Most people have reconsidered where and how to live, especially young couples looking for a place to raise happy and healthy families. Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in online searches for large homes with considerable outdoor spaces. City dwellers have also started eyeing rural and suburban environments. The increasing adoption of remote work practices has given most people the flexibility and leverage to relocate to remote areas.
Whether you are moving to start a new life, searching for employment opportunities, or other reasons, planning a long-distance move is challenging. It requires extensive preparation that most homeowners consider impossible. Below are actionable tips that will make your long-distance move easier.
Tips for Preparing for the Long-Distance Move
You can toss your items at the back of your van if you are moving across the street. However, moving interstate requires thorough preparation and a lot of planning. Below are a few tips for preparing for a long-distance move:
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Start Planning as Soon as Possible
You should start your relocation plans immediately after you confirm that you are moving. Moving thousands of miles is an enormous task, and you should prepare adequately. As a rule of thumb, you should begin your preparations at least four months before the due moving date. Since this involves a lot of things, consider creating a spreadsheet of important activities to complete before the move.
Changing your address and utilities and finding a new job and a school for your kids should be among the priority activities with time limits. You should also update important documents, such as your registration and driving license, in advance. The sooner you begin searching, the better.
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Find a Reputable Moving Company
While you can DIY the move by renting a moving truck, working with professionals eases your long-distance move. Unless you are selling or giving up all your belongings for a fresh start, you should start looking for a moving company. Hiring a reputable moving company requires that you consider several factors, such as customer reviews, in-home moving estimates, insurance, and licensure. You should hire a company after a careful search to avoid being a victim of moving scams.
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Buy a Moving Insurance
Most moving companies have two basic insurance policies that hold them liable for compensation in case of mishaps during the move. However, you should consider buying additional coverage from third-party insurance providers, especially if fragile and expensive items are involved. Having a comprehensive plan gives you peace of mind as all your belongings will be compensated in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Packing Tips for Long-Distance Move
Even if you are a packing expert, packing for a long-distance move is unique and challenging. Below are packing tips for long-distance moves:
Create an Inventory
You can easily lose track of your items when preparing for a long-distance move. Therefore, while it might be tedious, list all the items and tasks you should complete before the move. With this, you can easily refer to the list if any item is lost or misplaced. Having an inventory makes it easy to trace every item.
Declutter and Downsize
You should use this opportunity to downsize and declutter non-essential items you’ve accumulated in your home. Decluttering and downsizing not only help eliminate non-essential items but also reduce moving costs. Moving companies charge based on shipment weight and other factors. You should also downsize if you are moving into a smaller home.
While there’s a lot to consider when decluttering, below are a few insightful tips to follow:
- Focus on one room at a time – decluttering your entire house is daunting. Therefore, start with one room at a time until you complete all rooms. You should create a plan and break down the schedule by room to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Consider your new space – you should know the measurements of your new space to downsize accordingly. This helps you determine if you should keep or get rid of your current furniture and other items.
- Consider your new lifestyle – besides considering if the item can physically fit into the new space, evaluate if it fits your new lifestyle.
- Set decluttering rules – you can easily make exceptions for various items, even if they are non-essential. Therefore, you should set and stick to decluttering rules, which include categorizing items. Identify items that should be kept, for donating, recycling, or passing down.
Pack Your Boxes with Distance in Mind
Packing for a long-distance move isn’t the same as packing when moving across the street. You should apply various packing hacks to ensure that your items arrive safely. If you doubt your packing skills, hire a moving company that provides professional packing services. Similarly, don’t forget to label boxes for easy identification. This is especially important for fragile items that require extra attention.
Find Ways of Saving Money
The costs of interstate moving can quickly accumulate, surpassing your moving budget. Therefore, you should find ways of saving costs while simplifying the moving process. For instance, you can recruit friends and family members to help pack, clean, and organize.
General Long-Distance Moving Tips
Having prepared adequately and packed, you should focus on the actual move. Below are long-distance moving tips to ensure you reach your new home safely.
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Move During Off-peak Season
Most people prefer relocating during the summer for various reasons. However, summer is a peak season, and moving companies charge more during this period. The moving company may also not provide the best services because of high demand. Therefore, consider scheduling your move for an off-peak season. Scheduling your move for a weekday or middle of the month is also better and cheaper than weekends and end months.
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Familiarize Yourself with the Move-in Situation
Your new home should be ready before the moving truck arrives. Apart from preparing your new home, research the neighborhood’s parking rules. Ensure there’s enough space for the moving truck to unload items right outside your home. Otherwise, they may be forced to use smaller shuttles, which cost more.
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Move with Your Valuables
You shouldn’t pack valuables and other precious belongings with items transported by the moving van. You should pack and travel with high-value items, such as documents, collector’s items, jewelry, and portable electronic devices.
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Prepare Mentally for the Move
Relocating to a new environment is mentally tasking especially if you are moving away from friends, family, colleagues, and familiar environments. Therefore, you should prepare mentally for the move. For this, focus on the benefits of moving, such as new opportunities, a chance to explore, and many other things awaiting in the new place.
The Bottom Line
Moving interstate is financially, emotionally, and mentally draining. However, you can make the move easy by planning accordingly. Starting your preparations months before the move, hiring professional movers, and other tips mentioned above can simplify your long-distance move.
We hope you found this blog post on How to Make Your Long-Distance Move Easier useful. Be sure to check out our post on 5 Tips for Choosing a Trucking Transportation Company for more great tips!
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