Moving Service Beginner Part 1

Moving for Beginners: Key Ideas and Vocabulary You Need to Know

Relocating to a new area is an experience, said one, full of promise—most positively, mixed with excitement and uncertainty. For some, it’s about new beginnings and cheer; for others, on the contrary, the very process of moving is overwhelming and stress-induced. One of the most remarkable ways to overcome anxiety during the move is just to gain knowledge about going through the process. Awareness of basic concepts and terminologies of moving makes you much better equipped and confident when embarking on this journey. This guide will describe some of the key terms and concepts that every beginner to moving needs to be familiar with.

Expat: Who Are They?

“Expat” is a shortened form of the term “expatriate.” The latter literally means a person who resides in a country at the present time, either temporarily or permanently, other than the native country or the country of citizenship. Expats include professionals, retirees, and any person who arrives in search of new experiences abroad. An example would be a British citizen living in Hong Kong, who would be called an expat.

Challenges are usually different for moving expatriates once they move to a new country; most of the experiences involve cultural adjustments, language barriers, and paving ways through different legal and bureaucratic systems. Moving and relocation services for expatriates are, therefore, more comprehensive, addressing the physical move of belongings and support to settle in the new environment.

Moving: Basics

Basically, “moving” refers to the process of relocating one’s possessions from one home to another. It varies from an easy and simple relocation within the same city to a high-end international relocation. The work primarily involves packing up your goods, transporting them to the new place, and then loading and arranging these in your new home.

Key Things to Remember in Moving

1. Packing: This involves just the organization and boxing of your belongings. Solid packing materials should be used to give the items protection in case of transit.
2. Transport: This is the act of moving your provisions from your old home to the new one. Depending on the distance and volume of removal, it may be anything from a small truck used for local moving and a shipping container for an international one.
3. Unpacking: This is when you finally get to your new location; the unpacking starts by setting up your new home, laying out furniture, and putting things in order.

The process of moving may be physically tiring and time-consuming as well, which has most individuals opting for professional movers to handle the heavy lifting and logistics.

Relocation: More Than Just Moving

Whereas “moving” is just the act of getting things from place to place, “relocation” encompasses far more in the way of services to assist an individual or family in acclimating to a new area. Such relocation services amount to more than moving items; they often involve securing a place to live, ensuring the utilities are operational, and at times even finding schools and community orientation.

Relocation Services May Include

1. Home Search: Assisting in locating a new home that fits your specific needs and wants. This entails working with real estate agents, attending some viewings, and maybe negotiating relatively simple lease or purchasing agreements.
2. School Search: For families with children, finding the right school in a new country could be among the top priorities. The school search assistance mainly helps to identify and look up schools; other than that, it also guides through the enrolment process.
3. Orientation: Moving to a different country can be a culture shock by itself, so orientation services aim to get expats oriented in their new environment. This may include showing them around the locality, showcasing community resources, and sometimes even providing local customs and etiquette tips.

Relocation vs. Moving: What’s the Difference?

The major mismatch occurs in the coverage of services. A moving company mainly focuses on the logistical transport aspect of moving your property, while a relocation company incorporates a plethora of different services in their package to help you get acclimated to your new surroundings. This becomes very important with expats and international moves, as the troubles one can run into supercede just the moving boxes.

The Necessity of Understanding Specific Relocation or Moving Vocabulary

It does make a lot of difference to understand the terminology, and new to the process of moving, to know the difference between a simple move and a full relocation service. Knowing what you have to determine at an early stage can help smooth things out and make the process less stressful.

Why It Matters

1. Informed Decisions: In other words, you could make informed decisions on the kind of moving or relocation services you will need to utilize through the knowledge of the terminology and the available services, and this may help you avoid unnecessary expenses while ensuring all your needs are catered for.
2. Effective Communication: When you’re familiar with the terms used in the moving industry, you are able to communicate more effectively with moving and relocation professionals, which will ensure that everyone is on the same page with respect to your expectations.
3. Less Stress: Many people say that moving is one of life’s top most stressors, up there with death and divorce. Knowledge about the process can help you feel a little more in control of and better prepared for this major life upheaval.

Beginner Moving Services: What to Look For

If you’re new to the world of moving, this is generally what you can expect when working with a moving or relocation company:

1. Consultation: In most cases, the service provider will organize an initial consultation, during which you will discuss your moving requirements, timeline, and special needs. This is also the time for you to probe and clarify any uncertain queries in your mind.
2. Onsite or Video Survey: Probably, the moving house company will conduct a survey at your home, to provide an accurate estimate, through viewing the volume of your goods to be moved. Otherwise, some companies can do a video survey, especially considering recent health concerns like COVID-19.
3. Quotation and Agreement: After the survey, the company is to provide a quotation which will be detailed, stating which service embraces which cost. Once the terms are all in agreement, the moving process gets underway.
4. Packing and Transportation: As per the agreed-upon schedule, the moving company shall take charge of packing, transportation, and unpacking of the items.
5. Additional Services: The company, in case of relocation, might help to find a new house, set up utilities, and provide an orientation that settles in the new environment.

Conclusion: Embracing the Adventure of Moving

With moving, this will be a real watershed event in life, whether you are changing your place of residence within your city or moving to another country; full of excitement but equally full of challenges. Knowing key concepts and terminology can help you be better prepared in the moving and relocation processes and more confidently take steps needed to meet your objectives.

But for others who may need more extensive service, companies like Asian Tigers can accommodate their customers with complex relocation services to make it more convenient for them in adjusting to a new home. Armed with the right info, whether you’re a foreigner moving abroad or a local moving within your country, is the greatest step that will prepare you for a fruitful move. And so, enjoy this new chapter, be armed with the right knowledge, and be open to new experiences that will come your way in your “new” home.

Moving Service Beginners Continuation is in Part 2

Let’s continue in Part 2! If you would like assistance with shipping or relocation support, contact your local Asian Tigers office or reach out to us via our online contact us.

If you found this article interesting, you might also be interested in taking a look at:

1. 8 Things to Consider When Calculating International Moving Costs – Part 2
2. Learn From My Shipping Mistakes (So You Don’t Make Them Too)
3. Set Yourself Up For A Successful Expat Experience
4. Expat Life – Moving Abroad During Covid-19.