Moving is inherently challenging but it can serve a purpose if you have the time and the help to do it right. Whether you’re moving across state lines or just to a new city, there are several tools that you can use to make the process easier.
Start Early
If at all possible, get or create a map of your new home. Pay special attention to tight corners and stairways. If your box spring isn’t going to make it up the stairs, it may be much simpler to get a new mattress delivered to your new space.
Enter each room in your current home with a roll of masking tape and a pen so you can mark your largest pieces of furniture with a location in your new home. Next, gather up
- black plastic bags for trash
- white plastic bags for donations
- a cardboard box or plastic tub for items you’re taking with you
If you plan to try to sell things instead of donating them, consider having one big moving sale instead of selling items one at a time. After the moving sale, you can make one big donation.
Accept All Offers Of Help
When people hear you’re moving, they may offer to help. Get their number in your phone and set up a group chat. Arrange events, such as your moving sale or a pack and stack day, and invite friends to help.
To make your move easier, a pack and stack is a fairly simple process. Clear one wall in your living space or a guest room if you have the space. Referring back to the map of your new space, assign colors to each room. Get colored dots or tape so you can tag boxes as you fill them.
Every time you pack a box, tag it with the corresponding color and stack it in the packing area. If you have very small children, it may make sense to assign one room for these boxes and lock it so curious little ones don’t try to climb the boxes.
You may have friends who can’t lift boxes or move furniture. You may have friends who can’t attend the pack and stack but want to help. See if family and friends can
- take your children and pets out for the day
- provide a snack or a beverage to the packing crew
- gather boxes for you while they’re out running errands
- monitor your moving sale
Moving is inherently messy and it may be tempting to try to do it all yourself. However, moving with the help of friends can lighten the load and be a wonderful way to say goodbye.
Using Personal Vehicles
If your family car is a van or an SUV, it may be tempting to clear it out and move possessions with it. However, moving can be really hard on your children and the relocation of car seats and boosters to the smallest vehicle may cause a meltdown.
For those with motorcycles and ATVs, it may make more sense to use a motorcycle transport service and put any personal trailers to work hauling your belongings. If your car collection includes a sedan, make this vehicle the delicates and electronics transport. Televisions, stereos, computers, and art objects can be gently laid in the trunk or on the back seat and wrapped in blankets.
Make sure that all qualified drivers are geared up for the move. Walkie-talkies can be a good investment so everyone can communicate without having to use cellphones if you plan to caravan. If you have a young driver in the household who wants to help, put them behind the wheel of the vehicle that they drive most.
Fill All Your Luggage
One of the most relaxing feelings in the world is to put a clean body down on a freshly made bed. To make this possible on move day, you’ll need all the family luggage. Start with a backpack, managed by an older child if at all possible, that will hold all the charging cords.
Next, make sure that everyone has a suitcase. Into that suitcase, place
- toiletries, a towel, and pajamas
- sheets and a pillow
- clothes for the next day or two
If you have time to set up the beds on your first day in the new house, you can all bathe, make the bed, put on fresh pajamas, and sleep on your favorite pillow. A good night’s rest will make it possible for you to tackle unpacking the next day.
Stay In A Rental For A Few Nights
If you know your drive to the new house will take the whole day, consider renting a house or an apartment for a few days to take the pressure off. For those who will be doing a slow move, such as from one city to another, at least invest in a storage unit where you can move boxed items for easier unloading.
If you’re moving in July, there’s no reason to not move all the holiday decorations to your new city, especially if they’re already boxed up. Every tub and container you can transport while you take care of business in your new town will save work later.
This decision can also take the sting out of the move for your children. Knowing that they will get to stay in a hotel with a pool (and that you can relax in the hot tub) will give you a wonderful goal at the end of that day of travel.
Packing in a mad scramble will make your move into your new home a nightmare. The sooner you can start, the better. Make the first day of unpacking as simple as possible; make the bed, order a pizza and place your order for breakfast in the morning. Don’t try to do everything on your own!
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