Moving Diary

[Jo Valentine]

<snip> One suggestion you'll find very useful is to scan every important document - or photo of sentimental value - and Email either to yourself or your partner. That way wherever you are if someone wants a copy of your passport/birth certificate/vehicle V5 or whatever you can open your Emails and print a copy. Even scan your credit cards and if you lose your wallet it's much easier to report if you have all the details. And should you lose all your documents it's invaluable to have a copy of everything. I was mugged once in Barcelona and that's what gave me the idea - would have been a lot simpler!
Cheers
Jo Valentine

[teandto]

With 2 weeks left to go, I've done a few more bits I thought I'd list, which are mainly minor things but could make life easier during the big move. -

Take a mortgage holiday - If you are renting your house out and can do so, take a payment holiday so you skip the month payment when you are moving.
TV licence - I've now cancelled this and was amazed to hear I am getting £60 back as you pay about 5 months in advance apparently!
Credit and Debit cards - Make sure none of your cards are going to expire in the next few months. I have got new debit cards and credit cards with an expiry date far in the future.
Contraception (ONE FOR THE LADIES) - if you have the pill, make sure you have enough to see you through until you can make new arrangements. You can get the pill in Cyprus, but last time I got it there, I had to see the doctor for a prescription and then go to the chemist to collect. - The same would go for any other medication you are on I guess.

As for what is going through our heads right now with so little time left - (I think this is what Cypriotsid was after) -

AARRRGGHHHHHHHHH!

I think that about covers it.

[BabsM]

Originally Posted by Jo Valentine

<snip> One suggestion you'll find very useful is to scan every important document - or photo of sentimental value - and Email either to yourself or your partner. That way wherever you are if someone wants a copy of your passport/birth certificate/vehicle V5 or whatever you can open your Emails and print a copy. Even scan your credit cards and if you lose your wallet it's much easier to report if you have all the details. And should you lose all your documents it's invaluable to have a copy of everything. I was mugged once in Barcelona and that's what gave me the idea - would have been a lot simpler!
Cheers
Jo Valentine

Its better to bring certified copies of your birth certificates and marriage certificates as many places will not accept photocopies or prints of scans. If you are intending to stay permanently make sure you have a full birth certificate as you will not be able to register to vote without a document showing the name of one parent.

[BabsM]

Originally Posted by teandto

Contraception (ONE FOR THE LADIES) - if you have the pill, make sure you have enough to see you through until you can make new arrangements. You can get the pill in Cyprus, but last time I got it there, I had to see the doctor for a prescription and then go to the chemist to collect. - The same would go for any other medication you are on I guess.
.

If you speak to your British GP nicely he can prescribe up to 3 months prescription medication in advance. Do make yourself aware of regulations about importing prescription medication and other 'drugs' in to Cyprus, particularly painkillers.... just in case you are asked to open your suitcase by customs.

Also, do be aware that there are regulations on the amount of currency and travellers cheques you can bring into Cyprus. I fell foul of this one because I bought in a
large amount of travellers cheques for a stage payment and didn't declare them at my port of entry. The bank got VERY suspicious and rang my bank in England to confirm I had obtained the money legally!

[teandto]

Originally Posted by BabsM

If you speak to your British GP nicely he can prescribe up to 3 months prescription medication in advance. Do make yourself aware of regulations about importing prescription medication and other 'drugs' in to Cyprus, particularly painkillers.... just in case you are asked to open your suitcase by customs.

Also, do be aware that there are regulations on the amount of currency and travellers cheques you can bring into Cyprus. I fell foul of this one because I bought in a
large amount of travellers cheques for a stage payment and didn't declare them at my port of entry. The bank got VERY suspicious and rang my bank in England to confirm I had obtained the money legally!

I didn't know there was a limit on currency you bring in. Any idea how much you can bring in cash?

[BabsM]

Originally Posted by teandto

I didn't know there was a limit on currency you bring in. Any idea how much you can bring in cash?

It was £10k CYP when I did it.

There is a sign in the baggage collection Hall at Larnaca Airport giving the figure.... I vaguely remember noticing the figure had been changed to Euros when I passed but can't remember how much. Sorry

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by teandto

I didn't know there was a limit on currency you bring in. Any idea how much you can bring in cash?

The reason that the banks are cautious about large amounts of cash is that in the past people have laundered money by buying property with cash.
If you want to use large amounts of cash you have to be able to prove that it is legitimate and the proceeds of crime.
Drugs barons used to come in with suitcases full of their ill gotten gains and buy houses to launder the money

[cypriotsid]

Originally Posted by teandto

With 2 weeks left to go, I've done a few more bits I thought I'd list, which are mainly minor things but could make life easier during the big move. -

Take a mortgage holiday - If you are renting your house out and can do so, take a payment holiday so you skip the month payment when you are moving.
TV licence - I've now cancelled this and was amazed to hear I am getting £60 back as you pay about 5 months in advance apparently!
Credit and Debit cards - Make sure none of your cards are going to expire in the next few months. I have got new debit cards and credit cards with an expiry date far in the future.
Contraception (ONE FOR THE LADIES) - if you have the pill, make sure you have enough to see you through until you can make new arrangements. You can get the pill in Cyprus, but last time I got it there, I had to see the doctor for a prescription and then go to the chemist to collect. - The same would go for any other medication you are on I guess.

As for what is going through our heads right now with so little time left - (I think this is what Cypriotsid was after)
AARRRGGHHHHHHHHH!

I think that about covers it.

It was indeed and i think it is 12k you can bring in at pafos ariport if i remember.I will ask my daughter to check in 4 weeks time unless some one sees it earlier.

[Luce1]

This would be great! I'm currently looking in to moving to Cyprus!

[teandto]

4 days to go!!!!! just 4 days!!!!

Its all a bit surreal now and very strange that this time next week I won't live in the UK anymore.

I've found its very easy to under-estimate how much stuff you actually own until you have to clear it all out. I've filled one big case and a small case each with clothes (just the summer stuff - the winter stuff is staying here for now) I originally anticipated about 6 boxes but I have more than that already and I still have the computer and related bits and some pots and pans to box up.

I have one box just with shoes! I have no idea what I'm going to do with the day to day bits like make-up and toiletries so its getting a bit stressful. You can plan and plan as much as you like but I think the last few days will still be mental.

headless chicken for the next few days I think which I'm not looking forward to it, but hopefully will all be worth it!