Packing for Expats Moving Abroad; Store, Ship or Trash?

by David Tompkins

The Best Way to Deal with Packing for Expats Moving Abroad

If you are rearing to move abroad, there will be many things to get sorted, stored, shipped, or even trashed. No matter how exciting your next expat destination is, getting all set for the big day is not at all easy. Keeping and packing things that matter to you can take up a lot of baggage space during your onward journey. This is where practical and common sense will prevail.

Many expats prefer to sell their household items before moving abroad. It is always advisable to move abroad with only the most necessary things that you need. Here are few ideas to help you decide what to store, ship, carry with you, or dump before you board your plane.

packing for expats moving abroad

Storing Sweet Memories

The first thing to do is to figure out what you want to store. Expats across the globe find it hard to part with belongings that have emotional value. For instance, nothing can replace the comfort of your old living room. The very thought that you may return to your native place or home someday will make it difficult for you to trash things. Goods like your favorite armchair or couch can be stored in a relative or friend’s place. Leaving behind sweet memories can be the most difficult part of the transition. However, if you have the heart to let go of things with emotional value, you would be a happier person in a new place and a new life.

expat resources

De-clutter Your House

Once you’ve figured out what you want to store, it’s time to de-clutter your house. Really think about what you want to be reunited with once you come back. If you’ve hardly used an item, chances are you will never have a use for it in the future. De cluttering is a form of mental exercise too. You’re going to come across a lot of things that you love and loved, but at the end of the day, they’re only material possessions. Let go of what doesn’t serve you.

Do you really want to store it?

You might think it’s just easier to store it all and deal with it when you’re back. However, storage units can be costly, although it may seem affordable every month. The money you spend on storage units can be spent on your travels. On the other hand, some of your friends might be kind enough to let you store your belongings in their garage but think twice before unloading your things in other’s personal space.

Be Sensible While Selling

Don’t get too pricey while selling your unwanted stuff before you make a move overseas. Your selling ideas should be simple to not too worked up while disposing of these things. Also, note that you may not get the best value for goods that were collecting dust in your house.

Selling unused items online is a great idea, and you can get excellent deals too. There are many reliable websites like Amazon, Craigslist, eBay, and Gumtree, where you can upload good pictures of items that are in relatively good condition. You can make a decent amount of money if you have a lot of stuff to sell.

If you plan to sell your property before moving abroad, you can advertise through flyers, local newspapers, and social media channels like Facebook and Twitter. Don’t forget to research online to find the consignment shops in your locality. You can sell off most of your unnecessary household items to these shops.

Donate Generously

As you start packing, you will have a pile of stuff ranging from canned goods to old clothes to unused electronics. Instead of trashing them, donating them to an orphanage or nursing home can be a nice idea. Donate generously if you have excessive goods that you won’t carry along when you move to your host country. You will find various websites where you can get information about charities or non-profit organizations in your city. It is surely an amazing feeling to do good to someone!

Find Out What’s Best for You

At the end of the day, all the tips mentioned go hand in hand. You may have to store, sell, and trash items. The most important thing is not to feel weighed down when moving abroad. Furthermore, you should also not impulsively throw away everything only to regret it. Think carefully and make your best move. Also, make sure you buy international health insurance coverage before you move abroad – but it is possible to buy after you have become a global nomad or expat.

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