Monthly Wrap: Must-have gadgets for moving abroad

Moving abroad can be really overwhelming. There are loads of moving pieces and it can be easy to drop the ball, while adjusting to a new country and culture can also be a stressful experience.

Fortunately, in the 21st century there are a range of gadgets which can make the whole settling in process so much smoother.

International power adaptors and surge protectors

If you only take one thing from this list, make it a power adaptor.. It can be country specific, of you can buy an all-rounder. Either way they’re light weight, compact and largely inexpensive and almost a necessity. That way you can take all your appliances with you and more importantly use them safely.

Using a surge protector ensures that your devices are protected from damage caused by voltage spikes. Most consumer electronics are extremely sensitive to surges that can occur when directly plugged into an outlet. Investing in a surge protector will increase the longevity of your devices.

Video doorbell

When you first move to a new country it’s understandable that you might feel unsafe in your new environment. Why not invest in some home security?

Video doorbells are battery powered and can be recharged. They connect to your Wi-Fi and provide video that starts recording when their motion sensor capabilities are triggered. See who’s at your front door, even if you’re not in and speak to them too.

No one’s suggesting you have to develop your property into Fort Knox but having peace of mind is important.

Tracking tags

No one wants to lose their belongings when they’re moving. You also don’t want to misplace them when your out and about in a new place. Bluetooth trackers are lightweight and small, meaning you can fit them almost anywhere so you can keep tabs on your belongings.

Luggage, handbags, keys, your important document folder, make sure you don’t misplace anything again. Use Bluetooth when items are nearby to locate them or use your tags app to locate your belongings when they’re out of range.

Portable Wi-Fi Hot Spot

Let’s be honest, a lot of us could do with this one in the UK, let alone abroad. Now, when you’re exploring your new hometown or city it’s unlikely you’ll be glued to your phone. However, we’ve all been to a café or stopped somewhere and the internet connection is bad, or you need a Wi-Fi password to gain access.

Portable Wi-fi hotspots insure you never experience that issue again. It’s as simple as buying a sim card, some models already have them, connecting your devices and off you go.

Gimbal Stabiliser

If you’ve just moved to your dream retirement location, you’ll probably be taking lots of photos to send back to loved ones back home. Or, just for yourself. The last thing you want is for your images to be blurry.

Gimbal stabilisers can fit your phone, and in some cases your camera, and make sure your phones and videos aren’t shaky. A gimbal is lightweight and portable. It can also be plugged in to charge, has a Bluetooth control button and can extend to ensure you take the best photos possible.

Card Protectors

Paying via contactless is probably one of the most convenient things ever. Scammers are getting smart and can now skim money from you bank account by walking passed your bag or wallet with a contactless card scanner.

Now, most banks contactless limits are £100, unless you reduce the amount yourself. Luckily there’s a simple solution to prevent contactless theft: RFID/NFC protective covers.

You just cover your contactless cards with these protectors, and they block the signals from reaching the card machine, making sure your money is safe.

Power Bank

Your phone battery dying is never a good thing, let alone if it happens abroad and you’re new to the area.

Investing in a power bank means that you never run out of charge for your electricals. They can be charged in advance and depending on which type you get can last up to 24 hours. They’re always handy to have, just in case.

It can be difficult to decide what to take with you when you move abroad, but hopefully this list has helped inspired some ideas for you.

Remember, try not to get bogged down by the number of options you have, make sure to weigh out the pros and cons of each item for yourself, so you make the best purchases for your lifestyle.

Whilst this particular list is focused on convivence and security there are a tone of cool, fun gadgets you can buy to elevate your experience abroad. Did you know sandless towels exist?