Moving to the US.

Moving to a new house, city or even country is always stressful!!
It's been nearly 10 months since I made the big move to the US and I still get asked frequently "How did you know what to take?" "Did you feel homesick?" "What would you do differently?"

So I've decided to make this page to give people ideas and tips for moving to a new country, obviously this is from the UK to the US, every country is different but I'm sure the same principles apply!

6 Months before moving.

• 6 months before moving, I decided to sort out my flat and get rid of stuff I had not used in ages, this was just old clothes, shoes and odd bits of furniture, I managed to sell quite a bit and saved the money in a pot towards my flights.
• Make a budget plan!!! Start planning on saving as much as possible, I worked extra hours and cut down on eating out, going out places and tried to walk more without using my car. I also started looking at flight prices to see how much they were and look at several flight plans - With the K1 visa you are not advised to book your flight until you get the passport back and visa in hand, depending how soon you wish to leave, flight prices vary and can get very expensive.
• Make sure you have access to your qualifications and professional certificates to take with you, I know as a K1 visa hold I couldn't work for a few months so I spent time working on career ideas and working on making my CV (called Resume here) sorted to appeal to perspective employers. Also look into jobs you wish to do once you can work here, it is different from other job markets and the qualifications you have may differ to US standards.
• I would recommend if you can drive in your country, look at how long you can use your country issued driving licence, I know in some states require you to obtain a US driving licence sooner than others, in Arizona you can use your UK licence for up to a year or for as long as you are waiting to get your visa (Work authorization/Green card) but you have to eventually get a US licence regardless, it is also worth looking into auto insurance in the US and see if any polices take UK licences as some do and some don't, if you can get insured once you arrive and have access to a car it will make life much easier!
• It is also a good idea if you have any medical issues to discuss any ongoing treatment with your doctor and to ensure that you can obtain any medications before you leave, some doctors will give you up to 6/12 months supply if required but this may vary at each surgery.

3 Months before moving

• I started looking into how easy it was to cancel my contracts with companies for my mobile phone, TV/Broadband, contents insurance, gas/electric etc, most contracts require 30 days notice and usually involve having to pay extra to end the contracts early so its best to get quotes early on and plan it in your budget.
• Start looking at where you will be living, this will help you not feel so alienated when you arrive, if you have a spouse or family in your new country ask them for a list of local places so you can explore, if you've never been to your new home look online for tips and ideas to find out where the best places are to visit, forums are handy to ask on and you may find other expats to chat to who can help you with any questions on your new neighborhood.  
• Start packing - I moved in with family 6 weeks before I moved to Arizona, I know everyone is different but I started sorting through my things in good time and moved to my families with 2 suitcases and 2 boxes. Its sometimes nice to have a good clear out! If you are shipping things plan this well in advance if you can, this will save you feeling stressed out in the lead up to moving, you can also slowly pack your valuables as you sort out your belongings and it can take a few weeks to get everything sorted especially if you don't know what to keep and what to get rid of! Most moving companies have full insurance cover on your valuables but you might be in for a bit of a wait whilst your stuff gets to you once you have moved it can take weeks.
• Go to the doctors and get vaccinations if needed, also get a copy of your medical records, it may cost money but its worth having if you have any issues once in your new country or if you have any ongoing medical conditions it can be useful to pass on information to your new doctor.
• Try see friends and family as much as you can, this might not sounds like much and its an exciting time planning and being prepared for the move its important to spend time with those you love as you may not get to see them in person for a while, by the time I head back to the UK I will have not been with my family and friends in person for over a year! 
• Find out about medical insurance in your new country and see if there is any qualifying periods to be added to your spouses insurance (when we got married I was able to be on Shannae's work insurance) but again it varies from employers and it may take some time to look into and also the cost.
• If you have your new address, start giving it to family and friends as you wish, this way you can keep in contact and if you need to tie up any loose ends with any companies they can contact you.
• Inform your bank in your home country you are moving, this way you can close your account if you wish or discuss with them if you have any payments or money in that account for future use. 
• Give your employer plenty of notice that you are leaving, I only had to give 4 weeks notice that I was quitting my job  but some companies want up to 3 months notice.
• If you can book flights early to get the best deal, also buying a return ticket is way cheaper than one way, I booked a return then once in the US I rang the carrier up and cancelled my return part, I also had the flight company ensure I was off the flight list as people have had trouble in the past when adjusting their immigration status, they have been denied their green card as immigration thought they had left the country as their name was still on the flight for the return part. (This is rare but has happened!)

2 Week before moving

• Ensure all bills are paid off and direct debits are ended or set to end before or on your departure,
• See family and friends as much as you can, maybe make plans to skype or call family regularly once you are settled in your new home.
• Ensure you have all important documents needed for any hotel stays, flights and immigration/border control on your journey.
• write down contact details and leave with family in your home country, I also carried contact details for my family in the UK and my wife in the US just in case of any issues whilst I was travelling.
• Double check you have everything packed and you are within the weight limit for your airline carrier if flying, I repacked about 4 times! 
• Ensure things are ready to go once you are in your new country if you are moving into your own place etc.
• Transfer or get money into currency for your new home country and take some time getting to know how it works if its quite different from your home currency.

That's all my tips on moving and what I did to help ease my own moving process, I was quite good at throwing things away I didn't need, when I moved to the US I brought with me 2 suitcases, y wedding dress box and my carry on bag, I brought clothes, photos, sentimental things and general stuff I needed, as I was moving in with Shannae I didn't have to worry about furniture or anything like that which made life easier.

There isn't anything I would change about how I planned my move, maybe I shouldn't of brought as many clothes!!!  I would just say to others prepare in advance as it helps so much!!!

Tracey x