Preparing for a Move Across the Country: Essential Tips and Advice

So you’ve decided to move; your house is now full of boxes, art is falling from walls, and you are wondering how everything will come together when moving day finally arrives. Moving can be extremely stressful; especially long distance moves. However, there are things you can do to ease this transition as much as possible.

Organization is Essential for Everything

Lists! By the time your move is finished, you may become weary of them. But in preparation stage alone, lists can help keep track of seemingly never-ending tasks and help ensure you remain on top of everything that needs doing.

One list may be dedicated to cancelling (or transferring) bills and services like electricity, water and gas; another list could focus on moving expenses; do you have boxes and bags for packing; have you reserved your truck or movers yet?

Starting to organize for a move can be overwhelming at first, but the effort will pay off later when life gets hectic and your checklists become invaluable.

Say Goodbye to Some “Stuff”

If you have ever moved before, chances are at some point during your move you have found yourself staring down all those boxes and thinking to yourself “Wow. I didn’t realize I had this much stuff!” It’s natural; once we start living in one home we start gathering mementoes such as books, paintings and collectibles that we gather up over time. Moving trucks have their own peculiar way of holding everything all at once but sometimes that means doing some purging or even donating some things away to help reduce clutter in space-constrained situations!

As you sort through your possessions, take note of which ones are essential and which might need additional thought. Anything no longer liked or used should go into the donation or sale pile while whatever remains in your “maybe” pile will require further evaluation before being put aside permanently. Ultimately it is up to you how best to part ways with certain things from your collection.

How to Ship Out
Ship out considerations can be tricky as there are various options available but only some will fit your needs or desired budget. Do you prefer stress-free moving by hiring professionals with trucks for hire, or would you rather drive it yourself? These decisions go well beyond basic relocation considerations.

Consider your car. Do you really need to add miles on it just to reach your destination? If you own an expensive model, a shipping service that uses enclosed auto transport could offer extra protection against wear-and-tear as well as elements.

Arrange Yourself for Success

Moving can be both exciting and nerve-wracking depending on how you handle it. Procrastination, poor planning and indecision can all pose significant threats to a smooth relocation experience; leaving everything until the last minute and packing your possessions on moving day could leave you rushed and anxious.

On the other hand, making sure everything on your list has been accomplished and giving yourself plenty of time for bigger projects will ensure a more efficient move. Relocating across country can be an enormous task even with professional movers and packing services; by getting everything taken care of beforehand you’ll ensure a more seamless relocation.