According to some studies, major changes in living conditions, including a move to a new home, are among the most stressful events in the lives of Americans nowadays.
But believe it or not, stress-free moving is possible. Once you check out our tips and tricks, you’ll see that it’s not something out of a fairytale. Every demanding task can be done with ease when you employ some common sense and good organizational skills, and the same applies to relocations. Let’s dive in.
The Most Important Stress-Free Moving Tip – Plan and Organize
You probably hear this a lot, but it really is true, regardless of the distance between your old and new home, the number and nature of stuff you have to transport.
If this is the first time you’re moving, don’t take this situation lightly. Organizing this kind of event is much easier when you know how much money you have. So work out a realistic budget and see if you have to find the cheapest way to move out of state or if you can afford the most efficient solution. You’ll also have to keep track of all of the tasks, and the best way to do so is by creating checklists.
Make a Checklist of Tasks
The best way to stay organized is to create a visual list of the things that must be done. If you think every detail through and put it on paper, you’ll be completely sure that you didn’t forget anything. Crucial things you’ll have to do are:
- Changing the address
- Updating your documents
- Forwarding your medical records
- Organizing utilities at your current location and in your new home
- Packing and unpacking
- Cleaning in both places
- Checking out your new home and the neighborhood.
Keep a list of things that you need to do and try to come up with a viable timeline. For example, you’ll want to have your belongings packed and ready to load prior to the moving day itself – it’s the best way to make the whole effort as relaxed and stress-free as it can be.
Relocation Is a Great Opportunity to Clear and Declutter Your Apartment
What not to pack when moving? We’d say – anything that’s old and of no use to you anymore. While you’re making an inventory list of the items you wish to relocate, you’ll surely bump into some stuff that you haven’t used or even seen for years. That is a good sign that you don’t need it and that you should throw or give it away. This way, you’ll also save some money by not packing and shipping unnecessary stuff.
Donate Your Items to Nearby Charities
Ask around and see where you can donate unwanted items. Churches and charities always accept donations, and you can bring them boxes full of clothes you don’t wear anymore or some of your furniture that you don’t want or can’t move. You can also aid a family in need from your local community. Needless to say, the things you’re giving away should be in good condition.
Don’t Leave Packing for the Very End
Although it might seem easy, packing is not something that can be done in just a few hours, no matter how little stuff you are taking with you. It’s always a good idea to carry out this often tedious process according to a certain order.
Firstly, pack the stuff you don’t need every day. Those items can be the dishes that you don’t use daily, seasonal clothes and shoes, or some other stuff you want to take, but don’t use right now. If you’re not sure how to pack them, check out a few guides on how to move houseplants or on packing delicate items and breakable things.
Leave the essential stuff for last. Set aside the things you’ll need on the last day in your old home and make sure that you have everything for a specific period of time. You may not be able to unpack your boxes the same moment you arrive, so separate some clothes and essentials and carry them in a handbag.
To ensure that you don’t have trouble with unpacking after you arrive at your new home, make sure to label all of your boxes – you’ll want to know where your breakables and valuables are.
Make Sure You Have All the Packing Supplies
Plan ahead and get plenty of packing supplies, tools, and moving boxes. You should have enough for the final day of packing, so you don’t end up short on some vital supplies such as paper, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, and blankets, to name a few. Having tools at the ready can be helpful for disassembling some items, as well. Searching for packing materials for moving all over town the night before the relocation is an inconvenience that can be easily avoided.
Make Sure You’ve Found a Good Relocation Company
If there ever was a single most useful tip on how to avoid a stressful relocation, it would be – hire a reliable and professional moving company.
If you wish to employ movers for their moving and packing services, at least you’ll be sure that everything is done right. You’ll have seasoned professionals whose sole job is to provide you with a safe and efficient relocation experience.
There are many reasons why you should hire a moving company, but the most important one is that you’ll save time and nerves, and start your new life in the best possible mood.
Movers and Their Professional Services Are There to Answers All Questions
A sales representative at a reputable company will be with you every step of the way. They can answer all the questions you may have about the whole process of the move and help you plan it better. A good company will not take any extra charges and won’t hide any costs. You’ll be sure that what you’re paying for is what you get.
