When you make the choice to move, whether it’s for a new job, to be closer to a loved one, or simply for a change of pace, it’s a big decision—moving somewhere new can be scary, but exciting at the same time. However, that doesn’t make the process of moving any less stressful, especially when it’s a long-distance move. To help your long-distance move go as smoothly as possible, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind.
Hire A Moving Company
It’s absolutely essential to hire a moving company when you’re moving long-distance. If you’re moving locally, you may be able to get away with making a few trips and recruiting some friends to help you move. But when you’re moving hours away, you need to hire a reliable long distance moving company. As you begin to look into moving companies, look for ones with plenty of experience and good reviews. Long-distance moves can be tough on your belongings and it’s important to choose a company that will ensure your items are packed and moved properly so you can have peace of mind.
Declutter Your Belongings
If you need to transport all of your belongings hours away from your current home, you’re going to want to do some decluttering. If you don’t go through your items and get rid of stuff you no longer need or want, you’re going to end up moving a bunch of unnecessary stuff—this isn’t good for you or your moving company. So before you start packing, take some time to actually go through every room and area in your home and get rid of some items. Starting with items that have no sentimental value whatsoever is a good choice as this means you’ll be able to downsize and declutter quickly. Look for a roll off containers is a great idea so you can start dealing with all that junk in one go. This will make both the move and settling into your new place much easier.
Change Your Address
Whether you’re moving to another town or just down the street, it’s not as important to change your address right away as it is when you’re moving far away. Changing your address is important because the post office needs to know where to forward your mail and places like your insurance company or doctor’s office need to know where to send your records to. And if you want to make sure your address and contact information has been updated, you can use a convenient resource like golookup.com—this site will show you your updated address, phone number, and other background information so you can make sure everything is correct before moving.
Make And Keep A Schedule
Moving hours away involves a lot of preparing—so it’s crucial that you create a moving schedule and actually stick to it. You should figure out how many weeks, or days, you have until moving day. From there, break down each week and determine which tasks need to get done when. Some tasks, like school enrollment and utility setups, have to be done by a certain date so you don’t want to get behind schedule. Creating a schedule and blocking off time in the week to focus on moving-related tasks will help you stay organized.
Organize While You Pack
While it can be tempting to simply throw your belongings in boxes as quickly as possible, especially if you’re in a time crunch, this is going to make unpacking and organizing your new home more difficult. Instead, try to take time to organize while you’re packing—make sure you’re clearly labeling each box with what’s inside and pack similar items together. You may also want to pack your most used items, like kitchen items and toiletries, last so you can easily find them when you arrive at your new destination.
Moving long-distance is an event you need to properly prepare for. And if you keep these simple tips in mind, your move is sure to be as stress-free as possible.