Moving to a new home and possibly a new city is exciting. You get to experience a whole new place to live and learn about something that you are not familiar with. Moving is also filled with deadlines, the work of packing, moving logistics, and the related stress. If you are preparing for a move, continue reading to learn some tips to help it go smoothly.
Hire a moving company.
If you have moved before, then you know how much work goes into the process of packing everything up so very carefully, labeling the boxes, taping them shut, and then actually moving them. The physical aspects alone can be grueling. It is nearly impossible to get a piano down a staircase unless you have the help, strength, and know-how to do it safely. Once you have everything packed up, you have to do the exact process in reverse at your new location.
That is why it is usually in your best interest to hire a local moving company. By going this route, you will ensure that everything you own is protected from start to finish. Professional movers have access to packing materials that you will not be able to find, and they know how to ensure everything is safe and protected to reduce and eliminate the potential for damage. On top of that, if you are not strong enough to pick up a box of your beloved books, a dishpack with your entire dish set, or a wardrobe box of clothing that you never realized was as heavy as it is, you will need help. Let the pros do it for you. You will save yourself time, energy, and possibly prevent an avoidable injury, not to mention the potential to damage your belongings.
Always carry your important documents with you.
An important note for anyone considering a move of any size is to remember to always carry your important documents on your person throughout the entire move. Never pack away essential personally-identifiable information and files into a moving box. This is not because there is a worry of theft or loss. It is primarily because these documents are vital for so many reasons in your life, and if you do not have access to them because they are in a box while you are waiting for the move-in date for your new home, you might run into a problem.
Start by identifying the documents you should set aside. These will include the following:
- Birth Certificates
- Military Paperwork
- Insurance Paperwork
- Passports
- Social Security Cards
- Medical Documents
- Banking and Investment Paperwork
- Usernames and Passwords
- Retirement Paperwork
- Moving paperwork from the moving company.
- Any other essential documents that will be difficult to replace.
- Paperwork from the sale of your current home or the final walk-through paperwork from a rental property.
- Paperwork for your new home, including title information and loan documents.
Before packing them into a box, bag, or portable filing case to transport with you, take the extra step to scan and upload them all to your secure cloud service. That way, if anything does go wrong, you will not have to start from scratch when trying to obtain new documents, etc.
Take your time with furniture placement.
This section may be jumping ahead a few places in the natural order of moving, but if you like to plan and are very excited about curating your new home, it might be helpful to take a moment. Breathe deeply. Now reconsider the furniture you have probably placed in a few online shopping carts. It is natural to get excited about the process of laying out everything in your new space, especially if it is something you would consider to be an upgrade from your current one.
However, you should wait until you arrive to decide where everything will go. You do not need to offload your current furnishings and purchase all new furniture for the new home. Be patient. It is better to live in the space with most of your possessions unpacked so you can fully assess the flow. You may already have an amazing table that will serve as the perfect desk in your new office or a side table that will fit the peculiarly-shaped nook in the entryway. You do not want to purchase new items that will inhibit the flow of the room before you know how you will move through it yourself.
Watch this video to learn some tips from an architect on how to arrange your living room furniture. You can use this advice for the rest of your home, as well, as you unpack.
Let your kids play.
There is something about large boxes that brings out excitement in younger children. When you arrive at your new home, after unpacking four or five boxes, invite your kids to use their imagination while keeping them busy and out of your way. Pack a few packages of markers or crayons, depending on your kids’ ages, and set them to work in an unoccupied corner. Encourage them to create forts, spaceships, boats, vehicles, a playhouse, or anything else that sparks their interest.
As for the big kids and teenagers, use your best judgment based on their maturity levels, but you might want to let them off the hook from unpacking for a while. They may be stressed from the move and need an outlet to channel their emotions. Encourage them to go for a walk and explore the neighborhood, check out a nearby park, or drive into town with a grocery list if they have their license. Show them that you value their maturity and help with the move. Maybe they can go pick up ice cream for the whole family.
Moving to a new location brings on a lot of work, stress, and feelings. Put in the work to ensure everything goes off without a hitch, and be sure to hire a team of professional movers to take care of the heavy lifting at both ends. You will be so glad you did.
