According to The National Association of REALTORS, the average person moves 11.7 times in their lifetime. And while each move is unique, there are some general things you can do to make the process go more smoothly. For example, besides packing and unpacking, you also have to deal with change-of-address forms, utility hookups/shutoffs, etc.

Relocating can be a daunting task, but it can be smooth and stress-free with proper planning and execution. Follow these tips to make your move as seamless as possible.

1. Start early and give yourself plenty of time

The earlier you start planning your move, the better. It gives you ample time to declutter your home, research moving companies, and get everything in order. Start packing non-essential items first so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Also, please give yourself plenty of time on the day of the move itself. Rushing will only add to your stress levels and could result in accidents.

2. Rent a storage facility

Consider renting a storage unit if you downsize or need some extra space. It can be a great place to store seasonal items or belongings you don’t use regularly. Just make sure to choose a facility close to your new home so you can easily access your things when you need them. For example, if you are in Aurora, Colorado, there are plenty of options available to research on Google. You can do a quick online search by using keywords such as Aurora CO storage units near me to find a list of nearby storage facilities. You can also read online reviews before choosing a facility to feel more confident about your decision.

3. Purge your belongings

One of the best tips for making a move easier is to declutter your home before you start packing. It will simplify the packing and unpacking, but it will also save you money on moving costs. Go through your belongings and get rid of anything you don’t need or use. You can donate, sell, or trash these items. However, make sure to do this well in advance so you’re not stuck with a bunch of stuff you don’t want on moving day.

4. Find a reputable moving company

If you’re hiring professional movers, do your research in advance. Read online reviews and get recommendations from friends or family. Get multiple quotes, and be sure to ask lots of questions. A reputable moving company will be transparent about its pricing and should have no problem answering any of your questions. However, the lowest estimate isn’t always the best option. In some cases, it could mean that the company is cutting corners to save money.

5. Make a list (or several)

Make a master list of everything you need to do to complete your move. It should include tasks like changing your address, packing, and hiring a moving company. Once you have your master list, you can then create smaller, more manageable lists that you can tackle one at a time. It will help you stay organized and on track. However, leave some wiggle room in your schedule if things don’t go according to plan.

6. Pack an essentials bag

No matter how well you plan, there’s always a chance something could go wrong on moving day. Pack an essentials bag with everything you might need to be prepared for anything. It should include items like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, medications, and anything else you might need. If there’s a delay or setback, you won’t have to worry about going without the things you need. However, keep this bag with you, so you don’t lose it in the shuffle.

7. Label your boxes

It may seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference when unpacking. Be sure to label all of your packages with their contents and the room they belong in. It will save you a lot of time and frustration later on. You can use a simple system of color-coding or get more specific with labels like “kitchen” or “bedroom.” However, be consistent with your labeling to quickly find what you need when you need it. However, if you’re hiring professional movers, they will likely have their system for labeling and organizing boxes.

8. Change your address

Don’t forget to change your address at the post office. It is an essential step in the moving process that’s often overlooked. You can do this online or in person at your local post office. Be sure to change your address at least two weeks in advance so you don’t miss any important mail. However, if you have a lot of mail to forward, you may need to fill out a longer form.

9. Update your contact information

Be sure to update your contact information with family and friends so that they will be able to reach you after you move. You can also update your contact information with your doctor, dentist, and other regularly seeing professionals. This way, you won’t have to worry about losing touch with the people and places you care about. However, do this in advance so you don’t forget.

10. Give yourself a break

Moving can be a lot of work, so give yourself a break when you need it. It doesn’t mean you have to take a vacation, but it does mean taking some time for yourself. Perhaps you can treat yourself to a manicure or take a long walk in the park. Whatever you do, give yourself a break, so you don’t get too overwhelmed. However, if you find yourself getting overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for help from family and friends.

The Bottom Line:

With a bit of planning and preparation, you can make relocating easy and stress-free. The biggest mistake you can make is going in without any plan and just winging it. If you don’t adequately plan your move, you will feel overwhelmed and stressed at the last moment. So, you can make your next move a breeze by following these simple tips. Just be sure to do your research, stay organized, and give yourself a break when you need it. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy your new home.

Congratulations! You are officially an adult now. Growing up opens you up to various new avenues in your life, including moving out of your parents’ house and living independently. This major step in your life will open up many exciting opportunities, such as choosing your decor, throwing parties, enjoying your privacy and freedom, and growing into a more responsible adult.

However, the process will be nothing short of stressful, either. Various issues will come crashing down from all sides all at once, giving rise to feelings of anxiety and occasional episodes of panic attacks. With so much to consider and plan, we have compiled a guide to make your experience as smooth and hassle-free as possible.

·        Declutter your stuff before you pack

Before you consider packing, make sure you leave behind any possessions you no longer use. The lesser the clutter, the easier it will be to move. Plus, it will make it easier to clean up later. Your future self will be highly grateful to you. You could store your items in your local storage units. For instance, bustling cities like Tuscaloosa have plenty of people moving around every now and then. They would need to store their belongings in safes frequently. Thus, the city would have plenty of storage units, so just search up Tuscaloosa al storage units, and you should get a list of places you could rely on. Storing the unnecessary items away for later will make it easier to focus on what is important, significantly reducing the stress that comes with packing. 

·        Hire a moving company

Movers are professionals with years of experience in packing and moving. Thanks to their expertise, they will make the entire moving process feel like a piece of cake. They will come prepared with all the important tools and materials, plus they will bring a team with them to get multiple tasks done simultaneously. Not only will this significantly reduce the burden on your shoulders, but it will also save a lot of time. 

The only major drawback: it will be expensive. However, if your budget allows it, go for it!

·        Don’t be afraid of asking for help

Movers are not the only people who can help you out. You could speak to your friends and family and ask for their guidance. You can get wonderful tips and tricks about dealing with day-to-day issues, such as a leaky flush tank or a fused light bulb. Additionally, they could help you with packing and moving, making a stressful event a lot more fun and bearable.

·        Sort yourself financially

This is the less exciting part about being independent. However, to avoid anxiety, you need to establish your source of income in the long run so you can pay the bills and have a monthly budget. Once you know your monthly income, track your expenses. You will know how much you can spend on essential expenses such as rent and transport. It will also show you where you are spending excessively and need to cut down on your expenses. 

Secondly, determine your budget for moving out. Knowing how much you can afford to spend on this event will determine, for instance, whether you can afford to hire the moving company or the storage units, etc. This will also show you how much you will have left for any extra purchases after you have moved in.

·        Get the right apartment

Your new apartment will be your haven for a long while, so you have to make the decision carefully. One of the best ways to get the right apartment would be to spread the word that you are looking to move out. You can trust your family to give you the right suggestions, ultimately leading to a satisfactory choice, and you are more likely to end up in a nice and safe location. Alongside this, you should frequently check your local newspaper and apartment renting websites for good deals, so you don’t miss out on them! Do not try to exceed your rent range as it will cause you a lot of stress in the long run, especially if your income cannot cover it. Be mindful of the proximity of public transport as this would have a major impact on your transportation expense. Having public transport easily accessible means, you can commute at extremely low costs, which may not be the case if you live further away. Adding on, ensure safety in your area of choice. Check for crime rates and whether there are any precautions your building takes. Usually, places with good ratings on websites or those recommended by friends and family are less likely to be unsafe.

·        Explore!

Once you have settled down to some extent, go out and explore what your new neighborhood is like. Check out the recreational and fitness facilities, such as parks, gym, swimming pool, etc. See if they are within walking distance, so you can sign up and stay active. Though it is healthier and economical to cook at home, there is no harm in dining out every once in a while. See what the local restaurants are like and if there are any good cafes for days when you are running late and need to grab a quick coffee. To interact with your neighbors, build a relationship with them. They will not only keep you company, but they will also make you feel part of a community. You will be less likely to feel home-sick and lonely, and you could always have someone to go to in case of an emergency.

Moving out will not be a smooth, overnight process. It will take months of planning and making tiny adjustments here and there in your new place before it truly starts to feel like second nature. The unpacking procedure itself would take a while before you are done settling the last box. Gradually, you will add more pieces of décor and change the interior to suit your lifestyle better. Moving out will be a rollercoaster ride, but it will be worth it in the end.

No matter how early you start preparing for a move, or how much you force yourself to think positively about the entire undertaking, moving is a demanding, stressful task. You never know what might go awry during the preparation and the packing stages, or what might happen at the new place, the minute you unload the truck.

From poorly connected utilities to inadvertently leaving some essential belongings at the old place, all the way to completely forgetting to notify key people of your move – this is not a challenge to be taken lightly. Here’s what you shouldn’t forget to do.

Obtaining the right packing materials

Moving your belongings safely across town, or even country borders, requires proper packing. However, this does not mean simply procuring some boxes and hoping everything will fit, instead, there are a couple of factors you should take into consideration.

First, understand that different items should be packed according to their size and fragility. For instance, while a TV set requires its own high-durability box, clothes and accessories can be put in the same, lightweight container. But that’s not all there is to it, as you want to get the right packing materials in order to ensure the safety of every item during transit.

Labeling boxes properly and per room

Many homeowners leave the task of labeling their boxes for later, oftentimes forgetting to do it until the movers have already begun loading the boxes into the truck. To prevent complete chaos and disarray at the new place, consider labeling your boxes as soon as you start packing up each room. Make sure to label the contents and emphasize the room these should go in so that the movers can have an easier time unloading the truck.

Moving all utilities to the new place

One of the biggest problems that homeowners face when moving is organizing the move of all of their utilities. Oftentimes, people will forget about this crucial task altogether, only realizing their mistake when their gas appliances don’t work because the new place has an electrical network.

To avoid this costly and time-consuming problem, make dealing with moving house utilities your no.1 priority from the get go. You can find reputable companies that specialize in utility connections and can help you plan your move down to the smallest of appliances and utilities such as internet, phone, TV, and more.

Packing the right things at the right time

When planning a move, there needs to be order and strategy to the entire project. You can’t simply pack up your house as you go along, you need to have a system that will help you preserve the peace in the household and make packing a breeze. So, instead of winging it, be sure to schedule packing days per room – starting with the least-used areas and packing the high-traffic rooms such as the kitchen prior to the move itself.

Creating an “essentials box”

There are boxes that should go at the back of the truck, and there is a box that should stay at your side at all times. This “essentials” box is where you’re going to put all of your daily and night-time necessities that you might need prior, during, and right after the move before you unpack. To know exactly what to put in this box, divide items into categories such as hygiene, clothing, gadgets, and essential kitchen accessories.

One final walk-through of the old place

Last but not least, you shouldn’t leave the key in the front door until you’ve conducted one final inspection of the interior. This doesn’t mean giving every room a passing glance on your way to the front door, but rather it means examining every nook and cranny for items that you might have missed. Usually, these will be the items right in front of you, such as a wall clock or a picture frame on the commode.

Moving is a cumbersome task that requires proper planning and preparation, and by no means is it a stress-free chore. Nevertheless, you can alleviate some of the pressure off the entire ordeal by knowing that these essential steps are covered.