A Fox News survey asked Americans about the most stressful event in their lives. Surprisingly, 45% of Americans responded that moving was the most traumatic experience they had ever faced. Then comes divorce/breakup, being the most taxing event in the lives of 44% of respondents. No wonder relocation has topped the list, given that moving costs $1,500 on average. Leaving behind your home and its familiar surroundings to restart everything in an unfamiliar place doesn’t seem comforting to some. Many homeowners struggle with packing/unpacking, and sometimes nothing goes according to their plans. So, how to make moving less of a problem and more of an enjoyable experience? Let’s find out!
The Ultimate Checklist for Movers
What makes moving so stressful anyway? Some homeowners assume that changing their dwellings can serve as a “fun activity” with their children. But packing/unpacking the entire house doesn’t allow them much time to enjoy this experience. First of all – as mentioned above – it’s expensive to move. You may struggle with your partner or end up relocating to an unknown settlement. Finding another school for kids isn’t easy, and learning about new roads in the town and making friends.
Being a $17 billion industry, you can find many online solutions available during the relocation. It must be remembered that outsourcing some aspects of your moving can help you relieve the stress. So, get yourself a free guide to moving by hiring some professionals for assistance. House Movers Perth provide several services that help you move locally and long-distance. And that’s not it! Here, we’ll suggest a few things to do when you’re moving into a new house to make this experience count:
1.Explore the Neighborhood
Don’t relocate before you’ve explored the neighborhood. Make sure that you’re comfortable living in that area. When you’re considering buying a house, meet your potential neighbors and introduce yourself. Ask them about the neighborhood since they can give you a more accurate analysis. Also, you should check if it’s a safe place to raise children with lower crimes rates and less discriminatory behavior. So, after you’ve explored the locality, then it’s time to move on to the next steps.
2. Set up Utilities
Don’t postpone setting up utilities until the last minute. Instead, arrange them to be ready for your arrival beforehand. Ensure that everything’s working just fine the moment you move into your new home. It’s essential – therefore – to set up your gas, water, phone, electric, and other utilities after purchasing the apartment. Also, call the local waste management authorities to pick up the trash from your new home. So, finishing these responsibilities will help you focus on other activities.
3. Purge Your Stuff
Leverage this opportunity to declutter your house and discard unused objects. Survey your attic and gather things that have lost their purpose in your home – aged books, pale documents, and antique furniture. You can hold a yard sale for selling some of these to finance your relocation. Then there’s the option to rent a self-storage unit where you can keep your valuables while the family leaves the house. Decluttering the house allows you to decrease the stuff movers need to carry as well!
4. Picture the Valuables
Don’t forget to take some pictures of your valuables before movers handle them. It’s essential to take precautions in case something gets lost/broken during the journey. So, creating an inventory of your belongings by taking photos seems like the perfect damage-control method. These photos will show the original condition of these items in case the moving company damages them. Since accidents happen, no matter how responsible the movers are. It’s better to be vigilant.
5. Change Your Address
Make the relocation final by changing your address. Inform the post office as well for setting up an address change with them. Also, notify your correspondents about where you’ll be living from now on – especially your bank, workplace, and subscription services. Are you moving to another state? In this case, you have to apply for a new driver’s license and a fresh voter’s registration. You must update everyone on social media platforms as well but without revealing your address online!
6. Bring Your Essentials
We call it packing a “first-day” box that contains things necessary for you to survive – toothbrushes, mobile chargers, extra clothes, and other essentials. It would be best if you carried these essentials by yourself. Don’t trust movers with these valuables – such as essential documents – because you can’t bear to see them get lost! Unless movers arrive on time, this box of essentials helps you sleep in your new home comfortably. So, don’t forget to gather these essentials in one place now.
7. Change the Locks
You don’t know whom the tenants have given a key to the house they don’t own anymore! So, don’t risk your family’s security and change the locks before your belongings are transported to the new apartment. Change the locks yourself or – we recommend – hire an expert locksmith. It’ll help you become the “master of the house” in a practical sense! Also, change the keys to all doors that exist inside the house. Moreover, a British website suggests changing your locks every seven years.
8. Clean the House
You don’t know how previous residents have treated this apartment. So, it’s imperative to employ the services of professionals for cleaning the entire building. Opt for deep cleaning options where an ensemble of well-equipped cleaners will purify the house from top to bottom. If you prefer cleaning the apartment by yourself, don’t forget to fetch the right tools and the DIY wardrobe (that includes gloves, goggles, and related things). Also, get the building’s HVAC system checked by experts.
9. Research Local Business
After settling in your freshly-purchased apartment, it’s recommended to research local businesses. You’ve already explored the neighborhood. Now, it’s time to search the nearest schools, hospitals, and banking institutions. Discover who sells the most delicious coffee in the area and where you can buy your food economically. Also, ask around for people’s suggestions. Become familiar with the neighborhood where you now reside.
Conclusion
Granted that moving constitutes a stressful experience, how many people do you think endure it? One survey shows that over 40 million Americans moved annually, which amounts to 13% of the country’s population. Moving to another city/state isn’t difficult when you follow the checklist mentioned above. Get some movers to help relocate your stuff, and don’t forget to pack a “first-day” box. Also, change the address, inform your contacts about the relocation, and clean the house before settling with the family. Familiarize yourself not just with your dwelling but also with your neighborhood. Meet the neighbors to say “hello” and – most importantly – local research businesses, hospitals, and schools effectively.
