How To Prepare for a Long-Distance Move

Moving is already a stressful event, but planning a long-distance move is undeniably more challenging than a local move. You must schedule extra travel time to find a new living space, set aside money for professional movers, and travel a long distance on your moving day.

How can you reduce the stress of your upcoming long-distance move? Here are some tips that will help your moving process go smoothly.

1. Give Yourself Time

If possible, give yourself at least 8 to 12 weeks to relocate. This gives you time to find the perfect home, get all your current affairs and paperwork in order, hire a professional mover, and get packed in a reasonable time. Although some stress is unavoidable, it’s far more stressful to move a long distance in just a few weeks’ time.

2. Schedule Your Move

Make a checklist of all you must accomplish and then arrange it in an appropriate timeline. Keep a running checklist that allows you to add more items as you think of them, and fill in your timeline.

Consider using a printable calendar so you can see what needs to be accomplished each day. You can also use different pens or highlighters to differentiate high-priority items from preferential items. For instance, hiring a moving company would be a high-priority task while packing your library is a lower-priority task. Both need to be done eventually, but you can’t move your library without movers, so that needs to be done first.

3. Hire a Professional Mover

Hiring a professional moving company is one of the best ways to reduce your stress levels. Although there is a little extra work upfront in finding a reputable mover, professional movers help the moving day run smoothly.

While you might be able to get away with a DIY move locally, it’s essential to have a professional mover for a long-distance move. They know how to drive moving trucks long distances and in rural and residential areas that would be challenging for an inexperienced driver.

In your new location, you may not have much help to unload your possessions. But your professional movers are there to help you every step of the way! When you’re exhausted from travel, you don’t have to worry about heavy lifting. You can just let the movers do what you hired them to do, and that is worth the money after travel!

Peavler Moving & Storage is a family-owned and operated business serving customers for over 35 years! Our enthusiastic movers are efficient, careful, and strong. You’ll be unloaded in no time so you can settle into your new living space.

4. Make Reservations and Pet Arrangements

After you’ve hired your moving company and have an official moving date, it’s time to make travel arrangements. Buy plane tickets, plan rest stops, or make hotel reservations.

If you have pets, determine how you’d like to move them. The easiest way is by car, but sometimes you must take them on an airplane. Only certain airlines can accommodate pets, so ensure you choose the right airline for your needs. They also need a pet health certificate from your vet to travel, so plan a veterinarian visit close to your moving date.

5. Declutter as You Pack

Moving is an excellent time to declutter unwanted items from your home. The more items you can donate, sell, or throw away, the fewer items you pay to move and spend time unpacking. You don’t want to spend money to move something you won’t use in your new home!

This can be an overwhelming process, so it’s best to start once you know you’re moving. Take it room by room, and take a break when you start to get overwhelmed. Although it’s hard work, you’ll be very pleased with the results. Purging unwanted items is very refreshing, and you’ll step into your new living space unburdened by unwanted items.

You can further reduce your moving stress by letting your professional movers pack your items, especially fragile or antique items.

6. Pack and Essentials Bag

As you’re packing, set aside anything you’ll need during the first few days after you’re in your new home. Items like toiletries, kitchen items, clothes, and more, should go in a separate and easily accessible box. Then you won’t have to dig through all the boxes to find your essential items.

7. Manage Your Paperwork

Keeping your paperwork accessible will reduce your stress significantly. Gather school, medical, and veterinary records.

Submit your change of address with the post office, arrange for your utilities to be shut down, and sign up for utilities in your new location. Arrange to change your car registration and insurance, and change your driver’s license and voter registration promptly upon moving.

Peavler Moving & Storage is here for all your moving and storage needs! Our friendly and professional movers will reduce your stress and help your moving experience run smoothly and efficiently. Ready to get a free quote? Contact us today!