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You took the leap – you’re moving somewhere far away! This long distance relocation is such an exciting accomplishment, but as reality sets in, you realize just how much needs to get done in the coming months. Although this can feel extremely overwhelming, the long distance moving process doesn’t need to be stressful. Equipped with the right tips and tricks, moving to a faraway location can be simple and easy, rather than anxiety-inducing. Are you seeking the ultimate long distance moving guide to make your move as painless as possible? Look no further – here are our ten steps to a straightforward long distance move!
1. Make a plan
Before you start any part of your moving process, as soon as you know you’re going to move, it’s best to create a plan. This plan should serve as a to-do list and a schedule of sorts. Undoubtedly, you will have plenty of tasks to complete before moving day, and many of these tasks are time-sensitive, needing to be accomplished far in advance. Put your checklist in order of priority, ideally in chronological order, to ensure you don’t miss any important items before your move. This list will serve as a reference to you as you go through the next few months, letting you sort out what needs to be done. This is an effective way to stay organized and prevent any stressful situations caused by potential forgetfulness.
2. Start in advance
Another crucial part of a long distance move is making sure you have enough time to complete everything without rushing. One of the most anxiety-inducing parts of a move can be the feeling that not everything will get done in time for moving day. The most effective way to avoid that is to get started in advance, allowing yourself more time than you even expect needing. This way, even if things take more time than you originally expected, you won’t be thrown off schedule since you’ll have a little bit of extra padding. You’ll thank yourself later, as this can be a major stress reducer in the long term!
3. Declutter your space
Before you begin your packing, it’s best to declutter your belongings so you have less work to do when you’re packing (and unpacking) your items. Decluttering allows you to sort out the things you no longer want or need, curating the items you’ll bring to your new home and cutting down on any excess to make room for the things you actually want.
For this process, you can sort your items into four categories: sell, donate, trash, and keep. It may be helpful to start with the items you definitely don’t want anymore; these may be the things that have made their way to the backs of closets, long since forgotten. From clothes to furniture and even knickknacks, we all accumulate clutter of some sort, so this is the perfect time to reduce it. For items that are a little bit harder to get rid of, you may benefit from bringing in a third party, like a trusted friend or family member, to help you figure out which items aren’t worth keeping. Especially because we sometimes form sentimental attachments, it can be helpful to have someone with a more objective point of view.
4. Create an organizational system
To be properly prepared for your move, it’s best to be as organized as possible to keep everything moving smoothly. Even if you aren’t typically a stickler for organization, getting into the habit at least during the long distance move process can be a real lifesaver, enabling you to cut down on stress. An organizational system comes in very handy as you pack your belongings. There are a few different tactics to consider while packing in order to effectively stay organized.
First, you’ll want to make sure you label all boxes and containers clearly in bold letters on more than one side. This is important so you will be able to know what’s in each box no matter how you place it in the moving truck. As you label, avoid simply writing “kitchen” or “bedroom.” The labeling system works best when you include as much detail as possible so you know what categories each box contains. Another option is to create an inventory as you’re packing. With this strategy, each box will correspond to a different number, and on your inventory, you will keep track of what items are packed in each box. Although this may be a bit more time-consuming, it makes unpacking a breeze.
5. Get plenty of supplies
For packing, you will need a few different materials in order to carefully and successfully transport your belongings. You should acquire the following supplies:
You may also require other items, depending on what you need to pack and the protective strategies you will use. When you’re choosing boxes, there are a few aspects to consider. Of course, you want to make sure they’re high quality and well made so they won’t break in the process of transporting them. Additionally, you will want to make sure they’re all the same size, as this allows for easier stacking and lets you pack the moving truck or storage container more effectively. A few smaller boxes may also come in handy to use for any small items inside the larger boxes.
6. Protect your belongings
To ensure none of your items sustain damage in transit, reinforcing them properly with protective measures is crucial. This can make a difference between your items being harmed and your items arriving in perfect condition to your new home. As mentioned above, items like bubble wrap, packing paper, and moving blankets are very helpful in shielding your belongings from any turbulence or jostling that occurs during the move.
Alternatively, you may also find that repurposing other items around your house for protective purposes works just as well. Soft, cushy things like blankets, sweaters, towels, and cushions are the perfect tools to safeguard your items effectively. You can repurpose the aforementioned items by wrapping fragile items in them or filling empty spaces in boxes with them. This way, you minimize the amount of movement occurring as you transport everything. With pillows and cushions, you can place them in between things in order to keep everything compact.
7. Pack clothing as is
A great option to simplify the packing process is to pack your clothes as they are. For example, if you have clothes in a dresser that you’re planning on bringing to your new residence, you can secure your drawers so they don’t open in transit and leave all the clothing inside. As long as you can still carry the dresser while it’s full, this is an efficient way to move your clothes and reduce the time taken to pack and unpack.
Additionally, for items hung in closets, you can use the classic trash bag method. With this strategy, you leave your clothing on the hangers and gather them up in trash bags. Then, you tie it up right around the top of the hanger. You can also secure the hangers together with rubber bands to ensure nothing moves around too much.
8. Take care of utilities & services
In preparation for your impending move, you’ll need to contact your service providers and utility companies to cancel your existing services and activate your new ones. During this process, the utility companies you’ll need to reach out to will include:
This isn’t an extensive list, and yours may vary. Regardless, it’s important to reach out to these companies with plenty of time to spare so you can cancel and activate your services in a timely manner.
9. Disassemble furniture
When packing furniture for a move, the easiest way to do it is to disassemble the furniture as much as possible. This makes the items much simpler to carry and transport, as they won’t be awkwardly sized or overly heavy. You can then proceed to either wrap the pieces in moving blankets or put them in boxes. No matter how you do it, be sure to label properly so you know which pieces correspond with each other.
10. Hire professional movers
Although it’s certainly possible to complete a long distance move without the assistance of professional movers, opting for this help can completely transform your relocation. Moving companies have plenty of experience which lets them give you valuable guidance, as well as much-needed support to take your items from point A to point B without needing to worry. Many of these moving companies also provide packing services, which can be extremely coveted as it cuts down majorly on the time you need to spend preparing for your move.
Equipped with our ten long distance moving tips, you’re more than ready to face your relocation with confidence! Although there are bound to be difficult moments, you’ll be able to handle them confidently. For additional help, discover Chicagoland’s trusted full-service moving company, Moving Services Inc. No matter where you’re moving to, we provide reliable solutions that make your move as smooth as can be. Interested in finding out more? Request a free quote today!
