Moving short distance means there won’t be major surprises because you’re operating within familiar territory and your routine probably won’t change drastically. When you’re moving locally, you’ll have the help of your family and friends. They can jump in and give you a hand with small move-related tasks. Since your two homes are close to each other, you’ll be able to visit your new neighborhood and your new home as many times as you want before you actually move there. That will allow you to take care of many tasks in advance, including cleaning, measuring, etc.
Moving house is often a stressful process, even when it’s only a couple of blocks away. You still have to plan, organize, pack, change address, unpack, and settle in. If you’re not quite sure about how to execute a short-distance move, we’ve got you covered. Some things can help you go through the process smoother. You can plan way ahead and give yourself enough time to complete all the tasks. Of course, you can always go for reputable movers and let them handle your entire relocation. If you prefer to DIY, that’s fine as well. Carry on reading to find our moving short-distance tips and tricks.
Create a moving checklist
Planning is extremely important if you want to have a successful relocation. Most people think that only long-distance moves require careful planning. Short-distance moves also need some organization. A good game plan is necessary for a smooth and stress-free process. To make sure you don’t skip any task, go ahead and create a moving checklist. Include everything that requires your attention and then decide what priority is, but don’t skip even the smallest tasks. Following the checklist will help you track your progress and accomplish everything on time.
Declutter
Once you have a game plan, it’s time to go through your household and sort out your belongings. Moving house is a perfect reason to get rid of clutter. Perhaps you can even make a few extra bucks by selling unwanted items in a yard sale. Go through each room in your house and separate items into three piles: keep, sell, or donate. Separating items into three different piles is an easy method to follow. But, if you’re having a hard time letting go of clutter, invite a friend to help you out. Or apply the 12 months rule – get rid of anything you haven’t used in a year.
Start from rooms with the least traffic like attic or basement. Them, work towards busiest rooms like kitchen and living room. Remember that by taking out unused items you’re making space for beautiful new things at your new home. So, be diligent during decluttering.
Pack an essentials bag
Having a few personal items on you is a great idea. So go ahead and pack basic toiletries, a fresh change of clothes, clean bedding, medications, a few snacks, etc. The reason for packing an overnight bag is because you don’t want to reach your new place and go through countless boxes looking for a toothbrush or clean linen.
Plan a layout
Since you’re moving locally, stop by your new place and measure the space. Go ahead and compare measurements with your furniture to make sure all your pieces will fit. Some bulk pieces of furniture may be too big and it’s much easier to measure in advance and prepare a new layout.
Cancel and forward services
Before you move, you’ll have to take care of your utilities and other services, so make sure to reach out to providers to arrange everything for your new place. Include utilities, internet, cable, forward email, and change address in your documents.
Pack smart for moving short distance
Since you’re moving short distance, you can take advantage of that and move your things little by little instead of moving everything on moving day, and you can also save money on packing materials. For example, leave clothes on hangers and move them like that instead of packing them in moving boxes. For an in-city move, there’s really no reason to take your clothes off hangers only to pack them and put them back on hangers in a few hours. Save time and energy and simply cover your clothes on hangers with plastic garbage bags – keep six to ten hangers together.
You can find free boxes from your nearest grocery or liquor store because there’s no need to spend money on high-quality boxes – your items will be in those boxes for a really short time. Another smart way to pack is to use your suitcases and bags instead of moving boxes. When packing, don’t forget to label boxes for moving. This will make your short distance moving a lot easier.
Pack by area
Chances are that what you have in your kitchen will stay in your kitchen, so it only makes sense to pack your belongings by area. By packing items from the same area together, you’ll save a lot of time when unpacking.
Get a few helping hands
Just because a short-distance move is less complicated them a long-distance one, it doesn’t mean you should do it all by yourself. A few friends or family members should be enough to help you pack, load, or drive your items to a new place. If nobody’s available, you can also hire moving labor for a few hours instead of going for full-service movers.
Hire a reputable moving company
Eventually, if you’re too busy to perform a DIY move or you don’t have much experience with moving short-distance, go ahead and hire a reputable moving company. Moving house can be challenging, even if it’s only a few blocks away. Experienced local movers will know the traffic patterns and other details regarding your area and they’ll make the process smooth ad stress-free. If you’re not sure how to find the best movers, get online and read reviews to get a few ideas. You can also ask friends to recommend a trustworthy mover. Also, always get at least three different quotes to compare prices and find which services suit your situation. Make sure you know what are the hidden moving costs and how to avoid them. Countrywide Moving and Storage is at your service – contact us anytime to get a free moving quote.