Funstuie

I was first approached 8 months ago about a US job. I only got the offer letter 2 weeks back and since then it's been nuts. My interview for L1a is booked for the 1st of July and we are looking to move by the end of July. Lots and lots to do is making the time go buy (too quickly it seems).

We made the decision to put our house on the market even without the visa approval. We figured it would be too late to wait till after approval so this way we still have the option to opt out of the sale. Open house tomorrow so we are going hell for leather sorting stuff out.

Filling in the forms online was a pain in the arse.

Bob

Got on with life and ignored it. Nothing you can do, so no point in fretting once the paper work is sent off.

SmallShinyAnt

Some many different answers. Thanks all, i think we will keep playing our fantasy plans and reading the BE forums until it happens and then go crazy.

scott1sh

I am kind of at the same point at the moment, paperwork submitted, the waiting game is on. (L1 transfer with company to Atlanta)

I feel like it's all been a bit rushed because I only got the offer on May 12th, but since they want me over there as soon as the visa is approved (assuming it is approved ) I kind of can't afford not to start getting stuff sorted, clear out the flat etc.

I definitely need to get in on this chocolate thing though

Good luck with staying calm, if you figure out how, let me know!

BunnyGirl

Duh, by eating the chocolate - you just weren't paying attention were you

Kylidevil

We were supposed to move out 2 year's ago but due to a number of issues that I won't go into we had to stop the process after the visa had been approved.

Take Two - We have today received approval of our visa 2 weeks and 2 days after it was posted through checking the online sysrem (L1a) this evening pages of online applications have been completed, photos have been uploaded and our interview is set for end of June!

It's all getting very real...

MsElui

i think i spent the same period of time getting rid of all the crap in the house and thinning out what we would be taking. My husbands employers paid for a shipping container so we had no worries about how much we took- i just didn't want to take stuff i didn't really need, ( or never used). I think i singlehandly filled my local freecycle group page for well over a month giving stuff away.

ChocolateBabz

Research, research, research. I made lists, and then lists of which lists I still had to make. I made spreadsheets, I updated contact lists, I planned and planned and it all paid off in the end. I don't think there were too many surprises once we finally made the move.

lizzyq

Today has been a packing day in the kitchen - mugs and stuff I can do without for the next couple of months. I have finally found a use for all the Christmas tissue wrapping paper I had tucked away, so unpacking all this lot will be very colourful Another big roll of bubble wrap is on the supplies shopping list for next week.

Funstuie

What's the rule here? I have been told by 3 seperate shipping companies that they will not ship to the US unless they pack it. One guy told me they would repackage anything we packed so there is no point.

Not that it matters anyway. I can't get an full container for under £4k - I don't understand how 600cft and 800cft in a sole use container is nearly £1k more. Why can't I get a price for the container and put what I want in it?

lizzyq

We are not using a removals type shipping company. We are using the freight forwarders we use at work, and will be packing the container ourselves. Most of it will be personal effects, but also some commercial goods being bought from our company by steveq's new employer.

SmallShinyAnt

List of lists so far. We were thinking about doing an inventory for shipping, what level of detail does that need to go into?

Weeze

Ours had to be detailed, including approx replacement costs. It came in handy as we did have to claim for a few things that were damaged.

ChocolateBabz

Bearing in mind that we did this six years ago, it was fairly detailed.

ie. cutlery (not 10 knives, 10 forks etc.)
toys
mens clothes
womens clothes
childs clothes
bed
bed linen (not how many sheets etc)

and everything had to have a replacement cost associated with it.

WhyteBoar

Our removal company are going to be with us for the next two days to pack our belongings (day 1) and load (day 2). I honestly just want them to take it now, I am fed up with sorting it all out - at least once the things we are having shipped is gone, I can see what I will need to air freight at a later date, before I go.

We had to make an inventory for the shippers insurance. I have a lot of books, some of which are valuable, so I am not looking forward to being parted from them