Moving abroad is one of life’s biggest adventures—and one of its most daunting logistical challenges. The excitement of a fresh start in a new country is often tempered by the sheer volume of things that must be sorted, sold, packed, or given away. Whether you’re leaving your city for a job in London, a new life in Lisbon, or a sunny escape to Spain, like I just did, there’s one universal truth: you own more than you think, and deciding what to do with it all can be a full-time job.
Between sorting, selling, shipping, and donating, every decision feels like a mix of practicality and sentimentality. And for many, the hardest part isn’t the packing—it’s figuring out what’s worth taking, what’s worth selling, and what’s worth letting go.
The Emotional (and Practical) Weight of “Stuff”
When preparing for an international move, your possessions suddenly take on new meaning. That couch you loved might not fit your new apartment. Your collection of winter boots may not make sense in the Mediterranean. And the coffee table you built yourself? It might cost more to ship than it’s worth.
There’s also the emotional toll. Each item represents a piece of your life—your routines, your memories, your sense of home. But international shipping costs, customs duties, and logistical headaches make it nearly impossible (or financially irrational) to take everything with you.
So, you’re faced with four main choices: sell, keep, ship, or donate.
Selling Your Belongings: The Digital Yard Sale
Selling furniture and home goods can help fund your move while ensuring your items find a new home. But the process isn’t always smooth—especially if you’re using the wrong platform.
For years, Facebook Marketplace has been the default for second-hand sales in cities like Toronto. On paper, it’s great: free listings, a massive local audience, and instant access to buyers. In reality? It’s a mixed bag.
Between no-shows, lowball offers, and spam accounts, trying to sell household items on Facebook Marketplace can feel like a full-time job in itself. You’ll often find yourself juggling dozens of messages that go nowhere (“Is this still available?”), or dealing with people who want to negotiate down a $40 item to $5. Worse still, safety and trust are constant concerns. Meeting strangers for in-person exchanges isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, and scams—especially involving e-transfers—are all too common.
That’s why many Torontonians have turned to Karrot, a relatively new but growing local marketplace app designed for community-based buying and selling.
I hated using Facebook Marketplace for the most part, but I actually found Karrot much better. It was more targeted to people in my area, and the people were much more friendly overall.
Now I need them to expand into Spain!
Why Karrot Made Selling Easier
Karrot launched as a neighbourhood-focused app where real people could buy and sell without the chaos of larger platforms. In Toronto, it’s been quietly gaining traction—and for good reason. The app is designed around local neighbourhoods, meaning your listings are shown to people nearby, not across the entire city. That immediately reduces wasted time on long-distance buyers who can’t realistically pick things up.
Karrot’s interface is also cleaner and more intentional. There’s less spam, fewer scammers, and a more community-driven vibe. Many users find that conversations feel more human—people are actually polite, punctual, and responsive. And because the app’s algorithm prioritizes nearby users, arranging pick-ups or drop-offs becomes far more manageable.
For anyone in Toronto trying to declutter before a move, Karrot feels like the better balance between convenience and safety. You still get to make some extra money, but without the constant digital noise that plagues other platforms.
Pros of Selling (especially on Karrot):
- Earn extra cash to offset moving expenses.
- Keep usable items in circulation—good for sustainability.
- Easier to connect with trustworthy local buyers.
Cons:
- Still time-consuming to photograph, list, and coordinate.
- Emotional difficulty parting with favourite possessions.
- Not everything sells, and some items may have to be given away at the last minute.
The Reality of Shipping Overseas
Once you’ve sold what you can, you’ll likely face the next big question: what do you take with you?
Shipping internationally can be shockingly expensive, even for small quantities. Most moving companies charge by volume (measured in cubic feet or meters), and you’ll pay not just for transport but also customs clearance, port fees, insurance, and sometimes even quarantine inspections—depending on your destination.
For example, shipping a one-bedroom apartment from Toronto to Europe can easily run anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 CAD, depending on how much you bring. That’s before import taxes, which vary by country and can add hundreds or thousands more. And the timeline? Shipping containers typically take six to ten weeks to arrive, not including customs delays.
If you’re starting fresh abroad—especially if your move might not be permanent—it often makes more sense to sell your furniture and rebuy what you need once you arrive. Many European apartments come at least partially furnished, and you can find affordable home goods through local marketplaces or second-hand shops.
Pros of Shipping:
- Keeps sentimental or high-value items with you.
- Avoids the hassle of repurchasing everything abroad.
- Helps your new home feel like “home” right away.
Cons:
- Extremely expensive and time-consuming.
- Risk of delays, damage, or loss during transit.
- Customs and import rules vary widely and can be stressful.
The Art of Letting Go (and Donating)
Once the selling and shipping are done, you’re left with the items that didn’t make either cut—the things you don’t want to sell but can’t justify keeping. This is where donation comes in.
Toronto has no shortage of organizations that accept gently used goods, from furniture banks to local shelters and nonprofits. Donating not only helps someone in need but also makes the moving process lighter—literally and emotionally.
Some organizations, like The Furniture Bank or Habitat for Humanity ReStore, even offer pickup services for larger pieces. Others, such as Value Village or Salvation Army, take drop-offs of smaller household goods. It’s a way to ensure that nothing goes to waste, and it can feel surprisingly freeing to know your items will have a second life elsewhere. Personally, I donated about 75% of my clothing to Haven Drop-in Centre, and I’m so glad I did, as it will help so many this winter, and I had so little left to take with me, I rolled what I had through the airport.
Pros of Donating:
- Helps others and reduces waste.
- Easier and faster than selling.
- Some donations qualify for tax receipts.
Cons:
- No financial return.
- Not all items are accepted.
- Requires time and coordination before moving day.
What to Keep
Deciding what to keep is perhaps the trickiest part. Space and practicality should be your guiding forces, but sentiment often sneaks in. Start with essentials: important documents, sentimental keepsakes, electronics, and anything irreplaceable. Then, assess whether an item’s financial or emotional value outweighs the cost or inconvenience of transporting it.
If you’re unsure, try a simple question: Would I pay to ship this?
If the answer is no, it’s time to sell or donate.
Making the Move Simpler
Here’s a practical approach for anyone preparing for an international move from Canada to Europe—or anywhere, really:
- Start early. Begin decluttering months before your move date. You’ll be amazed how long it takes.
- Use the right platform. For Torontonians, skip the chaos of Facebook Marketplace and try Karrot for smoother local sales.
- Be realistic about shipping. Compare quotes, read reviews, and calculate whether it’s worth the cost.
- Donate strategically. Call local charities ahead of time to see what they need most.
- Keep the essentials. Bring only what you can’t replace—or what makes your new place feel like home.
A Fresh Start
Ultimately, moving abroad is as much about mental decluttering as physical. Selling and donating your belongings can be cathartic—a symbolic clean slate before you step into a new life. It’s not just about letting go of objects, but about shedding the weight of a past chapter so you can embrace what’s next.
Yes, it’s challenging. Facebook Marketplace might test your patience. Shipping might test your wallet. But with the right tools—like Karrot for local sales—and a clear strategy, you can turn the process into something empowering rather than exhausting.
Because at the end of the day, what you carry with you—both literally and emotionally—should serve your future, not your past. And that, perhaps, is the greatest reward of all.
markmunroe
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