The excitement that a new job and life in a new environment provides is wonderful but there is usually also the stress of leaving friends, family and an established support system.

To minimise the stress of your move, try to choose housing (and schools) before you move. If you can sort out these major decisions in advance you will have a much better understanding of what to pack and what to leave behind.

It is difficult to coordinate an apartment's readiness and a furniture shipment clearing customs at the same time, which means that many people end up staying in a hotel or furnished suite for at least a month. If you have children, consider staying in a fully-furnished suite instead of a hotel when you first arrive. Suites offer the obvious advantages of more space and recreational amenities but also opportunities to meet other new families around a pool or at the school bus stop.

If you are able to bring your child's favourite toys and even their bedroom furniture in your shipment, this helps enormously in minimising the disruption in their lives and makes the settling-in happen so much more quickly.

If at all possible, try to coordinate your move to Hong Kong with the beginning of a school year or school term and try to arrive before school starts so that your children can adjust to the time changes and climate.

Note: All monetary units are expressed in Hong Kong dollars unless otherwise noted.