Hi everyone! I’m Nami, currently living in Los Angeles.
Today, I want to talk about the preparations I made before moving to the U.S.
The time leading up to an international move can be filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about what needs to be done and when.
I moved to the U.S. in late December, and I started preparing around October. Here’s what I did in the months leading up to my move.
Booking Flights & Temporary Accommodation
Once I received my visa, I booked my flight and a temporary place to stay — either a hotel or an Airbnb.
Flight tickets can get really expensive if you wait too long, even for one-way trips, so it’s best to book early. I used Skyscanner and Google Flights to compare prices and find affordable options.
For accommodations, you might want to stay near the airport since you’ll be exhausted after the flight. But if possible, I recommend booking a place near your future workplace or school. It helps you get a feel for the area and makes future apartment hunting easier.
I usually book hotels through Expedia or Booking.com.
If you’re relocating for a job (like on a company transfer), your employer might arrange your flight and housing for you!
Managing Finances Before Leaving Japan
If you have investment accounts like NISA or multiple bank accounts in Japan, this is the time to sort them out.
Most Japanese brokerage accounts require you to be a resident of Japan, so I had to close mine before leaving. Some platforms allow online closure, while others require paperwork — check early and plan accordingly.
The same goes for bank accounts. Some allow you to keep them while living abroad, while others may not. Make sure to verify the policies of your banks in advance.
Moving Out & Quitting My Job
Around the same time, I started preparing to move out of my apartment. Since I was living alone, I informed my landlord a month before my planned move-out date and began sorting my belongings.
I sold what I could — like clothes, furniture, and appliances — using Mercari and Jimoty, gave some items to friends, and sent the rest to my parents’ house.
Since I was leaving my job to move abroad, I also gave notice early and began transitioning my responsibilities. I officially resigned at the end of November, so I began handing things off in late October and started saying goodbye to clients in early November.
A week after leaving my job, I completed my move and returned to my parents’ house. Although I stayed there for about two weeks, I officially removed my residence registration (住民票) earlier. If you’re staying with family for a month or more, you could transfer your residency there first and then remove it right before moving.
Packing
Now, onto packing. I had:
- Two large suitcases
- One carry-on suitcase
- One backpack
I packed one large suitcase with items from Japan — mostly cosmetics, Japanese food, and sanitary products. These things are available in the U.S., but they tend to be more expensive and harder to find near your home, so I brought as much as I could.
The second large suitcase was filled with clothes and underwear. Since I moved in winter, bulky items took up a lot of space. I used vacuum-seal bags to maximize space.
The carry-on suitcase was packed like I would for a 2–3 day trip. This was in case of lost luggage. I kept essential documents and things I’d need right away in my backpack.
If you have lots of luggage like I did and plan to take a bus or train to the airport, I highly recommend shipping your suitcases to the airport in advance. It made my trip so much easier. You can pick up your luggage at the counter and check it in directly.
That’s a wrap on what I did to prepare for my move to the U.S.!
Next time, I’ll talk about what life was like after arriving. Stay tuned!