Recently a friend of mine announced that she is re-locating in a month or so. She jokingly commented that I should offer my tips and suggestions for moving since I've done it so much. I thought I would take the opportunity to share my thoughts about moving, and of course provide some practical tips as well.
Moving can be exhausting, exciting, and energizing all at the same time. It is an emotional process, even if you are looking forward to the move. Don't fool yourself, you will miss something about where you are leaving. Even the place where I told my husband I was "dying a slow death" during our time there, still has things that I miss.
I realize that this is not rocket science, however, seeing as I've made some mistakes along the way, here are some initial suggestions specifically for re-locating to another state.
Research: Check out the area online, talk to friends or family about the area you are considering. Bring it up in conversation at the hairstylist, dentist etc, you never know who might know more about the area you plan to move to.
Visit: Not vacation, visit. If possible visit the location you are considering multiple times during different seasons to get a feel for the area. I would suggest at least a week for one of those trips. Again, not always possible but I believe the more opportunities you go somewhere the better you get to know about it.
Church: if you are a "church-goer" plan your trip so you can visit a service on a Sunday.
Before you decide where you are moving, think about your big 3. What are the 3 biggest things you need out of a place to live?
For example: Healthy lifestyle, great schools, accessibility to airports, major sporting events/ concerts to attend, city/suburban/country lifestyle etc.
My most important tip: Don't move somewhere for one reason and only one reason. I.e. a job. (Again sometimes life does not give us choices!) When possible, make sure there are other things about the location you are considering aside from a job, because after all if the job tanks, so do you.
Moving can be exhausting, exciting, and energizing all at the same time. It is an emotional process, even if you are looking forward to the move. Don't fool yourself, you will miss something about where you are leaving. Even the place where I told my husband I was "dying a slow death" during our time there, still has things that I miss.
I realize that this is not rocket science, however, seeing as I've made some mistakes along the way, here are some initial suggestions specifically for re-locating to another state.
Research: Check out the area online, talk to friends or family about the area you are considering. Bring it up in conversation at the hairstylist, dentist etc, you never know who might know more about the area you plan to move to.
Visit: Not vacation, visit. If possible visit the location you are considering multiple times during different seasons to get a feel for the area. I would suggest at least a week for one of those trips. Again, not always possible but I believe the more opportunities you go somewhere the better you get to know about it.
Church: if you are a "church-goer" plan your trip so you can visit a service on a Sunday.
Before you decide where you are moving, think about your big 3. What are the 3 biggest things you need out of a place to live?
For example: Healthy lifestyle, great schools, accessibility to airports, major sporting events/ concerts to attend, city/suburban/country lifestyle etc.
My most important tip: Don't move somewhere for one reason and only one reason. I.e. a job. (Again sometimes life does not give us choices!) When possible, make sure there are other things about the location you are considering aside from a job, because after all if the job tanks, so do you.
Packing / Moving Tips
- Ask for help & use your help wisely. Have something specific they can do, make it an easy task that you aren't going to be particular about.
- Boxes: Free is not always better. Most free boxes are falling apart, have been used too much, or smell funny. Inspect boxes before you use them. Craigslist also often has people who have moved and are getting rid of boxes. I think the best place to get free boxes are at any office/school where office supplies are coming in. The copier paper boxes are a great size and the boxes are often well kept.
- When packing up the kitchen, use your dish towels, pot holders etc. as cushioning for breakable items.
- Don't skimp on wrapping breakable items.
- Keep clothes that are hung in a closet on hangers.
- Make a box of items that you know you will need upon arriving. Soap, toilet paper, paper towels, all purpose cleaning solution, etc. Keep the box in your car, so that you have it before the moving truck arrives if needed. Label it, if others are helping you move in, they may not know the importance of that one box!
- Label every box with at least the room name of where you want it to go when you move. That way, if you have friends helping they can move the boxes right into the room where you will use what's in the box. Not sure if a moving company would do this or not.
- Moving companies: We've used a moving company one time, the positives were that it really helped us relax on our long drive to our new home. The negative was that they were unprofessional. We skimped, don't go cheap like we did! I would probably consider a moving company again if needed, but would research much more extensively.
- Give yourself time to say goodbye to people and places that you love. Again, sometimes this is not possible, but is certainly helpful when you have time for closure.
- Expect things to be stressful. Moving, more specifically re-locating is stressful, yet exciting. Allow yourself to be stressed but don't let it consume you.
Do you have any tips for moving or re-locating? I would love to hear about them!
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