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An update in the moving back process

An update in the moving back process

Old Jul 3rd 2015, 12:59 am
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Default An update in the moving back process

So in November 2013 my wife called from Florence (a business trip) and said "We need to move back to Europe".

And so the process began.

On the 8th April 2014 I booked our family and dogs on the QM2 to sail home to the UK on July 14th 2015 and I set the countdown timer on my phone for 462 days.

I let my boss know I would be leaving in July 2015 He was somewhat surprised at the notice period!!

Time passed and in July 2014 we announced our move to family and close friends with the request that they do not post information online.

In mid May 2015 we put our house on the market and in mid June we got an offer that worked for us.

My wife interviewed via Skype with a company in the city we wanted to move to.

Shortly after my wife gave her notice to her current employer.

Shortly after that she got an offer of a job with the company she had interviewed with online and she jumped at the opportunity. I have never seen her more excited about a job opportunity; she truly is super excited about working for this company which makes me happy.

Today was my last day at work for my company. It was a emotional day tinged with sadness and joy. I have worked with wonderful people and enjoyed almost every minute of the 16 months.

On July 9th a specialist shipper will come and collect my Triumph Tiger explorer motorbike and ship her to the UK (I'll miss her).

On Sunday July 11th we will have a "Goodbye Block Party" and on the 12th a smaller party saying goodbye to a few other people.

On July 12th the movers will come and pack the house up.

On July 13th the movers will come and remove the stuff they packed.

That night we will find some way to get to Brooklyn with a dog, a son and at least 5 suitcases.

On July 14th at 2pm we will join the Queen Mary 2 and begin the journey home.

Our new life has already begun and this new chapter has some great opening lines.

To those of you who are uncertain about making the move: .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ............ I can't say it is right for you but the ONLY way to know is if you try it.

Good luck to all of you who are undertaking a big change no matter where it is from or to. Stay positive, recognise it won't all be roses and champagne and commit yourself to it. If it doesn't work then commit yourself to changing it.

Thanks to everyone here for the support and advice. I'll try to pop back and let you know how things are/went as we go.

Manchester here we come
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Old Jul 3rd 2015, 9:35 am
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

Originally Posted by moggi1964
So in November 2013 my wife called from Florence (a business trip) and said "We need to move back to Europe".

And so the process began.

On the 8th April 2014 I booked our family and dogs on the QM2 to sail home to the UK on July 14th 2015 and I set the countdown timer on my phone for 462 days.

I let my boss know I would be leaving in July 2015 He was somewhat surprised at the notice period!!

Time passed and in July 2014 we announced our move to family and close friends with the request that they do not post information online.

In mid May 2015 we put our house on the market and in mid June we got an offer that worked for us.

My wife interviewed via Skype with a company in the city we wanted to move to.

Shortly after my wife gave her notice to her current employer.

Shortly after that she got an offer of a job with the company she had interviewed with online and she jumped at the opportunity. I have never seen her more excited about a job opportunity; she truly is super excited about working for this company which makes me happy.

Today was my last day at work for my company. It was a emotional day tinged with sadness and joy. I have worked with wonderful people and enjoyed almost every minute of the 16 months.

On July 9th a specialist shipper will come and collect my Triumph Tiger explorer motorbike and ship her to the UK (I'll miss her).

On Sunday July 11th we will have a "Goodbye Block Party" and on the 12th a smaller party saying goodbye to a few other people.

On July 12th the movers will come and pack the house up.

On July 13th the movers will come and remove the stuff they packed.

That night we will find some way to get to Brooklyn with a dog, a son and at least 5 suitcases.

On July 14th at 2pm we will join the Queen Mary 2 and begin the journey home.

Our new life has already begun and this new chapter has some great opening lines.

To those of you who are uncertain about making the move: .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ............ I can't say it is right for you but the ONLY way to know is if you try it.

Good luck to all of you who are undertaking a big change no matter where it is from or to. Stay positive, recognise it won't all be roses and champagne and commit yourself to it. If it doesn't work then commit yourself to changing it.

Thanks to everyone here for the support and advice. I'll try to pop back and let you know how things are/went as we go.

Manchester here we come
Hi Moggi, WOW decision made and off you go.

Have fun on the QM2 you'll love it!
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Old Jul 3rd 2015, 10:03 am
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

I am so envious of ex-pats who are able to come back on the QM2! I would have loved to have done that, but it wasn't a practical proposition from Alberta with 2 cats.
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Old Jul 3rd 2015, 12:08 pm
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

We travelled back to the UK on the QM2 with 4 dogs. Had to get 9 suitcases, 4 dogs, myself and husband from LA to NYC!! Always fun!

You will have a blast on the QM2. Relax, eat loads....eat loads and relax some more!!

Good luck with your new adventures in Manchester. It IS true - the only way you know if it's the right move is to move!
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Old Jul 3rd 2015, 12:31 pm
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

Thanks everyone.
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Old Jul 3rd 2015, 4:54 pm
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

We've also made the "crossing" on the QM2, and loved it.

Hope everything goes well.
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Old Jul 3rd 2015, 7:27 pm
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

Good luck and enjoy the Queen Mary, for a long time that was how we were planning on returning but like you, things have just fallen into place so quickly that we are packing up ourselves and hope to be home in our old house first week of October 2015! Our sale goes through on 21st July and furniture packed and shipped on 16th July then we go and house sit for neighbours while they are in Europe until September! We will be retiring so a new chapter for us too!
Happy sailings and settling in! Look forward to an update.
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Old Jul 3rd 2015, 8:42 pm
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

Congrats on the move back home. Would definitely love to hear updates as I too pan to move to Manchester (and I know nothing at Manchester
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Old Jul 3rd 2015, 11:22 pm
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

Originally Posted by Brigette
Congrats on the move back home. Would definitely love to hear updates as I too pan to move to Manchester (and I know nothing at Manchester
Neither do we

But I suspect we'll like it; it was our target city!

I'll update once we settle.
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Old Jul 4th 2015, 12:15 pm
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

Bon Voyage
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Old Jul 10th 2015, 1:09 am
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

Congrats & good luck! Please do update! Am planning to move back too with my American husband. Would it be safe to say plan approximately 18 months to two years for planning the move? Thanks!

Last edited by fiona1775; Jul 10th 2015 at 1:39 am.
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Old Jul 10th 2015, 2:09 am
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

fiona1775, I think that is a decent timescale.

It can be done with much less of course and we did find that after the initial planning of the logistics of getting family and pets home, we had a long period of inactivity.

Then everything ramped up again as we prepared for the sale of the house. We might have prepared for that a little better and earlier as it was a lot more work than we anticipated (the sorting/throwing/selling/recycling/and cleaning).

I recommend a Countdown Widget for your phone which I felt made me commit to not letting the timescale slip (and once we booked the crossing there was no way we were going to change our minds).

Good luck.
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Old Jul 10th 2015, 5:32 pm
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

Thanks for the info. l think we'll go with the 18 months + because it will give my husband enough time to research as well and find a job, and I know that can take some time.

I remember when we moved to the states for my dad's job, we had 12 weeks to scramble to get things taken care of. We don't have to worry about selling a house, but sorting and getting rid of things we won't be taking will be the challenge. Thanks again. Good luck. I look forward to updates!
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Old Jul 16th 2015, 2:36 pm
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

I hope you having a relaxing trip ... thanks for the help and info!
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Old Jul 19th 2015, 9:45 pm
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Default Re: An update in the moving back process

Originally Posted by britwhore
We travelled back to the UK on the QM2 with 4 dogs. Had to get 9 suitcases, 4 dogs, myself and husband from LA to NYC!! Always fun!

You will have a blast on the QM2. Relax, eat loads....eat loads and relax some more!!

Good luck with your new adventures in Manchester. It IS true - the only way you know if it's the right move is to move!

Maybe a silly question, but do the animals get to stay with you when traveling on the QM2? Thanks!
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