Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > USA
Reload this Page >

Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Old Oct 7th 2009, 2:02 pm
  #1  
Just Joined
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
travelleruk is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Things you should do before you emigrate ?

...I'm moving to Orlando, Florida, USA in a couple of months from the UK. I'm organising and planning the move and want to make sure i'm not missing anything off my list of 'tasks to complete in the UK before I leave'.

Just wondering about those people who have already done an international move...is there anything you wish you'd done BEFORE you left the UK that you wish you had ?

Just for example..somebody who had moved abroad said he'd wished he'd applied for his International Driving Licence while he was still in the UK. Another said they'd wished they'd done more shopping for clothes in the UK because US fashion is so different...

So do you have a list of things that one shouldn't forget to do before leaving the UK ?
travelleruk is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 2:06 pm
  #2  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Duncan Roberts's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Avon Lake, OH
Posts: 5,270
Duncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Get a visa. Other than that pretty much anything else is pretty straight forward and can be overcome very easily if needed.
Duncan Roberts is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 2:10 pm
  #3  
 
Poppy girl's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
Poppy girl has a reputation beyond reputePoppy girl has a reputation beyond reputePoppy girl has a reputation beyond reputePoppy girl has a reputation beyond reputePoppy girl has a reputation beyond reputePoppy girl has a reputation beyond reputePoppy girl has a reputation beyond reputePoppy girl has a reputation beyond reputePoppy girl has a reputation beyond reputePoppy girl has a reputation beyond reputePoppy girl has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Originally Posted by Duncan Roberts
Get a visa. Other than that pretty much anything else is pretty straight forward and can be overcome very easily if needed.
Bugger you beat me to it
Poppy girl is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 2:27 pm
  #4  
BE Forum Addict
 
The Horticulturalist's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 1,544
The Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond reputeThe Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond reputeThe Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond reputeThe Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond reputeThe Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond reputeThe Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond reputeThe Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond reputeThe Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond reputeThe Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond reputeThe Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond reputeThe Horticulturalist has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Originally Posted by travelleruk
...I'm moving to Orlando, Florida, USA in a couple of months from the UK. I'm organising and planning the move and want to make sure i'm not missing anything off my list of 'tasks to complete in the UK before I leave'.

Just wondering about those people who have already done an international move...is there anything you wish you'd done BEFORE you left the UK that you wish you had ?

Just for example..somebody who had moved abroad said he'd wished he'd applied for his International Driving Licence while he was still in the UK. Another said they'd wished they'd done more shopping for clothes in the UK because US fashion is so different...

So do you have a list of things that one shouldn't forget to do before leaving the UK ?
The question that eveyone wants to know is, what visa are you coming over on? It it a company transfer? That might influence the answers to your question.

Other than that, here's a couple of things of the top of my head

1. Keep your UK bank accounts open, you can change your address to the US one once you move.

2. Stock up on teabags, percy pigs, digestives and the like. And eat lots of bacon and sausage because you won't find any decent equivalents here.

3. Douse yourself in water and then stand in front of a hot oven with the door open and a pair of mouse ears on, that should help you get acclimatised to Orlando.
The Horticulturalist is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 2:47 pm
  #5  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Ozzidoc has a reputation beyond reputeOzzidoc has a reputation beyond reputeOzzidoc has a reputation beyond reputeOzzidoc has a reputation beyond reputeOzzidoc has a reputation beyond reputeOzzidoc has a reputation beyond reputeOzzidoc has a reputation beyond reputeOzzidoc has a reputation beyond reputeOzzidoc has a reputation beyond reputeOzzidoc has a reputation beyond reputeOzzidoc has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

DONT get an international driving license if your current license is in English.

Print out address labels with your new address and leave them in the UK house that you are vacating - makes forwarding any post much easier. (Occasionally items slip through the Royal Mail forwarding service)

Get the international phone number and email addresses for UK utility providers, banks and other organisations. (My bargain-basement US phone service doesn't let me call 0845 etc numbers.)

Keep your bank accounts open. Change as much as possible to be managed online (all credit cards, bank accounts, utilities).
Ozzidoc is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 2:57 pm
  #6  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 436
Zonie has a reputation beyond reputeZonie has a reputation beyond reputeZonie has a reputation beyond reputeZonie has a reputation beyond reputeZonie has a reputation beyond reputeZonie has a reputation beyond reputeZonie has a reputation beyond reputeZonie has a reputation beyond reputeZonie has a reputation beyond reputeZonie has a reputation beyond reputeZonie has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Originally Posted by Ozzidoc
Get the international phone number and email addresses for UK utility providers, banks and other organisations. (My bargain-basement US phone service doesn't let me call 0845 etc numbers.)
This is a very usefull website for alternative phone numbers.

http://www.saynoto0870.com/

Use the search facility in the top left.
Zonie is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 3:06 pm
  #7  
Unmitigated Gall
 
another bloody yank's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
another bloody yank has a reputation beyond reputeanother bloody yank has a reputation beyond reputeanother bloody yank has a reputation beyond reputeanother bloody yank has a reputation beyond reputeanother bloody yank has a reputation beyond reputeanother bloody yank has a reputation beyond reputeanother bloody yank has a reputation beyond reputeanother bloody yank has a reputation beyond reputeanother bloody yank has a reputation beyond reputeanother bloody yank has a reputation beyond reputeanother bloody yank has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

I always hit the John before any long trip.
another bloody yank is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 3:24 pm
  #8  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 806
Caitilin has a reputation beyond reputeCaitilin has a reputation beyond reputeCaitilin has a reputation beyond reputeCaitilin has a reputation beyond reputeCaitilin has a reputation beyond reputeCaitilin has a reputation beyond reputeCaitilin has a reputation beyond reputeCaitilin has a reputation beyond reputeCaitilin has a reputation beyond reputeCaitilin has a reputation beyond reputeCaitilin has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Originally Posted by travelleruk
...I'm moving to Orlando, Florida, USA in a couple of months from the UK. I'm organising and planning the move and want to make sure i'm not missing anything off my list of 'tasks to complete in the UK before I leave'.

Just wondering about those people who have already done an international move...is there anything you wish you'd done BEFORE you left the UK that you wish you had ?

Just for example..somebody who had moved abroad said he'd wished he'd applied for his International Driving Licence while he was still in the UK. Another said they'd wished they'd done more shopping for clothes in the UK because US fashion is so different...

So do you have a list of things that one shouldn't forget to do before leaving the UK ?
Tell the people you love that you love them face to face and give them a big hug.
Caitilin is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 3:41 pm
  #9  
BE Enthusiast
 
jeepgirluk's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 308
jeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of lightjeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of lightjeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of lightjeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of lightjeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of lightjeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of lightjeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of lightjeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of lightjeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of lightjeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of lightjeepgirluk is a glorious beacon of light
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Originally Posted by Caitilin
Tell the people you love that you love them face to face and give them a big hug.
I've picked up some great pre-move tips - I should be moving over to the US by the end of this year but this last one made me cry! Over-emotional or what??
jeepgirluk is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 4:04 pm
  #10  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Englishtart's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: North Charleston,SC. born in Stockport,UK.
Posts: 10,109
Englishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Originally Posted by travelleruk
...I'm moving to Orlando, Florida, USA in a couple of months from the UK. I'm organising and planning the move and want to make sure i'm not missing anything off my list of 'tasks to complete in the UK before I leave'
Mental heath check up?
Englishtart is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 4:08 pm
  #11  
MODERATOR
 
penguinsix's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,213
penguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond reputepenguinsix has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Plan plan plan. Outline things you need to do (i.e. visa, passport, banking, credit cards, canceling the utilities, etc) and put them on a list. Outline the things you want to pack and how to get them organized. Also plan a yard sale to get rid of some of the junk, and maybe ebay the more valuable bits you won't bring over.

If you have kids, get them the proper vaccinations for schools as the UK set is not the same as the ones that will be required in the US (and the US is a bit more strict on getting your jabs). Also get their transcripts together so you have something to show the teachers when you arrive at the new school.

Make the plan so everything is done 48 hours before you actually get on the plane. Trust me, your plans will slip and there is always a last minute to do. I would also plan a farewell party about a week or so before you leave so you don't have to "drop in" to this that and the other persons house while you are in the middle of a move. Instead have them come to you. (In fact, some professional expats tell folks they are leaving a day earlier then they actually are so they can have one last day of peace).
penguinsix is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 4:24 pm
  #12  
Concierge
 
Rete's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,358
Rete has a reputation beyond reputeRete has a reputation beyond reputeRete has a reputation beyond reputeRete has a reputation beyond reputeRete has a reputation beyond reputeRete has a reputation beyond reputeRete has a reputation beyond reputeRete has a reputation beyond reputeRete has a reputation beyond reputeRete has a reputation beyond reputeRete has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

An International Driver's license does not give you the right to drive in the US. Your UK license does that and once you are a resident, you need to apply for a state driver's license.

The ID license is only really to translate a foreign langage DL to an English language DL.

As for clothing, if you don't like the clothing in the US perhaps you might want to revisit the reasons for living there.

The food staples are also different. Perhaps you might want to see if you can bring a case or two of your favorite food products.

Originally Posted by travelleruk
...I'm moving to Orlando, Florida, USA in a couple of months from the UK. I'm organising and planning the move and want to make sure i'm not missing anything off my list of 'tasks to complete in the UK before I leave'.

Just wondering about those people who have already done an international move...is there anything you wish you'd done BEFORE you left the UK that you wish you had ?

Just for example..somebody who had moved abroad said he'd wished he'd applied for his International Driving Licence while he was still in the UK. Another said they'd wished they'd done more shopping for clothes in the UK because US fashion is so different...

So do you have a list of things that one shouldn't forget to do before leaving the UK ?

Last edited by Rete; Oct 7th 2009 at 4:27 pm.
Rete is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 4:25 pm
  #13  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
scrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat097 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Originally Posted by Englishtart
Mental heath check up?

.....



(Thought that would be for moving to Houston)
scrubbedexpat097 is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 4:38 pm
  #14  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Englishtart's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: North Charleston,SC. born in Stockport,UK.
Posts: 10,109
Englishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond reputeEnglishtart has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Originally Posted by Sugarmooma
.....



(Thought that would be for moving to Houston)
Nah, Houston is heaven on earth
Englishtart is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2009, 4:44 pm
  #15  
 
meauxna's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
meauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond reputemeauxna has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Things you should do before you emigrate ?

Originally Posted by Englishtart
Nah, Houston is heaven on earth
Madam, that has not been supported by scientific method. Don't make me call tonrob in here!
meauxna is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.