Relocating homes within your town or city is meant to be the easy move, right? No major cross-country hauling, just packing up and resettling a few neighborhoods away. But don't be fooled - even a local moving experience has its share of headaches if you're unprepared. Sorting through every possession, lugging heavy furniture, and getting your new place feeling like home is a process. In this post, we'll talk about tips for a smooth and stress-free move when changing homes locally to make this process simple for you.
Essential Tips for a Smooth Local Move
Moving to a new home in the same town can be a big hassle. But with some good planning and preparation, you can make the process much smoother. Follow these eight important tips:
Plan Way Ahead of Time
It's super important to make a detailed plan well ahead of your move date. Make a checklist of every task, such as hiring local movers, transferring utilities, mail forwarding, getting new keys, etc. Having a clear plan mapped out helps you stay organized and calm.
Research and Book Good Local Movers Early
Hiring moving services can save you a lot of money if you have room in your budget. Start looking at moving companies in your area as soon as your move is confirmed. Read online reviews and get price quotes from several local movers. Once you find a reliable company with good ratings, book them well in advance.
Start Packing Way Before Moving Day
Make sure to start packing well before the last minute! Begin as early as possible, even 1-2 months ahead. Packing early ensures you have plenty of time to sort through belongings instead of rushing. It lets you go room-by-room, deciding what to keep versus sell, donate, or toss.
Collect Proper Packing Supplies
Make sure you get an ample supply of boxes in small, medium, and large sizes. You'll also need heavy-duty packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and marker pens. Using proper materials prevents damage. Clearly label each box with the room it comes from to make unpacking easier at your new place. Point out any extremely fragile items to your moving services.
Declutter and Downsize
When you move, you have the perfect opportunity to declutter your home and downsize. Decide what unnecessary items to get rid of through a garage sale, donations, or the trash. The less you move, the easier it will be! Only pack what you'll actually want and use in your new home.
Pack Daily Essentials Separately
Take a small box or bag and pack all the daily essentials your family will need right away at your new place. This may include toilet paper, soap, toothbrushes, change of clothes, phone chargers, snacks, basic kitchen items, and pet supplies. An "essentials" box ensures you don't have to dig through everything to find crucial things you'll want access to immediately.
Protect Valuables and Fragile Items
Carefully wrap all valuables, such as artwork, antiques, electronics, glass items, and mirrors, before your local movers arrive. Use a generous amount of bubble wrap, packing paper, and cushioning for protection. Consider getting specialty boxes or crates for extremely valuable or fragile items. Clearly mark these as "FRAGILE" so your movers handle them with extra care.
Let Professional Movers Handle Heavy Items
While you may be able to move some heavy furniture yourself, it's best to let professional local movers handle extra large, bulky, or extremely heavy items like pianos, pool tables, or big exercise equipment. They have special tools, equipment, and training to move these items safely without risk of damage or injury.
Essential Tips After a Smooth Local Move
While the heavy lifting of a local move may be over once your belongings arrive at your new home, there are still important steps to take into this new chapter of your life. Follow these important tips to make the transition smooth after a local move.
Unpack Right Away
You will probably feel tired after the local move, but it's better to start unpacking boxes as soon as you can so you can get organized quickly. If you hired professional local movers, they likely worked efficiently, which will motivate you to unpack swiftly. The sooner you get set up, the sooner the new place will feel like home. Try arranging some pieces of furniture that are familiar to your old setup. This cozy familiarity helps the space feel comfortable and welcoming right away.
Change the Locks
Once you move into the new house, you should change all the exterior door locks for security. It's concerning how many copies of the old keys could be out there from previous residents or owners. Even if you trust them, there's no way to know for sure how many key copies exist. So unless they are brand new locks, hire an affordable locksmith to re-key or replace all exterior locks after your local move. Getting an affordable locksmith to change the locks keeps your new home secure and safe.
Fix Any Repairs Needed
Before fully unpacking and settling in, check the new house carefully for anything needing repairs. Walk through room-by-room and make a prioritized list covering issues like leaky faucets, broken electrical outlets, damaged doors and windows, etc. Fix the most important safety and functional problems first to make daily living comfortable.
Paint to Make It Your Own
An easy way to personalize your new home after a local move is by painting the rooms the colors you want. Before your move-in day, pick out paint colors and supplies you like. Then, once you get the keys, clean the walls thoroughly. Buy quality paint and supplies for professional-looking results. Set aside a few days, if needed, to paint each room before unpacking and arranging furniture and boxes.
Take Breaks When Needed
Moving is very hard physical and mental work, so don't try to do too much at once. Pace yourself by taking breaks whenever you feel tired or overwhelmed. Make sure to eat properly balanced meals and drink enough water. Do relaxing activities like reading or walking when you can. The moving process is long, so be patient and kind to yourself.
Properly Install Appliances
Double-check that large appliances like the oven, refrigerator, washer, and dryer can work properly in your new home's setup. See if they are compatible with the voltage of the electrical outlets and plumbing hookup requirements. Carefully read instruction manuals for proper installation steps for each appliance. If unsure, hire professionals for safe and correct installation. Many moving services can also assist with appliance installation if needed.
Conclusion
Moving to a new home in the same town or city can be fun but also difficult. By following the tips mentioned above, you can make the move much easier. Important things to do are pack early, get rid of stuff you don't need, and hire professional movers to help. After the move, unpack right away so your new place feels like home. You should also change the locks, fix any repairs needed, and paint rooms your favorite colors. Take breaks when you get tired from all the work. If you plan ahead and follow these tips, your local move will go smoothly without too much stress.
