WOW!!! Great Service – Great Experience!!!

Thank you for a great experience!

As a family we decided we wanted to experience living in Germany, but when the time came to return to the States we turned to UPakWeShip to help us bring some of our “Memories” back with us.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

What a great service you provided. Instructions are all straight forward and laid out step by step. The shipping materials arrived, we packed everything we wanted to take back with us and than watched as the crate was loaded on a truck and hauled away. Several weeks later, we got notification that our things were cleared through Customs and would be delivered the next day. No damage to the packing crate, no damage to the items inside! What a relief.

Thank You UPakWeShip for a great experience and a professional, simple process.

Hope to use your services again in the future and definitely would recommend UPakWeShip to anyone looking to ship items to or from Europe.

The post Moving Germany to USA review appeared first on UPakWeShip.

You are NEVER too old to move abroad.

And we’re here to basically tell you why that is the case.

Because whatever stage of life you’re in, single or with a family, we strongly believe, that you should never let your age put your off fulfilling that dream of moving to another country.

However, there are also some things to consider. Because although we actively encourage people to take the leap (we’d be out of business if we didn’t), we also know there are some limitations depending on your age and the stage of life you’re in.

There are different visas for different ages

The biggest international restriction of moving abroad for any reason is the required visa. Those countries which offer a working holiday visa, for example, have an expiry age of 31.

However, there are ways to get around this if you’re over the hill that is 31 – an age which in reality, is not very old – so don’t worry just yet.

One of the easiest ways to get a visa for those who are beyond the WHV age is to have a specialist skill which is highly desired in your destination country. In America and Australia for example, it is possible to migrate, but you need to prove what you are bringing to the country to make it a better place. And that usually requires a specialist skill, or, evidence that you are in the top percentile of what you do (an academic, a professor, or someone at the top of their field).

An alternative to this is if you have immediate family who are already in the country. Your children, siblings, grandchildren, and parents are all viable options for a visa.

And finally, there is the golden ticket of all long-term, free travel. Being an EU member. If you hold an EU passport, you are able to live and work in any country of your choice within the EU, without a visa, and with very little limitations to those which you’d have back home. Those with dual-citizenship are also entitled to this right, however, if that dual-citizenship happens to be British, we definitely recommend starting the process ASAP, because, with Brexit, the option may not be on the table for too much longer.

If you’re American, find out more about how Brexit could impact you.

So, why should you consider moving abroad?

There are hundreds of reasons to move abroad, but we’re going to restrict them to ones which are not obligational, AKA, jobs or family members.

One of the most obvious reasons to move abroad when you’re older is to retire. Many older people choose to retire in warmer destinations, which is completely understandable. If you’re lucky enough to have family somewhere around the world, you could end up somewhere outside of Europe. We hear all the time about people who have learnt new languages, met new friends and had a whole new lease of life after moving abroad to retire. Frankly, if you do it right, you’ll feel younger than ever!

If you’re a couple interested in moving abroad, then it could be the most rewarding thing you do to your relationship. Moving is admittedly, a stressful process, and whilst we endeavour to make it as smooth as possible, moving abroad can put a strain on relationships. However, if you and your partner successfully move to another country, find new jobs in a strange place, make friends with locals and create a whole new life for yourselves, it’s going to make or break you – and we like to think it will be the former!

For younger people, with no ties and nothing concrete keeping you at home, why move to the big city of your home country… when you could do it in Australia? Or America? Or New Zealand? When you can experience a whole new environment, meet new people, and have the time time of your life. Every country has a different work/life balance, and living abroad for a period of time is a fantastic employability trait if/when you decide to return home!

The truth is, there’s no ‘perfect’ time to move abroad. With hundreds of different reasons and plenty of different opportunities, you may find the timing isn’t as you planned. But it’s a risk which may turn into the best decision of your life. And honestly? If you truly, absolutely hate it, there’s always your home country awaiting your return.

If you’re thinking of moving abroad, we have offices in America, Europe, the UK and Canada, to help you ship your belongings affordably and securely. UPakWeShip is a self-packing international moving company, offering over 30 years of advice and experience, and a no-hidden-fees price.

The post What Is The Best Age To Move Abroad? appeared first on UPakWeShip.

The Moving Doctor himself recently relocated to The Netherlands from the USA… and then moved back again.

So clearly, the USA has got something going for them.

When faced with the ultimatum, it’s a huge decision. Maybe you’ve been asked to relocate for work, or maybe the opportunity has presented itself to move on and you’re torn about going further afield.

Either way, the US will be a culture shock. So it’s time to weigh up the pros and cons.

Pro:

Relocating abroad is a new adventure
You know that feeling, when you go on holiday somewhere new, and you spend the whole time looking out of the window, taking in your temporary home? Well, picture that feeling, and times it by a hundred. That’s how it feels when you move abroad.

You’re not just presented with a new neighborhood or area, you’re presented with a whole new country. New cities, new areas, all yours to explore! And the size of the USA makes it feel like you’ve got multiple countries at your disposal!

The daunt and doubts you may have had before you landed are almost always washed away by that feeling of anticipation and excitement.

Con:

You may well have a culture shock
If you’re not used to moving, the move to the USA will naturally be a big shock. It may be a western country, but it’s completely different to all of Europe.

The biggest triggers are the ‘norms’ you’ve come to grow used to. From living situations to food, to the common European theme of life completely shutting down on a Sunday, generally, the US is much more convenient, but it takes some getting used to.

Initially, it’s almost inevitable that you’re going to miss old traditions, but the good news is, culture shock is only temporary. Soon, you’ll be making new memories and creating new traditions.

One thing you’ll notice – at least, I did upon coming here for the first time – is how BIG everything is. Huge cars, huge roads, huge houses on huge amounts of land. The rule seems to be, ‘the bigger the better’ and that applies to everything (including food portions).

Pro:

You’ll learn a LOT
Travel is arguably life’s most enriching experience, and through the courage of moving abroad, you’ll learn a lot about both yourself, and the world.

One of the best ways to get to know your new home is by exploring, going to museums, learning about its history. In this way, the lessons you learn abroad are very literal.

But on top of that, wherever you move to you’ll be meeting new people and having new experiences almost daily, both of which are also huge stimulators for mental growth.

Con:

Saving to Move Abroad
Moving abroad can be expensive… and balancing your finances on either side of your move is a big task.

If you’re moving for work, you should be given a relocation allowance to help cover the expenses of moving/flights/renting. However, if you’re moving of your own accord, it’s time to start looking into exchange rates asap.

If one of you is working and the other will be job hunting, it’s important to take into consideration the time-frame of it taking your other-half to find a job.

On top of this, is the move itself. Finding a trustworthy shipping company that won’t break the bank can seem like an impossible task.

But it doesn’t have to be!

If you’re looking to make the move cheaper, why not consider a ‘you pack’ alternative? Instead of having movers come in and handle all of your belongings, you’ll be able to pack and prioritize yourself.

Nobody knows your own items and their sentimental value the way you do, and by packing yourself, you also save a buck!

UPakWeShip offers different sized shipping options, from baggage to crates, to 20ft/40ft containers, all pack-it-yourself to keep costs down.

With almost all shipping options taking your belongings from door-to-door, you’ll know you’re in safe hands. And the best part is, UPakWeShip works on a no-hidden-costs price. What you’re quoted is what you’ll pay!

To discover your moving rate, take a look at our instant quotes from Europe to the US!

Moving elsewhere? A free custom quote will allow you to find out how we can help you.

The post What are the pros and cons of moving to America? appeared first on UPakWeShip.

Luckily, Americans are a notoriously friendly bunch of people. The chances are, they’ll be interested in your background, where you’re from and will be much more forthcoming with conversation than our fellow Europeans would be!

On top of this, the technological era has brought a whole host of new ways to meet people in your area. No matter what you’re interests are or what age group you fall into, if you’re willing to make a little effort, you’ll have friends in no time.

Network at work

You’re likely trapped in a building with your colleagues for at least 8 hours of your weekdays… which means there’s plenty of time to figure out who you do and don’t like. Treat your job as the social network it is, most businesses will hold post-work drinks once in a while, use the opportunity to befriend your colleagues.

Co-working Spaces

For those of you who work from home, you’ll know that the life of working from your ‘soft office’ (bed) comes at the price of being pretty lonely. So why not test out the local co-working space? Almost all cities and towns offer spaces for digital nomads and freelancers to work from.

If you frequent the same one, you’ll almost definitely catch eyes with others who use the space regularly. Strike up a conversation, ask them if they want to grab a coffee break – the chances are, they’re there for a bit of social interaction too.

Apps

The most popular app for those looking to make friends overseas is MeetUp. The app has groups based on age and interests, so you can find ‘your’ people in just a few steps!

It works by joining and/or creating events within particular groups. Due to the nature of the app, everyone tends to be very friendly and keen to meet new people!

Facebook Groups

Facebook is a game-changer for those looking to meet new people. All you need to do is type in ‘New in… XXXX’, or “Meetups in XXXX” and you’re almost guaranteed to get results.

For digital nomads and freelancers, there’s a lot of fantastic travel groups out there, if you enter ‘digital nomads’, ‘travel’, or ‘expats’ into Facebook.

Join a Class

Nowadays, you can find a class for almost every interest out there, from painting to languages to writing. You automatically know you have something in common with everyone in that class, so signing up is a sure-fire way of making friends!

Classes are a great way to meet locals and expats doing the same as you – looking for a way to explore their interests in a social setting!

Thinking of moving to America? Always remember it’s important to find a reliable, transparent mover to take you through the process. With no-hidden-fees and door to door service, UPakWeShip is a 5-star international moving company with over 30 years of expertise in the industry.

The post How to Make Friends in the USA as an Expat appeared first on UPakWeShip.

So how do you figure out where you want to be? Well, the jury’s in, and we’ve uncovered the Top 5 cities to live in the US right now.

Austin, Texas

Austin has been crowned the best city in the US to live, multiple times. So it’s obviously doing something right. With a cost of living lower than the national average, but a dynamic tech sector which contributes to its growing economy, you really do have the best of both worlds.

Not only has Texas’ capital made a name for itself on the list of 25 Best Places to Live for Young Professionals (Forbes), but it is also Parenting Magazines Number 2 city to raise a family – clearly, there’s something for everyone!

San Francisco, California

Unsurprisingly, San Francisco is one of the most desired places to live for both US and EU citizens. SF boasts a booming economy thanks to the city’s reputation – alongside its neighbor, Silicone Valley – as a hotbed for technological advancement. The tech sector has one of the highest salaries, which will be useful because those San Franciscan views do not come cheap.

The city has a reputation for being both progressive and extremely welcoming and is fighting climate change with public transport and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. Just remember to bring a coat – it’s probably going to get foggy.

Seattle, Washington

If you’re like me and know Seattle for one thing (Grey’s Anatomy), you may be surprised to find out there is a whole city beyond Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital. Who’d have thought?

And what a city it is. Surrounded by both mountain ranges and water, Seattle is currently in the Top 10 Cities to live in the US. The coffee is to die for, the views are outstanding… and they allow dogs basically everywhere, what’s not to love?

More ‘solid’ reasons to consider Seattle, are the lack of income tax, the range of bike lanes (if you wanted to leave the car at home), and that it is cheaper than its southern counterpart, San Francisco.

Portland, Oregon

Portland has seen a staggering growth to its population in recent years, with its reputation of ‘something for everyone’. It’s been making its place on the international tech market map, and there are plenty of 21st-century jobs on offer in the city.

It’s also one of the country’s most sustainable cities, ideal for those wanting to cut back on their lifestyle and look towards a sustainable future. Oregonians are particularly proud of their produce, with citizens using local coffee shops, grocery stores and restaurants, rather than their chain alternatives.

Charleston, South Carolina

Fun fact, no building in Charleston is allowed to be built higher than the tallest church steeple. Which makes Charleston a stand-out city by landscape alone. Instead of towering skyscrapers, picture cobbled streets, beautiful buildings of every color, and architecture which hasn’t been touched for years. On top of that, you have six beaches to choose from, as Charleston is a city on the sea.

But it’s not just the city’s history and culture which sets it apart, with a thriving economy, and some of the best private and public schools in the state, you’re spoiled for choice.

With our US office based in Charleston, you might think we’re biased, but we have great reason to be.

Thinking of moving to America? Always remember it’s important to find a reliable, transparent mover to take you through the process. With no-hidden-fees and door to door service, UPakWeShip is a 5 star international moving company with over 30 years of expertise in the industry.

The post The 5 Best US Cities for Expats appeared first on UPakWeShip.

Take a look at UPakWeShip’s international moving cost calculator to see the service options and prices they have available. Anywhere in Europe to the USA is covered with all-inclusive lump sum door to door pricing that wont break the bank.

If you are a graduate moving to the USA or your company has given you a tight lump sum relocation budget then UPakWeShip would be an ideal service provider. Using the latest technology you can almost move overseas on your phone (except you do have to pack your boxes)

UPakWeShip is definitely the most cost effective easy way to ship from Europe to the USA. Until some genius comes up with an app that ships your boxes over the internet, UPakWeShip is the next best thing!

Don’t forget with UPakWeShip offices both sides of the pond, they can move you back to Europe and the UK just as easy.

The post International Moving Costs, France to USA appeared first on UPakWeShip.

If you would like to see our international door to door shipping rates from the USA to Italy all you have to do is click on this link and see our all inclusive lump sum prices online.

International Moving cost calculator USA to Europe https://rates.upakweship.com/

International Moving cost calculator Europe to USA https://upakweship.eu.com/shipping-rates/

Either way across the Atlantic UPakWeShip has you covered with its own offices and operations as well as the only company to have all its lump sum all inclusive rates online.

Nothing is simpler than an overseas move with UPakWeShip.

The post Moving USA to Italy via UPakWeShip Rotterdam appeared first on UPakWeShip.

Seeing you have the U Crate in advance of the collection day, we recommend that you practice loading so you get an idea of what will fit and where it will fit in the U Crate so on the actual loading day, where you have to load it outside on the   curb, driveway or garage, you will know exactly where everything with fit

Our UPakWeShip U Crate is the safest way to ship self pack boxes and furniture overseas. If you want an unbeatable international shipping quote that is all inclusive and a lump sum price look no further than UPakWeShip. The best possible rates when moving overseas, 5 star international moving reviews, friendly knowledgeable staff who more than likely have moved overseas themselves. Whether you are moving overseas to the USA / America, Australia, Canada or anywhere else in the world. UPakWeShip’s U Crate will get your personal belongings there, safely and secure for an unbeatable price.

If you would like an International Moving Quote, click here.

The post Practice Safe Shipping appeared first on UPakWeShip.

Recipe:

strong Cardboard carton small or medium

Packaging paper sheets

2 inch packing tape

Optional bubble wrap.

First, make up the cardboard box taping the bottom seam where the two flaps meet as well as the edges.

Next crush up some paper and put it in the bottom of the box for cushioning

next roll your glasses in 2 pieces of packing paper tucking in one end into the glass and the other up from the base.

Stack upright in the box as shown in the picture.

Any gaps once finished fill with crushed up paper.

Anything very fragile use a sheet of bubble wrap in between the two pieces of packing paper.

Use crushed paper, pillow, blanket or something soft at the top of the box. Make sure its all nice and tight.

Close box, tape up the seams and the edges with 2 inch tape.

Your done.

Cheers and happy packing

UPakWeShip International Moving and Shipping

Moving overseas from Europe? Contact UPakWeShip Europe for an all inclusive door to door quote.

The International Moving Doctor

The post Overseas Moving Tip: China and glass packing recipe appeared first on UPakWeShip.

  Moving is on life’s top 10 most stressful list. Although death, divorce, getting married, work related “stuff”, and money problems out rank it, moving is still a super stressor. Add in getting married to someone in a foreign country after 5 months of dating and y’all can say that I had about totally lost my mind.

My first experience with UPakWeShip was entered into with blind faith and a simple desperate need to get some of my stuff to our new home in Italy. After marrying someone I barely knew, I figured why not as that decision was much scarier and worked out well.

After working with Alicia for the first pallet shipment, I felt comfortable putting my belongings in your hands. Fast forward 3 months later when my pallet arrived at my door and I was completely amazed. Every single thing you said would be done, in the way that it was explained, for the price that was quoted was completely accurate and executed flawlessly.

After a few years of marriage and living in this beautiful country with some seriously awesome food, I was ready to delete my back-up plan and cut the cord. The house in Dallas had to go and I needed to make the “big move”. This time, I knew I needed and certainly wanted to work with you again. Of course, there were new fears regarding customs, taxes and fees because of my time being out of the US, blah, blah, blah…

I was pleasantly surprised AGAIN! UPakWeShip provided serious rockstar service. I just can not thank you all enough. It’s not even just about getting my stuff from point A to B. Your subcontractors were flexible, helpful and courteous.Your staff is amazing!! It’s like I was working with people that knew me and actually cared that I was stressed and completely freaking out. Every single person I spoke with was calm, reassuring and totally there for me. Especially Alicia – seriously PLEASE give that girl a bonus. She is a ridiculous asset to your company.

I just can’t express how grateful I am to have found you for this massive life event. Working with y’all was the absolute LEAST stressful part of my international move.

Much love to y’all!

Christine Riviello, UPakWeShip client 2015 & 2018

International Moving Doctor says great team work UPakWeShip USA and UPakWeShip European branches for making this happen. This is what its all about…… making international moving a pleasure!

The post International move USA to Italy, brilliant review appeared first on UPakWeShip.