for your move, try the following tips:
- Isolde suggests setting up online grocery delivery to your new home before you move. That way you can have food and drinks for yourselves and the movers as you unpack. Similarly, Anna, whose photography business depends on good wifi, recommends setting up your Internet before you move so you can get online right away.
- Amy has found newcomers’ groups (like IWAP) online. You can join before you move to get advice on your new home.
- Kathy puts important banking information and other family papers in a special envelope she keeps in a separate place and carries with her during a move.
Packing on Moving Day: Separate for Success
Because the movers will sweep through your house like a tornado, don’t assume that little sticky notes will be sufficient information for them (they fall off onto the floor anyway). Always make it obvious, which items should be packed and which should stay. I actually hid items that I didn’t want the movers to pack, and I cordoned off items going into storage by covering them with a blanket labeled with a huge sign, so that the movers wouldn’t get confused. Kathy reports that during one move her daughter’s only pair of shoes got packed up because she had left them next to the door and the movers grabbed them!
Elisabeth uses color-coordinated signs to label boxes by room, and before the movers arrive she moves items into the correct room for the new house.
Beth and Monica create a “go box” with sets of dishes, a few pots and pans, and sheets and towels for everyone. Carol puts in her Teflon pans, just in case they’re not available in the new country, and Tricia includes her favorite spice blends. Computer cables can go in here too. Take this “starter kit” with you so you can set up your home essentials right away.
Be sure to have plenty of cold water and snacks on hand for the movers.
Kids: Turning Worries into Assets
Kids will often surprise you by how excited and helpful they are during the move. Anna told me that her son loved winding his way through the “labyrinth of boxes,” for example. But if your kids find big changes challenging, there are ways to help them.
Spend some time going online with your kids to find kid-friendly places like zoos, libraries, and bookstores so they will have something specific to look forward to.
If your kids, like mine, suddenly want to hang on to toys they haven’t looked at in years, you should definitely resort to bribery. I told my kids they could have a dime for every toy they were willing to get rid of. Not only did they discard everything except for some Lego and board games, but they did the sorting for me, and it only cost me about $20 per child!
Indulge your kids a bit – let them have treats and takeout for dinner, and rely on friends to take them to the movies or another fun place.
Other friends recommended a goodbye ritual: “Make a final visit to your child’s favorite place” and take pictures so “your child can hold on to their favorite memories.”
Unpacking: Making Home Homey
If you have followed the above tips, this stage will be easier. Unpack your “go box” and prepare a quick meal in your new kitchen. After a week of takeout, this meal will feel especially welcoming; and if you find that bottle of champagne you hid, the meal will be a celebration!
Have the movers unpack the boxes and cart them away for you. In Elisabeth’s words, “This motivated me to finish organizing the houses quickly, as the piles were staring me in the face any time I entered a room.”
With a little extra muscle from you, your kids can set up their rooms by themselves. This will help them take ownership of their new home and save you the extra work.
Moving safety tip: Survey your new home for wobbly steps, low overhangs, and other possible accident areas.
One day, maybe sooner or maybe later, we nomads will have to pack up and go to a new home. The choice is ours: Would we like to unpack stinky garbage or festive champagne? With a bit of planning and organization, we can toast our success at an efficient, well-organized move!
