Moving to a new house can be exciting and challenging simultaneously, especially after the emergence of Covid-19. The pandemic has also impacted the number of movers. According to an article published on the Harvard University website, there were 86,000 fewer permanent moves in the USA in 2021 as compared to 2019 and 2020.
However, some challenges come with a long-distance relocation. If you’re considering moving to live with someone but aren’t sure how it will work out, here are some tips to help prepare yourself for this type of move:
Compile a Moving Checklist
Get a moving checklist. You can create one yourself, or you can find one online. There are many resources available that will help you with compiling a moving checklist. But here are some basics that may help:
- Make sure you have a copy of all of your important documents, like birth certificates, marriage certificates, social security cards, etc.
- Make copies of all the valuable items that you own, such as jewelry and electronics (ex., computers and laptops).
- Take pictures of your furniture, so you know how to put it back together when you get to your new home.
- Make a list of all your belongings, including the value and size of each item.
- Create a list of items to pack, including clothing, electronics, and household goods.
- Identify what you need to do before moving day and write it down on your checklist.
- Check with your landlord to see if they have any special instructions for moving out (like cleaning the place before you leave).
- Make sure you have a place to store any items that won’t fit in your new home or apartment.
Compare and Hire the Best Moving Company
After you’ve found a mover for your long-distance relocation, it’s time to set up an appointment with them and get the ball rolling. Before meeting with the moving company, make sure you have done your homework. You should have learned about their services, cost, and track record from other customers.
- Get a quote from reliable long distance movers and compare it against quotes from other movers. Only some movers offer the same prices, so feel free to ask around until you find one that fits your budget. Be mindful of hidden fees that could also cost more than expected.
- Check if they have insurance and license information on hand before hiring them. This will help protect you if anything happens while shipping or during transit because they are officially certified by local authorities (in addition to having good reviews).
There are different types of moving helpers. For instance, you can choose movers who will help you move, but you will have to hire a truck on your end. You can also get end-to-end services, or you can also DIY everything. Data shows that DIY planning a house move can take around 6 hours in the USA, whereas if you seek a helping service, you can do that within 5 hours.
Get Done With the Packing
The first step is to get your packing done because it can soon become daunting. Something as small as packing for a vocational trip can be emotionally challenging. Packing for moving to a new house can be more complex compared to that.
Start by listing everything you need to bring with you, and remember that less is more. Pack in small batches and keep your boxes organized so that it’s easy to find things when unpacking at the new place.
Pack breakables carefully with bubble wrap or other protective materials. Use wardrobe boxes for clothes. They’re explicitly designed for this purpose. Trash bags are great for small items such as linens or kitchenware, but if electronics need protection, consider using old pillowcases instead because they’re thicker than regular plastic trash bags (and cuter).
When packing heavier items like books and lamps, use a luggage scale to ensure they fall within airline requirements before loading them onto the plane yourself rather than letting them sit where baggage handlers will toss them around like frisbees.
Disconnect Utilities
If you’re moving out of your old home, it’s important to disconnect the utilities. Since this is a big step, make sure that you have all the information and contact details for your new utility providers before calling them.
On the day of your move, disconnect all services at both residences, water, electricity, and gas, if applicable. Next, contact each utility company to ensure that they’ve received a final bill from your landlord or previous property owner (if applicable) and any outstanding payments from their records.
Bid Farewell
Now you’re finally ready to say goodbye. You may be feeling nostalgic and wish that you didn’t have to leave, but try your best not to dwell on this too much. The next step is the most important one, moving out of your home and into a new one.
You can do this by gathering up all of your belongings, packing them into boxes or bags, and loading them onto a truck or van. Then take one last walk through the home that has been your home for years. You might even want to take pictures with family members before you sign off on closing documents. Do whatever makes sense for everyone involved in the move process. This is just an example itinerary.
Many people have been moving since the pandemic. Data from the WHO shows that over a billion people, or one in eight, are moving globally. When you are moving, saying goodbye can bring a sense of gratitude to the neighbors for whatever happened while you were staying there.
Conclusion
These steps will help you move to your new home smoothly. It is a very exciting time in your life, but it can also be stressful. You will feel a lot of emotions. For example, you can be joyous about going to a new house but sad about leaving the old home and neighbors. You will be excited to explore the new place and also feel anxious about how things will turn out.
