Cartwright International Moving Blog

Below are online sources for those seeking to move overseas.

Online Forums

Here's a list of online forums; places where you can chat with others who are in the same situation as you and those who are already living in the country you're moving to. It's a great place to get the current news and advice from people who know.

• Expat Forum: www.expatforum.comprovides a guide to moving abroad, including a guide to buying property, overseas jobs and forums.
• Expat Exchange: www.expatexchange.com is another informative site with a very active forum for people on the move. It also lists advice for buying real estate, job hunting and moving tips.
• Transitions Abroad offers a list of yahoo groups you can join, along with expat blogs and websites - it's worth a look.
• Yahoo groups: This is usually the first place I go to when thinking about doing something new, whether it's a hobby or traveling or moving someplace new. You can join for free, sign up for the group you're interested in then receive daily postings in your email box. If you haven't signed onto yahoo groups, I highly recommend it.

Consular Information Sheets

Consular Information Sheets are produced and distributed by the U.S. Department of State. These information sheets outline the country, with details on current travel conditions, including any security issues, warnings, and advice.

To access the information, you can call the Office of Overseas Shipping Services at (202) 647-5225 and listen to a pre-taped recording. This is the most current information you'll receive on the country you're researching.

The information sheets are also available online at the U.S. Department of State's website. Here, you can also access the latest travel warnings, obtain brochures on issues such as health overseas, sending money and tips on international adoption. This is definitely a site worth checking out and should be on your list of places to start your research.