5 Tips For Planning The Easiest Move Possible

Published on October 4th, 2022

It’s never easy to pick up and move your life. Whether you’re moving across the country or just across the street, there are numerous factors to account for. Besides the logistics, moving can also be a very emotional experience.

So it’s important to prepare effectively for your big move. Here are five tips for making the upcoming changes go as smoothly as possible.

1. Consider Who You’re Moving

When contemplating your upcoming life transition, it’s important to keep in mind who is actually moving.

Depending on who is involved in the process, it can change what it looks like entirely. Are you moving by yourself or with a partner? Do you have kids? Are you moving along with parents or elderly relatives?

The answer to these questions will change the kind of moving strategies and companies you employ. For example, driving cross-country may sound fun, but it would be far more challenging with a newborn infant.

In this instance, it might be worthwhile to consider booking a flight instead. Likewise, you might need to hire a pet transport service if you’ve got a little critter tagging along for the ride.

Different transportation methods have different costs and benefits. The services you utilize will vary depending on the people — or even pups — involved in your upcoming move. So search for options that will account for your unique situation.

2. Research Where You’re Moving

Where you’re moving can also greatly affect your experience. Think about the location: what kind of climate does the place you’re going to move to have? Say, for example, you’re moving to the south where it’s usually hotter.

You’ll want to pack your clothing in a way that you can access your shorts and other summer clothes when you arrive. The reverse also applies to a cold climate.

Another factor to consider is humidity. If you’re moving to the Pacific Northwest, for example, you may want to pack differently. Because this area is notoriously rainy, shipping your stuff in simple cardboard boxes may be insufficient.

Under enough stress from too much water, cardboard disintegrates. Rather, you might opt for sealable plastic containers instead, especially to transport electronics, important paperwork, or collectibles.

Do some research into the climate patterns of your new home. By preparing properly, you can move knowing that your things will arrive safely, even if the weather turns sour.

3. Assess What You’re Moving

Most people have similar basics to move: clothing, furniture, and sentimental memorabilia. But other than that, moves can vary wildly depending on the kind and amount of stuff you’re taking with you.

So similar to planning for the weather, prepare to get different packing materials for different kinds of items.

When it comes to electronics, some people live lightly with only a laptop and phone. Others, however, might have an entire battle station setup for their computer — four monitors, a tower, and a VR headset.

Further still, others may have precious family heirlooms like vases and paintings that need to be handled with extreme care.

If you do have many valuable and fragile items, consider having professional packing companies handle them for you. Alternatively, if you’re determined to do it yourself, research the best packing techniques for each item.

Plates, for example, survive best when each plate is individually wrapped in newspaper and placed in the box standing on its side. Each item will have its own best way, so research and pack accordingly.

4. Remember Why You’re Moving

You probably already know why you’re moving since you’re researching how to plan for it now. Perhaps you’ve landed a new job in another part of the country. Maybe you found the one and you’re ready to move in together.

Whatever your reason is, keep it in mind, and remember why you made the decision in the first place. Keeping your reason in mind can help keep you motivated when the process inevitably gets difficult.

Moving can be a deeply emotional process. You’re uprooting your entire life, saying goodbye to a place and maybe a community full of memories, good and bad.

No matter what kind of experience you’re leaving behind, it’s important to recognize the importance of this moment in life.

If you haven’t already, take time and thank the place you’re leaving. It doesn’t have to be some big ceremony or grand gesture, but have a personal moment of reflection.

Catharsis is rare in life, so creating opportunities for it during important life transitions is very important.

5. Give Yourself Time

Both logistically and emotionally, moves just take time. So in a similar vein to the last point, it’s important to take the time you need to move.

This means planning as far in advance as possible and doing little bits of work over the weeks to prepare. It also means saying goodbyes and letting go of past experiences to be ready when the time comes to go.

Logistically, the various seasons can affect your travel plans. Similar to the geographic research you’ve done, the timing can really change things. For example, it will be easier to move in summer to a place that sees high levels of snowfall during the winter.

Emotionally, saying goodbyes over time can prepare you to leave when the time comes. You can take time for each relationship you’re leaving behind and share moments with people important to you.

This can be easier than ripping off the proverbial bandaid just before you actually ship out. Ask friends and family to help you move — it’s a great way to pack and say goodbye at the same time.

Enjoy The Process

Planning your next move can be a tricky experience. Not only can it be logistically and emotionally difficult to navigate, but there’s no one-size-fits-all advice.

Just as everyone’s life is different, so too is everyone’s moving experience. But by making the right kinds of preparations, you’ll be ready when the time comes. Your move might even go more smoothly than you expect.

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