Can we/do we have a list of all the things you need to do before you emigrate? I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

[beansmum]

I've done the passports and tickets and that's about it! Who do I need to tell that I'm moving and how early do I have to do it?

[DeckTheHallsWithBling]

I would have thought you'd need copies of medical records.

Post redirect

Bank accounts - definitely close all but the most essential ones.

Book furniture moving people?

[beansmum]

Will my GP just give me medical records if I ask?

[DeckTheHallsWithBling]

Good questin. I'm not sure. But I'd have thought so.

[BrownSugaSprinkledOnPumpkinPie]

Our GP wouldn't give ours. Said once we had found a GP in new place, they had to write for the records, and they would send them over.

For phone you can ask for cut off at certain date. Other utilities they need final reading, so do it the day you are moving out. You'll need a forwarding address (pref. UK) to post final bills to, and keep bank account open to pay them. Check which things need a month notice - mobiles, sky, etc...

[BrownSugaSprinkledOnPumpkinPie]

Our GP wouldn't give ours. Said once we had found a GP in new place, they had to write for the records, and they would send them over.

For phone you can ask for cut off at certain date. Other utilities they need final reading, so do it the day you are moving out. You'll need a forwarding address (pref. UK) to post final bills to, and keep bank account open to pay them. Check which things need a month notice - mobiles, sky, etc...

[BrownSugaSprinkledOnPumpkinPie]

Our GP wouldn't give ours. Said once we had found a GP in new place, they had to write for the records, and they would send them over.

For phone you can ask for cut off at certain date. Other utilities they need final reading, so do it the day you are moving out. You'll need a forwarding address (pref. UK) to post final bills to, and keep bank account open to pay them. Check which things need a month notice - mobiles, sky, etc...

[BrownSugaSprinkledOnPumpkinPie]

sorry

[dingdongmerrilyfromhome]

get an international driving licence from the post office

[howdoo]

God, everyone! From memory:
All utilities, and give them a forwarding address
Child benefit people to get them to cut it off
Child trust fund people if applicable
Doctor - ours gave us our records, but I think charged us £10 for each one
Dentist (BTW, you don't need to get dental records in case you thought you did - I did!)
Pension people
Forward your mail for at least six months
Email all your friends with new address
Banks/credit cards etc
Work
Sky etc, as mentioned above
All insurances (building/contents/travel/ life etc) - let them know well in advance as they may require a month or so's notice
TV licence - as above, they were a complete pain about notice
Inland revenue
Write down all phone calls and keep copies of all correspondence so you can prove you did tell people.
Bank accounts - you will need to keep at least one open so that the utilities can take their final money out once you have gone. Shut down your direct debits etc as they are finished with - but how long this will take will vary depending on the company. This is why you need proof of correspondence. (Sorry, used to be a lawyer!)

Talk to international removals - I started about three months before
If you have stuff that you don't want to take or can't (eg electricals) then start selling it on Craig's List etc
Sell your house/give notice to landlord!
If you have children are they enrolled in school/preschool where you are going?
Have you sorted out your visa or don't you need one??

Good luck!

[beansmum]

eek!

I have done none of the things on that list except organise shipping and preschool. I should probably get on with it, only 6 weeks to go!

[howdoo]

It will be fine - just make sure you forward your mail so you don't miss anything. Your shipping company may well be able to give you a list of things to do as well.
Where are you going? [nosy!]

[beansmum]

ds's nursery phoned this morning to ask if it was true we were leaving, and if so when exactly. I should probably start telling people.

We're going to Christchurch, I'm not sure why! I grew up in NZ, but a tiny place in the middle of the north island. I think we spent a weekend in Christchurch when I was about 5 but I can't remember it.

[sandcastles]

I created this thread a while ago...has some obvious & not so obvious stuff on it.

[WhatSheSaid]

Beansmum - you don't need to get an international driving licence. You can drive on your UK one for a year after you get here and can convert to an NZ one by just doing a theory test. They're not very strict enforcing it, I'd been here about three years when I got round to changing to an NZ one and no one said a word about it.

You may already have an NZ one, don't know how old you were when you left here?

[jobschmob]

wish i was coming too. have been in chch recently and although a kiwi was not too familiar with the place-it is lovely.