Preparing for a cross-country move requires much consideration, organization and execution. Still, Kiryl Mikhalkevich reports it’s easily managed by getting started as soon as possible and using a few professional tips to help streamline operations, packing and transportation.
Kiryl Mikhalkevich‘s top tips for long-distance moves
Start preparing early
Sometimes an unexpected promotion or an emergency makes a cross-country move an immediate concern. However, in many instances, there is some warning. Either way, there is usually time to prepare in stages and even pack in stages. Start with a first purge of belongings. This doesn’t mean a full weeding, but more pulling items that were up for the next garage sale or trip to the thrift store. Make the “keep or toss” decision on outdated or unused bulky items like small appliances, a DVD collection or old clothing. From there, it’s easy to start packing up little things that aren’t essential to daily life, such as some or most knick-knacks, mementos, seasonal decor, excess dishes and more.
Label, label, label
When packing early, it’s essential to label, and it is also significant if you use a moving company Kiryl Mikhalkevich advises. To maximize their efficiency, label things clearly as bedroom, kitchen, or living area and then leave a note about contents — lamp, non-fiction books or trophies — to help stagger unpacking in a similar way to packing. Labels can also help prioritize anything kept to the side for transport in a private vehicle versus a moving truck.
Use modular boxes
While it may be tempting to acquire a hodgepodge of boxes, these are best left to more localized moves. When moving a long distance, space can be at a premium in a rented transport or a storage facility. Using boxes of consistent measurements and keeping tabs on those in use helps easily predict how much space is needed and ensures everything makes the trip as expected.
Investigate storage needs
Upon arrival at a new home, it can be handy to opt into renting a storage space on a monthly basis while settling. For those who unpack everything in 1-2 weeks, moving boxes in various states of sorting isn’t a huge deal, but if it could take several weeks or months to get settled while easing into a new job, consider relocating the bulk of the moving boxes to storage and grabbing a selection every weekend or several days to unpack. It keeps the new home from feeling chaotic while keeping possessions safe, Kiryl Mikhalkevich advises.
Plan transport requirements
With a calculation of the space required to move, Kiryl Mikhalkevich says it’s time to consider how to move. Some families prefer to use a full-service moving outfit that can even help pack certain items, while others like to pack and have someone else transport the boxes and handle loading and unloading. Another group also rents a moving truck and undertakes the full operation solo. Whatever is chosen, be prepared for all possibilities, such as a breakdown leading to a delay, and plan the trip accordingly. Isolate the most important documents, mementos and valuables and transport those personally when possible.
