10 Things You Didn't Know About Moving
MOTM
March 28th, 2022
Moving can be a huge pain, and it's something we all have to do at some point in our lives. It's even more of a pain if you haven't prepared properly or don't know what you're doing! But you can do plenty of things before, during, and after your move to make it as easy and stress-free as possible. In fact, there are plenty of moving tips out there that may surprise you—you might be surprised by how much you don't know about moving!
1) There's A Ton of Help Available
If you're looking for moving tips, plenty of resources are available. The first place to look is your friends and family; there's a lot you can learn from their experiences. Ask around about movers, storage solutions, and other related issues to see what recommendations you get. Also, consider asking at work if anyone has any recommendations or has gone through a similar experience. Looking online can be helpful as well—there are tons of resources out there offering information on everything from packing to hiring movers—and so many people are willing to offer advice via discussion boards and other user-driven content sites that it's worth using them as a reference source as well.
2) Being Prepared Can Save You Time and Money
The most important thing you can do is to be prepared. When you know your moving date, visit your new neighborhood beforehand and take note of schools, parks, grocery stores, and pharmacies. If possible, visit during off-peak hours to avoid traffic delays and confusion. Many companies offer a free moving estimation with an in-home estimate. This can help you prepare mentally for what's ahead (and give an accurate idea of how much it'll cost). While some things are out of your control, being prepared will at least make moving day easier for everyone involved.
3) Start Packing ASAP
Packing your belongings is a big part of moving. It's much easier to do before you are completely settled into your new home, so start as soon as possible. If you wait until everything is set up and all of your furniture is in place, it will be that much harder to pack up everything. Rather than trying to get everything perfect and taking time away from unpacking, just get an early start on packing and save yourself some time later. Remember that not every item needs to be packed - if you can easily replace it, think about storing items at a friend or family member's house instead of moving them all with you.
4) Create A Schedule, But Don't Be Rigid
When it comes to your move, there are a lot of tasks that need to be done. Having a schedule that you follow strictly is usually impossible and can often lead to problems down the road. For example, if you pack one box a day for ten days but then have to skip five days because work gets in the way—or because you get sick—you'll end up with a bunch of loose ends when you try to move into your new place. Instead, create an overall schedule for things like packing and moving day logistics, but leave room for flexibility; get help from friends and family whenever possible. It's easier on everyone in the long run.
5) When It Comes to Movers, Do Your Research!
Moving is never easy, and it only gets harder when you're forced to use a company that doesn't know what they're doing. That's why doing your research before hiring movers is so important! There are three ways to go about it: talk to friends and family who have used movers in the past, search for reviews online, or ask if any of your neighbors have had a good experience with certain movers. The more information you can gather beforehand, the better off you'll be when moving day comes around.
6) Packing with Friends Will Make Things Easier
Have a bunch of friends? Pack with them. Most people go at it alone, but things will be much easier if you have two or three friends who are also moving. Instead of trying to get a whole house packed and unpacked in one day, split up jobs and pack things as you're able. If you plan ahead, you can even save money by making sure all your boxes are labeled in advance and stacked on pallets for quick loading (most moving companies charge more if they have to load everything themselves). Friends don't let friends try to pack their lives into cardboard boxes!
7) Wherever You Go, Bring What You Need Most
The move is part of starting a new life, and it's a great time to purge. If you're moving out of an apartment, throw away your scratchy bedding, towels with holes in them, and mismatched dishes. The next person will thank you! As you pack, limit yourself to one box per room that is filled with things that are essential to your day-to-day life (and don't forget your extra set of keys). The fewer boxes you have, the easier it will be for movers or friends to help carry everything into place.
8) The Mover Will Pack Everything Else
In favor of the moving company, it is best to pack as much of your own belongings as possible. This will mean less time spent on the move and lower labor costs for you! Some of the items that are a good idea to pack yourself include tables, desks, chairs, large art objects (such as paintings), appliances, and kitchen cabinets. To aid in moving these things, you can use a hand truck if you don't want to hire an additional mover. While movers should be aware of what is fragile and should be moved with care, it's always best to play it safe with valuable belongings and tackle them yourself.
9) Try to Do as Much as Possible Before You Move in Order to Reduce Stress During Move-In Day
One of my favorite pieces of advice when it comes to moving is to try to get as much done before you actually move in. You can do many little things that will make your life so much easier once you move in. For example, if you want wireless internet or cable installed after your move-in day but before moving out of your current place, call your internet provider and schedule an appointment for installation a few days before moving into your new place. That way, they can set up all of their equipment ahead of time and not have to worry about getting everything up and running on move-in day.
10) Use These Tips for Unloading Too!
If you don't want to waste a moment, here are some suggestions for being more efficient: Have all of your boxes marked with their destinations in advance. This can save time and frustration during moving day. It is wise to have as many helpers as possible on moving day. Have everyone work together to speed up unloading time. Put your heavier boxes at one end of your truck so that they are unloaded first, allowing for lighter boxes near where you'll exit your vehicle. This will also help to avoid back strain from lifting heavy items.
Conclusion
It's never easy to leave your friends, family, and neighborhood—even if you're moving within your state. But there are a few things you can do to make your move go more smoothly: Avoid making a big production out of telling everyone (let them find out on their own); get help from a friend or neighbor with extra muscle; pack up items that will take extra time, and try not to freak out! Your new home is just around the corner, after all.
Long Island's Moving and Storage Blog