How to Prepare for a Cross-Country Move

So you’ve decided to move; your home is filled with boxes, art is coming off the walls, and you’re wondering just how you’re going to have everything ready when the big day comes. No matter how you slice it, moving tends to be quite stressful. The stress only seems to grow when that move is a long-distance one. However, there are things you can do to help your transition go as smoothly as possible. 

Organization is Everything

Lists, lists, lists. You’ll probably start to get sick of lists by the time your move is done. However, in the preparation stage, you’re going to need a list for just about everything you do. This will help you stay on top of what seems like an ever-growing pile of tasks. 

One list can be dedicated to cancelling (or transferring) bills and services like electricity, water, and gas. One can be for moving expenses. Do you have boxes and bags to help pack? Have you reserved your truck or movers? 

It can be a lot to take in at first, but it’s absolutely worth it. When things start to get a little more hectic before the big day, you’ll be glad you made some moving checklists

Say Goodbye to Some “Stuff”

If you’ve moved before, chances are that at some point, you’ve looked at all the boxes and said “Wow. I didn’t know I had this much stuff.” It’s natural. When you nest in a home, you start collecting knick knacks, art, and more. Moving trucks are kind of a paradox in the sense that they can hold a lot and very little seemingly at the same time, so you may need to do some donating. 

Go through your possessions and decide what’s crucial and what might need a second glance. Anything that you no longer like or use should be placed into a donation or sale pile. Whatever is left in your “maybe” pile will need a closer look, but it’s ultimately up to you to decide how to let some of your stuff go

How to Ship Out

Shipping considerations can be tricky as there are a lot of options available but not all of them will suit your needs or your desired budget. Do you take the stress out of your move and opt for movers and fly out after? Or do you have a more DIY attitude and want to drive a truck yourself?  These factors stretch even beyond the basic moving process.

Take your car, for example. Do you really want to add miles to it just to drive to your destination? If you have a higher end car, you may want to consider a shipping service that uses an enclosed auto transport that will protect your vehicle from wear and tear on the road as well as the elements. 

Set Yourself Up for Success

Moving can be as stressful or as calm as you make it. Procrastination, poor planning, and indecisiveness are the mortal enemies of your relocation. If you’re leaving everything to the last minute and are still packing up your belongings on the day you’re set to leave, chances are you’re going to feel rushed and on-edge. 

On the other hand, checking off everything on your list and giving yourself plenty of time to tackle the bigger projects, you’re going to find that everything goes a lot more smoothly. Moving across the country is a huge undertaking, even if you opt for movers and a packing service. By doing the hard work ahead of time, you’ll make your move a lot more smooth.