Moving to the USA from Australia

Moving to the USA to get a taste of the American dream is something that almost all Australians will admit to having thought about at least once in their lives. Relocating to the USA can bring feelings of excitement and also feeling slightly overwhelmed as you begin the process of packing up your life in Australia and starting up a new chapter in the United States. In this guide we share some helpful moving and relocation tips to make your move go that little bit smoother.  

If someone asked you to list everything that comes to mind when they say USA, you will undoubtedly come up with a never-ending list of things including celebrities, big cars, good food, amazing landscapes and thick accents. The US is arguably one of the most publicised countries in the world, as a centre of global politics and a leader in the film and music industry. The US has a strong economy and a diverse culture with work opportunities in almost every industry. Whether your specialty is in business, finance, transport or hospitality, you are sure to be able to find work in your industry. Americans are famous for their ‘can-do’, enthusiastic attitude, which is probably one of the contributing factors to its robust economy and status as a global powerhouse. Americans, not unlike Australians, are a sporting nation, something which is demonstrated through their incredible basketball, tennis and American style football league associations. Moving to the US will put you at the heart of some of the biggest sporting competitions in the world such as the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby and the US Open, and there will never not be some kind of local sporting match that you can attend on your weekends. For those who love the outdoors, the United States will not disappoint, as it is home to some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming houses dramatic canyons, lush forests, bubbling hot springs, and alpine rivers whilst Arizona features the infamous Grand Canyon and Hawaii the pristine white sand beaches and volcanic landscapes of a tropical haven.

As with any international move, there will be a million things on your mind in the lead-up to moving day. Here are a few important things that you will need to remember when you move.

• Visas and passports: This may seem obvious, but you would be surprised by the number of times people wait until the last minute to apply for their visas, or they look at their passports and discover that they only have 3 more months left on them. In either scenario, you may have to fork out unnecessary rush fees on your passport and still run the risk of not having it back on time. You will need at least 6 months validity on your passport when moving to the US.
• Book your removalist early: International moves are more complex than local moves, and your removalist will need more time to coordinate a variety of complex aspects, such as the physical pick-up of your belongings from your home, will you be moving pets? And the coordination of the different modes of transportation that your belongings will use when travelling to the US. In addition to this, if you are moving during the busy season, waiting until the last minute may mean that removalists and other vendors are booked, and you’ll either have to postpone your move or use a removalist that you might not trust.
• Health care: Americans have access to some of the best health care in the world, however, it comes at a high cost. Whilst, here in Australia, we enjoy health care at a low cost thanks to Medicare, Americans do not have the same luxury, and a simple visit to the doctor can end up costing up to between $100 and $200USD. This is why it is important that you organise your own private health insurance when moving to the US.
• International drivers’ licence: Chances are you will want to be able to drive a car when you move to the US. In order to do this, you will need to obtain an international drivers’ licence. You can do this in Australia, so it is a good idea to get it sorted prior to your arrival in the US.

When moving internationally, you’ll want your experience to go smoothly with as little stress as possible, which is why it is important that you choose a removalist you trust and is experienced with USA moves. When looking at all the different providers, it can sometimes be hard to differentiate between them. Years of experience is one measure to consider, but it’s also advisable to choose a provider that has a wide global reach and expertise that will support the complexities of an international move. Choosing a provider with relocation and moving brands in its portfolio is also wise, as it means there will be no third-party providers involved in your international move; settling into your new home happens faster and all of the components of your move are held to the same high standards of quality.

Choosing the right home for you and your family is an important part of a successful international move. You’ll want to make sure that you are comfortable in your new home and will not have to spend hours travelling to and from your daily commitments such as your office or your children’s schools. When choosing your home in the US, if you are moving with a family, it is important that you get everyone involved in the conversation. Speak to your children and figure out what they would like their new home to look like. Maybe they want to live near a park, so they can go out and kick a football, or maybe your partner would like to have his or her own study so that he or she can work or read in quiet. Making a list of these things will help make your home search easier. You will be able to give this list to your real estate agent in the US and they will be able to help you find the right home for you and your family. Keep in mind that you may need to make some concessions on your new home depending on the current housing market and what is available. In this instance, it is a good idea to have a clear idea of which things on your list you may be happy to live without and which things are a priority to you.

Once you have arrived in your new home in the USA it is time to get settled in. Americans are notoriously friendly people and will be excited by the prospect of meeting someone from the other side of the world. When you arrive in your new home, you don’t want to be spending unnecessary amounts of time locked in your home trying to get everything unpacked, so choosing a provider that offers professional unpacking services can also be a great benefit. Allied are Australia’s premier moving company which have been helping Australians move internationally for over 50 years. With offices throughout Australia and the USA, and no 3rd party providers involved in your international move, Allied are here to help you get settled into your new home faster. Call 13 25 54 today to get a free quote on your move to the USA – or anywhere in the world.