7 STEPS TO GET STARTED MOVING ABROAD

"The world is a book and those who don't travel only read one page"

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Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with these 7 steps to make sure you're prepared for your big trip aboard.

#1 Renew your Passport

Check your Passport

Before the adventure can begin it’s essential to make sure all your travel documents are good to go. Some countries require that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your final travel date. This is a biggie because if you don’t have a valid passport you won’t be able to apply for a visa.

#2 Get Your Visa Squared Away

Apply for a Visa

Nothing could be worse than getting on a plane and getting sent back at customs cause your visa isn’t right.

To get your visa squared away first check your new country’s government website and research all the supporting documentation you’ll need to start your visa application.

Different visa applications require different documentation. Depending on your visa, you might need to set up an appointment with the US Department of Homeland Security to submit biometric information.

#3 Register with STEP

US Embassy

Safety first! The U.S Embassy has a great program called STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) that’ll give you the most up to date information about your new country’s safety conditions. In case of emergencies the Embassy will be able to quickly notify you and keep you safe. Good to know Uncle Sam’s got your back.

#4 Research Health Care Options

Check with your Health Care provider

Getting sick in a new country is no fun, so make sure you’re prepared by researching the health care system of your new country before you get there. Take the time to call up your current medical provider and see if your coverage works abroad.

It’s also a good idea to talk to your current medical doctor, and get any pertinent medical records and information on any immunizations you might need.

A great resource is the U.S Embassy website. They provide a list of doctors and hospitals in the country you’ll be living in. Definitely worth checking out

#5 Contact Your Bank and Phone Providers

Notify your Bank and Phone Provider

To prevent your bank from freaking out and your phone bill from blowing up, make sure to notify your respective providers and let them know you’ll be abroad. Talk to your bank about possibly getting a foreign credit card so you won’t have to deal with any foreign transaction fees.

#6 Store Any Items You Can’t Take With You

"Thanks Boombox! Storing my things before my trip to Thailand was super easy. I was looking into self-storage before I found Boombox and they were the obvious choice. Not only was the rate better but the service was awesome. Thanks again!" . . #boombox #thailand #elephants #smallapartment #selfstorage #storage #hasslefree #startup #ditchselfstorage #bayarea #sanfrancisco #backpacking #gapyear #lovetotravel #travelgram #southeastasia

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Unfortunately, a sofa and dining table won’t fit in your carry on, so storage might be your best bet. To find out more about Boombox’s storage options check out our storage unit prices on our pricing page.

#7 Throw a Goodbye Party

Throw a Goodbye Party!

This might be the most important step. Make sure to bid farewell to all your friends and relatives for one last hurrah (complete with all your favorite comfort foods), and get excited for the most unforgettable experience of your life.

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How does Boombox work?

Boombox arrives at your storage pick up location with a vehicle and a team of movers. We apply unique codes to each storage item, photograph every item being stored, and transport your items to our secure storage facility. Whenever you want one or more of your stored items, simply log in to your Boombox account, select what you need delivered, and schedule a return delivery. We’ll bring your items back to your door. You'll never have to hassle with a San Francisco storage unit again! And best of all our storage unit prices are better than most all San Francisco self-storage options.

What areas does Boombox serve?

Boombox proudly serves the San Francisco Bay area. For a complete map of our service area, check out our Locations Page. If you are looking for storage San Francisco, we are here to help. We pride ourselves on being the most afforable and convenient Bay area storage option around. Our service area extends from San Francisco down to San Jose and as far east as Oakland and Berkeley. Our storage units are perfect for anyone who doesn't want to hassle with a San Francisco Bay area storage unit. We do all the heavy lifting and will deliver your items right back to your door.

How does Boombox make sure all my items are returned to me?

During your initial pickup we apply barcodes to each item, and photograph everything so there is a record of what’s in storage and what condition it was received in. Within two days of your initial pickup your online inventory will be accessible. We will notify you when the pictures of your storage items have been uploaded. We take a picture of the outside of the box and upload the picture along with the description of each item or label you placed on the box. Once your online storage catalog has been uploaded please make sure to verify all the pictures of your items are there. Your items will always be organized and accessible. You'll never have to hassle with a San Francisco storage unit again.

How is Boombox different from self-storage?

San Francisco self storage can be expensive and aggravating. At traditional bay area self storage units, security is not guaranteed, and you have to do all the work. It’s up to you to pack and organize your belongings, and you have to remember what’s in your storage unit. That makes it really easy to lose track of what you have in your storage unit. Instead of choosing a grungy SF storage unit, choose Boombox's full service storage solution. In our unbiased opinion ; ) it's the best Bay Area storage option out there.

How does the storage pick up work?

Self storage with a pick up?! That's what we call full service storage. We meet you at your location with our killer purple storage van. Our team then loads the van and photographs and barcodes each storage item or box that will be stored. Within 48 hours, you’ll be able to log into your storage account and see your complete storage inventory! Our pick ups are available within our Bay Area Storage service area. We love helping San Francisco with their storage needs. Say goodbye to San Francisco self-storage for good!