Not long ago, we published an article packed with helpful advice for relocating from one apartment to another across town. Today, we offer advice tailored to those making much longer, across-the-country moves.
Ready, set, go!
1. Start Early
The king of all moving tips, regardless of the end destination, is to start early. In doing so, you’ll have the time you need to get and stay organized throughout the entire moving process, which in the end, will help you avoid bundles of stress.
2. Decide How You Want to Move
Unless you own next to nothing or have planned to start from scratch on the other side of the country, you probably won’t be moving everything you own in your car as you might do if you were headed across town. Still, there are a few moving methods for you to choose from. Research the costs and terms of renting a moving truck yourself and weigh those against hiring a moving company. Choosing a professional moving service or truck company early on may help you score a significant discount.
3. Take Inventory
Take an inventory of everything you move, especially if you hire movers. Log and number each item you place in a box on a master inventory list. Then number the boxes to correspond with your list. For good measure, affix a copy of each container’s contents to it. If this seems like too much extra work, try a home inventory app which can simplify the process. Taking a home inventory will help you think twice about what you’re moving so you can better consolidate.
4. Insure Your Belongings
If you decide to hire movers, consider taking out an insurance policy. The cost of insurance should be small relative to the cost of the moving services you make use of. And with thousands of miles to travel, there will unfortunately be plenty of opportunities for your belongings to break or go missing. We know, this is a pain. Why should you have to insure your belongings against damage when you’re paying someone to carefully transport them? You shouldn’t have to, but it’s the only way to enjoy peace of mind as you wait impatiently for your stuff to be delivered.
5. Take Time to Unpack
If you can afford it, take a few vacation days to get settled in straightaway. When you feel like you can’t unpack anymore, take a break to explore your new surroundings. Being rid of all boxes within 48 hours of arrival at your new apartment is an admirable goal, but go easy on yourself. Moving is a process that can take a lot of time! It’s okay if you don’t really feel moved in after one night, or even an entire week.
Moving from one side of the country to another may be exhausting and expensive, but it can also be exciting. Plan ahead, and you should be able to make the most out of the time you take to focus on your move.
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst