Are you planning a move across the country? Or maybe you’re taking it one step further in mileage and moving to a different country. Whatever the case, moving is a difficult process.
It’s true that a long distance move is no simple task, but here are a few tips to make your journey a little easier.
Before making the trek to your new home, it’s important to create a plan. Figure out your timeline and budget so that you are prepared for anything that may occur during your moving process.
It would also be smart to determine how you will execute the move whether it is to a city a few hours away or on the other side of the country. Figure out what way will work best for you and your belongings.
- Then research and hire a professional moving company to take the abundance of household items to your new house, so that you can focus on getting you and your family there as well. Make it a fun road trip and plan out the route so you can stop at a few sites on the way!
As for timeline, The Spruce recommends giving yourself 12-16 weeks for a long distance move=.
This is the ideal amount of time that will allow you to accomplish all of your moving tasks without pressure and still give you time to comfortably say farewell to your old home and welcome the new one.
Packing for the Long Haul
This isn’t an ordinary move across town and that means you need to take on packing a little differently. Efficiently fill every inch in that moving van for the most secure transportation of your belongings.
Clear out your old house
Moving to a new place presents you with the daunting task of sorting through the entirety of your house and all of its belongings. Between figuring out what you want to keep and uncovering items that you forgot you even owned, it seems like there will never be a light at the end of the tunnel.
- However, this is a great opportunity to ditch some unnecessary baggage that you don’t need to lug cross-country. If you clear out all of the clutter, it will be less to move to your new place.
Also, this provides you with the perfect opportunity to hold a garage sale and make some money off of those untouched items before you leave!
Keep these tips in mind before packing
Houzz.com says a good way to save on storage space in the moving van is keeping some items “unpacked.” What this means is that dressers that are filled with clothes or desks filled with lightweight supplies can be moved without being emptied.
Just simply make sure all drawers and compartments are closed and wrap them up with moving pads or blankets to keep these large pieces of furniture safe and secure.
- This trick will ensure maximum space in your moving vehicle as well as fewer boxes to carry in and out.
Stay organized during your move by keeping like items together. Pack kitchen utensils and hardware in the same box and garage items and tools in another.
This will prove to be a great time-saver when you arrive at your new place.
We recommend labeling these boxes to be more efficient when unpacking at the new house and it will help keep you sane when all of your belongings are stowed away in closed boxes.
Utilize trash bags to move your softer items like throw pillows, stuffed animals and comforters. This will keep your belongings clean and protected while also cushioning the rest of your stuff during the trip. Of course, remember to label these as well so that you don’t accidentally toss them in the trash can!
Things to do before arriving at the new house
There are a few key things you should consider doing before moving day that will make the transition to a new place easier on you and your family.
Prepare your new house
Are you planning on painting any of the rooms in the new place? Taking on this task once moved in could pose quite a challenge with all of your belongings now filling the once empty spaces. And you’re not going to want to hold off on settling in to your new home just because you have to wait to for paint to dry.
Consider taking a trip to the new house before moving day.
Then you can easily maneuver the empty house and ensure that the paint will definitely be dry when you officially move in. This trip could also take care of other items that you may want to check off your list before calling this new place ‘home.’
If carpets need to be replaced or you want to install a new sink in the bathroom, a trip before is the perfect time to do it!
Research service providers
This is a task for after you move, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive! Researching service providers may actually help you settle in to your new home faster.
Ask around about the cable and phone services in your area before committing to a provider. Learn more about the best ways to find service providers in your new neighborhood after relocating at our blog!
A long distance move can be an exhausting journey for you and your family, but afterwards you’ll all be so happy to be ‘home’ again. At Highland Moving & Storage Vancouver, we have 40 years of experience and the equipment necessary to pack your belongings and ship them safely to your new destination anywhere in the world.
Give us a call at 604.581.2300 today to get a quote and start your new adventure!
