Hi,

Not too sure if anyone has done this but I though we could start a to do list for ppl leaving the Uk for Canada and things they should do before they leave. Or for anyone who has left Uk to canada and things they wished they would have done before they left.... my husband is leavingin the next month or so and is feeling overwhelmed and doesn't want to forget to do anything so he is starting a list. I thought it would be a good iddea to enlist in the help of BE and see if we can help add to his list to ease his anxiety... Thanks ALL you have been a great help to us both ... all the way!!!!

Hi
Have a look at Wiki. I used this as a basis and customised....

Hope this helps

Susan

Thanks for the reply... umm whats Wikki though... lol

Its the BE version of Wikapeadia. Fourth button from the left on the top of the webpage, then go to Canada.

Susan

Thanks I'll take a peak but am still interested in hearing anyones advice or stories ..... thanks all!!!

OK
What I did (we were all moving together) was to start by looking at everyone (family of 5, youngest of which is 3 months plus 2 cats) and everything that needed to be moved or stuff that needed to be sold and put an item on the list relating to that thing e.g, Cats needed to be moved which generated a load of items:
1. Get quotes for moving cats
2. Accept quote once received
3. Pay for cats removal
4. Arrange cats injections
5. Arrange cats vet certs.

Then I made an entry in my diary for the date they had to taken to airport and also wrote it on the kitchen calender.
I followed the same approach for everything else then carried a pen and note pad wherever I went so I could add random thoughts like (1) get medical records from doctor (2) inform council of departure date for council tax purposes to the list when I got home.
You find you go through an initial stage when you add more things than you cross off then near the end you will be crossing off more.
You also reach blind panic stage when you are convinced you have forgotten some vital things.
If you have anymore questions, please get in touch as we have just done it reasonably successfully.
YOu also need packing lists (clothes/toiletries/documents) for each family member

Susan

wow thanks.. yeah I didnt know about the packing lists .. interesting thanks... I think yes he feels like he's going to miss doing something important. I'm sure like you siad the list will get longer before it gets shorter... I think this forum is a great way to share experiences to help out the next person... thats definitley something i plan on doing once this is all over with.. help the next guy with our experience.

We are hoping to leave the UK the first week in August and I am interested in lists too - Council Tax I had completely forgotten about so that's just been added to my list.

We have sold the house (waiting for that to all go thru) so I have added to my list

Book the leaving BBQ
Confirm date with movers
Set up Canadian bank account (should have done that ages ago)
Try to negotiate with bank to reduce mortgage penalty (can't blame a girl for trying!)
Torture myself again deciding which school we want to try for
Buy things I know are UK faves (which reminds me I want to ask AX for advice on this - and do you need anything bringing over?)
Get Medical Notes
Speak to DH's pension people
Try not to panic
Council Tax
Try not to panic
Call Life Insurance people to confirm we are keeping policy
Panic

Enjoy real beer in real country pubs while you still can

Visit as many country houses / castles / cathederals as possible while you still can

Go on a booze cruise while you still can.

Have an indian banquet while yo.....

Oh, this wasnt that thread, was it...

No I think that is just as important as the practical stuff............. keep going

Drive! Drive fast, enjoy watching other people follow a convention of lane discipline.

Great thread. THe list on the Wiki is a great starting point, and i have been surgically attacehd to mine the last few weeks.

Things i added to the list were:
sell stuff on ebay.
Pet Passports
Costco to stock up on Galaxy, tea bags, branston, bisto
Cancel gym membership/sky subscription/mobile phone subscription

The 'Things to Do list' is a great starting point.

I also used a notebook to list all the things I had to do/did that day. If I didn't manage to get something done I rewrote it in for the following day etc.

I also kept a note of all Account Numbers and contact details in there. Make a point of getting UK telephone numbers that DO NOT begin with 08## as these are premium rate from Canada - you know what I mean, the good old fashioned numbers that don't involve a call centre. I hand carried my 'movers bible' for weeks after I landed here and certainly needed it to call certain companies back in the UK chasing up things.

BT - Be careful when you cancel a BT account. For some reason their system tends to go by the date and not the month - I got cut off precisely one month earlier (and I have read of it happening to others too). It was a nightmare to get reconnected and still is regarding the bills for old and new account. Lets just say that unbeknown to us they informed a debt collecting agency for 48 GBP without us even receiving a bill despite them knowing our Canadian address.

Make a template letter on your PC for informing various companies of your move. Just tailor each letter accordingly with Account numbers, etc and save each letter separately for future reference.

Dont panic about your list. You will soon work your way through it. Hard work - yes, but you'll get there

Totally agree with you about the note book, i have one i am now attached to, and work thru the notes in it most days, and keep in it notes of all phone calls, account numbers, meter reading, etc. That book wont leave my side over teh next three weeks.

I got to the stage where i just felt that my brain was so full of thinsg to do, that i couldnt fit any more in, so started writing them down when they occured to me so wouldn't forget.

We had a policy with Prudential, which they only allowed us to keep running for 24mths after leaving the UK - worth checking with your own LI company what their policy is for when you move abroad.