Moving locally is already difficult. So, you can expect to face more challenges when you’re planning a long-distance move. Regardless of your relocation experience, moving across the country or out of state can be a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

To make the process as stress-free and smooth as possible, you should plan for everything and do your best to stay on top of it. If you think you can’t do it alone, you can hire moving companies similar to thebigboymovers.com. Moving professionals can help you with packing and preparing for your relocation day, allowing you to free up more time and focus on other matters.

Happy little girl with arms outstretched having fun being pushed by her parents in carton box at new home

To ensure a successful long-distance move, use the guide below to keep the process stress-free and convenient.

• Plan Ahead

Although it’s obvious that you should plan ahead for your long-distance move, taking more time to plan out every little detail can make a difference. To get started, follow these tips:

• Create a digital or physical folder for your move to keep all your receipts, documents, and other necessary paperwork.
• Make a checklist of everything you need to do before your long-distance move and when each task must be accomplished.
• Know what you can handle personally and which aspects of the move should you hire professional help.

Even if planning can be complex, it can help you avoid possible issues over time, especially if you’re a first-time expat. Besides, a well-planned long-distance move can help you stay on the right track without experiencing any inconvenience.

• Research Moving Companies

Hiring moving companies or professional movers is a wise choice for a long-distance move. This is especially true if you’re preparing for a new job opportunity or have many things to handle that it seems impossible for you to organize a seamless move.

The best thing about professional movers is that they’re highly experienced and trained. They can move your possessions more safely and efficiently. However, it’s essential to ensure that you choose a reliable moving company with experience and expertise in long-distance moves. This way, you can guarantee that your belongings are safe and in good hands, giving you the best value for investment.

Consider reading reviews or customer testimonials online to find a moving company with a good reputation. Then, depending on the pros and cons of every moving company, choose the one that would serve you best and won’t waste your time and money.

• Get Estimates From Several Movers

While you can ask your family members or friends to help you prepare for a long-distance move, nothing beats hiring professionals to do the job for you. As mentioned, highly-experienced movers can make the process much easier for you. But before you hire a mover, don’t forget to get estimates from different service providers.

Once you gather multiple estimates, make sure to spend time comparing them. This way, you can quickly select the mover that offers the best value for your hard-earned money. If possible, get estimates from at least three professional long-distance movers. Compare the service, ratings, and rates to find the perfect mover for you. Just remember that the cheapest mover isn’t always the right option.

• Consider Downsizing

Moving to a new home is also the perfect opportunity for you to declutter or downsize. This is particularly true if you’re moving to a smaller place.

Whether you want to keep your load lightweight to enjoy savings or reduce your items out of necessity, there’s no better time to clean your home thoroughly and declutter before packing your stuff. However, getting rid of your belongings is easier said than done. If you want to downsize before your long-distance move, here are the tips you can consider:

• Declutter Room By Room – Tackling one room at a time won’t only make decluttering easy, but it can also help prevent you from making a bigger mess or feeling overwhelmed.
• Start Decluttering Early – If you decide to declutter as early as possible, you’ll feel more in control of the things you need to dispose of or pack. This way, the packing will be more manageable.
• Discard Broken Items – If you have some broken items and don’t want to spend a dime on repairs, you’ll have to discard them. Besides, you can always purchase new ones as soon as you move into your new place.
• Donate Or Sell Usable Items – If you have old appliances and things that you don’t want to use anymore, you can also donate or sell them instead of simply discarding everything. 

For some people, downsizing is never easy. But with the above tips, you can make the process more convenient, allowing you to figure out which to keep, donate, and dispose of.

• Update Critical Documents

Your address may be linked to countless paperwork and private data. Once you move into your new home, be sure to update your documents, such as registration and driver’s license, to avoid confusion. Moreover, consider canceling any services or subscriptions linked to your previous address, mainly if you have bills set up to be paid automatically.

• Pack Like A Pro

Packing your stuff doesn’t have to be challenging. What you should do is start early and avoid rushing the process. If you don’t know where to start, here are some expert packing tips to make your long-distance relocation a breeze:

• Use The Right Boxes – You’ll likely need boxes of all sizes to pack your things. Typically, small boxes can hold pantry items, books, kitchenware, and other lightweight items. On the contrary, medium boxes may carry several household items, such as picture frames, clothing, bed linens, and toys. When transporting electronics, you can use heavy-duty boxes.
• Put Heavy Items On The Bottom – One of the golden rules when packing your belongings is to put all heavy items at the bottom. For example, set books and other heavy items at the bottom and place lighter items on top of them. It also applies to stacking boxes because placing heavy boxes at the bottom will keep the balance.
• Label Every Box – Another golden rule when packing is to label every box. It won’t only make unpacking easy but also help movers load boxes carefully.
• Never Move Empty Space – To ensure an efficient move, avoid moving empty space. This means you must use your laundry basket, dresser drawer, or a suitcase for packing. It’ll help you avoid buying more boxes and lessen the risk of running out of space.
• Secure Liquids In Plastic – Use plastic bins to transport all types of liquid, so spills are prevented or contained. Just make sure to wrap them carefully.
• Know What Items Not To Pack – Professional movers don’t move flammable and hazardous materials, including propane, pool chemicals, car batteries, cleaning solvents, and pesticides. Contact your city or town for disposal guidelines. Moreover, moving experts won’t relocate living plants, pets, and perishable food. It’s advisable to keep sentimental and personal items with you, such as insurance policies, financial documents, phones, passports, and property titles.
• Use Furniture Gliders – You can protect your house from scratches and marks by using furniture gliders. Whether you’re buying or renting a new house, carrying large tables and couches is awkward, and you can scratch your walls or floors. Use furniture gliders to make moving easy on both your floors and carpets.
• Pack Expensive Items Carefully – Bubble wrap offers insulation for your valuables and artwork when moving. Moreover, you must fill the box with quality packing papers to absorb any impact from sudden bumps on the road. When you’re packing artwork, make sure to get the proper box sizes.
• Vacuum Seal – Several items, including towels, bedding, pillows, and clothing, aren’t heavy but may take up lots of space. The best solution to save space and make moving more efficient is to vacuum seal such items.
• Use Newspapers With Caution – Using newspapers is an effective and affordable way of packing items. However, if you’re moving in humid or hot weather, buying acid-free and ink-free packing paper for things you want to protect from ink stains will be beneficial. You can also use it for extra layers after wrapping your stuff with packing papers.

Using the above tips and tricks, packing is much easier, even without the help of professionals. However, hiring packing experts may be handy if you want to pack your belongings properly.

• Familiarize The New Area You’re Moving Into

Feeling a bit out of place or anxious as soon as you move to a new area is normal. To avoid this, try to familiarize the new area to be familiar with the neighborhood and community. If you don’t know where to start, here are the tips to help you feel self-assured and comfortable in your new surroundings:

• Visit The Area Before You Move – Visiting the area you’re relocating to before your scheduled moving day can make you feel more confident from the get-go. Doing so will allow you to learn how to navigate around the town, get a feel of your surroundings, and explore or see the neighborhood firsthand. If this is not possible, you can try checking the area through Google maps and search for local-based forums online.
• Tap Into Your Social Network – Not knowing anybody is probably one of the hardest parts of adjusting to a new place. To make things easier, post about your relocation on social media and see if anyone can connect you to someone they know within the same city. You may find that your family, friend, or old colleague lives around the area and is willing to help you explore the place. Sometimes, seeing familiar faces can instantly make you feel more at home.
• Search About The City Online – You may have already researched your new city before the move, but thorough research can help you learn more about the place. This way, you can discover the crime rates, government websites, and some landmarks you can visit with your family during your free time.
• Take Time To Explore – If you have some time to kill, consider exploring your new city. Wander with no plan or any destination in mind to discover the different parts of the city. Sometimes, a quick stroll may help you find a hidden gem, such as unique boutique stores, a playground for the kids, restaurants, and coffee shops. While exploring, you can also try public transportation. Biking or walking can also give you a new perspective, allowing you to discover things you may not see from driving.
• Consume Local News – If you want to adjust quickly in your new city, you can learn more about it by consuming local news. You can subscribe to any community event calendar, listen to a local podcast, watch local news, read newspapers, and so on.

Getting to know your area can be a time-consuming activity, but it can help you settle into your new home easily. Moreover, you can quickly adjust to the culture and make the most out of your stay.

• Prepare A Bag For Essentials

Moving to your new house can be stressful. You need to organize a lot, and it’s easy to forget things. To ensure a smooth move, it’s an excellent idea to keep a bag with all your essentials.

Your essentials bag may include items such as snacks, clothes, medications, and toiletries. Having such things readily available can help lessen the stress and make settling into your new house much more manageable. Therefore, the next time you pack for a move, ensure you set aside some essential items to help you get through the first few days.

• Don’t Forget To Have Fun

Moving to a new country or city can be a daunting and exciting experience. During a long-distance move, it’s essential to remember that the journey can be as memorable as the destination. Rather than just rushing to your destination, take time to enjoy the experience and scenery that the journey has to offer.

Be sure to stop at different landmark attractions, explore parts of the city you’ve never seen before, and try dining at local restaurants. By savoring your long-distance move, you’ll create memories that can help you adjust quickly to your new surroundings. So, plan your move carefully, and don’t forget to have fun along the way.

Conclusion

With the above guide for long-distance moves, you can rest easy knowing you don’t need to worry about anything during your relocation day. Just be sure to follow every tip properly so nothing gets left behind.