How long did you plan the move?

Hi all,

Hubby and I just had a heart to heart and really feel we would like to try to retire to the UK. We're currently in NY - he emigrated here almost 9 years ago.

The thing is, retirement is 8 years away and I know so much can change in that amount of time.

I was just wondering if anyone started pondering it as early as I am. I'm already starting my research and I feel ridiculous! 

We planned nearly as long as you. even went so far as to get a visa, which we then didn't use and had to get another.

Nothing wrong with the planning, even if things are going to change.

Thanks Gwen.

We're hoping to make a few reconnaissance missions in the interim to decide which area we'd like to move to. Hubby is from the midlands but I'm very fond of Yorkshire and Scotland.

We're hoping to make a few reconnaissance missions in the interim to decide which area we'd like to move to. Hubby is from the midlands but I'm very fond of Yorkshire and Scotland.

We are planning to move in 2.5 years, and also loOking at Yorkshire and the midlands I don't think it's crazy We've been slowly mentally preparing and slimming down our belongings over the last 5 years. Finally set a date because my husband is becoming very homesick. Although when we did set the date I started to freak out and now I can't concentrate on anything else until I at least have a ballpark figure of the cost, a realistic budget plan, and an inventory of our stuff, with notes on keeping, selling and giving!

I am hoping to move for December next year (2014) so that my daugther can start school over there (into her reception year). 

We already have started a moving budget and found the catchment area we are hoping to live in.  So I would say we've been planning for close to 2 years.  Hate for my life to be living for the future, but we both have been looking forward to moving back for years now!   

I am hoping to move for December next year (2014) so that my daugther can start school over there (into her reception year). 

We already have started a moving budget and found the catchment area we are hoping to live in.  So I would say we've been planning for close to 2 years.  Hate for my life to be living for the future, but we both have been looking forward to moving back for years now!   

I am in the same boat as you DTG, we both hate the living for the future thing as well, but we know it will be better for them to grow up with easy access to different cultures and away from all the ignorance and bigotry that the Deep South has to offer [although we live in a little haven in Decatur, Ga].

My eldest daughter is set to start school next year, and her sister the year following [our moving year], but we've decided to keep them out and homeschool for the next few years.  Probably until they are 8 and 9, because I want to settle in a bit before we try to navigate all that mess. There is no way on god's green earth I would put them in school here. Even though their local elementary, middle, and high schools are good for our area, the school board has been recently SACKED because of horrible mismanagement, and JUST LAST WEEK there was a school shooting at another school in our country. I wish I could say it was FAR away on the other side, but it was really on about 4.5 miles away.

As for planning ahead, we've set an aggressive budget [$1000 or more a month put aside], we've already got a basic plan about what stays and what goes, and we've already got our inventory recorded.  We are planning to ship our stuff ourselves out of Charleston in a 20ft container, and we decided it would be fun to immigrate on a ship--and cheaper, too, with the Dog--so we are taking the Queen Mary II.

Reconnaissance mission scheduled for April 2014 [also his hub's BFF is getting married], and we are very excited as we haven't been back to the UK since the little one was a baby--almost three years now! I'm happy that this time we will be able to do whatever we like as we are planning so far in advance that we will actually have $$$.

Wren Black,

You said you were shipping from Charleston in a container.  Did they give you options of smaller containers?  I'm applying for my fiance visa in two days (mailing everything) and I'm confounded regarding shipping.  May I ask which company you plan to use?  I won't be shipping much large stuff (a steamer trunk, floor lamp (antique) and lots of boxes.  I think 20' would be overkill for me so I wondered if they offered other size options.

BTW, kudos on your planning skills!

Thanks!
Snowdonia

Planning 8 years before the move is a bit early. As things are going to change a lot in such long time span and you will need to change many things if you’ve planned so early. However you can have a general plan and then tailor it according to requirements after 8 years.

Wren Black,

You said you were shipping from Charleston in a container.  Did they give you options of smaller containers?  I'm applying for my fiance visa in two days (mailing everything) and I'm confounded regarding shipping.  May I ask which company you plan to use?  I won't be shipping much large stuff (a steamer trunk, floor lamp (antique) and lots of boxes.  I think 20' would be overkill for me so I wondered if they offered other size options.

BTW, kudos on your planning skills!

Thanks!
Snowdonia

I do not know how I missed it, but I just saw this [I think].  Things have been bedlam [three deaths, including my father who lived with us, a mold infestation, two moves] since September, so it's not a surprise, but I'm still sorry I didn't respond.  I got my quote from a major shipping company, but we've since decided to go with a door to door service.  It will be about 7500 for a 20 ft container and something like 5000 for half a container.  I'm not certain what we need anymore, actually, because we were a lot more ruthless in our purge than we thought we'd be, and many of our larger things come apart down to nothing. The 20 ft was $5500, I think, for the whole thing, and I think you could do a half if you needed.