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Relocating to a new home requires careful planning. You need to make sure you’ve packed everything and are able to transfer all your possessions to your new dwelling.
This is why preparing to move out of your home can both be an exciting and exhausting experience.
Whether transferring to a new property with your family or on your own, moving out is tantamount to starting a fresh chapter in your life.
This, however, doesn’t mean you’re leaving everything behind as some things can be relocated to your destination.
Apart from material possessions, there are other things you need to consider before moving out.
Staying on top of everything can be less stressful as long as you take these matters into consideration:
1. Making an Inventory
To know how much space, you need in order to transport all of your items to your new place, decide which ones you need to take with you.
If there are items you’d rather not keep, give them away to neighbors and relatives or donate them to charitable organizations.
Better yet, raise additional funds by selling them online or having a garage sale.
Keep everything organized by labeling all the boxes with their contents, designated number, and where they’re supposed to be placed in your new home. For instance, you can write ‘stuffed toys/box #1/Joey’s room.’
Have a list of these boxes and weigh each one so you’ll have a rough idea of the type of vehicle and moving services you need.
Doing this will help you spend less time worrying about mix-ups and lost boxes once you’re in your new place.
2. Choosing the Right Moving Company
Moving from California, Washington, or Oregon? Make your relocation seamless by choosing a professional home moving company.
Get help in choosing the best movers by asking for referrals. Contact a family member or a friend who recently requested moving services.
In addition, search online to check out companies near you and identify the best provider.
When you’re done taking note of three of the movers you like most, contact each company to ask for an estimate.
At this stage, your moving inventory will come in handy since you have the number and sizes of boxes that’ll help companies come up with a quote.
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3. Getting Your Finances in Order
This demands a longer preparation time. Even months before you or your family transfer to a new place, consider the cost of living and the new fixtures you need to purchase for your new home.
If you’re from the suburbs wanting to move to the heart of the city, expect to spend more, although you’re likely to earn higher wages there, too.
With that being said, make sure your financial health is good before and after deciding to relocate.
Additionally, you’re expected to have set aside a relocation budget that includes pre-and post-transfer expenses.
But the costs of moving out is only one important consideration. You also have to compare the prices of hiring a moving company versus renting out a moving truck.
Know the advantages and drawbacks of each option and decide which one would work best for you.
4. Updating Your Records with Your New Address
This is another crucial step to take before relocating. Updating your records to reflect your new postal address helps make sure that your bills and letters are forwarded to you properly.
Inform government agencies, your employer, utility companies, and other pertinent organizations of the change so you can keep your accounts and information with them up to date.
5. Canceling or Transferring Subscriptions
Talk to your service providers about the move so you can work out an arrangement with them.
If the company has a branch in your new location, you may only need to transfer your subscription there.
Otherwise, work on canceling your subscription on the day of your transfer or a day earlier.
At the same time, ensure that basic utilities such as water, gas, and electricity are all running in your new home when you move in.
Out-of-pocket costs for transfers, cancellations, and installation should also be factored in when preparing your relocation budget.
6. Packing Valuables and Documents Separately
Important possessions such as family heirlooms, important documents, certificates, and expensive jewelry shouldn’t be included in the boxes to be transported by the movers.
These important items need to be with you at all times for safety purposes.
Towels, a change of clothes, and an emergency kit should also be among the last items you pack.
Large-sized valuables should be handled with care, packed properly, and labeled ‘fragile.’
Make sure the professional movers you hire know when they’re dealing with precious items so they’ll transport those assets with extra care.
7. Getting Your Parents or Friends Involved
Your friends and family may be willing to do more than provide you with moving company referrals.
They may want to help you raise funds during your garage sale, shop for packing essentials or clean your home.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help from your parents if you’re fiscal resources are running low.
They may even be willing to help transport some of your valuables to your new home.
Besides saving on moving expenses, you can have your close family members visit your new place, too.
8. Making Some Lifestyle Changes
If you’re giving up the idyllic rural life to give way to the busy metropolis, you may be up for major lifestyle changes, especially if you’re moving out of your parents’ home.
Living adult life has pros and cons. On the one hand, you don’t have your parents hovering around you.
On the other hand, it’s not easy, what with the major adjustments you need to make.
To facilitate an easy transition, imagine how life will be like in your new place. If necessary, tweak your daily routine and practice it months or weeks before moving day.
Take charge of your finances and do your own chores as early as possible so you won’t have difficulties adapting to your new lifestyle.
9. Ensuring That Your Children Can Thrive in the New Place
When you’re so engrossed in the packing, moving, and unpacking stages, it’s easy to forget about the unseen implications of the transfer, especially on your children if you have them.
No matter how emotionally resilient your kids maybe, moving to a new place can be intimidating.
This may come as a shock to some parents, but according to a study, repeated relocation may trigger higher risks of failing grades and behavioral problems.
So always consider how the relocation will impact your children. Talk to your psychologist on how to ensure that your kids will adjust well to their new environment.
The Bottom Line
Moving to a new home isn’t something that should be done on a whim. You have to prepare and plan for it in advance so you can avoid running into problems on the moving day itself.
Also, whether you’re moving alone or with your family, think of the implications of relocation to your fiscal, mental, and physical health to determine if you’re truly ready for it.
