Cross-Country Relocation Specialists Offer Tips for a Smooth Move

Moving anywhere is one of the most stressful experiences of a person’s life. But moving cross-country? Not only are you having to deal with finding a new place to live, transporting all of your things, and adjusting to a new town, you even have to handle the details from thousands of miles away. As Perla from Dreamland Designs mentioned, budgets are always an issue with long-distance move, but it is a process that can be properly managed. In this article, learn some tips from cross-country relocation specialists that will help to make your cross-country move as smooth and affordable as possible.

1. Organization is Essential

When moving across the country, you’re juggling a lot of loose ends. You’ve got to handle the logistics of wrapping up your current residence (whether that’s ending a lease or selling a house), finding somewhere new to live (which involves a lot of research and likely at least one piece of travel), stopping utilities at one address and starting them at another, packing up your things, coordinating with movers or renting your own truck – and that’s not even all of it.

Be rigorous about keeping a to-do list. Whether that means keeping a notebook in your pocket or downloading a specialty moving app to your smartphone, write down every little detail you can think of, so nothing slips through the cracks. Make sure you review your to-do list on a regular basis and schedule reminders for time-sensitive tasks, so everything gets done on schedule.

2. Prepare for Packing Early

Moving is incredibly expensive as it is, and nobody likes spending money on boxes and other packing materials. As soon as you know that you’re going to be moving, start hunting down packing supplies. Hang on to newspapers, ask stores for their extra boxes, and keep an eye out on Craigslist for people getting rid of boxes, bubble wrap, and other storage supplies. Since you won’t be able to get all of your boxes immediately this way, starting early is key – and fill boxes as you get them to spread out the physical and emotional toll packing takes.

3. Be Ruthless about Downsizing

Moving cross-country is one of the cleanest, freshest starts a person can have in their life, so capitalize on the moment by bringing with you only what’s important. The beat-up set of plates from college that you never use? Donate them to a current college student. The chair your former roommate picked up at a yard sale and left behind when they moved out? Adiós. The more you can say goodbye to at the start, the less you have to transport thousands of miles and unpack on the other side. Plus, Cheap Movers Atlanta (website) says downsizing is one of the easiest ways to cut down on moving costs. This industry insider says that long distance movers charge by the pound, so the more stuff you put on the moving truck, the more it’s going to cost you. Make moving cheaper by chunking all that stuff you don’t really need.

4. Keep Important Papers Safe

When moving cross-country, make sure that the most important things travel safely with you. Start with the basics – birth certificates, marriage license, proof of car registration, insurance policies, social security cards – and include anything that you’d be devastated about losing. Ensure that they’re secure but easy to access if necessary, and move them immediately into a safe place at your new home.