Moving away from home for college or work can be a thrilling experience. You’ll get to see new places, meet new people and discover new things about yourself.
However, moving away from home also means that you’ll be living in a new city or state, which is challenging in its own right. You’ll need to find a new place to live, figure out how you’ll get back and forth from your new home, and make sure that you have everything packed that you’ll need for your upcoming trip.
We all know moving away from home isn’t easy. In fact, it’s one of the hardest things you will ever have to do in your life. The good news is there are many ways to make this transition much easier on you and your family. With some planning, pre-preparation, and courage you can successfully move away from home while minimizing the stress that comes with it!
To help you get ready for your long distance move, we’ve put together some helpful tips:
1. Find Reputable Long Distance Moving Companies and Get an Estimate
Before you get too far into the planning process, the first step is to scout potential long distance moving companies to help with your long distance move. If you don’t already have a mover in mind, you can do some research online to see which movers are nearby and have good reviews.
Once you’ve found some movers you like, ask for a quote to find out how much the move will cost. This will help you to get a sense of exactly how much you’ll need to budget for your upcoming move.
Be sure to also request a copy of the mover’s terms and conditions so that you can read over all of your rights and responsibilities. You can also ask about the company’s services, such as how they pack their items and how long they estimate it will take to complete your move. Some companies offer moving insurance, so make sure to ask if they offer this and what the policy includes.
2. Make a Moving Checklist
Once you’ve found a mover that can give you an estimate, the next step is to create a checklist of all the things that you’ll need to do before your move. This will help you to stay on track and make sure that nothing gets missed in the process.
Make a list of items that you need to pack for yourself, your pets, and any furniture that needs to be moved. You may also want to make a list of any items that you want to donate to charity, sell online, or give to friends and family.
Ideally, you’ll want to pack up the items that you want to bring with you. It can be helpful to organize your items by room, so that you know where everything goes when you arrive at your new home. You can store your belongings in large plastic bins to make them easier to move.
If you have any valuable items that you want to bring with you, you’ll want to make sure that you pack them carefully. You may also want to take out any loose items, such as jewelry or papers, to prevent them from getting damaged.
Make sure that you leave plenty of time to complete each task on your checklist. Try to finish a few items a week before the move so that you don’t feel rushed. Remember to be flexible with your schedule as well. If you need more time to pack, ask for a delay in your moving date.
3. Create a Travel Plan
Whether you’re going to be moving to a new city by plane, train, or boat, you’ll want to create a travel plan. This will help you to stay on track with your journey, as well as make sure that you don’t miss any important connections along the way.
If you’re flying, make sure that you check flight times and routes as well as airport parking rates, so that you can plan accordingly. find out which airlines fly to your destination city and when they have the most availability. You can also check websites like Kayak to see what the average flight prices are at different times of the year.
If you plan to drive to your new city, you’ll want to see what the driving distance is between your current city and your new home.
You’ll also need to make sure that their car is in good condition to make the trip. Check the condition of your tires to make sure that they are safe for driving. You’ll also want to make sure that you have enough room for your belongings such as personal items that you may not want transported by the professional movers, so declutter as much as you can.
You’ll also want to make sure that your car has the proper safety features before driving long distances. This includes checking your tire pressure and making sure that you have enough gas in your tank.
If you’ll be taking the train, look up train schedules and routes so that you can plan accordingly. And if you’re taking a boat, make sure that you check the tide and weather conditions to avoid any potential issues that could arise. You may also need to find out how long each trip will take and whether you need to make any connections.
4. Visit the Location Where You’ll Be Staying Beforehand
If at all possible, visit the place where you’ll be staying before your move. This will give you a better idea of what the location looks like and how far it is from where you’ll be working. You can also visit the surrounding areas to get a feel for the culture and see if there are any places of interest close to your new home.
This will help you feel more prepared when you arrive in your new city. But if you can’t visit the location before your move, try to visit it as soon after you arrive as possible.
Note that you might want to do certain activities related to your move such as:
- Getting your utilities transferred and setting up your internet and cell phone at your new place
- Finding your new place and signing a lease
- Getting your car ready for the move
- Setting up a storage unit or finding a place to store your items
- If you have kids, you’ll also want to find day care centers or schools nearby
5. Pack Your Essentials Early
Depending on which movers you choose, you may have to pack some of your things yourself. This will help you make sure that you have everything you need when you first arrive at your new home, and it will relieve some of the stress of your upcoming move
Make sure to pack your essentials early, like any clothing items you’ll need for your trip. You can also pack your valuables, like your laptop, jewelry, important documents, and electronics.
Use your moving checklist as described above so you don’t accidentally leave anything out. You may want to keep your valuables with you during the move. If that’s the case, make sure to pack them in a travel safe. You can also book a hotel near your moving location, which will allow you to keep your valuables with you while the movers are packing up your things.
You’ll also want to make sure that you have any medications that you need during the journey, along with any other items you can’t go without.
6. Spend Your Final Days With Loved Ones Before the Move
Finally, before your big move, you’ll want to make sure that you spend as much time with your loved ones as possible.
Even though it can be upsetting to leave your friends and family behind, spending your last days with loved ones can help you feel less stressed and will reduce any feelings of regret that could come up.
You may want to make memories visiting a local landmark to have a family or friend potluck. This will help you stay busy during your final days in your old city, and it will make the transition to your new city a little easier.
In Summary
When you’re moving to a new city, there are a lot of things that you’ll need to prepare for. This can all seem like a big challenge, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal.
Finding a reputable mover and getting an estimate, making a moving checklist, creating a travel plan, packing well in advance, doing a pre-visit, and spending your final days with loved ones before the move are all essential pieces of any successful long-distance move.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to prepare yourself and you’ll know what to expect beforehand. This means you will be able to make sure that you’re ready for whatever comes next whether you’re moving across the state or across the country.
