Moving Abroad: 5 Tips for Handling Your Belongings

When moving abroad, there are many things to consider – including what to do with your belongings. Do you take everything with you? Or, is it more practical to leave some items behind? What are the best options for transporting your belongings? Should you even try to make a list, or just try to fit everything onto the truck? 

Of course, there’s an option of hiring one of the leading moving companies to facilitate your relocation from Canada to the US and answer all your questions. In this blog post, we’ll explore different scenarios and provide tips on what to do with your household items when relocating internationally. Keep reading!

What to do with belongings when moving abroad? 

When moving to a new country, the options can seem endless when it comes to what to bring with you and what to leave behind. Do you transport your entire home with you or do you downsize and ship a few select items? What about your car? How will you get around in your new city? These are all important questions to consider when making the move.

There are at least five different options in terms of what to do with your belongings when relocating abroad:

Pack up everything

This is probably the most common option for people who are planning to relocate. It’s usually a practical solution if you’re relocating your family across the border, and you own an average amount of household items. This is also useful if you plan on living in your new country for an extended period of time. 

The downside to this option is that it can be expensive and time-consuming to transport everything. Another problem is the extensive paperwork that you might be required to file before crossing the border. Of course, you can opt to buy new items when you arrive at your new place, if that suits your budget. 

Leave everything behind

This option is most common for people who are relocating for a short period of time, for a semester, or a seasonal holiday, or a break year. If you’re planning on living in your new country for less than a year, moving your whole household wouldn’t be the best option. 

The disadvantage of this option is that you might have to spend more money on buying new clothes, small appliances, and artwork, and that you’ll probably have to consider replacing some things in your old household once you return.

Carefully select necessary items

This is a good option if you’re moving for an extended period of time but don’t want to take everything with you. You can ship items that are important to you or that you know you’ll need in your new country. You can consider transporting the following items: 

• Furniture – pieces that you consider to be most necessary in your new household
• Clothes – you wouldn’t have to make great compromises, but consider the weather conditions
• Electronics – such as your laptop, tablet, speakers, and smaller home appliances
• Books – be careful with this item, as shipping your whole library might be quite expensive, so consider buying or saving the majority of your titles in electronic form.
• Artwork – if you have a collection of pictures, sculptures, or photographs, you can pick the pieces you like the most.

If you can, avoid shipping the following types of items:  

• Food – you shouldn’t pack perishable goods, even if it includes canned food. If you’d like to have a snack, keep them with you, in your bag, or in your car. 
• Toiletries – these items should also go in your suitcase or bag, not in the relocation truck.
• Cleaning supplies – most relocation companies will not transport chemicals, to avoid liability and protect the rest of your belongings.
• Bulky items, such as couches, tables, complex HVAC systems – check if you can purchase new furniture and appliances, to prevent damage in transit. 

Store some items

This is a good option if you’re unsure about what to do with your belongings. You can store items that you might need in the future or that are sentimental to you. The downside to this option is that it can be expensive and you might reconsider after a while. The best thing is that you can consult with reputable providers before picking this option. 

Donate or get rid of some of the items

This is a good option if you want to declutter your life before your international relocation. You can donate items that you don’t need or that are taking up space in your home. 

A very small drawback is that you might not be able to donate everything and some of the items will go to the landfill. Fortunately, there are services that can help you with recycling: they will gladly accept your couch, old cabinet, or mattress, and turn it into raw materials. 

Who is the leading cross border moving company for relocations from Canada to the US?

You don’t have to waste time browsing and calling a number of anonymous companies. Here at Miracle Movers, we boast a stellar track record, friendly customer support, and a team of vetted technicians. Whether you’re moving from GTA to New York, or from any other city in Ontario to Washington DC, and vice versa, our team is at your disposal. We offer comprehensive and detailed relocation packages that can suit your requirements and unique needs. 

We’ll gladly answer any questions you may have and prepare you for your international transfer. Go ahead and call us today to arrange your appointment!