Moving is not easy in any case, but long distance moving can be especially challenging. From the time it takes to move your belongings to adjusting in the new environment, long distance moving can sometimes seem overwhelming. Whether you are moving across a couple of states or across the country like moving to New York from Los Angeles for example, picking the right moving company is very important. With a few easy tips and tricks, you can streamline the process so it goes by quickly without any bumps on the road.
Find a reliable long distance moving company
So you have decided to move your life somewhere far away. Before you go apartment hunting or stressing about finding a new job across the country, start by look up different moving companies.
Use the resources you have at your disposal to your advantage. The good thing about this step is that you can do it anywhere and at any time. Pull out your phone on your commute to work for example and find a couple of companies you like. Here, it is very important to check if the company specializes in long distance moving. Moving locally is very different. The process is much shorter and simpler. You want a company that is capable of successfully handling all the additional factors that come with a long move. In addition, you should check their reviews, especially in the area you want to move to.
Narrow down your choices
Don’t feel overwhelmed by the choices that Google gives you. A good way to narrow down your choice is to check whether you are dealing with licensed movers. This will ensure that you are in safe and reliable hands. An experienced and reputable moving company will be able to package and transport your belongings in a way that ensures their safety and security. Don’t be afraid to contact them and ask anything that is on your mind. From fragile items to bulky furniture, a reliable moving company should show the utmost care when handling your things. They will also be able to advise you on how best to prepare for your move.
Make a schedule
Planning is an essential part of moving, regardless of how close or how far you are moving your life. With long distance moving especially, it is important to create a schedule. The last thing you want is to arrive in your new home and eat out of plastic plates or sleep on the floor because your belongings haven’t arrived yet. Make sure to ask your moving company for an estimate for the move so that you and everything you need in your home arrives on time.
Once you have determined your delivery window, you can proceed with all the other parts of your relocation. Be sure to book you travel tickets and make working arrangements in your new city around this delivery window. It would be good to set aside a couple of days to fully settle into your new home. Give yourself a comfortable time-frame. You will have a lot of things to do aside from the transport of your things. People tend to forget this and think that once their things arrive, they can just carry on as normal. After you arrive in your new home and accept the delivery of your things, you will need to unpack. But fear not, this too can be easy as long as you plan ahead.
Organize your belongings
After you have designed a schedule, it’s time to think about space. Think about your current space and how it can fit into your new space.
Start with a list of things you want to transport. Go around your home and make a rough inventory first. Then, make a list of all your essentials. Decide what you want to take with you and what you want to leave behind. If you struggle with this step, contact your chosen moving company. They may be able to offer advice on what things people usually transport across long distances.
Categorize your belongings based on how they might be transported. For example, place all your dishes and prized possessions in the fragile category. If you have any valuable pieces like works of art for example, place them in a separate category. This will enable your moving company to handle them with the appropriate care. Often, such items may require special equipment so having them in their own category make everything easier.
Don’t give up!
Even if you can’t wait to get it all over with, resist the urge to just bundle all your things together. Organizing your belongings will make the unpacking process a lot easier. You could, for example, divide your things based on the rooms they belong to. That way, when you arrive in your new home, you will know exactly where what needs to go. The same applies for small items. You could divide them by area. For example, everything you need in the kitchen can go in one box. Things you need on your desk could go in another. Regardless of how many boxes you end up with, labeling is essential. Without it, all your careful categorization will go to waste. This simple step will save you a lot of time later. You will know exactly where your things are and where they should go.
Long distance moving can actually be easy
Starting a new chapter in your life should be an exciting and joyful time. Make the most of this experience by starting it on a good note.
To do this, remember to:
- Research moving companies that can handle long distance moving
- Check if they are licensed
- Estimate the time the move would take
- Organize your move around your delivery window
- Create an inventory of your things
- Separate fragile items
- Consider items that may require special transportation
- Categorize your belongings by room or area
After that, all there is left to do is for your things to be packed and labelled and away you go.