Travel and lifestyle
While the most common time to move is between May and September, in any given month people are settling into a new home. This can be a very stressful time for many people. In fact, a big move can be one of the more stress-intensive events in life. Luckily, some tips can make the whole process flow a lot easier. By the time you’re done reading this blog, you’ll be ready to tackle your next move with confidence.
Getting started
Let’s start at the beginning, the first step of moving is finding a place. Finding a suitable apartment, condo, or house can be a major challenge, but there’s a lot you can do to make it easier on yourself. Take some time before you begin the search to take a look at your budget and decide on a realistic spending limit. Next, decide what is important to you, and what you’re willing to compromise on. Some people need a lot of space and others do not, some people don’t care about the location because they drive, others may take transit and need to be more selective. Whatever you decide is important to you, you’ll need to prioritize those features, but along with that, you’ll need to decide what you’re willing to give up.
The next steps
Once you’ve decided which place is right for you, it’s time to start the process to secure it. These days finding a place to live is going to require jumping through some hoops, so make sure you’re ready with everything you’ll need in advance. It can vary from location to location, but most places will require some or all of the following:
• First and last month’s rent
• Credit check
• Reference check
• Planning for the move
Once you’ve managed to secure yourself a new place to live, it’s time to plan everything for the move. The first thing you’ll want to do is take stock of what to bring to your new home, and what to donate, sell, or throw away. It’s essential that you put some serious time and consideration into which items you consider meaningful and which ones you can part with. A move is a perfect time to get a fresh start, and there’s no better way to do that than to evaluate your possessions. Once you’ve decided what you will and won’t keep, it’s time to make sure you’re ready for the big day. Here’s a brief list of things to make sure you have covered:
• Pack early and label things well, this will save you a headache down the road.
• Book your movers early, whether they’re professionals or friends, you don’t want to be left scrambling at the last moment.
• Ensure that your schedule is clear for the day of the move and if possible, a day or two after, as there are few things more exhausting than a big move.
• Make sure change of address is taken care of, so you don’t have any nasty surprises down the line
The Big Day
When the day of your move finally arrives, you’ll want to make sure you’re well-rested and ready. Moving can be an exhausting activity, both mentally and physically, so you ‘ll want to be sure to get as much sleep as possible in the days leading up to the move. Try to get an early start on moving day, you’re likely to run out of steam as the day goes along. Starting too late increases the risk that you run out of steam before you’re finished. While loading your possessions, take care to arrange things in a way that makes sense for unloading later. Try to keep like with like as much as possible while keeping things stacked efficiently.
Unloading
When you unload your moving vehicle, try to take the extra time to put boxes in the appropriate rooms. It may seem tedious when you’re sweating and struggling, but it will pay off when it is time to unpack everything. A little bit of time and effort upfront will save a lot of effort down the line. You’ll need to make sure that everyone involved in the unloading process is aware of where things should go, so hopefully, you followed the earlier advice and labelled everything clearly. Taking these steps will ensure that the unloading and unpacking process goes as smoothly as possible. Moving is tough, so there’s no need to make it tougher on yourself.
Make a list of priorities
Once you’re in the new place there is going to be a big list of things to get done. If you want the next couple of weeks to be calm instead of stressful, then it’s important to plan your priorities. This list will look different for everyone, but some things to consider are as follows:
• Create a timeframe and order of operations for the unpacking process, decide which rooms need to be done right away, and which can wait for a couple of days.
• Learn your new area, where will you be getting groceries, going to the gym, going out for dinner, etc.
• Ensure all of your important services were set up correctly, including water, electricity, internet, heat, etc.
• Finish furnishing the place with any furniture, utensils, appliances, or decorations that you still need.
Enjoy your new place
There you have it; this is everything that you’re going to need to ensure that your move goes smoothly. You’ll be able to focus on enjoying your new house instead of fussing over missed details.