Moving, no matter what time of the year it is, can be chaotic and overwhelming. Whether it’s right across town or to another state, there are tips out there that can help you move house in an organized and orderly manner for everyone involved.
Let’s say that you’re moving from Pasadena to Mission Viejo. The Realtors in Mission Viejo, where you have found the perfect home for you and your family, can point you in the direction of moving companies, utility companies, and other things to make your move effortless, but there are still a few other tips out there that can help take the stress out of moving.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
The first thing you need to do to keep from being overwhelmed and ready to pull your hair out is to give yourself plenty of time. Remember, you’re going to have to do everything from pack up the home to having utilities shut off. You probably also need to give your landlord plenty of notice that you’re moving. A good rule of thumb to follow is to give yourself at least six weeks to get everything done before you have to be out of your current home and into your new one.
Clean as You Go
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when moving is to leave all of the cleaning for the last minute. If at all possible, clean your new home completely before you move in, then clean your old home a room at a time, as you pack it and take out the boxes. Following a cleaning checklist, and cleaning as you pack will leave you less stressed and with much less to do at the end of your move.
Write Out a Change of Address List
From PayPal to your bank and from magazine subscriptions to your child’s school, there are going to be quite a few places that you need to notify of your change of address. If you want to be organized and not forget anyone on your list, try either printing out or writing up a change of address list. You can tick off the names as you go, leaving you with the peace of mind of knowing that you haven’t forgotten anyone that is important.
Make Up an Essentials Bag
As you pack your family’s stuff, make an “essentials bag” for every family member. The last thing you want when you’re trying to settle into your house on the first night is to have to dig through boxes to find toothbrushes, pajamas, and other essential items. A box with a fold top lid works well for essential items that you might need, such as phone chargers and memory cards.
Plan Dinner for the First Night Ahead of Time
For many people, dinner on that first night in a new home ends of being fast food or pizza. The best thing to do is plan for that dinner ahead of time. You know you’re going to be exhausted, so something simple is the best way to go. There are quite a few moving day dinners, such as salad and hamburgers on the grill or even roast beef sandwiches and chips that are easy to make, but still filling. Planning that first night’s dinner can save you a lot of scrambling and quite a bit of money in the end.
These are just a few of the top tips out there for helping you move house and still holding onto your sanity. Remember, organization is key and planning things such as dinner out ahead of time helps as well.