Moving experiences/timeline

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Hello everyone

So, it's finally happening for me. I got a job offer in the UK and I'm looking to move there by the end of the year/beginning of next year.

Of course, as thrilled as I am to start a new life and be with my partner, I'm also quite scared because I'v never lived abroad before(I'm Swiss)

I have researched this forum quite a bit, to see how other people have dealt with a move like this. Obviously I have a ton of questions and I'm not sure on where to even start.

What I'm worried about most is the timeline of things. I have downloaded a checklist to not forget anything but what worries me most is this:

What if I don't find a place to rent in time before I start my new job? I could technially live with my partner at first but we've decided that we want to live apart in the beginning, so we can both have our own space. We don't want to rush things.

If I start work in, let's say, January...how fast should I start looking for a place in the UK?

Furthermore, if I do live with her, how will I go on about movings my furniture and belongings? How will I know what furniture to take when I don't even know what my future place will look like? I mean, all my furniture might not fit lol So yeah (hello OCD, it's been driving me crazy!). I do have a brand new tv (bought last year) and a soundbar etc. that I would like to take with me for sure.

I've read a lot about Luker Bros (moving company) but the reviews are split. I could put my stuff in storage, but like I said, when it doesn't all fit, I've paid for nothing. I could also drive there, but my car isn't that big and I'd need to hire maybe a van? But then, who will drive it back?

Also, what about my place here? I need to hand in notice 3 months before I leave. I have to have a cleaning company over and hand back the keys and what if this doesn't match up with everything else? I just hand back the keys and leave on the same day? Because if not, where will I stay for the rest of the time? My furniture will obviously be gone by then and I'll be out of a place.

I swear, I worry about the silliest things....so I was wondering if maybe some of you guys could share your personal moving experiences? I think this would help me alot and keep my OCD in check.

Thank you and sorry for the long essay.

PS: Moving to the North West (Liverpool/Wirral area)

2
Do you actually have OCD or are you just throwing that diagnosis out there? If you really do have OCD, perhaps you should speak about all of this with your therapist, as these are mainly hypothetical questions nobody can give you answers on. (Except for how soon to start looking for a place and moving company recs, hopefully someone can answer.)

There have been loads of unknowns in our many moves and the best thing is to just handle each obstacle at a time - keeping a checklist is helpful, so well done there and accept that a perfect move isn't possible.

Wishing you all the best with your move!

3
>...how fast should I start looking for a place in the UK?

Asking this 9 months before your move? God bless, you really are excited!

No need to try and find something in advance - it will most probably be long gone by the time you get there.

The rental market moves extremely fast in the UK, and you also would not want to rent some place that you have not seen in person - don't worry, if you can pay cash (esp. the deposit) you can always find a place very quickly in my experience. You could perhaps move one or two weeks before your job actually starts, stay at your partner while you are looking for apartments. That is what I would do.

4
1) Try breathing first

2) All moving companies are as good as their last reviews !! They all have screw ups from time to time and sometimes these could be handled better.

Luker Bros are as good as any

5
There is much that I cannot help you with, however, I can share that I cannot recommend Luker Bros highly enough. I used LB for both outward and return journeys - they were efficient and helpful.

I hope all goes well for you.

6
I don't know any other European country, apart Switzerland, where moving is so hard. I would just google for a new place to rent about 2 weeks before the move, phone and line up to 10 apartments to visit. Fly to the UK, visit the apartments and take one you like, simple!

7
Places are normally listed to rent when they are available, and people expect you to take them then (they won't hold it for months for you). Look about 1 month ahead. Also in the UK it is easy to move out, you have a set contract length of say a year or 6 months, then after that you can leave whenever you want with 1 months notice - so if the place you find initially isn't perfect, you are not stuck there for years.

8
Good luck, you are moving to the best part of the UK (where I come from).

I assume you have a work permit/visa for the UK organised?

9
Yes, I do actually suffer from OCD but I think in this case I was just overwhelmed by everything all at once. I had to tell myself that there's still enough time to plan everything and I will just try and take everything one day at a time.

10
Yes, my work are sponsoring me as I will move on an intra-company visa. But I am not allowed to apply yet, they only accept visa applications 3 months in advance, before starting the job.

I have made a list of what I need to do in which month and I will try and stick to it.

And yes, I fell in love with Liverpool/Wirral. I don't think I would have moved to any other city in the UK and I've been to quite a few places there.

11

We were up on the Wirral before we moved to Switzerland. Nice area and easy to get to Liverpool, Manchester and Chester.