Today, on Redhead Mom, I’m sharing a partnered guest post about navigating a long-distance move.
If you have ever had to navigate a long-distance move, then first of all, we like to congratulate you on surviving said move, then follow that up by acknowledging how arduous and stressful it is to move. Now, if you add a bunch of kids and a work schedule to the mix, then the moving difficulty level just went up from an already high number on the Richter scale to being completely off the scale! Thankfully, the modern age has created ways to make sure moving long distances does not feel like a great migration! There are so many ways to make sure moving is easy-breezy, with PODS long-distance moving being among them. Allow us to give you some nifty tricks to get you moved and settled with little to no fuss!
Start With a Moving Plan
Every great general knows they have to have a battle plan before undertaking a great battle. And make no mistake, a long-distance move with kids and a job is a battle that requires a battle plan, aka a moving plan. Here’s how to get started:
- Create a Timeline: Set deadlines for every stage of the move—decluttering, packing, and moving day. This timeline will keep you on track and reduce last-minute chaos.
- List Priorities: Determine what you absolutely must accomplish and when. Prioritize tasks like changing addresses, transferring schools, and scheduling utilities.
- Budget Wisely: A well-defined budget will help prevent unexpected financial concerns. Include costs like moving supplies, transportation, and even temporary lodging if needed.
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
Unless you are a minimalist, you probably have a bunch of stuff that you have not seen in ages. And you certainly don’t want to lug that all the way to your new home. Just pack it, and the cost of transporting it should deter you. So it’s time to get rid of some stuff and decide what to keep, toss, sell, or give away.
- Involve the Whole Family: Make decluttering a family affair! Get the kids involved by asking them to sort through their toys and clothes. Create a “keep,” “donate,” and “discard” system to make it fun.
- Tackle One Room at a Time: Trying to get rid of stuff from all over the house is a recipe for stress and disaster. So don’t do that. Instead, start with the areas that probably need decluttering the most, the places that are usually used as storage. That would be the garage, attic, and the basement. Then, go through the bedrooms and finally the living room and kitchen.
- Be Ruthless: Remember that moving is the perfect opportunity to let go of items you no longer need. If it hasn’t been used in the last year, consider bidding it farewell!
Get Some Supplies
Once your decluttering is accomplished, start gathering the necessary moving supplies. Here’s a list to help ensure you’ve got it all covered:
- Boxes: These are in various sizes to accommodate your goods; you will need some larger boxes for lighter, bulky stuff.
- Packing Tape: don’t skimp on this one; you need good, strong sealing power over the boxes. If you want to turn this task into a faster, more convenient job, use a tape gun!
- Markers: color code your boxes by room, owner, or both
- Bubble Wrap and Packing Paper: for all the fragile pieces you are bringing with you, remember to wrap each well. You can even keep your breakable items padded with soft material;
With your supplies ready, you’ll be well-equipped to start packing!
Contact PODS
In our fast-moving world, convenience is a wonderful thing. Use a company such as PODS to make this process even simpler. This is why PODS are such a great choice:
- Excellent Solution Pampering the Consumer: They deliver the storage container for you to pack at your leisure. That means, as a homeowner, you can pack it the month before the move date.
- Keeping things stashed: If the new house isn’t available for you to move into yet, no problem. They will hold your container until you’re ready for your stuff, so nothing will be damaged or compromised.
- Easy Transport: You have a moving truck without the hassles.
Using PODS helps you stay in charge while saving time.
Pack and Label Like a Pro
The thought of packing is enough to make anyone stressed out, especially if you have a busy household! Follow these packing and moving tips from the pros to make your move as seamless as possible:
- Sort by Room: Focus on one room at a time and keep “like” items together. This helps with packing and unpacking!
- Label: Make sure you know what is in every box. You may want to keep an inventory of your boxes to ensure everything arrives safely!
- “First” Box: Pack a box of all the things you will need the first night in your new home: clothes, toothbrushes, snacks, etc. The last thing you want to do after a long day is to dig through boxes looking for pajamas!
Maybe Get a Professional to Help
Sometimes, the best choice is to hire a mover. There are so many moving parts(literally) when it comes to relocation; hiring a professional is the best way to go! Not only does it save you time and energy doing it yourself, but it saves time and energy away from your family and job. Here are a few of the top reasons to consider a mover:
- Experience: Professionals know how to move heavy items fragile items, and work with difficult spaces.
- Save Time: Clients can leave the packing and organizing to the professionals and take the time to deal with all the other kerfuffle that come with long-distance moving.
- Peace of Mind: A mover can help keep everything at ease and organized. Sit back and relax, and let them do the job for you!
Get Help From Friends and Family
Last but not least, ask for help from friends and family. Don’t do it alone! Having someone there to help you out can make a long-distance move feel much more manageable. Here’s how to use them to your advantage.
- Schedule your moving day crew: Ask your family and friends if they would be willing to block out a day to help you move. You can sweeten the deal by providing some snacks, drinks, and music to get everyone pumped.
- Plan a Nice Send-Off: Make a day of it! Instead of spending time packing on your last day in town, plan a meet-up at a local restaurant or do a BBQ in your backyard! Let the family connected to your kiddos come to see them in action one last time before you go! Making the day fun will help your little ones feel a little less sad about heading off.
- Divide and Conquer: You know what your family and friends are good at, so delegate and get the moving process going. Say you have a friend who is super organized; assign them to oversee that everything is boxed and labeled properly!
Long Distance Moving and Storing Done Right
In the end, moving isn’t about things. It’s about change, new beginnings, and shiny possibilities! With a little work and some of these tips- the moving experience doesn’t have to be a nightmare for a busy family. So go ahead and use these handy-dandy tips and tricks to get you moved to your new location!