They say that moving home is one of the most stressful times of your life. That’s typically when you move home within the same city. Moving across states or across the US entirely is a whole other ball game. You’re adding myriad factors that contribute to a major process that requires time, effort, and dedication. Not to mention the financial cost. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. This is an exciting time. It’s a fresh start. Thankfully, there are lots of things that you can do to try and alleviate some of the stress and pain.

Plan Ahead

There aren’t many people that’ll pack up a bag and move across the country without any planning at all, but they exist. We’d counsel strongly against this style of moving. You’re asking for trouble and complications. Right from the start, you want to be researching.

That means researching your new location, the new housing market that you’re entering, and differences in culture. That means state laws, traditions, and lifestyle variations. Moving from Memphis, TN, to Los Angeles, CA, or vice-versa, is going to be a culture shock. There are similarities, but boy, there are differences

Doing this level of research helps you gain a footing before you leave your current home and begins to build excitement.

At this point, you also want to be considering your budget. Look at moving costs, initial living expenses, and the budget for your new home. This way, you’ll not be faced with any unpleasant financial surprises.

Using Movers

Picking the right moving team is a crucial part of the moving process. You might be tempted to UHaul it and move yourself, that’s absolutely fine. For long journeys crossing multiple state lines? We’d strongly recommend using a removal company.

First, you want to gather a few quotes. You’ll be surprised by the variation in cost but bear in mind that higher prices tend to come with a more quality service. A more expensive mover, for instance, might go the extra mile in protecting your door frames and carpets.

You’ll also want to consider what insurance they have and if they have a plan for any specialized items you own, such as a piano or particularly precious artwork.

Packing Your Home

Be wary of falling into the trap of shoving everything in your home into a box and taking it with you. This is an opportunity to bring a bit of order to your life. Chances are you will have collected a whole bunch of clutter from your day-to-day life. Now you can declutter it. Anything that you don’t think is essential or important can be sold or donated. Saving you space in the removal van and your new home.

You should also invest in good-quality packing boxes. You definitely don’t want to finish packing your kitchenware only for the bottom of the box to fall out and it all to smash.

The best tip at this stage is to get organized. Label every box on the outside with the contents. Go a step further than simply writing kitchen. An itemized list on the outside will be a godsend when it comes to unpacking. You could also keep this on your phone.

The Move Itself

Now is the time to bring out the Type A side of your personality. Plan a schedule for the moving day itself. Get together all of your essential documentation and keep it close. Pack a bag that has everything you need for the first few days. Each of these things will help reduce stress and unexpected hassle on the day itself. Then you can enjoy the process and settle into your new home.

Key Takeaways

Moving is stressful. There’s no hiding from that. You’re taking everything that you own and sending it halfway across the country. Preparation is absolutely key here. Prepare and plan, and you’ll do absolutely fine.

If you can afford it, using a removal company will make the move far simpler.
Get organized when you start the packing process.
Research your new location ahead of time to help with settling in.

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