Not many people really enjoy moving. Yet the average person will move at least 11 times in their life.
There is so much that goes into a move. From finding the new place to live to coordinating the truck, to packing everything you own up, to unpacking it all. It can be overwhelming and take the fun out of a new adventure.
Often a move is inevitable, so knowing some moving tips and hacks can help you make it more bearable and even enjoyable.
Read on to find out our best moving advice.
Long-Distance Moving Tips and Hacks
There is a big difference between moving across town and moving across the country. This type of long-distance move requires some extra planning and steps.
One of the first things that you need to take care of for a long-distance move is to secure your moving truck.
It can be tempting to just go with the cheapest option because it’s going to be a large expense either way. But you may end up spending the difference if the cheaper truck doesn’t do the job right.
Spend some time checking out a few options to find just the right fit for you. Especially pay attention to online reviews to get a real, true picture of how the company operates. This is an investment for your things, so choose wisely.
When your things are going to be traveling a great distance, the way you pack them is much more important than if they’re going a block down the road.
There is a fine balance between not packing boxes too heavy to be moved and packing filling the boxes so items can’t shift around. One tip for easy moving is to use extra towels, linens, or even clothes as your buffers between things. The fabric keeps things protected and then you’re not wasting space with a box full of towels.
The other critical part of packing for a long-distance move is loading up the truck you picked. Probably the worst thing you can do is just start loading up the moving truck at random.
Having a specific order and method to the way the truck is loaded will help you get everything in tight. This is important to protect your things from shifting around and getting damaged. It will also allow you to fit more in the truck.
Moving across a large distance is a huge feat, once you’re done you should be very proud!
Create a Timeline and Plan Everything
No matter the distance of your move, everyone wants to know how to make moving easier. And the best way to make a move easy boils down to one thing; being organized.
Once you know the date of your move, create a timeline of events leading up to that date. So when the week comes you are not scrambling to find a moving truck, gather all your boxes, pack your house, and every other random task that needs to be done.
Instead, a timeline allows you to break up all the tasks into manageable pieces.
After you have found the perfect house for you, you can create a packing plan that will make unpacking at the new one so much easier. As you are packing label boxes with the room they will need to go in at the new house.
People often designate a color for each room so that the people unloading the house can easily distinguish where things go. This system just really helps keep things simple.
Another helpful tip is to designate a box (or a few boxes) that should be opened first. Inside will be the things you’ll definitely need right away but won’t want to search for. Toilet paper, cups, bedding, toys for kids, anything that will make the first few days easier.
Also, it goes without saying, but let’s say it anyway; don’t pack things you don’t want to keep! Just don’t make a move harder with extra clutter.
Check Out the Surrounding Area
The actual actions of moving can be so draining emotionally, mentally, and physically. But that’s because we get bogged down in the details and forget to look at the exciting opportunity ahead.
One of the most important ways to have an easy moving time is to get excited about your new area.
Every place has unique features and it can be exciting to research what your new home has to offer. As you learn about these things, you can start to picture your life there. What new hobbies you’ll pick up, what your new go-to restaurant will be, or what staycations you can have.
As you get excited about your new area and home, the mundane tasks of moving will become more exciting. They’re a stepping stone to getting where you want to be.
It’s also a practical exercise. There are so many accounts and things that have to be set up when moving to a new place. So getting some of those out of the way prior to moving can be a huge relief.
Check out things like setting up utilities in your name, changing your address, or the requirements for a new driver’s license before you head out.
Be Patient and Have Fun
Even though people move all of the time (14% of the population every year), it can still seem like too big of a task to take on.
But it doesn’t have to be such a terrible process. Instead, you can make it a great experience by following these moving tips and hacks we’ve discussed. The key is to be intentional and try to stay one step ahead.
The best of the moving day tips we could share though is to be patient and flexible and to have fun. There will be things that don’t go exactly according to plan or last-minute things may come up. But remember this is an exciting thing and should be fun!
If you are interested in moving to Kalispell or are looking for a new home in our area, contact us today!