Tips for Moving from Russia to Florida

Are you getting tired of long Russian winters? Feeling like moving somewhere more warm, where snow seldom falls? Maybe you’d like to own a beach house and enjoy spending your days in the sun. Well, then it sounds like you are ready to move from Russia to Florida! The Sunshine State is the perfect place for you! By relocating to Florida, you are never more than 60 miles away from a beach, and people are as easy-going as their weather is! And in this article, we give you the information you need on how to accomplish this move.

Get your Documents in Order when moving from Russia to Florida

The first and one of the most important things you need to do when moving from Russia to Florida is to get your documents in order. There are two documents that you need to get going first – your passport and a visa. 

The Passport

If you already have the passport, make sure it is valid. You will need a non-expired passport when applying for a vise and when traveling (some visas even require the passport be valid through your stay in the United States). If you don’t have a passport, or it is expired, make sure you start the process of getting a new one as soon as possible. When traveling abroad or moving, your passport is the most valuable document you will have!

The Visa

The next thing to get it the visa. Now, depending on how long you are planning to stay in Florida, there are a number of visas for you to apply for. If you’re coming over to work, then you should look into the work visa. For students, there is a student visa. And if you are planning on staying permanently in the United States, you guessed it right – there is a special visa for that too. Visit the United States Embassy and Consulates in Russia‘s website to get more information about the visa process, and to apply for your visa as soon as you have a valid passport.

Applying for visa and receiving one may take some time, so the sooner you start working on it, the better.

Plan Ahead when moving from Russia to Florida

Moving to another country takes time – and a lot of planning. Take around 6 months to prepare for the move. If the company is selling you, however, you might not have that much time. Then, ask the company and friend for help – you will need as much help as you can get.

We recommend you get a sturdy notebook or a binder where you can place all your to-do lists, documents, plans and reminders, and everything else you will need during the moving process. Here are some of the most important things you need to do when planning the move:

• Find a moving company to help you move your stuff to your Florida home,
• Figure out what you will do with your in Russia,
• Get all your paperwork ready to move from Russia to Florida,
• Consider what will you do with pets (if you have any),

Find a Moving Company

You should look into long distance Florida movers while you are still in Russia. They will help you move your items from the airport to your new place of living. There are various ways in which you can find reliable movers, but talking to your friends about recommendations and checking online are the best bets. Make sure to ask for a list of references the company offers you and contact them. You need to make sure the company is not a scam.

When talking to a moving company, you should also ask them about the storage they offer, whether they transport pets and how they transport (and pack) special items, such as electronics or your wine cooler. Ask them everything else you think is important – because it will be important at one time or another.

Old Home

Depending on how long you will be staying in Florida, you need to decide what to do with your home in Russia. If you’re moving to stay, then you should consider selling the house. Think about how much time you have left when talking to the real estate agent. Even though you might have just a few weeks in Russia when you decide to sell – you should see that you don’t lose money in the process by going too cheap.

If you are planning to come back to Russia, you should consider renting the house. If doing this, you might want to look for a renting agent. Find one with experience in landlords who live overseas. This way, you will be making money in Russia while you stay in Florida, so it’s a win-win situation.

Paperwork

As mentioned before, there is a lot of paperwork to be done – and a passport and visa are just the beginning. You will need to talk to your employer (if you are not being sent to Florida for work) and give a resignation at the proper time. Get your medical records in check – check if you have all the vaccinations required to live in the United States. Check if your driver license will be valid in Florida, or whether you will need to take a driver’s test. If you have children, visit their school to figure out the steps for the move.

Remember to visit the bank and talk to them about transferring. Nowadays it is becoming more and more easy to transfer money internationally, but if you are staying in Florida, it’s a good idea to set up a banking account here as well. If you are returning to Russia, you might want to leave at least one banking account open. That way you build good credit standings, instead of starting over when you return.

Pets

Finally, if you are moving from Russia to Florida with pets, make sure they have a pet passport and vaccines. You should also think about how well your pet travels, whether it can live in Florida and how well it will handle quarantine. Moving is very stressful for pets, so consider leaving it with your friends or family, too.

Finding a Home

Finally, let’s talk about Florida real estate. Depending on how long your stay in Florida will be, you need to figure out whether you will be staying in a hotel or if you will be buying a house.

If you are buying a house, we recommend you start by renting for the first six months or a year. This way, you will get to know the neighborhoods. You will also get the feeling for where you want to live in Florida exactly. Travel a lot during this time to understand various regions of Florida. Never buy a house over the internet – you have no idea what you would be getting. You need to visit the house yourself to be sure about it.

You should also get a lawyer to help you with legal stuff, such as taxes, fees, caveats, and liens. Talk to your lawyer in Russia if they can recommend someone for you.