Finding a trustworthy international moving company can make or break your relocation experience. Allied Van Lines, International Van Lines (IVL), and United Van Lines are consistently ranked among the best for their global reach, strong customer service, and comprehensive insurance options.

Atlas International and Crown Relocations also have…[Read more]

When choosing a city as a family, safety, education quality, healthcare access, and overall quality of life are key factors. Some top choices include Copenhagen, Denmark, which offers excellent public services, low crime rates, and a strong focus on work-life balance. Zurich, Switzerland, is another favorite thanks to its outstanding schools,…[Read more]

Think like an engineer, not just a packer.

Protecting fragile items isn’t just about bubble wrap — it’s about reducing movement and impact. Double-box your most delicate items, isolating them with shock-absorbent padding (like foam corners or memory foam pieces). For glass and ceramics, use a “bricklaying” method: pack flat and tightly to distri…[Read more]

Declutter and Digitize your Old Docs

Start with what you can digitize old documents, photos, or even CDs and DVDs. You’ll be amazed at how much space digital storage can save. Then dematerialize: instead of bringing that old bookshelf, consider switching to a Kindle or using cloud storage. Finally, declutter like you’re moving into a capsule lif…[Read more]

Don’t just book early — book strategically.

Rather than locking in your international move date blindly months in advance, first map out peak seasons, visa timelines, and job or lease start dates. Booking 2–4 months ahead is often enough for off-peak periods, but if you’re moving during summer or around the holidays, earlier is bette…[Read more]

Choosing international health insurance is about balancing affordability, coverage, and the specific needs of your destination. Start by asking: Will local healthcare be enough, or do I need full private coverage? If you’re moving to places with excellent public healthcare (like France or Australia), basic coverage might suffice, but elsewhere,…[Read more]

Shipping your belongings internationally can seem overwhelming, but it becomes manageable with the right strategy. Full-service international moving companies like Allied, SIRVA, or Crown Relocations specialize in helping you pack, ship, and deliver everything door-to-door. They even handle customs paperwork and insurance, which can save you a lot…[Read more]

Staying long-term in Europe legally depends on your nationality and the specific country’s visa rules. If you’re from the EU or EEA, you can generally move freely between member countries without needing a visa. But if you’re coming from elsewhere, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa or residence permit, often tied to work, study, famil…[Read more]

Overall, the cost of living in South America is significantly lower than in North America, but it varies greatly depending on where you go. Cities like Buenos Aires, Medellín, and Quito offer very affordable housing, food, and healthcare, even compared to smaller cities in the U.S. or Canada.

For example, in Medellín, Colombia, you can rent a m…[Read more]

When it comes to being welcomed with open arms, Thailand, Japan, and Malaysia often top the list. Thailand, known as “The Land of Smiles,” is famous for its friendly locals, vibrant expat communities, and relatively easy integration, especially in cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Malaysia offers a unique blend of cultures — Malay, Chinese, I…[Read more]

Europe has so many amazing cities for expats, depending on your lifestyle. Lisbon, Portugal, is often at the top of the list because of its mild climate, affordable cost of living, vibrant tech scene, and warm, English-speaking community. It’s a dream if you love seaside living mixed with old-world charm.

Barcelona and Madrid also attract t…[Read more]

No matter how carefully you pack, there’s always something you wish you had brought. For me, it was sentimental items — the little things that don’t seem essential until you’re thousands of miles away and missing home.

I focused so much on packing practically—adapters, paperwork, clothes for every season—that I left behind simple comforts: a fav…[Read more]

Choosing where to move was a mix of logic, gut instinct, and a lot of late-night soul-searching. I started by listing what mattered most: career opportunities, safety, healthcare, cost of living, and cultural fit. I researched obsessively, diving into forums, blogs, and even talking to people who had already made the leap.

But ultimately, it…[Read more]

One of the biggest cultural shocks I experienced was realizing just how differently people approach time in different countries. Growing up in a fast-paced, always-on-time environment, I expected meetings, dinners, and even casual get-togethers abroad to run on a similar schedule. But when I moved to southern Europe, I quickly learned that “on…[Read more]