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Living overseas

Relocation experiences please.

28 replies

admylin · 05/05/2008 20:10

I probably sound a bit of a wimp moaning about my upcoming move as we're only really moving in-country and about 200km away but I'm so stressed and useless at organising things. I've decided (well, dh too as he's paying) to try and get an agent to do it all for me and I think I've found one. He seems nice and he's arranging a few places for us to view in a couple of weeks time.

All I want is to know if I have to watch out for anything and what I can expect. I'm getting him to treat us like foreigners relocating so he knows I don't know my way around etc. Have you used agents before and what did they do for you? Was it worth it and could you have done it without one? I've honestly tried to start things rolling by myself but it's too mind boggling - and I'm not the super calm stress free type of person who could manage it all.

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admylin · 06/05/2008 12:16

Wow, have you all managed your moves all by yourselves? Any one?

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lavenderbongo · 06/05/2008 15:30

I moved from the UK to Brussels last October without an agent - so sorry not much help but I thought it would at least bump up your question.

We managed it OK as we only had one day to look around different areas and choose a house. I only had four weeks to plan everything - getting our UK house rented and finding somewhere new to live etc...

I have heard that these agents are excellent and will even help you sort out schools, banks and regestration at communes etc.. Even driving you around different areas - we would have had one but the civil service wont cover that sort of thing!

I am sure someone a bit more knowledgable will be along soon.

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dodgykeeper · 06/05/2008 16:54

Hey Admylin,
Where are you moving to?
We moved Scotland to Ohio last year without an agent but we only managed to do that because our realtor was an absolute saint! She did alot of the things that an agent would do that we would have struggled with otherwise. She gave us loads of info on the area and the schools,drove us around all weekend, showed us local amenities such as YMCA, library etc, got us a tour of the schools, got us leaflets on dancing schools for our dd and tkd for our ds, arranged house inspections and then the repair work that was needed, got our insurance quotes and faxed the best ones,explained the tax system, she arranged for us to open a bank account before we had our ss no. She had the lawn cut before we arrived and even put milk in the fridge.
Make sure your agent is very clear about what is important to you and dont be afraid to ask them to do things. They should know a grat deal about the area and have lots of contacts so use them and get your moneys worth!

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Califrau · 06/05/2008 17:27

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admylin · 06/05/2008 18:43

Dodgykeeper, that sounds exactly what I would hope an agent would do especially the driving around bit. When we did it all ourselves for our move to Berlin I was in pain for ages with blisters on my feet and sore legs because we just kept getting off at the wrong end of the underground or wrong end of streets which turned out to be kilometer long.

Califrau I admire you, I just can't face doing it by myself this time and I don't care how much the agent wants as long as he makes everything go smoothly. I think I would give it a go but we have to go to Houston in July for 3 weeks when I should be packing and moving and it gives me exactly 1 week to move when we get back for the dc starting school.

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Califrau · 06/05/2008 18:44

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Califrau · 06/05/2008 18:45

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wildhorses · 06/05/2008 18:48

Heard good things about agents

When we moved abroad we did it ourselves Dh had a day to view accomodation which I could`nt fly over for as it was really short notice
We coped o.k but next time I want a agent and all the help that goes with it

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admylin · 07/05/2008 12:01

Wildhorses, did your dh find the accomodation he went to view online or in papers and arrange for the viewing all in one day? That's what I find difficult. I can find one place that looks nice but I can't phone to ask to view it because if I don't like it then I would have made a wasted trip - I need a few or as many as possible to see in one day so I can get it over and done with.

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admylin · 07/05/2008 12:04

Califrau, having a whinge on here does help especially if someone sympathetic comes on and tells me I'm right to whinge!

We're not going far, only to Hannover and as you know I did not want to move within Germany again hence the strike about doing all the work. If dh had found a job in UK or a better one than the Dallas one in the US I would have probably got it all sorted by now!

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Rojak · 07/05/2008 13:42

I work freelance / part time as a relocation agent and if you use a reputable relocation company, the agent should assist you in finding a home. This means liaising with and engaging an estate agent on your behalf.

You will usually be asked to fill in a sort of needs analysis form about yourself and your family.

The agent can also take you to view schools (making appointments with schools if necessary).

They should also drive you round your new city to give you a feel for where things are eg, schools, supermarkets, shops for specialist groceries, setting up bank accounts / utilities.

But as with verything, communication is key, the more you can tell the agent about your preferences, likes & dislikes, the more he / she can help you settle in.

Good luck.

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ConfusedMover · 07/05/2008 13:52

I know someone whose relocation agent even made sure all the household goods were unpacked properly and ornaments arranged etc. She walked into an apartment that was 100% ready to go, glasses in right cupboards, flowers in vases etc ......says me sitting here in an empty apartment (having retained my precious computer as a lifeline), the furniture left yesterday and now I have 3 days of painters and cleaning. DH is working in another country, DS gone back to the UK with my sister last Sat. So that's just leaves me the car & the dog to get back to the UK.

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admylin · 14/05/2008 20:02

my whinging isn't working califrau, what am I doing wrong. No one is around to comfort me, my mum is out my sister is busy (have tried ringing UK all afternoon!)

Anyway, an agent is picking us up tomorrow at 4pm so I hope he shows us some decent, affordable flats. Splitting headache over here in Berlin worrying about tomorrow.

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SSSandy2 · 14/05/2008 20:19

Hi Admylin, take a deep breath and some camomomile tea or something and let's see if it is all that bad.

You know you have not been content with any aspect of your life here - the work dh is putting into his job, the flat was too small, the area didn't suit you and the school was no good plus you were worried about the secondary schools SO

How about let's think positive and fix firmly in your mind that Hannover could be a great chance to fix things. Even if Hanover wasn't your choice destination, may well be fine. Why shouldn't it be great? Why shouldn't you get nice accommodation and good schools and a better social life?

Doesn't that agent in Ohio sound fantastic . I can't help doubting (sorry!) that fabulous American style customer service is to be expected here really. DOes make you pant to want to move to Ohio though... Not that saying that helps AT ALL!

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admylin · 14/05/2008 20:23

Thanks SSSandy, I'm trying to stay calm and taking deep breaths. Dd is really ill so it's going to be hard on her tomorrow and I've got really bad indigestion because I made tea - had to feed the family but I wasn't really hungry but ate some - now I'm suffering.

Anyway one thing, reading all the tragic stuff going on today on MN makes my whinging totally unjustified.

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SSSandy2 · 14/05/2008 20:32

we all have our own crises to get through though. Because other people's are more drastic doesn't make our own easier to cope with. I think you are totally stressed out with it all. I can understand you feeling overwhlemed. What makes it really hard is that you are not looking forward to the move.

Why not wait for now and see how tomorrow goes? You will have the possibility to go to Hannover again if this trip proves unsuccessful. I'd consider it a first probing. Just try to be open and relaxed and see what kind of impression you get of the place and the agent.

If the worst comes to the worst and schools/accommodation cannot be organised by September, dh will be able to organise some temporary option for himself, go to your dp for a couple of months and organise it more slowly.

What my dp sometimes did when moving to a new place was to initially live in some kind of apartment-hotel set-up. Can't think of the right term but you know what I mean. It is a bit expensive but does motivate you to get house-hunting fast. Sorry I'm rubbish at giving you practical advice about this I know but I 100% understand where you're coming from , if that helps at all!

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admylin · 14/05/2008 20:36

You're right. I can return by myself (or with the dc) once we've had a look around. Dh isn't going to have even half a day off for anything because he has to finish all his experiments before we fly to blardy Texas - stupid time to book a holiday but we can't change the dates now.

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SSSandy2 · 14/05/2008 20:54

When are your dp coming over admylin? I thought they were planning to come here over summer?

Just LOOK FORWARD to Texas. I would just make my mind up that I am going to swan off any time the ILs start to get on my nerves, go shopping, buy myself some nice shoes (yes shoes) and clothes with all that friendly helpful customer service Americans are so good at. Get your hair cut, Americans are fantastic at cutting hair, go to a beauty salon, swim a lot, read some books, get a nice tan. And come back fortified for a fresh start in Hannover.

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admylin · 14/05/2008 20:59

My parents seem to have dissowned me not even 1 phonecall in answer to my last whinging email (only whinging for sympathy mind you) but they are so busy travelling round the world - they've already got about 4 holidays booked this year so they probably can't fit us in.

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SSSandy2 · 14/05/2008 21:01

If the flat in Hannover is not sorted before you go to Texas, you can store your stuff in our cellar and deal with it when you get back/have something organised. Promise we won't flog it on Ebay.

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admylin · 14/05/2008 21:05

OMG, have you got room? That would be an option - would mostly be boxes of books as have decided I am not getting rid of any more of my beloved books or the dc's to that matter.

If I didn't have indigestion I would have myself a little night cap to calm myself down - only have a bottle of Sekt in the fridge, that would kill me I think tonight!

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SSSandy2 · 14/05/2008 21:09

It's dh's territory down there, cellars give me the creeps. Will go down and investigate. Last time I looked there was tons of room. I'll check how water-tight etc it all is.

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admylin · 14/05/2008 21:15

Our place has one of those double cellars so our part is like 2 floors down and full of spiders. I've got to send the dc in with a badminton bat to free a pathway so I don't get spiderwebs in my hair. Actually come to think of it, they would probably let us rent some of the cellar here to store stuff in. Most of the sections are empty.

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QuintessentialShadows · 14/05/2008 21:17

Just make sure your removal agency dont go and lose your belongings.

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admylin · 14/05/2008 21:18

Have to go , dd can't sleep. Will report back to our german thread and tell you all what Hannover is like after tomorrow.

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