Moving cities

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They say moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do in life, but what of relocating your life to an entirely new city or country? Could it spell disaster? Not necessarily, writes Shonagh Walker. Arm yourself with some insider knowledge and you could be on the brink of a life you only dreamed of.

Thirty-something designers Andrew Hoyne and Senta Brockschmidt are a fun-loving, successful couple who are about to leave their comfortable and affordable Melbourne home in order to relocate to Sydney.

Senta’s design job is stable and challenging, while Andrew says his business is constantly growing. They enjoy a large circle of friends, a hectic social life and a love of Melbourne that borders on the obsessive. So why the move to Sydney – a more expensive city, where they have fewer friends and where they will need to start from scratch looking for work or, as in Andrew’s case, open a new branch of his company? “Simple,” says Andrew with a cheerful grin. “No-one should ever live in just one city for their entire life.”

The couple has left no stone unturned in preparing for their move. They have taken several trips to Sydney – searching for the right area, finding their new apartment, scouting for office space and appraising restaurants and bars. They have also spent hours online, checking out gyms, doctors and social activities. Their positive attitude teamed with efficient organisation leaves little doubt that they will love living in Sydney.

Not everyone’s experience runs so smoothly. If you’re not fully prepared, moving cities can be a lonely and emotionally exhausting experience, as I discovered when I relocated to Melbourne a few years ago to take an executive position at a boutique custom publishing firm. The lure of a high-end salary and frequent international travel had me accepting in a second. I had lived in Melbourne as a teenager and still had family there, so I didn’t put much thought into the move. I just assumed that in no time I would have a busy social life and a beautiful new home. On the contrary...

I arrived mid-winter and was quickly entrenched in a job that gobbled up to 12 hours of each day, as well as most of my weekends. Forget time for making friends, I didn’t even have time to look for an apartment and remained in my family home for the duration of my stay. Needless to say, my 16-month stint there was a struggle, and while towards the end I made some cherished friends and cemented closer relations with my family, I would never repeat the experience – at least not without meticulous planning.

So, how to ensure a seamless move and guarantee a happy new life? Christine France, principal of relocation company Concierge International, says: “The first thing you must consider is where you wish to live. If you’re unfamiliar with a city and its areas, stay in short-term accommodation before you lock yourself into a rental contract or buy a property.“ This is exactly what 33-year-old freelance writer, Jane Plenty, did recently when she packed up her life to take a bite out of the Big Apple.

“I didn’t know Manhattan at all,” Jane admits. “I organised a serviced apartment for one month and gave myself that month off work to explore the city. I walked everywhere, visiting parks and museums, sampling restaurants and cocktail lounges, until I eventually found my favourite area. Then I asked everyone I knew to listen out for a rental. In the end, a few expat Australian friends and I found a beautiful apartment in Chelsea.” Finding a place to live is just the tip of the relocation iceberg. There are many facets to ensuring that your move, and your new life, is happy and problem-free.

Employment opportunities

Moving cities for work generally means your employer will – or should – cover costs, including finding you a home, subsidising rent for an initial period, looking after storage and providing on-ground transportation. If you feel your needs are not being met, speak up – they are paying for your expertise and you won’t be operating at your peak if you are sweating the small, or not so small, stuff.

Choosing to pack up your life with no job to go to can be incredibly daunting – aside from being emotionally equipped, you need to be extremely organised. Says Jane: “In hindsight, actually making the decision to move was the hardest thing, but once I did I was sure I was doing the right thing. My biggest fears were starting over with establishing my professional reputation and finding a new comfort zone in terms of everything from my favourite pizza place to my hair salon and the best drycleaners.

And then, of course, saying goodbye to family and friends and – worst of all – having to re-home my cat!” But after six months in New York, Jane says she wouldn’t change a thing. “Knowing that there is a world of new possibilities is liberating. Although I loved my life in Sydney, it’s nice to shake things up. It’s good to be scared at times. The most incredible, empowering feeling when you’ve moved overseas is just walking along a new street thinking, ‘I created this; I made this happen’.”

Where to begin

Tackle the move step by step. If you feel overwhelmed and your budget allows it, you can pay a relocation company to take on a few tasks, or the entire move. Says Christine France: “Most relocation companies offer flexible services, including the move itself, opening bank accounts, organising social security numbers or driver’s licenses, finding local tax agents and getting the telephone, amenities, internet and cable TV connected, as well as making sure you’re getting the best deal for all of these things. You may also need white goods, furniture, storage, a cleaner, a nanny... We can handle the move in as little, or as much, detail as you wish.”

Can’t afford help? Pool all your resources and plan ahead. “I gave myself a four-month countdown,” says Jane. “I set a task each week and that way it wasn’t as daunting. When packing, I edited what I wanted to take to fit into five cases. I sold the rest of my clothes at a market and gave whatever was left over to charity.

Jane recommends writing plenty of lists so you can tick off the things you need to do as you go. “Have a complete health check-up (doctor, dermatologist, dentist, etc) before you go. And, above all else, be organised!”

Choosing a neighbourhood

Jan Marie Burnham, a 41-year-old mother of three, uprooted her life when she relocated from New York to London six years ago to be with her husband Steve. “My main criteria was location. I knew very few people in London and I wanted everything that was essential to me to be close at hand. I liked the idea of living in a fashionable area with a cafe culture – amenities, restaurants and shops that are close enough to walk to. These locations tend to always attract varied nationalities, which I think is important.

“Luckily, my husband is a native Londoner, so he knew the areas well and suggested Fulham. I started by approaching the real estate companies in that area with my list of priorities.” When deciding on an area, says Christine France, “it’s also important to consider things such as ease of travel to work, proximity to public transport, noise, safety, shopping, cafes and restaurants.”

Should you be moving to a city about which you have difficulty getting good information, your country’s embassy is a great starting point, and will usually be pleased to help. Most embassies have registration programs and can provide all kinds of referrals, from the best area for your needs, to how safe it may be. They can even help you to find a doctor or dentist who understands and speaks English (if you are bound for a non-English speaking nation).

Online assistance

• www.conciergeinternational.com.au. – Concierge International is a Sydney-based relocation business offering tailored services to suit your needs and budget.

• www.monstermoving.com – This US-based site profiles and compares employment, crime, removalists, real estate prices, etc, for cities and states across America.

• www.bcl.com.au – A state-by-state guide to cities, events, property, activities and lifestyle around Australia.

• www.gio.com.au/virtualsafe GIO Insurance has created this free software tool that will help you to keep tabs on your belongings – always a good idea when you’re moving. You can make an inventory of your home contents for insurance purposes, as well as create copies of important documents like wills, marriage and birth certificates. The ‘Virtual Safe’ stores the information on your computer, and you can make a back-up copy on a CD-ROM.