Moving across the country to attend a new school or start a new job can be incredibly exciting — and very stressful. At the same time, it's important to get started in your new place on the right foot. So make the process easier with these helpful moving tips from Carvaygo:
How Can I Make My Move More Affordable?
Moving isn't just difficult; it's also expensive. So what can you do to make your relocation more affordable? For starters, you need to consider the timing of your move.
You can expect to pay more for everything from professional movers to moving trucks and even gas during peak season.
Another thing you can do to make your cross-country move more affordable is to plan your move and make arrangements far in advance. You can get a more favorable estimate from a professional moving company when you book in advance.
If you're moving during the summer, you should try to book two to three months out. However, if you're moving during the off-season, you should be able to book two to four weeks out.
What Can I Do To Make the Move Easier?
Here are 13 tips to make your cross-country move go as smoothly as possible:
1. Hire Professional Movers
A long-distance move from New York to Los Angeles is nothing like a local move down the street. So instead of underestimating the time and work it will take to move everything yourself, you should definitely consider hiring professional movers.
Contact several different moving companies for quotes. Be prepared to provide them with information about your move, including dates, locations, and items.
Based on the quotes you receive, research each contender to ensure that they are qualified and reputable. After all, you're trusting them with all of your belongings.
2. Start Packing Ahead of Time
Packing isn't something that you want to do last minute. Instead, it would be best if you started packing ahead of moving day so that you can stay organized and stress-free. Most experts recommend that you begin packing about two to three weeks before your actual move date.
3. Ship Boxes Out in Advance
If you pack in advance, that means that you can ship things out in advance. This is a great option if you don't have enough boxes to justify getting an entire rental truck. Just make sure to get shipping estimates from a few different carriers so that you can find the best rates for the quickest turnaround time.
4. Use Color-Coded Labeling
Ditch the standard black marker in favor of color-coded labeling for your moving boxes. For example, blue could indicate the bathroom, green the kitchen, red the living room, yellow the bedroom, etc.
That way, you don't have to struggle to read handwriting and instantly know where a box belongs.
5. Get Rid of as Much Clutter as Possible
Before you even begin to pack up your belongings, it's a good idea to go through all your stuff and decide what you want to keep, what you can donate, and what you should trash. The fewer things you have to move, the easier the process will go.
The longer you've been in your current home, the more items you've likely accumulated — many of which you might not even need.
6. Use Checklists
You should definitely consider using checklists for a more organized and strategic approach to moving. There are tons of different moving checklists out there that can help guide you through the entire moving process from months out up until the big day. These checklists can give you a better idea of how to pack up and organize your belongings.
They can also inform you about steps in the moving process you might have forgotten, like canceling local memberships, changing your address, stopping your utilities, transferring documents, etc.
7. Buy Essentials in Your New Location Rather Than Buying and Shipping From Home
While it might be tempting to buy everything you need for your new home before you move, it's probably a better idea to skip purchasing these items now and instead buy them in your new location. For one, this means that you have fewer items to move.
Also, it allows you to make more informed choices based on the features in your new home. Finally, it can help you get familiar with the stores in your new area.
8. Decide Whether To Drive or Fly
While hiring a professional moving company handles your belongings, you also have to make your way to your new home in your new state. Since you can't sit in the back of the moving van with all your cardboard boxes, you have to decide if you want to drive or fly.
Flying is the easiest and most efficient option since you can get from point A to point B in a matter of hours rather than days. This is especially true if you have kids. However, flying might not be the best option if you have pets or vehicles that you're also trying to move across the country.
But just because you're moving a vehicle doesn't mean you have to drive it. Instead, auto transport carriers like Carvaygo can haul your car from one side of the country to the other. Using a car hauler like Carvaygo can save you tons of time and money from gas, hotels, and car maintenance.
9. Have Family and Friends Help Out
Even if you're using a professional moving company, they only do so much. They aren't going to pack or unpack your belongings for you. So if the thought of doing that on your own is overwhelming, then you should definitely consider asking family and friends to help you out.
Instead of treating it like work, make it a fun time by putting on music and having plenty of food and drinks for all your helpers.
10. Consider Renting a Truck
If you don't want to hire professional movers to minimize expenses, you could always rent a truck and drive it yourself for a cross-country road trip. This gives you the option of moving on your own time frame rather than someone else's. It also gives you complete and total control over your belongings.
Finally, it gives you the freedom to move as many items as you want, so long as it fits in the truck.
11. Consider Temporary Housing in Your New Location During the Move
When you move to the other side of the country, you won't get settled into your new home in a day. As a result, you may want to consider booking temporary housing arrangements in your new location during the move.
After getting a good night's sleep and a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you can head on over to your new house to work on unpacking and getting things settled.
12. Pack Essentials in a Personal Bag
If you don't want to arrange temporary housing for your move, you can make the initial move-in process easier by packing all your essentials in a personal bag that you can easily access. For example, you can include kitchen items like disposable dishes and silverware.
You can include bathroom items like towels, toiletries, and toilet paper. You can also pack bedroom items like blankets and pillows. Finally, you should consider adding cleaning items, basic tools, medications, chargers, and important paperwork to your suitcase.
13. Check Belongings for Damage Afterwards
Even with tons of due diligence, your items could still arrive at your new home damaged. As a result, it's essential to check your belongings like electronics for damage as you're unpacking so that you can file a claim with the moving company or make arrangements for replacement items on your dime.
Do I Need Renter’s Insurance?
If you're renting a new apartment in your destination city, you might be wondering whether or not you need renter's insurance. Some apartments and landlords will require that you purchase a renter's insurance policy.
However, even if it's not a requirement, you should always have a renter's insurance policy to protect your belongings against damage from theft, water damage, and natural disasters.
Can I Ship My Car Across the Country?
Arranging for the shipment of your items across the country is one thing, but organizing for the shipment of your car is another thing. The good news is that with Carvaygo, shipping your car across the country is quick, easy, and affordable. Click here for a quick quote in three simple steps.
The Bottom Line
With the right amount of research and due diligence, the start of your new adventure across the country can go smoothly. Just make sure only to use the best moving professionals — including truck rentals, moving companies, and auto transport companies for a positive experience.
Sources:
How to Start Packing Your Stuff for Your Household Move | The Spruce
Moving Checklist - Tips for Move Planning | Moving.com
Things to Buy for a New House & New Home Checklist for First-Time Homebuyers | Neighbor.com
