Moving Cross Country: The Ultimate Moving Checklist
Moving across the country might be a thrilling chance for a new beginning, new employment, or the chance to travel. However, it may also be a difficult endeavor, requiring a great deal of planning, organization, and effort. Moving can be an expensive, time-consuming, and stressful process, but with the correct attitude, it can also be enjoyable and thrilling. Still, you may not be able to do everything on your own that easily, especially if you have no experience in this field and if you have never moved anywhere in your life. This is why you need to get some help and talk to the people you know to get some tips and learn some tricks. In case you need help even after that, here is a comprehensive moving checklist that includes ideas and things you need to know and do if you want to stay organized, relieve stress, and enjoy the experience.
Create a timeline
Making a timeline is the first step in planning for a cross-country move. Decide when you must leave your current residence and when you want to arrive at your new location. You'll be more likely to stay on task and avoid procrastinating if you have a defined timeline. It's also crucial to account for the time needed to pack and get ready for the relocation, as well as any potential delays.
Coming up with a detailed timeline might not be the easiest thing in the world, but this is a must when moving anywhere, especially when opting for a cross-country move. Ultimately, this process is going to help you do everything right and complete your move on time, without wasting too much energy and patience.
Declutter and donate
After coming up with a schedule and a proper timeline, it’s time to handle another huge project - declutter your home and figure out what to do with all your possessions. Unfortunately, we all possess more things than we need, and it’s safe to say that all our homes are full of unnecessary items, which is why decluttering from time to time is a must.
A cross-country move is a great chance to reduce the number of things you own, and finally get rid of all those things you don't use or need. Make a list of the objects you wish to keep, sell, donate, or throw away in each room of your house. To raise extra money for your move, think about holding a garage sale or giving stuff to a nearby charity. Decluttering will not only make your move simpler, but it can also be a rejuvenating and satisfying experience, especially if you donate your things and help someone in need.
Pack your stuff
Even though most people believe that moving to another place is the hardest thing in the world, you have to keep in mind that there’s another part of this process - packing your possessions before you hit the road. Doing this will take a lot of time and energy, especially if you’ve never done that before, and that’s why going in another direction and looking for professional help might make more sense in the long run.
You might want to think about working with seasoned packers and movers when it comes to packaging. You can save time and energy by having these experienced packers and movers pack and carry your possessions for you in a timely manner. Additionally, movers and packers can offer packaging materials and suggestions on how to carefully pack delicate or priceless objects. Consider adding expert packers and movers to your budget as they can be an additional cost that will ultimately pay off more than you can imagine right now.
Go room by room
It's important to pack each room separately if you decide to move alone. Work your way toward the rooms you use the most by starting with the ones you use the least. Make sure to precisely label each box with the contents and the room. It will be easier to locate everything once you reach to your new home, and you won't have any trouble unpacking and settling into your new routine. Prepare a separate box with things you might need straight quickly after arriving, like toiletries, prescription medication, and a spare set of clothes.
Check everything again and again
Another thing you have to do before you move is to transfer your utilities. Find someone to disconnect your current utilities at your old home and connect you with your new providers at your new home. This covers services for internet, cable, phone, water, gas, and electricity. Verify the service's beginning and end dates, and save any confirmation numbers or email receipts for your records.
In the end, you have to do a final walkthrough of your current home before you move out to make sure everything is put onto the moving truck. Make sure nothing has been left behind by thoroughly inspecting each room and closet, and make your moving process go smoothly. If you’re renting a home, make sure to leave the rental property in the same condition as when you first moved in if you are renting. If you’re the owner and trying to sell the home, though, you have to give your house a thorough cleaning and any repairs that are required to find the buyers.
A cross-country move can be expensive, so it's important to budget for all costs while making your move. You might also need to think about how much it would cost to ship your automobile or other significant belongings in addition to using expert packers and movers. Find out how much shipping will cost and compare it to the price of selling and buying again when you get to your new location. Retain all receipts and get advice from a tax expert because moving expenditures can be tax deductible. In the end, this process might take a while and you could end up being tired after that, but it all means that you’re starting a new phase in your life, and that’s always an exciting opportunity!
Author bio: Emma Joyce is an interior design enthusiast and she loves spicing up living spaces and finding new ways to keep up with the latest trends. Emma is always on the lookout for new and interesting ways to upgrade her knowledge and communication skills.
