Once you have moved and you have begun your search for medical providers, among those on the list will be dentists.  As with looking for a doctor, you will want to begin with your insurance coverage.  You want to evaluate your policy to see what dentists are covered in your area.  Once you have a list to work off of, start to ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations.  Further, you want to see what type of dentist you would like for you and your family.  There are dentists, who offer family services and will treat children.  There are also pediatric dentists, who specialize in treating children.  You will want to itemize what is important to you and your family before you begin to visit with the dentists.  You may find that a family practice will be perfect for you and your family.  However, after visiting several providers, you may decide that having a pediatric dentist for your child is best.  

Again, this may take sometime and due diligence.  There are online resources that can help with this search and some are free.  Keep in mind that if you are embarking on a foreign assignment, access to dentists may be limited.  You want to do some research ahead of time and evaluate your options.  You may opt to have your dental work done when you are on a home visit.  Even if this is the case, you still want to have made a connection with a local provider in case of an emergency, like a cracked tooth.  What is most important is that you and your children feel comfortable with your provider.  This is especially important with dentistry.  As we all know, one bad experience as a child can have an impact on the way the view dentists in the future.  

When you first move in, your focus will be on unpacking and getting settled.  Amongst the chaos, it is important to fit in some time to get to know your neighbors.  Depending on the neighborhood, your neighbors may beat you to it.  Simply introducing yourself will go a long way.  Getting to know them will enable you to find out if they have interests that are similar to yours, whether or not they have children your age and if they enjoy they neighborhood.  Getting an overall feel for the neighbors will give you an opportunity to really begin to settle into your new neighborhood and find friends.

Once you have introduced yourself and have begun to exchange pleasantries, you can begin to get involved.  Find out about clubs or activities in your neighborhood that you can begin to take part.  Ask around to find out if there is a book, running or gardening club you could join.  If not, see if there is an interest and start one.  Find out if there are community activities that you can participate.  Go to direct sales parties when you are invited or if you have a direct sales business, hold a party and invite your neighbors.  If you are a sports enthusiast, invite your neighbors over to watch the game. Hold a casual party cocktail party and invite your neighbors.  This will give you a great opportunity to chat and get to know your neighbors socially.  

This is where the level of effort you put in will translate into what you will get out.  Therefore, make the effort to get to know your neighbors and you will be surprised at how quickly you will begin to meet friends and acquaintances.  Your neighbors will appreciate the effort you make.  Don’t be discouraged if this takes some time and a few tries before it yields results.  Some neighbors are just aloof.  If you have made the effort and nothing is reciprocated, just move on.  Be persistent and patient.  You will find just the right neighbors for you and your family.

Keeping in touch with friends and family is essential to making the transition for you and your family.  Thanks to technology, it has become increasingly easier to do this.  Here are a few ways to keep your family and friends close, while you are away.

Email

Email is a great way for you to keep in contact with friends and family.  Depending on the age of your child, you may consider getting them their own email address.  However, this may be an option reserved to older children because it will be hard to monitor communications.  Most elderly family members have access to email and it offers a no cost way to keep in contact.

Skype

Skype is amazing and offers a fantastic way to keep that personal connection to friends and family.  The best part about it is that the free basic package works really well and offers another no cost way to keep up with everyone.  Keep in mind that both parties must have access to Skype for it to work.

Mobile Phones

Some mobile phones now offer a Skype-type experience using your mobile phone, like FaceTime for iPhones.  It is an excellent way to keep in contact on the go.  It is important to note that both parties have to have access to the same application for it to work.  

Letters

Even in this day an age, getting a personal note can really make someone’s day.  Therefore, snail mail offers a great opportunity to keep in touch.  Pictures, artwork and hand-written notes are all great ways to keep that personal connection.

Social media

Social media sites offer a fantastic way to keep up with friends and family.  Depending on the age of your child, this may or may not be an option for them.  If your child is younger, you can use your account and keep them engaged as you filter the material for them on your account.  If they are older, they could create their own account as long as you continue to monitor and give guidance.  At the very least, you should be a friend on their account so that you can monitor their activity on-line.  Here are some helpful guidelines offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It will help give you, as a parent some ideas on social media exposure to your children.

Keeping that connection to friends and family helps everyone make a successful transition to their new place.  Having that connection, prevents a feeling of isolation.  Keep in mind that this will be most important when you first move.  As you make more friends in your new location, the frequency of connecting with friends and family will lessen but remain important.

Medical services abroad will be a different experience depending on where you currently live.  If you are moving from developed country, you have become accustomed to certain protocols and services for medical treatment.  It is important to know that these are not the norm in undeveloped countries.  Therefore, you will have to do your research ahead of time to understand what is available and what is accepted practice.  It is imperative to understand the sterile nature of their facilities.  It may seem like a completely foreign concept to carry your own medical supplies to most patients in developed countries.  However, in some countries this will ensure that you will have access to sterile needles.  These kits are available for purchase online and should be considered if you are moving to a country that may not have everything available.  If you are on a foreign assignment, some companies will provide you with this kit.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers guidelines for these kits, which are detailed on their website.

There are companies that offer concierge medical transport services that can help in case of emergency.  This may be another option for you.  Check with your current medical coverage and see if this is available to you.

Keep in mind that in some countries’ standard of care is quite different.  If you are planning a birth of child abroad, definitely take this into consideration.  Their protocols may be different than what you may expect from western medicine.  If certain things are important to you, like access to an epidural during labor, do your research ahead of time.  Check to see if there is access to a doctor, who has been educated in the west or has experience treating western patients.  

Dental care is also something to consider.  In some countries, it is not as accessible as others.  Therefore, you want to find a dentist, who either has been trained in the West and/or has treated western patients.  You want to ask him or her what their standard of care is and what treatments they offer.

This is not meant to scare but rather educate.  Understanding medical services available to you in your new home country is so important.  This will help you prepare yourself and your family.  In some countries, this is not a problem, but in others it can be an issue.  Preparation is key so that you can take steps to alleviate any risks involved.

Once you know you are moving, you really want to take time to research your new environment.  Learning about the weather in your new area will help you prepare. If you are relocating from a dry environment to a humid one or vice versa you will quickly feel the difference.  Taking steps to understand will help you acclimate to your new environment.  Here are a few things to consider:

Humidity:

If you are moving to a humid environment, it will take its toll on your furniture and food.  Therefore, making sure you have some climate control, like a dehumidifier in your new home will help to alleviate these affects.  Mold and mildew thrive in humid environments.  If you are choosing to purchase a home, you will need to have a thorough home inspection to make sure that there are no problems with mold or mildew in the home.  Further, you will have to learn to keep some of your food in the refrigerator that you would not have otherwise.  Bread molds quicker and cereal does not stay crispy in humid conditions.  Putting them in your refrigerator helps.  You will also have to familiarize yourself with a term called heat index.  The heat index factors humidity into the temperature to help you understand what it really ‘feels’ like outside.  Humidity will also affect your hair and give you more moisture on your skin.

Dry:

Living in a dry climate does pose some challenges.  It will have an impact on your furniture and food as well.  Your furniture will dry out easier and will require polishing to retain some moisture.  If you leave out food without being sealed or covered, it will harden.  Again, climate control, like a humidifier in your new home can help alleviate these affects.  A dry climate will take its toll on your skin and hair.  You will find that you will have to continually moisturize just keep from drying out.  

Cold:

If you have never lived in the cold, it can be quite an adjustment.  Keep in mind that it will take time for your body to acclimate.  In the meantime, getting the right gear will make all of the difference.  Familiarize yourself with the average temperature highs and lows during the winter months to help you understand what type of gear will help you.  Most winter clothing and gear will come with a temperature rating.  Use this to help you find what you will need.  Remember boots, gloves and hats are a must.  Keeping your extremities warm will make all the difference.  

Heat:

If you are moving into the heat, it can take your body time to adjust as well.  Extreme heat will take its toll on you and your family until you acclimate.  Therefore, you will definitely need an air conditioner in your new place.  Further, you will also want to change some of your habits when it gets really hot.  For example, you will learn that the best time to enjoy the outdoors is early in the morning and in the evening.  

Don’t forget about your pets.  Just as you will need time to acclimate, so will your pet.  Make sure they are adequately hydrated and kept inside from extreme temperatures.  Taking these steps will help you transition successfully into you new environment.

If you are about to take an international assignment, it is important to know that as you acclimate to your new host country, you will learn about your new host country’s holidays, festivals, celebrations and customs.  It will be an exciting part of your adventure and important for you to become acquainted.  These holidays and customs of your host country will affect your daily life and you will need to be aware of them so that you are prepared.  It will affect your ability to conduct business and manage employees.  It will affect you daily routine on whether or not you can shop for provisions or not.  It is not uncommon for a town to close to celebrate a holiday or festival, which could make it very difficult for you if you are not prepared.  Coming from many western cultures, we have adapted to keep several conveniences open, but this may be nonexistent in your new host country.  Therefore, take heed and warnings from locals.  If they say that the holiday will close things in town, listen.  

It may take some adjustment but instead of focusing on the inconveniences, think about the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture.  Many of these festivals take on a life of its own and are widely celebrated.  Don’t be afraid to ask and learn.  Locals will see that you are making the effort and will often times include you with open arms.  Learning about these customs will also help prevent you from inadvertently offending your colleagues.  Sometimes you will not even realize what you have done.  You can get a feeling from the nuances of their reaction.  Ally yourself with a colleague who will not have a problem telling you what you did.  He or she will help you navigate the cultural landscape to make your experience more enjoyable.

Moving collections can be tricky depending on the type of collection you are moving.  Whether you are moving a fragile glass collection, art collection, cigar collection or wine collection, you will have to take some fundamental steps to ensure that you are prepared.  First, consult your insurance policies and discuss your impending move with your insurance agent.  Chances are you will have a rider on your homeowners insurance policy to cover these items, especially high-valued items.  This is important because it will serve as a basis for your discussions with your professionals here at Starline.  They will be able to guide you and help ensure you are adequately covered for your move.  Second, make sure you have an inventory of your collection.  Note all essential information, which include dates and descriptions.  Along with that inventory, make sure you take photos of each item.  This will help you in the event you will need to make a claim.  Also, when you discuss your impending move with your professionals here at Starline, make sure to let them know of any special handling instructions.  For example, does your cigar collection require humidity control?  Does your wine collection require special temperature control?

Your professionals here at Starline are familiar with these types of specialized moves.  However, any additional information you can give will help them ensure the best quality of service and manage expectations.  They will also be able to explain any cost implications with special handling procedures.

When you move especially to a new country, the transportation options that you may be used to may be very different in your new place.  Therefore, you will have to do some research ahead of time to find what will work best.  This is important because it will directly impact the location of your new residence and its proximity to your work and other amenities.

Here are a few tips to evaluate your best option:

Good luck!  Finding just the right option for you will make all the difference in a successful transition.

Your pet is a member of your family, so finding care for them after you move is an important step in feeling settled.  You want to begin by outlining what is important to you and what fits in your budget.  Once that list has been put to paper, then you can begin your search.  

You want to start with those parameters in mind and begin your research online for providers in your area.  Once you have created your short list, interview them.  You want to get to know them and see if it is the right fit.  Make sure your pet participates too.  Your pet will let you know if they are comfortable with the situation or not.  If they have a facility, take your pet there and take a tour.  This will give you the peace of mind that you pet will be cared for the way you want them to be.  If this person is coming into your home to take care of your pet, you want to make sure you check their references and standing in the community.  You also want to make sure they have the required licenses and are bonded.  This is important whenever you bring someone into your home, to protect your identity and valuables.  

Taking the time to do your due diligence will help to find just the right person for the job and will help you and your pet transition successfully.

Often times a move is due to a spouse moving for work.  In this situation, the other spouse, called the trailing spouse is left to leave his or her job, family and friends.  Although he or she may be looking forward to the new life, they may have some misgivings that will take some time to digest.  Keep in mind that when the working spouse moves for a job, he or she automatically has an opportunity to make friends, meet colleagues and have a job. Whilst the trailing spouse is left to find opportunities to make friends and get a job.  Therefore, be patient with your trailing spouse. It will take them longer to make the transition because they will have to start from scratch in their new environment.  Keep in mind that for some personalities, this will come very easy.  Whereas for others, it may pose a challenge and take even more time.    

Make the effort to spend some quality time with your spouse and help with the logistics of the move.  A move can be very time consuming, therefore taking the time to check in with your spouse will help to keep the lines of communication open.  Try to offer opportunities to meet other couples that you know or work with to give your spouse a chance to meet others.  If you have children, school and activities for them will give opportunities for your spouse to meet parents and begin to network.  If your trailing spouse is looking for work, being supportive and helping them take steps to find that opportunity through updating a resume, practicing an interview and networking will all help.  

A simple ‘date night’ that you coordinate will also help to keep an open dialog between you and your spouse.  It will also give you both an opportunity to get away from the tasks at hand.  Once you both have settled and made the transition successfully, it will strengthen your partnership.