I’m relocating for work – where do I start?
1. Make lists
2. Declutter
3. Research
4. Tell your bank
5. Visit the area first

Relocating for work is becoming a more common thing for UK homeowners, with opportunities growing every day for a new career and a fresh start. Like any move, there is a lot that you will need to take into consideration, and relocating only adds to that. Whether you’re moving across the country or across the world, We Buy Any House have pulled together essential questions that you should ask to make sure you’ve got all the information that you need. We’re also got some tips to stay calm and stress-free when moving house.

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I’m relocating for work – where do I start?

One of the first things that you should do if you’re relocating for work is to speak to your employer and find out if they offer any support or help for your move. Many businesses will provide some contribution to your relocation, whether it be helping you find somewhere to live, covering moving costs, or contributing to your first month’s rent. They may not make it clear what they do offer when you accept the job, so it’s essential to ask and see what help you could get from your new employer.

Before you agree to the position, you should also confirm your wage and living costs in the area that you’ll be relocating to. The salary might look very impressive, but you should make sure that the living costs aren’t really high, meaning your salary won’t go as far. This is typically the case in London, where the wages are higher to reflect that living costs in the city are also higher. If you can, visit the area a few times and get an idea of cost for everyday things, such as parking, or the train. Make sure that you do your research and know your costs before you go to avoid any nasty surprises.

Relocating is a huge commitment and not one that you should take lightly. Ask yourself if it’s what you want long-term, or at least if it will help you get to where you want to be down the line. If you’re looking for career progression or experience, does this job help you achieve that? Identify what it is that you want out of your job and make sure that relocation will put you on the right path for it.

How can I stay in control?

Sometimes having more control can make a world of difference to these sort of experiences, so if you can keep on top of the relocation, you may find it much easier on you. We’ve compiled some top tips to help when relocating:

• Make lists: Have everything that you need to do written down so you can tick it off, and keep it updated. Even things that you think you’ll remember, write down. When it comes to relocating, you need to have everything done before you leave as it will be incredibly challenging to complete paperwork or arrange anything from another country.
• De-clutter: Use this move as a good reason to have a clear out. There’s no reason for you to take things that you don’t need or really want, so make life easier for yourself by getting rid of what you can – it will also save some money on moving costs! Read our tips on decluttering now.
• Do plenty of research: Know the area as well as you can before you live there. Find out how close the local doctors are, what sort of transport is available, and where the nearest supermarket is.

What if I’m moving abroad?

Moving abroad is a huge commitment and one that you should put huge amounts of thought into before you make a decision. Make sure that you think of every aspect, every outcome, and prepare for any eventuality to keep yourself covered from any problems. If you’re also selling your house to move abroad, you need to look into the timings and cost implications.

1. Job first, move later

You want to know that your job is secure before you move abroad. Your employer should understand this and provide some flexibility on timeframes, especially if you’re going to be moving from very far away to work for them. If the company that you’re moving to work for has a presence here in the UK, there’s every chance that they will provide some support with your move by contributing to moving fees or even your visa application.

2. Apply for your visa

Every country has different rules and regulations about work visas, so spend some time finding out the rules that you’ll need to abide when you relocate. EU residents have the right to work in other EU countries, but with Brexit in motion, this is set to change. Take some time to see how this will affect your working rights and if you need to apply for a different visa.

3. Research the new country

Will you need to learn a new language? Find out the culture of the area, the standard clothing, and what social activities there are available. If you’re moving you want to fit in as best you can to make the new country your new home.

4. Potential tax changes

No-one wants to be overtaxed, so taking precautions to make sure that doesn’t happen should be a priority. Inform HMRC of your move, so you’re not still taxed in this country, and confirm your tax bracket for your new country as well. Change your address to make sure you won’t be charged for council tax after you’ve moved. It’s worth noting that working abroad can cause issues with your pension, so take some time to look into that and make sure that your pension will be secure.

5. Alert your bank you’re relocating

While it may seem like an obvious point, it’s one that people will overlook. If your bank sees activity on your account that appears fraudulent, they can freeze it when can leave you in an awkward position.

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6. Try to visit before you move

Get a feel for the area and make sure you feel settled there. This can be harder when moving abroad, but you may find that your new employer will fund a trip for you to arrange accommodation, so if this is the case you should utilise the time you have and see everything that you can. Assess your daily commute to work, and what the local transport is like. Also, make sure that you feel safe and comfortable in the area – moving blind can leave you in an area you don’t feel happy in and can cause all sorts of problems down the line that you may not experience in a better area.

7. International health insurance

If you’re moving abroad and intend to make it a permanent move, you will lose your entitlement to NHS healthcare in the UK. If you’re only planning to go for a set amount of time, you might still keep your entitlement, depending on where you’re moving and for how long. This may also be affected by Brexit, so spend plenty of time doing your research. You should also spend some time finding out more about medical care in the country you’re moving to. In essence, it’s best to be safe than sorry, and you don’t want to find out in an emergency that you’re not entitled to the care that you need.

Relocating is a really stressful time, so spending time making sure that you’re ready and completely organised for it will make it much less of a strain on you when you’re preparing for your move. If you’re looking to relocate and are worried about selling your current house before you go, we can help you. You can look into renting the house out if you want it as a safety net, so you have somewhere to come back to if you need to. If you’re keen to sell so you can release the equity in the house then get in touch with us today. Here at We Buy Any House, we can provide you with a free quote on your property and arrange a time frame that will work for you to reach a sale and allow you to be open for your future abroad.

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