Moving in general is a tough job; it causes stress and can cost a fortune if you don’t plan right. Add the job of moving halfway across the country and that stress can multiply. I moved halfway across the country two years ago, and man oh man was it a stressful time. There are things I wish I would have done differently and things I would repeat if I were to ever do it again. The 10 tips below will hopefully save you some of the headaches I endured and give you some pointers on making your move easier.
1.Save. Save. Save.
As soon as the thought of moving even crosses your mind, start saving. Moving is expensive, so you want to have all the cash you need on hand. Because unexpected costs can pop up at any moment. Extra boxes, needing a bigger truck, car maintenance, past payments from your old place, security deposits for your new place. The list can go on, be prepared with enough cash as you don’t want to go into debt while moving!
2. Do your research.
I’m talking about for everything: Movers, hotels, restaurants you’re stopping at, moving vans if you aren’t renting a U-Haul, moving companies, etc. (Now is not the time for your uncle and coworkers to help you move while you pay them with pizza and beer). Take the time to do thorough research on everything, you don’t want shady movers who will hold your stuff hostage for more money (it happens all the time). Read reviews on each company you use and make an informed decision.
3. Get multiple quotes.
Moving company quotes are usually good for 48 hours, so take the time to shop around. You will be surprised at how prices vary across different companies. So many factors play a part, the number of movers that will help you, the size of the truck available, how many bedrooms you are moving to and from, so forth and so on. The cheapest quote doesn’t mean the best movers, keep that in mind when making your final choice.
4. Be realistic
You don’t realize how much stuff you have until you’ve got to pack it all up and move it. If you’ve got major appliances or large items like a piano, they need to know that information ahead of time. It’ll take you longer than you think to get to your destination, trust me. Between rush hour, gas stops, grabbing a bite to eat or just stretching our legs, it all takes time away from driving. And that time is well spent, don’t try to drive straight through with NO breaks, that can cause fatigue and makes you a danger on the road.
5. Prepare your car for the road.
Maintenance including air in tires, oil changes, battery checks, etc. are essential! You DO NOT want to be stranded on the side of the road with engine trouble or a flat tire. Also stock your car with water, snacks, and any medication you need to take during the time you are on the road. There may be long stretches between rest stops, so having snacks and drinks on hand is important to keep you fueled and awake.
6. Track your route BEFORE you leave.
This was essential for my move. I was driving my car and my brother drove the moving truck, being on the same route made sure we stopped for the gas at the same time and were near each other in case things went south. So make sure everyone driving has that same route, this is not the time to try out short cuts and it is not a race. You’ve got to stay together, and it ensures no one is miles ahead or gets stuck in a traffic jam on their own.
7. Track where you’ll be staying overnight during the drive BEFORE you head out.
The last thing you want is to pull over to a sketchy motel in the middle of the night because you’re dead tired. Safety first! Check the hotel reviews and make sure it’s not a lone hotel in the middle of nowhere.
8. If you have movers meeting you to load and unload, be sure you time it correctly.
Nothing worse than being late and having to pay your movers extra. Or worse, they have to leave for another job, and you’re stuck with loading/unloading everything yourself. I had to call and reschedule my unloading movers because I didn’t account for the time difference and would have been two hours late (facepalm). Thank goodness they were able to accommodate my schedule.
9. Carry some cash.
Now you don’t need $300-$400 on you. Just enough to tip the movers and grab snacks at a gas station when needed. I’d say keep the mover tip money and the snack money separate. You don’t want to show up to tip your movers only to realize you spent it all on extra snacks.
10. Take your time!
Every step listed above requires patience of some sort or another. Don’t rush through anything, your future you will thank today you.
From someone who’s moved halfway across the country, I hope you’ve found the above tips helpful. It is a process, but it can be a fun adventure as well if you plan it right! Get you some good music and just drive. 😊
Happy Moving!
-Adele-
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