The decision to move is one of the most important in everyone’s life. In most cases, the reason is good. A new job, the purchase of a property, and the desire for a change are all inspiring reasons for moving.
Working from home has also contributed to mass migration to long-distance destinations. Although we move with enthusiasm and joy, it must be admitted that every move carries with it a certain level of stress, especially if it is a long-distance move.
It requires an extensive and detailed organization, and every item is essential. As a company with vast experience in long-distance moving, SETT Movers has valuable advice for you on how to move long distance.
1. How To Prepare For A Long-Distance Move
Behind every successful action is a well-developed plan. It’s the same with packing for cross country move. What is the first step in this planning? The answer is time and understanding the process of moving. While learning the process of moving, it would not hurt to know some general moving tips that might be helpful – regardless of your moving distance.
Setting aside enough time for each segment of the move is necessary. Therefore, it takes 8-12 weeks to organize each task, even if there are unplanned circumstances and obstacles. There are no quick solutions or shortcuts when it comes to such a big job, such as moving all things, including family and pets. Do not wait until the last minute. The absence of a plan can only lead to problems and tension.
One crucial moment is planning the budget for moving costs. Since it is a long-distance move, each item will cost more.
Specify everything you are planning and find out about the price. It is better to plan a larger budget, so you have money left over than not having enough when the move starts.
Experienced moving companies can be the key to a successful move, regardless of which destination you are going to. Professionals will provide you with many practical tips for moving cross country, direct help with packing and securing packaging, moving furniture and boxes, transportation, and much more. Not only will it be of great physical help, but our experience as a respectable moving company has taught us that psychological help means a lot to people in those moments.
Check the license and reviews of the selected moving company, too.
Determine the range of services and the price beforehand, sign the contract, and secure yourself that way.
2. Packing for a Cross Country Move
In the previous section, we suggested allowing enough time for all move phases is very important. Before starting packing, it would be ideal if you cleared all unnecessary things. This includes everything that you will not take with you to the new house. Damaged, useless pieces of furniture, dishes you don’t use, old bedding, and wardrobes you don’t wear are not for moving to the other side of the country.
Have a yard sale, donate something, or give to charities. Throw away the unnecessary items, and you will save both time for packing and money for transport. Every house has a lot of things that are not used at all, so we recommend thorough decluttering.
The next step is organizing the packaging itself, which can be by purpose, material, or size—it all depends on how you conceive things. Pay attention that some items may need extra care when packing. For example, packing the lamps is a delicate process and you should devote it more time. When moving our clients from New York to Maine, it took time to convince them to listen to us. In the end, they realized that our suggestions were invaluable help.
Books and non-breakable items are easy to pack. Glass and other breakable dishes, decorations, or items you already own are a problem. That is why they should be classified and separated until adequate packaging arrives. Pack, protect, and carry all critical documents separately.
Remember to leave your neighbors a new address, where they will send you mail or contact you if needed.
3. Packaging
Boxes of all sizes and qualities already exist; you just have to buy or order them from your company and follow the instructions for proper packaging.
Provide special covers for clothes that cannot fit into boxes. Other necessary items to pack are adhesive tape, scissors, nylon covers, plastic mats for the floor, etc.
When you have done that, it is imperative to mark them with stickers and write what is where. You can mark them with numbers. It should be especially emphasized where fragile and sensitive things are located. In this way, you will save your property and facilitate unpacking when you move in.
When packing, ensure the boxes are neither too light nor too heavy. Pack evenly for easy carrying. You can contact us for packing service to get professional help.
4. Step-by-step packing for Each Room
To avoid getting lost in the chaos of broken things and boxes, one of the good recommendations is to pack room by room. The living room is usually the largest, full of large furniture, details, decorations, books, and chandeliers, and it takes a lot of time. It’s the same when packing the kitchen, full of dishes. Some rooms, such as the bedroom, are quick and easy to empty. Assess where there is the most work. You can start from there and do it the other way around. Think about how many people you have available to help, split up and start.
5. Moving Day Checklist
The big moving day has arrived. Excitement is at its peak. You are starting a new life, which already creates a little trepidation, but before that, everything should go smoothly with the move.
You recheck the list, go around the rooms, and everything is packed, marked, and ready. A few days ago, you cleaned the house, threw out the garbage, and mowed the lawn. You closed all the installations and windows, went around the house, and said goodbye to it. You have lived many beautiful moments here, and memories come flooding back. Our company always advises you to say goodbye to dear people and the old neighborhood the day before. Many will likely come to see you off, which creates a particularly nice feeling.
You are sure that nothing is left of things anywhere, and loading can begin. The truck was secured earlier through your moving company. It is possible to provide a moving container; everything depends on the agreement. It is important that the space in the truck is filled in the best possible way. First, arrange the heavy things, and then the smaller boxes. Thus, the unloading will be facilitated and performed oppositely.
6. Cross Country Move Route
Since it is a long-distance move, planning the travel route in detail is necessary. There are more combinations. You travel by plane, car, ship. Your things follow you or bring them to the destination, and you will break the journey for rest and stay in accommodations.
Whatever option you choose, plan everything carefully. If you are not traveling with your own transport, buy tickets in time. Book rooms in hotels, estimate how much you can spend per day, and keep your car in working order and ready for a long trip.
7. Children and the elderly
If we have children and the elderly in our family, we must carefully plan their journey. First of all, they must have someone accompanying them. It is best to provide them with a plane trip and a person who will welcome them, but also accommodate them in a hotel because your house will not be ready.
That would be ideal, but if it is not possible, you should rest along the way because children and the elderly have a harder time coping with change and travel challenges. Provide them with content that can entertain them during the trip.
8. Pets and Plants
Pets are also complicated when moving. A few days before the move, you should visit the veterinarian. He will examine them, pack their records, and prescribe them specialized tranquilizers. That way, stress and the trip itself will be easier to bear.
You must provide adequate transporters or cages, create a comfortable atmosphere for them, and prepare food and water.
Ideally, they would travel with you. Also, it is not possible to transport all pets by plane. Some airlines have restrictions. Ask ahead of time.
To protect plants, you can rent special containers. They should also be wrapped with the provided materials and fixed as much as possible.
9. Successful Long-Distance Move
You have finally arrived; your new home is waiting for you. You’re happy about that, but you are moving in and have a big unpacking job ahead of you. Keep a cheerful spirit and approach the final task.
Check whether everything you sent has arrived. Do this using the list you made when you were packing. If everything is there, first you have to make a plan and moving schedule where you will store what. It’s neither quick nor easy, so don’t rush.
Furnish the vital parts first, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms. Then, you will have time for detailed unpacking and decoration.
You probably won’t find a place for everything right away, but only later, during your life in the new house. We received that confirmation from most of our clients. Be patient and celebrate moving in with an impromptu celebration with the housemates.
10. Get to know the neighborhood
This is very important because you will immediately hear the necessary information: where to go to register, connect to all installations, and get documents.
Give yourself time to adjust to the new environment, house, and people. Some aspects of life will undoubtedly be different from the old ones, but that’s what you want, right?
11. Extra Tips for a Smooth Long-Distance Relocation
Now that everything has been completed, what advice would you give to someone just moving long distance? It would certainly to check long distance moving checklist:
- to make a detailed plan
- to hire a professional moving company
- to start packing earlier
- to cancel local services before moving
- to constantly check the list
- to remain positive even in the midst of the biggest problems.
12. Analysis of projected costs
You will definitely check your budget at the end of this epic action. There, you will see how realistic you were in predicting the costs.
A new beginning will certainly require more expenses until you finally settle down and establish your life in a new house and a new city. However, it will not be constant, and you will soon fit into your budget.
Conclusion
Inexperienced people usually start moving according to their ideas but soon lose their orientation and ask for help. There are also those who are veterans of moving. They know a lot, but every knowledge can be improved with cross-country moving tips – or useful things to know before moving to another state.
That is why we from SETT Movers constantly work on improving all aspects of moving and achieving enviable speed and efficiency.
All recommended cross-country move tips and checklists for moving interstate can help you, so do not hesitate to follow them.
The combination of your own readiness and the hiring of professionals will be a win-win, and your long-distance move will ultimately look like an exciting adventure.
