5 Tips To Make A Long-distance Move Go Without A Hitch

Moving cross country takes a lot of planning and can be stressful, but being organized and methodical should make the process much easier. Here are 5 tips to make a long-distance move go without a hitch.

1. Secure a new property

Regardless of where you are moving to, you will need somewhere to stay, so finding a new property is one of the first things you should organize. If you are moving as part of a works relocation package, they may have properties lined up for you to view. If you are doing things under your own steam, you must be ready and willing to do a bit of leg work.

Talk to local rental agents and real estate agents and make them aware of the type of property you are looking for. They are usually pretty good at making contact when something suitable comes on the market, so making good connections with the right people could make finding a new home much less of a headache.

2. Declutter your belongings

Although you can pack up everything you own and take it all with you, it’s worth considering whether purging many of your belongings will make the process simpler and quicker. We are not suggesting that you get rid of things you love or need, but throwing everything in boxes and hoping for the best isn’t the ideal scenario either.

Dealing with one drawer, closet, and room at a time, put anything that’s broken in the trash or recycling and put items you no longer need or want to one side. They can be sold or given to a goodwill charity, and the items you have decided to keep can be packed away.

3. Pack your belongings in advance

Packing isn’t the most enjoyable activity in the world, but being organized will make it far less stressful. Sturdy boxes can be purchased online or via your removal company, but if you want to go for a cheaper option, ask your local grocery store or other retail outlets to keep boxes for you.

You will also need packing tape – and be sure to purchase adhesive labels. Keeping a note of what’s in each packing box will make things much easier when it’s time to unpack.

Pack any non-essential items as soon as you can, and when the big day arrives, you should only have a few things left to put away. You might be tempted to leave everything until the last minute, but it’s a decision you will probably regret when the time comes.

It’s worth noting that firms that specialize in moving long distances are usually booked months in advance, so before you even start packing, secure a removal date.

4. Redirect your post

You won’t want to miss any essential correspondence when you move, so it’s worth putting a redirection in place with your local postal service. They will usually offer variable timescales for redirection, so be realistic about the time you think it will take to alert the required businesses and service providers of your new address. You do have to pay for this service, so the more organized you are, the cheaper it will be.

If you don’t want to pay for a redirection, be sure to let everyone know before you move. There are lists available online to help you track who you have told and who you might need to make aware of your intention to relocate.

5. Moving with children

Moving can be a lot harder when you have children so, if you haven’t already told them, you should try and tackle it as soon as you can. They may feel upset about leaving their school and friends, or they could be apprehensive about living in a new home. Talk through their fears and worries and get them excited about this new adventure that they will soon be embarking on.

If possible, take them to their new home town and spend a few days exploring and getting to know the area. If you have registered them in a new school, find out if they can spend a day there in advance of your move. It will be the ideal opportunity to meet new friends and hopefully make them feel a bit more settled and excited about it all.

Make sure they know that they can talk to you about any concerns or feelings they encounter and make them aware that you know what they are going through. The more open they can be, the less apprehensive they should feel.