If you are moving internationally, congratulations! It’s an exciting time in your life. However, it’s important to consider the best time of year to move to another country. Doing so can help make the transition smoother for you and your family. Here are some tips on when to move based on your location.
What Should You Consider When Looking for the Best Time of Year to Move?
People often wonder about the ideal season for booking international moving services when relocating overseas. It’s a rewarding and exciting experience to start over in a new place and live in another country. People can be drawn away from their native countries and towards living abroad for a variety of reasons.
Some people decide to move with their loved one who is from another country, while others decide that this moment is appropriate for an adventure. They might finally get the enticing change they’ve been craving by moving abroad.
For some people, the choice to move across the world is influenced by their job situation. In these cases, the experience is often more about the potential for progress in a career that a transfer to a new job offers than it is about the final destination.
Although there are many different reasons for relocating abroad, those who are undertaking a significant relocation have similar concerns about logistics. The main concern is usually which international moving company will get you there – who to reach out to for moving and packing services? Language problems, money transfers, looking for an apartment, or access to health care are just a few other things that might be on the relocating abroad checklist.
While collecting quotes from international movers is a solid starting step on the right path for organizing things (and avoiding relocation scams), it’s crucial to stop and think about when your move overseas should take place. It’s easy to get ahead of yourself just because of all the excitement. However, failing to take a few crucial variables into account before boarding a plane and moving on to a new life can ultimately make things more difficult.
International Movers Will Be More Available Off-Season
When your plans call for a move abroad, you have a lot to be concerned about – this can never be a last-minute move. Choosing a reasonable time of year to relocate abroad eases tension and crosses off at least one major item from the to-do list. So, what part of the year will cost you the least? No matter how you look at it, going overseas has a substantial up-front cost. Even if your eventual destination has a lower overall cost of living, you still need to make some upfront investments.
You’re going to have to pay to get everything to your new house and country in one piece if you want to keep your possession when relocating. Fortunately, there is some price flexibility with many international moving firms – this is frequently dependent on the time of year you choose to move internationally.
If cost is your main concern, your greatest option is to relocate abroad between November and January. No, it’s not necessarily the nicest time of year for packing and relocating efficiently, but for international moving firms, it’s the period of a little slower pace. This is due to the fact that many people decide against making significant shifts over the holidays.
Consider the Overall Cost of Moving Internationally
One of the moving mistakes you could make is not considering other costs besides the price of an international mover. Many people who are moving overseas for the first time will discover that they need to buy more food to get things going, put down deposits on houses, wire money into new accounts, and make other similar purchases. Additionally, it’s typical to add a few pieces of furniture to the list and, of course, spend more money getting to know your new city and everything it has to offer – it will take time to get over the culture shock.
Having said all of that, the budget is unavoidably a crucial topic while relocating abroad. How much it will cost to have their possessions transported across international boundaries by international moving companies is one of the main worries that many travelers have.
The Best Time of Year to Move and Save Money Is Winter
Moving is a big decision and a big expense whenever you decide to do it, but one of the best times of year to move is winter. You can save a lot of money by moving in the winter, and there are some great benefits to relocating during this season. Let’s take a look at why winter is the best time of year to move.
- Airfare is cheaper in the winter – The demand for air travel typically decreases in the winter months, which means airlines are more likely to offer discounts on flights. If you’re looking to save money on airfare, book your ticket for October, November, or December. You might also consider flying mid-week, as opposed to over the weekend. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are typically the cheapest days to fly.
- Housing costs are lower in winter – Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, housing costs tend to be lower in the winter months. In fact, data shows that homes listed for sale during winter sell for 1% less than homes listed during other times of year on average – savings of about $1,600 on a $200,000 home.
- Rent will be more affordable as well – If you’re looking to rent an apartment, you’ll likely find lower prices in the winter as well. That’s because many people move during the summer months, so landlords are often willing to give discounts on rent to fill vacant units.
You’ll save money on moving services, rents are cheaper, and you can take advantage of holiday sales for things like furniture and appliances. Plus, you’ll have more time to focus on getting settled into your new place without having to worry about work or other commitments. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your winter move today!
Even Though Winter Is a Great Choice, There Are Still Some Downsides to Choosing This Time of Year to Move
Sure, relocating in winter will save you plenty of money – which is quite helpful, knowing how expensive relocations can be. Still, we have to mention some disadvantages of this approach that you should consider. It’s best to know all the pros and cons before you make a decision.
- Unpredictable weather might cause some unpleasant surprises in early spring and particularly in the fall, which may even cause the relocation to be delayed.
- Safety risks if you’re packing and spending time outside during relocation preparations include pollen and fallen leaves, both of which can be harmful to your health. If left untreated, the first can trigger more or less severe allergic reactions, whereas the second can result in injuries.
- Moving during the academic year is not the best option if you are relocating with children. While classes are still in session, switching schools, homes, and friends can be extremely upsetting for kids and induce anxiety about moving out.
Summer Is a Great Time to Move if You Have Kids
One of the main reasons why summer is the best time to move abroad with your kids is because of the weather. In most places, summer is synonymous with sunny days and warm temperatures. This can be a stark contrast to colder climates, where winters can be long and dreary. If you’re moving from a place with a harsh winter climate, your kids will probably be thrilled to trade in their snow boots for flip-flops!
Aside from the weather being more pleasant in general, summer also tends to be a quieter time of year when it comes to natural disasters. So, if you’re concerned about things like hurricanes or typhoons, summer is definitely the time to move.
Relocation During Summer Means You Won’t Be Disrupting the School Year for Your Kids
Another reason why summer is ideal for an international move is that it generally lines up nicely with the school calendar. If you’re moving with school-aged children, our relocation tip would be to pick summer for your move. Chances are that they’ll already have a couple of months off for summer break. This means that you won’t have to worry about disrupting their education by pulling them out of school mid-year.
Instead, they can start fresh at a new school in the fall when school starts back up again. Additionally, many universities also take a break during the summer months, so if you’re moving for work or higher education, this may be the best time for you as well.
Relocating with kids can be difficult even when the school schedule isn’t the issue – getting used to a new country can be tough. If you’re looking for some tips on how to help your little ones, check out the video below.
Middle of the Month Move Can Also Be a Good Option
Aiming for a move in the middle of the month is probably a wise idea if you anticipate needing some flexibility with your moving dates when working with international moving firms. In the United States, leases often expire closest to the beginning or end of the month, while this can’t be said for other countries.
Because of these two periods of increased moving reservations, international moving companies are typically more accommodating to customers moving overseas. Relocating in the midst of the month increases the likelihood that everything will be finished on time.
If You Plan to Move a Lot of Items, Try to Book a Move on a Workday
Similarly, if you think your relocation will involve relocating many items, you should steer clear of weekend pick-ups. On weekends, there is a high demand for moving services as people try to fit their moves around their job and school commitments, especially when relocating with kids. Monday – Thursday transfers are your best bet because international moves frequently demand additional time to pack belongings. Additional advice – don’t forget to learn which items movers won’t move for you, so there won’t be any issues on the relocation day.
If You Are Organized, Every Season Can Be the Best Time of the Year to Move
Moving is a big step – whether you are moving across the country or across the world, there is a lot to think about and do. One of the first things you need to decide is when you want to make your move. Relocation experts and people who move often believe that certain times of year are better than others for moving. Still, if you are organized, any time can be a good time to move. No matter when you decide to make your move, remember that organization is key. The better organized you are, the smoother your transition will be – regardless of what time of year it is.