What Chiltern Relocation got up to in 2022

With life looking more back to ‘normal service’ this year, Chiltern Relocation has enjoyed an incredibly interesting year.

Corporate moves have been firmly back on the agenda as more offices have returned to work with a sharp rise in relocations across Bucks but also across the whole of the UK – with top spots being:

• Salisbury in Wiltshire,
• Cheltenham in Gloucester  
• Winchester in Hampshire
• Chiswick London
• Canary Wharf London

Private client moves have also kept us very busy! With more people adopting a flexible working routine with some days working from home, there has been increased demand for properties with two offices or garden rooms or the potential to convert a garage.

We have loved moving all our clients this year but wanted to share a few particular highlights.

One of our most challenging relocations

A family moving from South Africa to London needed a quality rental and school places at short notice – with one of the places being for Y7 entry (the first year of secondary school).

We called over 40 schools (state and private) to enquire after places. In the state sector we were often told that the waiting list ran into the hundreds so our chances were incredibly slim.  In the private sector we were told that the places had all been filled with long waiting lists in place for those who had undertaken the required admissions tests.

After some persistence we were able to find a private school in Fulham who – as luck would have it – had sudden availability for one Year 7 place. We then undertook to find a place for their Year 5 child.

Once school places had been secured, we needed to triangulate the rental search by looking at the distance to schools and the work commute. With the rental market moving so quickly in London we needed to act quickly and were fortunate to secure some off market viewings when the couple flew over to look at properties.

Once a rental had been secured and all the paperwork signed, we then needed to furnish the property. Chiltern Relocation organised a rental furniture package (measuring spaces for all items) and the couple asked for our help with the essentials for their arrival. Chiltern Relocation filled a few trolleys in John Lewis with bedding/towels/kitchen essentials/cleaning essentials etc and spent the day getting the house ready for them to move into after a challenging search. Read more about their story here.

One of our most heartfelt relocations

A couple returning from Portugal had a short timeframe within which to move and had limited availability to view properties. We got to know the couple over videocalls and shortlisted suitable properties for their flying visit. The couple realised during the first few viewings that their search criteria needed to change as their initial thoughts regarding layout, décor and importantly budget changed once they saw properties in the flesh. At lunchtime we hastily made a few phone calls to local trusted agents who were able to secure an off market first viewing of a stunning semi-rural property. It was our last viewing and the couple fell in love with it. We were delighted that the couple returned to Portugal with an offer accepted.

When it came to move in the couple drove across Europe with their dog and were temporarily held up at the border due to pet travel requirements. The couple’s belongings were then delayed for their arrival but the couple were so keen to get into their new house that they borrowed some inflatable mattresses and basics from Chiltern Relocation and headed to John Lewis for bedding and more camping essentials! The couple and their dog affectively had a mini camping adventure for five days in their new home until their storage crates arrived! Read more about their story here.

Major events for Chiltern Relocation

Chiltern Relocation was delighted to be selected to join the Natwest Accelerator programme in September which supports and empowers UK entrepreneurs to scale their businesses to the next level. This fantastic opportunity has provided weekly sessions with one-to-one coaching, a programme of thought leadership and events and importantly the opportunity to network and meet other business owners.

Celebrating 18 years in business

Chiltern Relocation is looking forward to seeing many of our clients and contacts in January at a special event to celebrate 18 years in business. We are thrilled that so many of our clients keep in touch and we look forward to catching up with them – including some we moved over 15 years ago.