Things to take with you when moving to Europe

Whether you’re moving to Switzerland or just across the same city you were born in, there are some things that should be packed up in boxes and others that should stay close to you on the trip. There’s nothing worse than realising that one of the documents you really need is at the bottom of a box, inside a moving van heading towards the Alps at 50 miles an hour.

The essentials

This list is a short one- wallet, passport, and important personal items like credit cards, car keys, and a mobile phone. If you’re relocating to Switzerland the journey from door to door may take a quite a long time so it can be helpful to carry a phone charger too. Batteries can be easily depleted by playing games or browsing the internet while waiting in airport lounge, for example. Keep the batteries topped up so that your phone will be ready to use when needed.

Handy information

It’s also a good idea to pre-load certain phone numbers or at least write them down and carry the list in a safe place, like your purse or wallet. Note down the contact detail for your moving company, an emergency contact back at your starting point, and any numbers you might need on arrival in your new home. If moving between countries, don’t forget the international dialling codes!

Some people also like to look up helpful local contacts before they leave home. The phone number of a local 24-hour plumber is a good example, and make sure that you know the emergency services number if it will no longer be 999. If you get stuck, dialling 112 should work across the EU and in some other countries too.

Pack for your first night

When you and your family have just finished moving to Zurich (or Paris, or Stoke-on-Trent) you’ll probably be tired. Pack a first-night bag and carry that with you, so nobody will have to start unpacking straight away. Include a toothbrush and toiletries, soap, a towel, and a change of clothing. If you expect to arrive at an empty house late at night a roll of toilet paper might also come in very handy!

In the morning, when you’ve had a shower and are feeling fresh and ready to tackle those boxes, you can start unpacking in earnest.

Don’t forget the kids

Mums and dads won’t need us to tell them what to pack for their babies, but toddlers and primary school children sometimes have trouble when moving. The process can be scary for the younger members of the family, even if it’s just a case of saying goodbye to the old house and moving into the one next door. Relocating over a long distance is certainly daunting for smaller kids.

Let them choose a toy to take on the journey and make sure they have plenty to do. A colouring book can go a long way and a few sweets or cereal bars can also make sure the whole family stays cheerful on the way to their your new home.

Moving to France Beware of Local Traditions

Moving to France Beware of Local Traditions

If you are one of the many Britons who are thinking of moving to France to begin a new life, the chances are you will have already spent many years taking holidays there. This is usually how people form an attachment to a particular town or region, but before you rush headlong into buying a property there are some important factors you should take into account before moving to France. We have to be realistic about this, because there have been many stories of people leaving Britain to set up a new home in a rural idyll only to find that the reality can be very different to the dream.

Ten years ago, a friend of mine moved with his family to the Limousine region and was initially delighted by the reception they received from the locals. Everyone was very friendly, to the extent that when my friend mentioned he was carrying out some building work on the property he had bought his new friends immediately offered their help. The thing is, a couple of weeks later when he was relaxing in the afternoon sun, his neighbour arrived at the front door and demanded  that he come and help with some work at his home.

You could argue that this kind of thing will happen if you were planning on moving to Holland or moving to Germany, but apparently this is the local tradition in Limousine. If someone does you a favour, they can demand ‘repayment’ at anytime, so be warned!

5 Top Reasons to Break from the U.K (just for a while, at least!)

Our client base covers everyone from families moving to France for a rustic life among olive groves, to young professionals relocating to Zurich for their careers. To say our client book is diverse is an indubitable understatement!

The U.K economy isn’t great right now, which is why heaps of folks are heading to pastures new throughout Europe, be it on a temporary basis or more permanently. Here are five of the top reasons behind some of our recent customers’ relocation’s to some of the most glorious (and unexpected!) spots on the continent.

1. Career change/job prospects
Travelling for work used to mean moving to the city or adding an hour onto the daily commute. These days, we meet hundreds of folks relocating to France, Belgium, Spain and loads of other promising European locales for work reasons. Contract work and international experience are becoming more attractive to prospective employers. A stint overseas could set you in fantastic stead for a position back home in due course.

2. Quality of family life
According to a 2011 article in the Guardian, the U.K has the worst quality of life in Europe based on cost of living, average holidays per year, number of sunny days, working hours, life expectancy and about ten other deciding factors. One in ten Brits are seriously considering emigration or temporary relocation to another country to access a better standard of living for themselves and their families.

3. A change is as good as a rest
The idea of someone living the same life for their whole life (as most of our parents did) isn’t practical anymore. We don’t typically work for the same company in the same role living in the same house. We travel, we live, we work, we explore and make changes that previous generations couldn’t have easily made. A year living in Bruges – why not?

4. The world is getting smaller
Just a hundred years ago it took two days to get from London to Bristol on a fast horse. The option is still there today, but at less than two hours the train seems more appropriate! The great age of travel has made every corner of the world more accessible for us all, so why not make the most of it?

5. Retirement
It used to mean heading out to pasture in the potting shed, but these days retirement can be the best years of your life! A 2010 article in the Telegraph set Spain high on the list of retiree destinations. In fact, the Mediterranean in general ranked high in terms of affordability, ex-pat integration and quality of life.

Fun in the sun, a great career move or just more time to do the things you like – what’s stopping you? Our removals service extends far and wide over the European continent, making it as easy as possible for folks just like you to pick up, pack up and head off hassle-free!