You’ve taken the mammoth decision and you are leaving Dubai!
Once you are over the shock how do you plan for that big move? Expat Echo Dubai has decided to give you a few guidelines to follow:
Book the Moving Company
Before the moving company arrive at your house to give you a quote have a good think about what household goods you are really intending to ship. Think about it seriously “do you really need to ship the gas bbq, how many bbq’s will you be hosting in Aberdeen?”. Are your kids now teenagers, will they really be wanting their old bedroom furniture shipped will they not want some new stuff? Once you have decided on what you are taking and maybe what souvenirs you will be buying to take home get the movers in to give you a quote. It is worth noting the summer months in Dubai are very busy for moving companies so plan and book well in advance.
Start Selling Furniture
Being such a transient place the second hand market is big in Dubai. Well before your move date start taking photos of items you want to sell and upload them to the on-line second hand sites such as Dubizzle and get selling. It’s amazing how much money you can make.
Give notice to your landlord.
Read your tenancy contract and make sure you give them the required notice period.
Book a Serviced Apartment or hotel for the weeks before you leave
Try to plan to have the packers in a couple of weeks before your actual departure date. This will give you time afterwards to run around town getting deposits back ie DEWA and saying farewell without feeling totally harassed.
Tell the school you are leaving
Most schools require a terms notice. Request all the relevant documents that you may need for the children’s new school.
Check out Selling your Car
Visit car dealerships and get a value on your car then advertise on sites such as Dubizzle. Remember summer sees a mass exodus of expats therefore there will be lots of cars for sale so think about selling earlier and renting in the interim period.
Full Time Domestic Help
If you sponsor a maid, tell her what is happening and help her find a new job and facilitate the transfer of visas.
Doctors/Dentists
Request copies of your medical records to take with you.
Pet Relocation
Just like moving your household goods, pet transportation in Dubai gets busy over the summer months so book well in advance and make sure your pet is up to date with all their vaccinations required for the big move.
Plan a leaving party!
Before you move out you may want to have all your friends round for that last big bash. Don’t add stress to your life by catering for it yourself – book the caterers. There are some great options here in Dubai but they will get busy in the summer months. List of Outside Caterers click here.
Book your flights/hotels
If possible book your flights well in advance and get the best fare – maybe plan a little holiday on your way to your next destination.
Nearer the move date
- Cancel Salik
- Cancel Utilities Du/Etisalat/DEWA/OSN
- Close local bank accounts
- Cancel gardeners and maid agencies
- Cancel home insurance
- Cancel home maintenance contracts
- Cancel gym membership
- Cancel Visa
Remember Ramadan 2015 will start approximately 18 June and this may slow things down.
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