Moving across the country is a big undertaking, and thus, the more prepared you are, the smoother the whole endeavor will be. If you’re planning a cross-country move in the near future, check out these do’s and don’ts for making the process a pain-free, even exciting, experience.
Choose Cross Country Movers
Local movers are great when you’re moving locally, but when moving across the country, you’ll want to choose movers that specialize in these types of moves. Cross country movers generally charge more than local movers — for good reason. The move itself takes longer and the logistics are more complicated.
Cross-country moves often cost more. Fortunately, there are still ways for you to save money. When you book cross country movers online through Unpakt, you can save up to 45% of the move cost, and quotes are guaranteed. Moreover, Unpakt has great tips on how to choose the best long distance moving companies.
Decide Which Furniture to Take and Which to Leave
The quote you get from the movers will depend on how much large furniture you need to be transported. Because your quote will depend on the number and size of your furniture, it may be financially expedient for you to leave some pieces in your old home, or sell them before you move and buy new/second-hand furniture when you get there.
To decide if this is really worthwhile, ask the movers for a quote with all your furniture, and then ask for a quote minus certain items that you are willing to part with.
At the same time that you’re deciding which furniture items are essential, it’s also a good idea to do the same with clothing, kitchen utensils, books, etc. and toss what you don’t need. This will not only minimize clutter in your new home but it can lead to a lower price quote.
Take An Inventory of Your Home
Whether you’ll be packing up all your stuff or paying movers to do it, it’s important to take a thorough inventory of all your belongings so you can:
- Check them off once they’re packed
- Make sure they’ve been delivered to your new home
A good way to take inventory is to go room by room and write down all the items in each room. When packing (or having your movers pack), make sure that each box is labeled with both the items and the room they belong to. This will make unpacking much easier.
Pack the Right Way
If you want to save money and do the packing yourself, make sure you do it the right way. The right way includes:
- Buying packing supplies before you start (boxes, tape, vacuum pack bags, etc.)
- Using box space efficiently — don’t dump everything in willy-nilly, but pack methodically so you maximize your box space. This way, you won’t end up with 100 boxes when you really only need 50.
- Wrapping fragile items carefully, either with bubble wrap or bedding
Enlist Help
You may feel that the entire burden of moving is on you, and that can be hard. To ease your burden, get help! If you can afford it, help might come in the form of paying long distance movers to pack for you. If you can’t afford it, get your partner, children, or friends on board. Especially if you’re moving with your family, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be part of the cross-country packing & moving team.
Don’t Freak Out; Make Lists
Yes, moving across the country can be stressful and overwhelming. But freaking out will only exacerbate your stress and anxiety. So instead of panicking, you can make a conscious decision to tackle this undertaking with calm, poise, and lists. Lists are great ways to keep track of everything on your plate in an orderly fashion so that you don’t feel like everything is piling on top of you all at once.
Look Forward
Now that you’re armed with the information you need to embark on your cross-country move, you can approach the endeavor with confidence and courage. And remember the end-goal: Once you’ve moved and settled down, you’ll be able to enjoy a fresh, bright start in your new home.
