Moving to another state is a huge undertaking and can be very stressful. When looking at the big picture of your move, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. However, you do not have to complete it all at once. There are a lot of factors to consider, but you can make the transition easier for yourself and your family by following the five steps discussed below.
1. Have a Plan
Writing out your plan for the move at least 3-6 months before your family needs to be in your new home will give you enough time to move but still be organized and on time. You have a lot of decisions to make when moving to another state, many of which will affect your family and living conditions. Make sure you understand all the options before packing up your life. Create a list of things to do at each stage of your move, like packing, moving, and settling in. You can stay on track by using a checklist. When planning, think about the needs of your family. Will you be moving far from family and friends? This can be an especially difficult situation for young children. If this is the case, take some special time to talk with them about the move and prepare them for any changes.
2. Hire a Moving Company
Hiring a professional moving company can take a lot of stress out of your move. You won’t have to pack, drive, or unpack all your belongings. You have to load them into the truck and set a date for the move. Make sure you do your research before choosing a company based on its reviews, price, and customer service. If hiring a moving company is still too much work for you, consider hiring professional movers to pack and load while you drive and unpack. Other companies will also offer packing services, but these may be more expensive. If you need more time to pack, some companies will come to your house and fill the boxes with items off your list.
3. Ship Some of the Items
Some properties may be too big for movers and require you to ship items in advance. If this is the case, divide your belongings into “must have” and “nice to have” categories. Ship the most important items first and label them as fragile so they are handled with care. Keep your “nice to have” items in storage until you make it to your new home and decide what you like best. You can also ship a car to another state a week before you move and have it picked up a few days before you arrive. Shipping makes it possible to travel with less than a week’s worth of gear. If you plan to do this, check the car carefully before the moving company takes it and makes any necessary repairs.
4. Pack Ahead of Time
The more time you have to pack, the less stressed you will be on a moving day. Most people leave packing until the day before they move. This can make it hard to focus on anything else and cause you to forget important items. Try to pack a few items each week, so they’re ready when you need them. It’s also a good idea to buy or borrow used boxes and tape so you’ll have them on hand when it’s time for the big move. The more prepared you are, the less stressed you will be when you load the truck and hit the road. Use a moving checklist to make sure you remember everything.
5. Delegate and Be Flexible
As much as possible, delegate jobs and let your family members decide independently. They may not want to accept responsibility for their belongings, but it will significantly affect how long the move takes. You can also be flexible regarding moving dates and schedules because you may have moved before. This makes it easier to adjust to things that go wrong on the road while packing or unpacking your home. For example, if you’ve never moved before, you might be shocked by how much it costs to move your belongings. Be flexible with how much money you set aside for the move to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Moving is a big undertaking that can be stressful if you don’t plan and delegate tasks at various points throughout the process. The more prepared and organized you are, the less stressed you’ll be about your moving day. The five steps mentioned above will help make the transition easier for your family and help simplify your moving process.
