Eight Tips That Can Make Your Long-Distance Move Stress-Free

Making a long-distance move from Houston to a new city or state can be exciting and challenging. Bidding farewell to the familiar and stepping into the unknown city, its culture, and its people can be overwhelming. Though Houston is ranked 42 among the Worlds 100 best cities to live in and is known as one of the crown jewels of the Lone Star state, Texas, it is experiencing a population decline.

People are going for a long-distance move from Houston due to various issues such as the failing public school system, the above-average crime rate, the lack of access to healthcare, and the increasing homeless population. If you are also one of them, you can’t deny feeling the stress of getting through a long-distance move. You can put your mind at ease because we have carefully curated some useful tips to ensure a stress-free long-distance move.

1. Declutter and Downsize

Since you’re moving from Houston, chances are that your new home will be significantly smaller than your current place. Therefore, this is the best time to declutter and downsize stuff. Pay heed to the teachings of Marie Kondo and get rid of anything that doesn’t ‘spark joy.’ Sell what you can and donate the rest. Having less unnecessary baggage will make the moving and settling process much easier. Moreover, the more items you have to move, the more costly it can be.

2. Hire Professional Movers

While moving can be fun for some, we won’t recommend taking the DIY route unless you like it to be over your head. A lot goes into a long-distance move, such as packing, planning, logistics, safe transportation of fragile items, and regulations of the destination state or city. By hiring one of the licensed and experienced long distance moving companies in Houston, you are sure to get top-notch service. With a professional moving company taking the reins, you can have one less thing to worry about for your move.

3. Stay Organized

Create a moving checklist to keep track of all the tasks you must complete before moving. For instance, list down on paper or a notepad, book a moving company, send intimation letters of an address change, what you need to pack, cancel subscriptions, and other important tasks.
When you have a list of tasks, you will remember everything necessary and avoid last-minute hassle. List the tasks priority-wise or in order of importance. Keeping yourself organized can help in making your long-distance move stress-free.

4. Pack Carefully

Before you start packing, consider the size and weight of the stuff you must pack and choose the boxes and packing materials accordingly. Label each box and suitcase so you can easily identify the contents of each. We recommend numbering each box and bag in sequence and noting what each contains in a separate notepad. This way, you can find exactly what you need after the move without sifting through 10 other boxes.
Remember that you will have to disassemble some of the furniture to ensure easy transportation. Ensure you have planned disassembling of your furniture before the move date and rent a truck with a lift gate to move them safely.

5. Send Relocation Intimations

One common problem people often face after a move is having subscriptions, bills, and bank documents sent to their previous addresses. It is not only a problem for you, but may also be a nuisance for the new residents. An easy way to avoid such a situation is to send intimation notices of your move to all service providers, banks, and other concerned parties.
An intimation notice must mention that you are moving from your current address on a particular date. If you have a new permanent address in the new city, mention that in the intimation notice. Otherwise, you can request the parties to hold further communication until you provide them with a new address.

6. Pick a Moving Date

Choosing the right moving date is imperative to making your move stress-free. If you’re moving for work or college, you must pick a date that allows sufficient time to settle in before your first day. Moreover, you must also ensure that you don’t choose a day that falls on a public holiday, such as the 4th of July since the roads and airports are jam-packed during such times. Having to deal with this can be stressful. Therefore, choose a date, preferably on a weekday, to ensure a smooth moving experience.

7. Make Arrangements at your Destination

For long-distance moves, having a plan for the first few days after arrival is imperative. Before the actual move, you must plan where you will stay, how you will travel, and whom you will meet. Failing to do so will leave you stranded in a new city without a plan. You will spend the first few days after the move stressing about these minor issues and messing up your budget while making last-minute arrangements. Therefore, make sure you have a plan for at least your first week after the move.

8. Pack your Essentials Separately

Pack your essentials in a separate bag, which is easily accessible and with you every time. It is one of the important steps you should always remember to avoid last-minute hassle. When you move to a new city, you won’t unpack all your belongings overnight, nor can you survive without essentials such as clothes, toiletries, chargers, and medicines. Therefore, it is recommended to pack an essentials bag before your moving date so you know you have the resources you need for the first few days after arrival. We also recommend including your valuables, including important documents, in your essentials bag to ensure they are safe from getting lost or damaged during the move.

Conclusion

A long-distance move is not easy; leaving behind your home and friends and moving to a new place can be overwhelming. However, it is also an exciting time in one’s life. Follow the tips discussed above to ensure a stress-free long-distance move. Hiring professional and experienced movers in your city, staying organized, and planning before the move date can save you from last-minute hassles. Don’t think too much; start planning today if you have de