How to Move to Brisbane From the US
Moving to Brisbane can be an exhilarating experience. The prospect of a new country, new city and new people is intoxicating. Yet all the preparations that need to be made before you can leave -- finding a home abroad, packing, and deciding what to do with your belongings in your present country -- can appear overwhelming. With patience and attention to detail, however, you can make your transition from the United States to Brisbane smoother.
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Instructions
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Obtain a visa to move to Australia. Unless you are marrying an Australian citizen (which requires its own special visa,) the only ways to obtain a visa to emigrate to Australia is to be sponsored by an Australian employer located there, or to be a member of a profession that is in high demand. If necessary, secure employment in or near Brisbane with an employer who is willing to sponsor you for your visa. Contact your local Australian embassy for more information.
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Once you have secured a visa, buy your plane ticket. If possible, buy it at least three months in advance for the lowest prices, and avoid heavy traveling near holidays.
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Look for a place to live in Brisbane. Ask your employer in Australia for tips on which neighborhoods to avoid and which are within your comfort zone. Make sure your move-in date coincides with your date of arrival in Brisbane.
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Notify your friends and family of your impending move to Brisbane, if you haven't already. The ensuing weeks and months prior to your departure will be busier than you think, so make sure you schedule time to spend with your loved ones before you leave.
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Get rid of as many of your personal possessions as you can before you go. Sell what you can, especially big-ticket items like furniture or televisions. Remember that you will be able to purchase these items once in Brisbane, so there's no need to hold onto them unnecessarily. For those items that you can't or won't discard but are unable to take on the plane, contact your friends and family and see if they would be able and willing to store it in their homes for you. If this is not possible, consider leaving the items in a storage facility.
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Pack light. A good rule of thumb is to avoid packing more than you are physically able to carry by yourself. To lighten the load, consider mailing heavier items to your address in Brisbane, making sure that you arrive there before they do.
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See if you can enlist the help of friends and family on the day of your departure. Though you'll be able to carry everything by yourself, it's great to have loved ones available who can lighten the load. Also, this last day home may be very emotional or intimidating for you, and your friends and family can provide moral support.
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