Moving might be one of life’s greatest challenges, yet it is a journey that can be worth it. If you’ve lived in the City for years, there are many reasons why you’d want to escape — crowded streets, the insane cost of living, suffocating noise, pollution, or simply to find greener pastures. Before you make the giant leap, you’ll have to consider a lot of things. But don’t worry, you’ll get through them all with careful planning. Here’s how you can prepare for your upcoming move to a newer and better life.
Have a Game Plan
Never approach a long-distance move the same way you would a local one. This is a larger-scale operation involving more complicated logistics. You can’t just load up the moving truck and expect to make a smooth transition. You need a plan to guide you.
That being said, here are some ways to outline your plan:
- Write down a moving checklist. This list should include all the objectives you need to tackle to achieve your primary goal.
- Determine what tasks to prioritize. One person can only do so much. Make sure you list what things to do first at the start of the day when you’re most productive.
- Create a moving timeline. It doesn’t have to be super accurate. You want a reasonable timeframe so you don’t find yourself hustling at the last hour to get everything done.
- List down your inventory. Doing so helps you easily keep track of your belongings to make sure they all arrive at your new home.
Hire a Reliable Moving Company
Moving independently is a great way to save, but if you find yourself struggling or lost, hiring a moving company is not that expensive of an option. When you move on your own, you’ll encounter problems. Problems like breaking fragile items, damaging your furniture, having to carry heavy appliances, and things getting lost. Of course, not to mention going back and forth between your house and the moving truck and having to drive an unwieldy truck over miles and miles of interstate. Hiring professional NYC long-distance movers eliminates all these issues, assuring you of a successful relocation. On top of that, your items will be insured, so if anything goes wrong, you can rest easy knowing your belongings are in good hands.
Make sure the company you are hiring is reliable and licensed!
Compare Quotes from Multiple Companies
The pain points that come with a move can seriously add up. The last thing you want to happen is to spend thousands of dollars on something that will leave you dissatisfied in the end. So, how can you ensure that you’re getting the best deal on your move? The best way to know is to compare quotes from multiple moving companies. Check out their services, inquire about discounts, and see if their rates justify your needs and budget. Once you’ve decided on a potential company, it’s time to take things to the next step.
Make Sure Your Movers are Legit
You may have heard the horror stories of incompetent movers who’ve broken furniture or terrible tales of shady companies that hold their client’s belongings hostage. While these scenarios might seem scary, you can easily avoid them with the proper research. The first thing you should inspect from your potential company is their USDOT number. After obtaining it, run the number on the FMCSA mover search tool. This should give you an idea if the company is licensed or not. Other necessary checks you can do include:
- Evaluate the company’s online presence. Does the website feel professional and well-written? Are there any missing pages like an “about us” page?
- Read online reviews. Doing so gives you an idea of how the company operates. The experience of other people will likely be your experience too.
- Check for complaints with the BBB. The Better Business Bureau aims to expose all moving-related scams. If there’s one database to look for issues, it’s this one.
- Ask for friend or family recommendations. This is the most honest review of them all. People close to you are more likely to provide straightforward feedback about their experience with a moving company.
Declutter and Downsize
Many families struggle to downsize. Most people don’t want to get rid of their stuff. However, you don’t want to do this, or else you’ll have to pay a lot more to ship everything. Basically, there are two ways to go about this: get it done with or take your time.
Remember that you don’t need to rush the move. Cherish old belongings as much as you can but learn to let go. Start by taking everything out of your closets, cabinets, and drawers. Sort out which things you can’t live without and which ones you can afford to lose. For the ones you plan on leaving behind, try to sell them to cover some expenses or give them away to your neighbors or a local donation center. Pro tip: some NYC charities offer free pick-up of donated items!
Sometimes, it’s time to let go.
Transfer Your Utilities in Advance
It’s easy to get carried away with packing that you might forget about other important matters. Canceling or transferring utilities is one of them. From setting up a new internet provider to managing your electricity and water, make sure you think through what services you’ll need at your new place. Contact your provider to see if they serve your new area. If yes, utility transfer shouldn’t be a problem. Just give them your new address. If not, you’ll have to look for a new provider and inquire about their setup process in advance.
Divide Everyone’s Responsibilities
Although you may have hired movers to help you, everyone in your family has a role to play in this transition. Have your kids pack their toys or help decide what they’re ready to get rid of. You can also have them play with your pet in a separate room when the movers arrive. The adults can then supervise the movers on what stuff to move and where to place things. All in all, labor division gives everyone a feeling of responsibility that is important in making the move a success.
Don’t carry the load all by yourself. Let the whole family pitch in!