New Year, New Move: Tips for Relocating

Moving is a big decision, especially for people with families. It’s a physically taxing process to schlep everything you own into a new place (this is where affordable movers can be a lifesaver), and there are many factors to consider when deciding to relocate, including your budget, the cost of living, your earning potential, and the quality of life you can expect in the new location.

Moving can also be a very emotional decision—many of us become tied to the place where we live, especially if we’ve spent many years or an entire lifetime in the same town or city. Yet, a fresh start is just what many of us need, and what better time to create a new beginning than in the New Year? Read on for signs it’s time to relocate and tips on making the transition as smooth as possible.

5 Signs It’s Time to Relocate

1. An Amazing Job Offer –

You’ve just received an offer for your dream job, but it’s halfway across the country. If you’re single, relocating for a new job is probably a fairly easy decision: Pack up and tell your friends and family you’re moving to NYC. If you have a family, it’s more complicated. If your kids are young enough that they’re not in school yet and your spouse is on board with moving, you’re golden. Just make sure to do plenty of research before you commit to moving, to ensure schools, security, and the economy in the new location aren’t worse than in your current one.

2. Your Neighborhood Isn’t What It Used to Be –

Neighborhoods can decline rapidly, especially after an economic downturn or after a major employer leaves the area. If you’re noticing that crime rates in your neighborhood are increasing, roads are deteriorating, store fronts are boarded up, and public institutions like schools are in decline, these are strong signs it may be time for a move. You deserve to make a home in a place where you feel safe and secure.

3. Your Family Is Expanding –

If your clan is growing, and your current living space just isn’t working, moving into a larger place may be necessary, but there are even bigger considerations when you have kids, like proximity to top-rated schools and access to local parks and recreational centers. If your town or city doesn’t make the grade, it could be time to relocate.

4. The Weather Is Making You Miserable –

If frigid winters in the northeast have become too much to bear or you can’t stomach the thought of another sticky summer in the south, it may be time for a change. For some people, weather conditions are a matter not only of personal preference but health. The countryside can be pure misery for seasonal allergy sufferers, and damp, cold conditions can be downright painful for those with arthritis. If outdoor activities (that don’t require a parka and wind goggles) all year round are important to you, and you live in the frigid north, moving to a warmer climate makes sense.

5. Too Many Bad Memories –

Sometimes we need to get out of a place that holds bad memories. Maybe you had a rough breakup, a series of job disappointments, or a death in the family. The decision to relocate shouldn’t be made lightly—we can’t outrun our problems, after all. However, if every time you turn the corner you’re met with a reminder of your ex-spouse, moving to another city or state might be the best remedy for moving forward.

Okay. You’ve done your research, you’ve consulted with family and friends, and you’ve made sure you have the funds in place to relocate. If you need one last boost of confidence that relocating is the right decision, try this

Let’s look at how you can make sure your move goes off without a hitch, especially if you’re moving out of state or across the country.

 

Making the Transition Smooth

Start Amassing Boxes and Packing Materials

Quickly estimate the number of boxes you think you’ll need for your move. Now double that number. As anyone who has ever moved can attest, stuff just seems to materialize out of nowhere once you start packing, from the back of cupboards and closets, out of attics and basements—virtually every nook and cranny of your home or apartment.

You’ll need as many boxes as you can get. Start collecting them from grocery and retail stores from the moment you decide to move—and save your newspapers for packing material, too. Getting close to your move date and don’t have enough boxes? No problem. A good moving company will be able to provide all the boxes and packing materials you need.

 

Create a Packing Timeline

If you have the luxury of extra time, creating a plan for tackling the move is a good idea. Set goals for when you want to have each room packed, one by one, and stay on track. The more organized you are, the less money you’ll spend on last-minute purchases (like extra boxes) when you’re coming down to the wire on time.

 

Purge Stuff You Don’t Need

It’s human nature to amass stuff over time, and it’s amazing how many things you can collect over even a short period of time. Unless you routinely purge and donate items, you probably have mounds of stuff you don’t need, especially if you’ve lived in the same place for years.

Here’s a rule of thumb: If you haven’t used it for at least a year or two, toss it—but don’t throw good items away! Create separate piles for donation to charity, and be sure to get donation receipts. Donations can add up to a substantial tax write-off at the end of the year.

 

Label Everything

Nothing is more frustrating than having to look in each box to see what’s in it once you get to your new place. When boxes aren’t labeled, everything is liable to end up in a giant pile in the living room or scattered in the wrong places throughout the house.

Moving kitchen items from the bedroom and bathroom items from the living room is extra work you don’t need in an already stressful situation. Spare your back and shoulders, invest in a handful of black markers, and label every single box as you pack it.

 

Clean as You Go

After you finish packing up a room, clean it right away. Scrub, scour, sweep, mop, vacuum—whatever is needed. That way, you’re not left with the huge task of cleaning the entire house from top to bottom or with the expense of hiring a cleaning crew. If you’re an apartment dweller, cleaning could mean the difference between getting your cleaning/security deposit back or not.  If you’re a homeowner, cleaning makes your home more desirable to prospective buyers.

 

Get Help Moving

Moving across town can be stressful enough; schlepping your family and everything you own across the country with no help could result in a nervous breakdown! Whether you’re a retiree relocating to balmy Miami or a family of four moving to New York City, expert movers like the pros at Shleppers can provide relief from the stress of relocating.

 

Additional Tips

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of tasks large and small that need to get done when you’re planning a big move. Here are some additional tips, many of which may not immediately come to mind but which can prevent problems and upsets during your move.

• Have your vehicle serviced and your tires checked before you hit the road.
• Follow the weather reports along your route to make sure you don’t get caught in potentially dangerous
• Compile medical and dental records for each of your family members; it can be time-consuming to get these records once you’ve moved.
• Fill all your prescriptions shortly before your move date to ensure you have enough until you can get established at a new pharmacy.
• Get copies of vet records for your pets and any medications needed.
• Make sure your pets have ID tags; losing pets on a road trip is not uncommon, sadly. Many chain pet stores have machines that print ID tags instantly right in the store.
• Call your utility companies to schedule transfers/shut off, and return any equipment to the cable company.
• Take photos of your electronics or furniture before disassembling them; referring to the photos can help you with reassembly at your new home.
• Plan meals carefully to ensure you use all of the food in your refrigerator and freezer one or two weeks prior to your move date.
• Transfer or cancel your gym membership/yoga classes, CrossFit, etc

 

When Moving Day Comes

This is it—the day you’ve been planning for weeks—maybe even months. The house is empty, the truck is loaded up, and all loose ends are tied up. It’s time to load up the car (don’t forget the kids) and hit the open road!  Pack plenty of snacks, drinks, and entertainment to keep everyone happy in the car.

If you have kids, consider camping along the way, and be sure to check out points of interest along your route. If camping isn’t your style, make travel plans beforehand and book hotels in advance to get the best deals. You may also have friends along the way who are open to hosting you—reach out to them.

By strategically planning your relocation and getting the right moving help, you’ll ensure that your relocation happens as smoothly as possible. Cheers to an exciting new beginning in 2017!