Setting Up Utilities in Dublin, Ireland when Moving to Ireland

Posted by shipping UK on August 23, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

Prepare yourself and your home when moving to Ireland with IntlMOVE UK and set up your utilities and other household services ahead of time. When you are moving to Dublin, you should know that utilities are not referred to as utilities. They are simply called “The Bills.”

When you rent an apartment in Dublin, you are required to transfer all the bills into your name. This should be handled before you actually move into your house so you don’t move in without power or water.

When you have found a place to live, use this guide from IntlMOVE UK to help you get settled into your new home. Preparing for your international move is the key to making it smooth and easy.

Electricity in Dublin

The standard voltage in Ireland is 230V ac, so make sure your electrical appliances are compatible before shipping your electronics to Ireland. You may need electrical adaptors, converters or transformers. When setting up your electricity, you can choose from these companies: Electricity Supply Board, AirTricity and Bord Gais. The largest of the three main supplies is the Electricity Supply Board. You landlord or realtor should be able to help connect you to the right company. If you are working with a budget, be aware that you may have to pay a deposit and set-up fee.

Gas

Bord Gais, which also supplies electricity, will supply your gas. Not all homes are equipped with gas. However, some homes use it for cooking and heating. Before purchasing any new heating or cooking appliances, ensure that gas is available at your new home in Ireland.

Garbage

In Ireland, garbage is referred to as rubbish or the bins. Recycling is big in Ireland, so most houses are furnished with colored bins to separate rubbish, food and recycling. Contact Dublin Waste Management when moving to Dublin to set up your rubbish collection.

Water

The Dublin City Council takes care of all of the water services in Dublin. Find their website online or talk to you landlord about contacting them. Typically, you can drink water from the tap in Dublin, but again, it is best to check with your landlord. The water supply is different for your bathroom, so make sure you only drink the water from your kitchen tap.

Cell Phone

There are five main cell phone providers in Ireand: Vodaphone, Three, O2, Meteor and Tesco. Vodaphone and O2 have the largest market share in Ireland. You can set up your cell phone with a plan or pay as you go.

When you are moving to Dublin, Ireland, contact IntlMOVE UK. We are international shipping professionals that will handle all of your household goods with the utmost care. IntlMOVE UK will pack, ship and deliver your household goods to your new home in Ireland.

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Moving to Swansea, Wales with IntlMOVE UK

Posted by shipping UK on August 22, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

Moving to Swansea, Wales with IntlMOVE UK? Learn all about your new Welsh home with the information that IntlMOVE UK has put together for you.

Swansea is located on the South West Wales coast and is about 38 miles away from the capital city of Cardiff.  This city’s history is colorful and it is believed that this city began as a Viking trading post. Swansea was awarded city status in 1969. The population of the greater Welsh city is more than 230,000 people.

Moving to Swansea

When you move to Swansea, you will want to find a place to live that you are comfortable calling home. This area of Wales has everything – mountain views, coastal views, small villages and a bustling city center. The most populated areas, which are where most of the jobs are located, are Swansea City Centre, Sketty and Morriston.

Things to do in Swansea

Wales has warm summers and cold winters, so pack the right clothes when shipping your household goods to Wales. Swansea is also the wettest city in Britain, so pack your umbrellas, rain boots and rain coats as well.

Three quarters of Swansea is bordered by water. If you enjoy water sports, you will love living in Swansea. You can go sailing, surfing or waterskiing. Even if you just love laying on the beach, there are plenty of beautiful beaches to visit.

There are great spots throughout the city for hiking, biking and golfing enthusiasts. The nightlife is full of fun with lots of pubs, discos and delicious restaurants. There are even two casinos for those who want to test their luck.

Swansea has an abundance of offerings for people moving to Wales that love the arts. The Grand Theatre, which holds roughly 1,000 people, hosts many events. Plays, musicals, the opera and ballet are all performed at this beautiful theater. A new wing was recently built, which is perfect for smaller performances. Other theaters located in Swansea include: the Lunchtime Theatre, the Dylan Thomas Theatre, Penyrheol Leisure Centre and a theater located at the Taliesin building on the University campus.

Your enjoyment of the United Kingdom wouldn’t be complete without seeing a Shakespeare performance. During the summer, outdoor performances take place at Oystermouth Castle, which provides a regal background. Many other family-friendly and nighttime soirees take place at other outdoor venues, such as Singleton Park or Pontardawe. The list goes on of venues in this area of Wales. You will never have an empty social calendar if you enjoy festivals, plays, events and the arts.

Rugby and soccer, known as football in the UK, are sports enjoyed by the locals. Swansea City A.F.C. is the soccer team, which plays at Liberty Stadium. Three soccer clubs from Swansea play in the Welsh Football League, which include: Garden Village, South Gower and West End. The Neath-Swansea Ospreys and the Swansea Valley Miners are the local rugby teams.

Religion in Swansea

Roughly 70 percent of the populations in Swansea are Christians. About 28 percent do not identify with a religion or did not state a religion in the census.  A small percent of the population are Muslims. Less than one percent of the population is made up of people with other religious beliefs.

Local Media in Swansea

The local newspaper is the South Wales Evening Post. Other local newspapers and magazines are The Swansea Herald of Wales, Metro Cardiff Edition and Swansea Life. The local radio stations are The Wave, Swansea Sound and Bay Radio.

When you are ready to move to Wales, visit the IntlMOVE UK website for a free online international shipping quote.

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Moving to Manchester, England with IntlMOVE UK

Posted by shipping UK on August 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

Moving to Manchester, England with IntlMOVE UK will provide you with a rich, cultural experience. This thriving British city is located in North West England. The city’s population is roughly 500,000, but if you count Greater Manchester County, the population jumps to 2.6 million. This is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom.

Manchester has an amazing history of world firsts. This city housed the first railway station. Manchester is also the city where the world’s first split of the atom occurred. Inventions coming from Manchester are plenty, including the world’s first programmable computer.

Similar to the British Isles, Manchester has a temperate maritime climate. The summers are warm and the winters are cold. When packing your household goods and personal belongings, make sure you pack warm clothes and coats, scarves and sweaters for the chilly winters. Plan on shipping umbrellas, rain jackets and possibly even rain boots to Manchester. The city experiences rainfall year-round.

If you are looking for a job in Manchester, England, there are a wide variety of domestic and international company headquarters and offices located in the city. Some of these companies include: Adidas, BBC, First Manchester, Google, Kellogg’s, Manchester United F.C., Siemens and many more. There are plenty of potential job opportunities available.

There are many beautiful places to live in the city. The Beetham Tower is the tallest building in the city, which was completed in 2006. It is also England’s tallest residential tower, so check out the location if you need a nice place to live. The Green Building in an eco-friendly housing project that is perfect for environmental enthusiasts.

There are a number of famous landmarks and hotspots in Manchester. Chinatown is a great place to visit, shop and grab a delicious meal. Albert Square is a fun place to visit to see monuments dedicated to Prince Albert, John Bright and many more famous Brits. If you are a nature lover, there are six local nature reserves. Manchester Town Hall was constructed in the Gothic revival style and is an important Victorian Building.

When moving to Manchester, you will appreciate the nightlife if you enjoy metropolitan social scenes. The city is well-known for its music and sports. Manchester is home for many famous bands, including: The Smiths, Oasis, New Order and many more. The main music venue, where you can see local and touring artists is the Manchester Evening News Arena. It is the third busiest indoor arena in the world. Other venues to see bands include: the Roadhouse, Manchester Apollo, Manchester Academy, the Night and Day Café and others. The Halle and the BBC Philharmonic are the two symphony orchestras in Manchester.  There is also the Manchester Opera House, the Palace Theatre, the Royal Exchange Theatre, trendy restaurants, hip bars and a myriad of museums. As you can see, you will never run out of things to do in this city.

Familiarize yourself with soccer. This is a big sport in Manchester and you won’t want to miss out. Manchester City and Manchester United are the two big football, or soccer, teams in city.

When you are moving to England with IntlMOVE UK, you will really enjoy your time in Manchester. Contact IntlMOVE UK today to get started with your international move today.

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Moving to Scotland and Securing a Marriage Visa

Posted by shipping UK on August 8, 2011 · 1 Comment 

There are many things to consider when applying for a marriage or spouse visa when moving to Scotland with IntlMOVE UK. The visa allows a husband, wife, fiancé or civil partner, who is married or engaged to a person who is already settled in the UK, the ability to enter, leave or remain in Britain.  To clarify, settlement status means there is no lawful limitation on their stay.

IntlMOVE UK has put together some basic information on the marriage visa if you are moving to Scotland. However, you should always check with your local embassy or consulate in case something has changed.

Basic UK Marriage Visa Details

Initially, a UK spouse visa will be good for two years. After the two year time period, you can apply for permanent residency or Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR). If a couple has already been married for four years when first applying for the marriage visa, they may be granted settlement clearance, which allows them to stay in the UK without time restrictions. The marriage visa will also give you clearance to work in Scotland. With this visa, there are no restrictions on the types of duties or work you can perform.

If there are dependent children under the age of 18, they will be granted entry and be allowed to stay in the UK as dependents. However, you must be able to verify you can support them financially. After three years, you can apply for UK citizenship if you meet the resident requirements.

Eligibility for UK Marriage Visa

Both parties must be at least 21 years old and legally be married to each other. There are some circumstances, such as online dating and arranged marriages, where couples have not met in person. This is not allowed. Married couples must have met each other. The married couple needs to be able to support themselves financially. If public assistance is needed, the marriage visa will not be granted. Some countries allow multiple marriages. However, if you are moving to Scotland, a marriage visa will only be granted for one spouse. The married couple must plan on living together once entry is granted to UK.

You must apply for the marriage visa before you arrive in Scotland. This is why planning ahead is so important. You must have everything in order before moving to Scotland. If the marriage visa application process seems confusing, there are agencies that can help you determine if you are eligible and help you get all the needed information together.

If your spouse is not settled in Britain, and is going over on a work visa, a spouse visa will not be granted. Contact your local consulate for more information.

Planning ahead is also important when shipping your household goods to Scotland. IntlMOVE UK will help you pack ship and deliver your household goods to your new home in Scotland. Moving to the UK will be an amazing experience for you and your spouse. Contact IntlMOVE UK for a free online quote, so you can start the process for your international relocation.

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