Whatever your reason for moving, preparing for a long distance move can be a difficult and stressful task. There are a lot of chores to be accomplished such as finding the perfect place to live, planning various logistics, hiring a moving company, packing your belongings, and officially moving out. Keep yourself on a schedule and follow these tips to make the most out of your long distance move!

Getting Ready to Move

Once you’ve decided on where you’re moving, there is a lot left to do. To keep yourself from becoming too stressed, make a plan! Write your plan out, because having some type of timeline and list of things to do will keep you organized and make the entire process much easier for everyone involved.

Here are some of the most important “to do” list items that you don’t want to forget:

1. Change your address with the United States Postal Service and set up mail forwarding.

2. Find service providers in your new area and set up utilities, such as gas, water, internet, and electricity.

3. Transfer homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to your new place.

4. Find out the timeline and process to obtain a new driver’s license if moving to a different state.

5. Change your address on important documentation such as Social Security benefits, vehicle registration, bills, banking, and any subscription services that you use.

6. Found out how long your commute to work will be and determine the best route.

7. Find the closest amenities in your area, such as the grocery store, mechanic, and mall.

8. Find recommendations for the best doctor’s office, dentist, eye doctor, and veterinarian.

9. Transfer any prescriptions to your new local pharmacy and forward medical records to your new medical provider.

10. If you’re flying, make sure to buy plane tickets early enough to get the best deals and find out about policies for traveling with pets if you plan to do so.

11. Keep receipts and track all expenses that have been spent throughout the entire moving process.

12. If you’re moving because of work, find out exactly which services will be covered by your company and how much of it is left for you to handle.

Purging

Before you start packing, you should go through everything you have. Everyone has plenty of items they no longer want, use, or need. Moving is the perfect time to go through and separate all of this out! Clothes, blankets, kitchen supplies, unopened bathroom products, backpacks, purses, books, and plenty of other goods can be donated, sold, or thrown out if necessary. When you are preparing for a long distance move, you don’t want to bring anything extra along that you no longer have a use for.

Garage Sales

Looking to make a little extra cash before heading to your new home? After separating all unwanted belongings, pick the best ones and have a garage sale! This is a great way to know that everything you don’t want can be used by someone else. Garage sales are also a fun way to get the whole family involved. If you have any items that didn’t sell, you can donate them to your local homeless shelter or veterans center.

Packing

Once you’ve gotten rid of all unwanted items, it’s time to start packing everything else! Packing up your entire life can be a daunting task, especially for a long distance move. You have to make sure everything is packed securely so that you don’t risk breaks or damage. But if you choose the right moving company, they can help you pack! Make sure to check out their packing policies to see if there are any dangerous or fragile items that they won’t handle.

Packing Tips

  1. Sort by category. Keep all similar items together and label the boxes! Sort by room so you know where everything goes once you get to your new place. This way you won’t be searching for a specific item and not know where to find it.

  2. Smart packing. Use what you already have! Fill up suitcases, duffel bags, and backpacks with everything you can. Packing up glassware? Wrap them in t-shirts or towels.

  3. Safe packing. Use boxes, but don’t overfill them; this risks the box breaking or hurting the person carrying it. Make sure to use moving blankets, plastic wrap, and bubble wrap for fragile items.

  4. Valuables. Bring all of the most important items with you. This includes IDs, passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, jewelry, precious heirlooms, and other important documents.

  5. Food. If you’re driving, you can bring food with you. If you’re flying, you can bring a few items like chips or granola bars, but donate anything that will not spoil or give perishables to a friend or neighbor in order to reduce waste.

Moving Company

The smartest way to move is to hire a trusted moving company. This allows you to focus on getting all other details set up without having to worry about transporting or storing anything yourself. Check out exactly what items they transport, including antiques and large furniture, as well as dangerous items they may not transport such as weapons, hazardous chemicals, aerosol, or batteries.

Be sure that the company you choose is licensed to move across the country and will properly take care of your belongings. The company should also include insurance, as this is required by law. You will want to look at their insurance policies to see how much liability they offer, especially if they are packing for you as well.

Discounts

If you’re hiring a moving company, ask for any possible discounts! Most businesses offer military discounts, student discounts, or senior discounts. Don’t fit into any of these categories? There may still be regular discounts or offers that you can take advantage of! Moving is expensive enough on its own, so always ask about any current or upcoming promotions to save as much as you can.

Hire a Long Distance Moving Company

At Alliance Moving and Storage, we know that every move is unique, so we strive to provide exceptional services! Located in the Midwest, we offer both local and long distance moves to support any of your moving or storage needs. Contact us to receive a free quote and get your move started!