Moving to another home that is hundreds or thousands of miles across the country is an enormous task. While preparing for the long haul, getting acquainted with a new neighborhood and making new friends will be the least of your worries. Your utmost priority will be how to get from point A to point B.
Merely thinking about the countless tasks that need to be done before you move can put you in a lot of pressure, leaving you stressed and anxious. Luckily, there is a way to avoid this frenzied state of mind. The key is proper preparation.
Preparing for the big move
You wish transferring to a new residence can be done by simply hauling stuff in a truck and driving off. In reality, this isn’t the case. Even if it will only take you a few hours by plane or a couple of days by car to travel to your new address, the whole process of getting your next home ready will require a few weeks at least. No doubt, it will be a chaotic time for you and your family. With the help of a few practical steps, you can maintain your sanity during those hectic days leading to your cross-country move.
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Create a “to-do” list
You always make a checklist every time you go to the store to buy a week’s worth of groceries, so should you when preparing to move. Numerous tasks need your attention, and you can easily get overwhelmed by them or possibly overlook important ones if you don’t write them down. A significant advantage of keeping a list is that you can order them by importance and set definite timelines. This way, you are more in control of the whole process.
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Declutter and clean your home
Why bother tidying up a home you’re going to leave behind anyway? Aside from the good deed of making it more livable for the next occupants, you’re actually doing yourself a big favor. If you’ve disregarded annual spring cleaning for the past few years, now is an excellent time to take stock of what items you have stored in your home and where they are.
Decluttering is an effective way to pare down the number of items you’ll be bringing along to your new home. Remember that the movers are going to charge you by weight, so why pay to relocate things that are no longer wanted or necessary?
Check your storage of furniture, decor, books, kitchenware, dinnerware, and old clothes. Decide what you will keep and let go. You might find it very difficult to let go of some things that have emotional value to you. Be honest and ask yourself if they are worth moving. Do you really need to bring along that high school scrapbook you’ve kept for over four decades or that old piano grandma bequeathed to you but is gathering dust because it’s beyond repair? Be reminded that fewer items mean less time and effort spent in packing.
If the articles you found hidden in the attic and cabinets are still usable, you can donate them to charity or sell them through a yard sale or an online marketplace. You can then use the extra money earned to cover some of your moving expenses.
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Decide on a mover
Cross-country moving requires transporting large items over long distances; thus, you’re better off hiring the services of professional movers. Make the effort of finding the best mover in your area, so you’re assured that your belongings stay safe and free from damage while in transit. Some companies, like Allied Van Lines, specialize in long-distance moving. If you can find one near you, call them and request for a consultation.
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Start packing
After you’re finished getting rid of clutter, proceed to organize and pack the remaining articles in your house. Here are some nifty packing tips:
- Be picky with the packing boxes you choose. They should be made of durable and sturdy materials.
- Have rolls of packaging tape on hand for sealing the boxes securely.
- Enclose fragile and breakable items in bubble wrap.
- Place appropriate labels on the packages, so you will know where everything is upon reaching your destination.
- Have a separate container for important documents like medical and financial records, passports, car registration, insurance policies, and birth certificates.
- For convenience, assign another box for basic supplies that you will immediately need upon arrival in your new home. These can include medications, disposable plates and cups, paper towels, soap, utensils, and toilet paper, as well as handy tools like a hammer, screwdrivers, and a pair of pliers.
No one ever said that cross-country moving is easy, but you don’t have to be that apprehensive about it either. If you stick to a good plan, you can avoid getting too much stress. Instead, you will be able to concentrate on making a wonderful new home for your family.
