Helpful Moving Tips for Surviving Your Long-Distance Move

If you’ve ever undergone a long-distance move, you understand exactly how challenging it can be. From locating a new home from a distance to renting a moving truck and packing up your entire home in a short period of time, there are dozens of uniquely challenging things about moving away from your current city or town. Fortunately, there are also many things you can do to make the long-distance moving process easier. Just follow these tips to get started.

1. Begin planning early

Your moving plans should start as soon as you know there’s a move on the horizon. Begin packing your non-essential household items such as framed photographs, seldom-used kitchen appliances, and extra bedding. Make plans to rent a moving truck or book friends to help you schlep your belongings. Give your current landlord notice and make arrangements to have your mail forwarded. Doing these things in advance can help save you stress down the road.

2. Know how to delegate

Moving requires a great deal of time and effort and delegation is an art that most frequent long-distance movers understand. Rather than doing it all on your own, enlist family and friends who want to help you pack and consider hiring a moving company if you have the funds for it. This can help distribute the burden of moving and prevent you from becoming too overwhelmed.

3. Pare down your belongings

Moving is a great time to go through your closets and drawers and get rid of some things. Instead of packing that never-worn ski coat into a box in preparation for “someday” consider giving it away to someone who will use it. Culling unneeded items from your household before you move can help make packing easier and cut down on clutter once you arrive at your new home.

4. Plan to have essentials on-hand

During a long-distance move, most people try to get their new homes unpacked and livable within a few days. This is much easier if you have essentials such as curtain rods, picture hangers, cleaning supplies, and trash bags on hand. While running to the store for these items may seem like a simple task, it can cost you valuable time and effort that could better be spent elsewhere. With this in mind, plan to pick these things up before you move.

5. Get the proper equipment

Moving requires some special tools and taking the time to ensure you have them can make your long-distance move a much smoother experience. For example, consider renting a large moving truck rather than cramming your items into a personal car and don’t be afraid to employ things like dollies or straps to make the heavy lifting a bit easier. In addition to saving your back, these tools can make the move more efficient, as well.

While long-distance moving can be difficult, these simple tips can help make it easier and more streamlined – no matter how far your big move will take you!