Whether you’re moving for a job, family or a simple change of pace, a fresh atmosphere can broaden your horizons and jumpstart your attitude. But one hurdle stands in the way of you and your new life: the dreaded move. It’s expensive, time-consuming and stressful. Move once, some say, and you’ll never move again. Not because you’ll be blissfully content with your surroundings, mind you, but because you’ll do anything to avoid the next logistical nightmare that is moving.
Don’t let airlines, brown boxes and furniture keep you from your dreams. With a few tips, some help from experts and the right attitude; you can relocate without losing your head.
photo by TheMuuj
The Right Strategy
Moving cross-country isn’t a haphazard decision, so don’t go at it with a haphazard plan. Before you start loading boxes, draft a tight schedule with dates listing when you need to have everything packed up, when you’re going to be traveling and when you’re going to be unpacking. Small tasks can turn large while moving. Without a schedule, you’ll fall behind.
Here are some additional cross-country moving tips:
- If you have young children, send them on a plane with mom (or grandparents). A multi-day car ride is hard enough as it is. With impatient children, those days will feel like weeks.
- Create a system to organize where you pack belongings. Whether you color code or write the contents on every box, you’ll thank yourself when its time to unpack.
- Keep valuables close by. Important papers, jewelry and other valuables have a way of disappearing during moves. Prioritize your belongings and you’ll avoid misplacing a key possession.
The Right Help
The first mistake cross-country movers make is trying to do it alone. Hopefully you can afford some professional help to ease the load. Movers can lift the weight of packing and/or driving off your shoulders. But don’t expect to be care free if movers handle the load. Moving also usually entails a new house (which requires extensive paperwork) a new job (which demands attention and focus) and new people (which can be the toughest part).
Upack.com offers a cost-effective solution to moving. The movers themselves pack belongings into a truck, and professionals transport the truck. If you’re willing to put in the dirty work of packing, you can avoid the time and hassle of driving and stay under budget.
For larger, unusual objects that require special handling, you might consider shipping your items as less than truckload freight though companies like uShip, which coordinated shipping for more than $3 billion worth of goods, according to its website. It’s a pretty cool service that connects shippers with primarily businesses that have special shipment needs. The service allows transportation companies to bid on projects to fill empty spaces on their trucks.
The Right Attitude
Logistics and strategies aside, sometimes a good move comes down to attitude. Stress can feel unmanageable during such an involved event, but a clear perspective can help. As you and your family head to a new place, you’re completely uprooting your life. Things won’t fall into place right away. Stay patient, and focus on the excitement of the your new life. Eventually, you’ll feel comfort and satisfaction that comes with becoming integrated into a new community. Until then, keep your head up and enjoy the fresh start.