One thing is certain when it comes to moving: it’s a big job. Moving can feel overwhelming, stressful, and even scary, often seeming like mission impossible. Add other people into the mix, and the task can feel exponentially more difficult. Whether you’re also factoring in a partner, kids, or even pets, a family move is a huge undertaking. Are you and your family relocating long-distance? Are you finding yourself wondering how you can possibly tackle such a daunting task? Look no further than our six top tips to put your best foot forward in your long-distance family move!
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- Plan thoroughly
Perhaps the most vital key for a successful family move is to plan ahead. From the most important aspects to the smallest details, being as thorough as possible can largely decrease your stress levels. Start with a to-do list, writing down any tasks big or small that come to mind. More tasks may come to mind as you go about the move, so always keep it as a work in progress to continue adding items onto. Once you have the bulk of the list written, though, prioritize your items, putting them in chronological order. If you have due dates for any of the tasks, be sure to note them clearly.
Another list to compile should include all the services, utilities, and subscriptions you will need to cancel before moving. You probably have more than what immediately comes to mind, so be thorough. Taking care of these accounts before moving will ensure that you don’t incur additional, unexpected fees. You’ll also need to notify certain organizations and companies about your change of address. This will include the postal service, the IRS, your bank, your insurance, and your employer. If you don’t contact these places, you may not receive important mail.
Finally, you may also want to consider taking an inventory of your items. Although this may seem excessive, you’d be surprised how helpful this inventory will prove to be during your long-distance relocation. This list will help you determine what will come with you, what you’ll need to ship, and what isn’t worth transporting to your new home. Plus, it’ll offer assistance in keeping track of your items as you move.
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- Allow plenty of time
When tackling all the responsibilities associated with a move, it can be easy to feel like everything can’t possibly get done in time. Because of this, allowing yourself ample time to accomplish your moving goals is crucial. After all, transitioning yourself and your family to a new place can be challenging. Make sure you begin checking items off of your to-do list as soon as you know you’re going to be moving. Spreading these tasks out over a sufficient period of time will make the job significantly less overwhelming. One major element that should be significantly spread out is packing. Especially if you’re also packing for your children or getting together your pets’ items, you’ll want to have plenty of time for yourself and others.
Additionally, making sure to figure out certain details ahead of time will be extremely beneficial. Take time to consider things like jobs and their commutes, schools, childcare, and petcare. It’s also helpful to consider any local rules and regulations associated with your new residence to make sure you adhere to whatever guidelines are currently enforced. Waiting until the last minute to find out about these things can be a major source of stress.
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- Budget accordingly
Unfortunately, there are plenty of big costs associated with a move, which can be even bigger when you’re moving long-distance. It’s best to assess these expenses early on so you can be prepared for the amount you’ll need to spend and have a plan of attack to effectively cut down on costs where you can. Once you take stock of your current inventory, you can roughly calculate how much you will be spending on new things you need. Perhaps you are looking to buy new furniture or other items for the new home. Things like this should be factored in to have a more accurate picture of the costs you’ll be incurring over the next few months.
Next, since you’re traveling long-distance, a few more costs will be sure to come up. Consider how you’ll be traveling to your new place. Will you and your family be flying? Will you take a road trip to the new abode? If you drive, will you require lodging at a hotel along the way? Are there any items you need to ship to the new home? These decisions all come at various price tags. Plus, you may want to enlist the help of long-distance movers to get your belongings to the new space. Tack another expense on for that service.
Although it may feel like you’ll need to spend a lot, having a clear idea of what you’ll be paying for in advance will also give you the opportunity to save where needed and cut costs. The better you plan this aspect, the better you can handle it.
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- Assess the help you need
You and your loved ones are undoubtedly busy, now even busier with a move on your plate. If it feels like too much for you to do alone, don’t hesitate to ask for help where you need it. If your budget allows for it, a packing and moving company may be the perfect addition to the process to keep your family on track for a smooth move. Packing services can be customized to your needs – you can have them pack your whole house, or you can enlist their help for a room or two of your choice. This can be amazing for time management during such a busy stretch of your life.
It can be very advantageous to rely on long-distance movers for your relocation as well. Start by searching online for a reputable moving company to entrust with your items. You can look through reviews to find out more about their services and ensure they offer quality, reliable assistance. Their moving solutions allow you to delegate your tasks to experts who can make your move feel like a breeze.
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- Stay organized
Throughout the entire process, maintaining organizational systems is very important. When you arrive at your new home, you don’t want to feel stressed and frazzled. Staying organized will keep you from feeling that anxiety weighing on you so heavily. One great way to put together is to pack neatly and concisely. As previously mentioned, take your time to pack, making sure to properly protect any fragile items. Label your boxes thoroughly, and keep items from the same room together. You can even maintain an inventory list of what’s in each box, at least loosely, to remain on track and have something to reference when you’re unpacking.
You should also stay on top of your to-do list, frequently updating it and making sure to cross things off as you get them done. Try to remain diligent about any upcoming due dates for items on said list.
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- Communicate often
Moving can affect the whole family in different ways. Both children and adults alike may feel stressed, fearful, sad, excited, anxious, overwhelmed, lonely, and so much more. It’s important to communicate properly to offer each other much needed support during this hectic time. Make sure to check in on your loved ones and have conversations to keep track of each other emotionally.
Moreover, communicating tasks and needs is helpful as well. If you have projects or other items that you need help with, keep the line of communication open so everyone can help each other to get things done before moving day.
Move your family with ease!
With these tips and tricks in mind, a successful long-distance move is within your reach. Get ready to have a blast with your family in a new place!
If you’re interested in relying on a professional interstate moving company you can trust, find out what Able Moving & Storage can do for you. With dependable, friendly packers and movers to help you and your family, Able makes our customers’ satisfaction our top priority. Fill out our form for a free quote today!
