List of things to do before the move?

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

I rather unexpectedly got my interview notice today, I have my IR-1 interview next Thursday- less than a week away!!! This means we will (hopefully) be moving to the US sooner than we thought (we had anticipated a late 2008/ early 2009 move). To be honest, we have only thought of the actual move in the broadest terms, so I need the help of all of you who have moved already or are in the process, so I won't forget anything important (we have 5 months old twins, so we cannot just fly back and forth a few times if we forget stuff).

Does anyone have a list of things to take care of before the big move? Stuff such as close bank accounts, get letting agency for the flat we will keep here, give notice to employer, etc etc

What about a list of people/ institutions to notify? Ie: Shutting off the electricity, get mail forwarded by post office etc etc

[Jeraly 4]

If I had my puter up and running I could give you my list but here is what I can think of off the top of my head.

• Close bank accounts (I left my current account open though)
• Cancel credit cards (Again, I kept a couple so I had a lifeline - has been invaluable!)
• Cancel any standing orders
• Cancel phone contract
• Cancel car insurance
• Pack!!!
• Sell/donate anything you aren't bringing
• Arrange shipping for belongings you want to take
• If you have pets then look at getting them the correct vaccines/letter from vet etc

I am sure there is more but this is just off the top of my head

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Bump in case anyone else has useful tips on stuff to do before the big move that I might forget!

[Abby-Ron 8]

Is this suppose to be a rhetorical question? You seem to have answered your own question....

"Does anyone have a list of things to take care of before the big move? Stuff such as close bank accounts, get letting agency for the flat we will keep here, give notice to employer, etc etc

What about a list of people/ institutions to notify? Ie: Shutting off the electricity, get mail forwarded by post office etc etc "

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Nope, it is a very real question- the above is the stuff I can think of, but I am sure there are things I am forgetting- things which may be little things, but that I need to be here in person/ need to arrange in person before I can manage it over the net etc...

[brtlmj 0]

A few thoughts...

1. Flying with a lot of checked luggage became rather expensive lately. Consider shipping some of your stuff. If you plan to take heavy/bulky items with you, you may want to rent a whole container.

2. Walking out of your flat with a few suitcases and leaving it empty can be rather challenging. There is a lot of stuff that you will need till the very end of your stay, but that you will not take with you (dishes, bed, etc...) Consider moving somewhere (friends, family, B&B) for the last day or two. Or find someone to clean your flat after you leave.

3. It may be a good idea to leave one bank account and keep a credit card. It will take you a while to establish credit in the US. You want to rent your flat, right? You will need an account to get your rent money. Also, if you have any significant savings, xe.com is a great way to send money overseas. Much cheaper than a bank transfer.

4. Do you have a car? You will have to get rid of it somehow.

5. Phone service. Internet access. Cable TV...

6. Buy a scale. A bathroom scale might do, but a spring scale is better. You will need it when packing your stuff. Oh, and do not forget about buying suitcases. Also, check luggage allowance of your airline.

[Slightly Bonkers 0]

I requested extra copies of my birth cert to have in the US

Left a signed letter of permission at my bank to transfer funds with a signed fax rather than in person

I got written references from employers so as to make it easier to apply for jobs in the US (so HR people don't have to make an international phone call immediately)

I second leaving a bank account and credit card open to deal with last minute bills at home, and until you get a CC in the US

Thats all I've got

Good luck

[aidan80 9]

I came in on a K1 so it was just me on the way in. I lived with a parent before I left so most of what I had to do was done!..

I did all the obvious.. e.g.

• Gave notice to employer

• Closed bank accounts, credit cards.. etc

• Packed everything I needed into 2 bags (keep deodorant near top you might need it when you land lol) and 1 carryon. Carryon mostly had food and water in it.

• Said bye to everyone, had some last drinks and the "craic" of course

• Made copies of all important documents.. e.g. immigration, passport.. etc

• Exchange all your money.. e.g. coins (if you have a lot of em)!!.. into $$$ before you get on that flight, coins are worth $hite over here and I feel like they rip you off on notes.

• Bring a good supply of essentials e.g. chocolate, tea, biscuits.. once you’re here ye’ll pay for the good stuff lol and you’ll miss it too!!

I can’t really think of anything more I did other than the above, I was nervous as everyone is I’m sure. Although I arrived with a few 100 $$ in my pocket with the wedding just two weeks away and we still had nowhere to live that wasn’t my mother in laws garage! To top it all off we hit a stupid deer in the only car we owned just a few days before the wedding!! All turned out well in the end (almost a year later!), but Murphy’s Law hit us good and hard at the start!!

Good luck I’m sure and I hope it’ll all go well!!.. if you forget anything you can always have it posted over?