Job relocation, however exciting and positive, also brings at least two of life’s most potentially stressful events: moving home and changing job. You have to deal with the new home and potentially a new country, territory, language, social lives and cultural changes.

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Finding new schools and settling children adds a hugely stressful and emotional dimension. Selling the family home and finding another is compounded by long-distance factors and may involve additional financial stress.This can be even more stressful if your new of existing property needs to have work completed on it such as repairs to the Brick Cladding. You may need to find suitable employment for your partner to keep that second income.

Top tips for keeping your cool and minimising stress are to focus throughout on the positive reasons and maximise all the help on offer from your employer or corporate relocation company.

Be Organised

Being organised is critical. A master list in your preferred format is key to keeping matters under control and making sure things are managed on a timely basis. Prioritise and work backwards, leaving yourself contingency time with a big margin for error – for example, visas. There is a good overview at http://www.expatarrivals.com/article/expat-checklist-tips-for-planning-your-relocation. Take all the help you are offered.

Look at allowances, fact-finding and house-hunting trips, cars, rental services, school research, job assistance for family members, packing and removals.

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Relocation Services

Negotiate relocation help from your employer – they want you to move too, so good research will help you win assistance.

Research the New Location

Explore the area if you have the luxury of reconnaissance trips, but otherwise talk to others who have worked there and research the area for the best housing. Check out local news.

Cost of Living

Make sure the costs of living have been reflected in the package – it could be more expensive.

Avoid Overcommitting

If in doubt, make temporary arrangements rather than commit until you have actually spent some time in situ – rent short-term rather than buy. It could add to cost but ultimately be the best money you have spent if you accidentally chose the wrong area.

Check the Tax Breaks

Investigate whether any costs are tax-deductible – this can be complicated but could ease the financial burden.

Social Network

Get online and join clubs to establish a network and people you can call on. The more at home you feel, the smoother the settling-in process will be.