Moving and Relocation Tips: Moving is a time-consuming process, even when you’re doing it for the first time. You have to pack up your belongings, research your new city or neighborhood (or both), find movers, schedule appointments with utility companies to get service connected in your name; the list goes on and on.
We’ve compiled this handy guide of everything you need to know about moving and relocation so that you can be prepared before you take off. Let’s get started!
Tips for Making the Moving Easier
1. Pack Light
This is the single most important tip for moving! It’s time-consuming, tiring, and wasteful to move bulky furniture. Think about it – if you only have a few boxes of items, you won’t need to spend money on renting a bigger truck. Additionally, by packing light, you can easily upgrade not just one but two flights if you have to, which can save you a ton of money. Pack only the most important and valuable items in your bags – leave behind anything that’s sentimental but not necessary.
The best way to do this is by going through every room and figuring out what you really need vs. what you don’t. Don’t forget to think about seasonal items and clothes too (sweaters, boots, etc.). You can also start a garage sale for selling your old or unused appliances and other belongings. You can also list them on Craigslist to raise a little extra cash for the move.
2. Research the Neighborhood
Before you arrive at your new house, make sure to drive around and look at the neighborhood and the streets. Check for street lights, sidewalks, traffic patterns, and anything else you’ll need to know about your new surroundings. It’s also best if you drive around at different times of day (late at night or early in the morning) so that you get a feel for what it’s like when there are no other cars on the road, for example.
3. Research the House
Similar to researching your neighborhood, you should also research the house you plan on buying or renting. Look for problems like leaky roofs, termite infestations, and faulty wiring before you agree to anything! And if you already rent an apartment, you should still call the property manager before signing new rental contracts. They might have some important information about things that need fixing or general maintenance to expect in your area.
4. Find Movers
You’ll definitely want to get a quote from some movers before committing to anything. And when you hire a mover, see if there are any other services besides just hauling your belongings from point A to point B. For example, you can hire movers to pack everything for you or help with the actual move if you have stairs in your new place. You might also need someone to drive your car out since it’s kind of hard to fit a Lyft driver into an already-packed moving truck.
5. Get Utilities Connected
If you need to have your utilities turned on in your name, now is the best time to do so. There are several ways this can be done, but usually, it’s easiest if you just go directly through the company itself. The only drawback is that they might take a few days or weeks to complete it, which could mean that you’ll be without power or water for a little while. The other method is to go through a third party, which usually means you have to pay them a fee, but they do all the leg work and can usually get it done within a day.
6. Consider a Storage Unit
If your new home doesn’t have enough room for all your belongings, you’ll need to come up with a temporary storage solution. This can be anything from renting a room in someone’s basement to using a storage unit facility. The most significant benefit is that you have your stuff stored away while accessing it when you want or need something easily. Storage units are usually pretty affordable, too. You can typically get a discount if you sign up for it in the summer.
7. Get the Kids Ready
Kids will definitely need to get used to their new surroundings and routines. Make sure they know exactly what’s going on, where they’re moving, and that it’s only temporary until your house is ready for them to move into. If possible, try getting their school or teachers involved to avoid any issue later on.
8. Moving Day
If you’re hiring movers, make sure they show up on the right day and at the right time. Before that, though, be sure to take one last look around your old house for anything you might have missed or forgotten about. After that, load up your car and head off to your new place! When everything is there, you can call the movers to come out and do their thing.
UsaHomeLisitingInfographic provided by USA Home Listings, one of the top moving leads companies.
Conclusion
And there you go! Moving doesn’t have to be stressful or difficult if you know what to expect and plan accordingly. Research everything before you commit, and you’ll breeze through your move with no problems!
