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Relocating to Germany From Fort Bragg, NC

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Fayetteville

When I found out I would be relocating to Germany from Fort Bragg, NC, I went through every emotion possible from excited, to sad, to scared, to back to excited again.   What will it be like to live in another country?  Will I be able to understand anyone ?  How often will I be able to come back to the states to visit my family ?  Hey..how far away is Paris anyway...and who's gonna shop with me ?    Just when I got used to the idea,  I was reminded that making a military move has a lot of moving parts and sometimes those parts aren’t moving in the same direction as you. International moves can be a tricky thing, but with a few tips you can minimize the stress and make it a smooth transition.

Make sure you have all your important documents handy ie., Birth  Certificates, Marriage License, Social Security Cards
    You will need all of these to apply for your passport

Begin thinking about what you will need to be comfortable while waiting for the rest of your household goods to arrive.

Estimated arrival times are between 45 to 60 days, usually by     boat.


⭆ Decide what you may want to leave behind in storage.

Homes in Germany for instance, are smaller than average home sizes in the U.S.  Big bulky furniture may not fit.


⭆ Do you have pets...??? They will need to be microchipped.  

This can be done at your vet usually for around $45, but talk to your vet for specific pricing information


These are just a few things that you can do to prepare for you new life abroad.  Most importantly don’t forget to embrace the excitement and get ready for all the new experiences coming your way.  Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to prepare for a photo shoot, under the Eiffel Tower...!


Katrina Rockel
The Rockel Group - Harrisburg, NC

Great information to help people with the relocation and everything in one spot, so they are not jumping back and forth.

Feb 26, 2013 03:21 AM
Carol Leon
Keller Williams Realty Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
~CarolotAboutHomes~

Thanks Katrina..!  I know I don't have to tell you about moving...I really thought it would be just like any other PCS just further away, It's amazing the number of things that go into putting this all together, and thats if there are no hangups or delays with the orders.  Overall yes it's stressful, but Im looking forward to it...!

 

Feb 26, 2013 03:56 AM
Melissa McKinney
Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Carol~ Great information! I am such a pack rat getting rid of things should be at the top of my list! 

Feb 27, 2013 06:02 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Carol,

Welcome to Active Rain..great information...it takes a lot of moving parts to align when moving out of the country!

Feb 27, 2013 06:11 AM
Charlene Cook
Keller Williams Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC

Awesome info for someone taking on a major move!!

Feb 27, 2013 07:58 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Hi Carol~ I've never even been out of the country, unless you count Mexico or Canada. Best wishes on your move.

Feb 27, 2013 08:40 AM
Shawna Green
Keller Williams Realty-Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
The key to your real estate needs!

Carol, good and timely information with so many people getting ready to make the move this summer!

Feb 27, 2013 09:13 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Carol, I have been to Europe twice. Once to Frankfurt, Germany and Next to Mons and Brussels, Belgium. The first time I was single and the last time I took my family.

Welcome to Active Rain! Hope to see more of your posts soon.

Feb 27, 2013 12:07 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation
What a helpful blog post! I was just about to reblog it for the benefit of my military followers when I realized you're not a rainmaker and they wouldn't be able to view your post. Let me know if you upgrade your membership because I suspect I'd be visiting your blog often and re-blogging posts like this one.
Feb 27, 2013 08:28 PM
Carol Leon
Keller Williams Realty Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
~CarolotAboutHomes~

Thank you so much Margaret, I just upgraded my account so please, by all means share it with as many people as you can...LOL..I really appreciate it, and thank you for taking the time to stop by...

Hi Jerry, I am looking forward to it, I've never been anywhere outside the states, well except Puerto Rico, but Im pretty sure that doesn't count....  Thanks for the welcome, and I plan to be spending alot more time here..!

Dorie, yes there are, it can be so frustating because we thought we had a plan nailed down, but the Army had different plans, so you have to keep adjusting and readjusting.  I have found though that if I just relax and go with flow, things always fall into place. 

Thanks Charlene, I wish I had found some of this info when we started preparing, it would have made it alot easier knowing what to expect.

Melissa...packrat is my middle name, I've got a box of receipts from 2006...???..why, for what reason, I've got so much junk, and I am trying to part with alot of it, but my mother was the same way. She had like 10 purses filled with old bills, and receipts,instruction manuals... and my dad was like some of this stuff we don't even own anymore,  what are you planning to do with these...! 

Feb 27, 2013 09:38 PM
Carol Leon
Keller Williams Realty Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
~CarolotAboutHomes~

@Donna, my dad was navy for 28 years, and we never got to go anywhere.  My mother wouldn't hear of it...but my father always brought me back coins and pictures from the various places he had visited.  I've got money from all over, which reminds me, I need to call him and make sure he didn't discard it...!  Ever since then, I've always wanted to travel to those places so I'm super excited...!

 

Feb 27, 2013 09:45 PM
Beth and Richard Witt
New York, NY
The best Retired Brokers !!!!

I can't begin to imagine the task that moving out of the country would be... Your list will be very valuable for those that do...

As for my... I'm Staying right here... welcome to the Rain and have a Happy Day

Feb 28, 2013 12:31 AM
Carol Leon
Keller Williams Realty Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
~CarolotAboutHomes~

I didn't think it would be so difficult either, Ive moved 7 times in the last 13 years so all I thought was its the same thing just with a passport...WRONG !!!! Theres so much more to it...!

Feb 28, 2013 05:00 AM