5 Tips to Prepare Mentally and Practically for Your Long-Distance Move
47% of homeowners last year moved to lower their cost of living and afford a better quality of life, according to a survey by HomeBay. Considering the recent inflation, it’s no wonder many Americans are moving from expensive metros to more affordable places. Take Fort Lauderdale, for example. It ranks as the second most expensive city to rent in, with a 22% higher living cost than the national average. Escaping these financially straining cities is one of the reasons why approximately 469,577 people left Florida in 2021.
However, moving is a challenging process. It takes careful planning, investment, and consideration for a successful move. Packing up your entire life in cardboard boxes for relocation is challenging, especially if you’re moving a long distance. With numerous complications, here’s how to prepare yourself.
1.Hire professionals
Moving is an expensive process, which makes people forgo hiring a moving company to save costs. However, a DIY move is even more challenging and costly. More than 1 in 4 Americans regret not hiring professional movers, especially during long-distance moves that are twice more complicated. Imagine the hassle of renting a truck, packing everything, and transporting it yourself. Will you be able to do all that and undergo the long process of clearing customs on time?
In this scenario, relying on professional moving companies in austin, or anywhere, can save money, time, and effort. Professional movers can efficiently handle the logistics of packing, transporting, and unloading your belongings, which allows you to focus on other aspects of the move. However, the costs may vary depending on your services, destination, and area. Suppose you live in Fort Lauderdale, which ranks 6th on the list of metros with the highest out-migration.
This rank means that more and more people are leaving this area, so there is a high demand for local moving companies that can offer you competitive pricing. To find these reputable companies, look up Fort Lauderdale long distance moving companies near me to get quote estimates and choose movers that fit your budget.
Another way to reduce the stress of moving is to declutter beforehand, so you’re not bringing unwanted items to your new home. You might consider using a service like Rubbish Removals south East Melbourne (or another local area) to help clear out any items that don’t make the cut. Starting with fewer belongings makes packing, transporting, and unpacking a lot more manageable.
It would be best to select trustworthy movers whom you can trust to transport valuable items safely. Choosing a highly rated BBB-Accredited Business, like Bekins of South Florida, can guarantee you’re hiring qualified moving specialists.
2.Decide a budget
Before hiring professionals, take stock of your inventory and decide how many things you bring. Then create a rough budget and schedule to work around to ensure you complete your move timely and efficiently. The average cost of a long-distance relocation is around $5,500, depending on the size of your home and other factors.
However, you should divide potential costs to gain a better idea. For example, moving services can cost around $950 at least, but a higher estimate can be $17,000. It depends on how much labor you hire and how long you require their services. Suppose you live in a 5-bedroom house, which five movers need 12 hours to move. If the average pay is between $25 and $125 per hour, you can expect to pay $1,500 to $7,500. Lastly, the overall cost depends on how far you’re moving. For example, the starting price for moving a one-bedroom studio over 2,500 miles is $1,800. Other fees can include shipping your car, which costs between $1,200 and $2,100, depending on how fast you want to transport your automobile.
Having a moving budget is an excellent way to ensure you only spend what you need to. Since it is a lengthy procedure, you can also consider using insurance coverage to save money and protect your items in case of damage. It can cost around 1% to 5% of your property’s value. You can also save money on hiring more movers by asking your friends and family to help out instead.
3.Give yourself time to rest
Long-distance relocations can be physically and mentally exhausting. Getting adequate rest and not overburdening yourself is essential to ensure you don’t burn out during your move. Considering that 44% of Americans who moved last year cried at least once during the process, you should give yourself a break to avoid breaking down. You can use the following techniques to de-stress and take care of yourself:
*Meditating in a quiet space of your home
*Allocating time to read
*Getting the proper amount of sleep
*Spending time with loved ones
*Eating healthy
It is crucial to care for your well-being during this journey. Since moving is a long process, consider your needs throughout your relocation. Remember that you deserve to rest, and caring for yourself gives you the energy to complete tasks.
4.Communicate your needs
A Home Bay survey of people who moved last year revealed that 43% of Americans fought with their families during the process. Since there are so many things to do during a long-distance move, it is easy to feel overburdened. However, taking out your frustrations on others is not a solution.
Remember that you are not alone on this journey. You and your family are a team. Ask them to participate if you feel you’re managing everything by yourself. Let your children clear out their rooms, and assign tasks for each member. You can also create a weekly checklist and put it on the fridge so everyone can view what they need to do. By effectively delegating tasks, you can ensure your relocation and the equal division of responsibilities go smoothly.
5.Create a schedule
Leaving everything to the last minute is a recipe for disaster. It can cause you to make huge mistakes like forgetting essential documents, misplacing emergency items, and increasing the risk of damaging things during your move. Ideally, it would be best if you started as soon as possible. Working slowly and steadily leaves less room for errors and ensures you have done everything you need to do. You can create a rough outline like the following:
*You should complete research, have a budget, and hire a moving company at least eight weeks before your move.
*The following week, you should organize your items and gather all essential documents in a binder.
*Next, begin packing small. Gather the materials and put away non-essential items. You can start by clearing out the kitchen and bedside drawers.
*As you’re getting ready to leave in less than three weeks, update your address by going to the post office or applying online.
*Lastly, double-check your travel plans and secure accommodation while waiting for your furniture to arrive.
Your schedule can vary according to your priorities and progress.
Conclusion
Moving is a stressful yet unavoidable journey that everyone must go through at least once or twice in their lives. It is difficult to leave an old life behind and start anew so far away from your previous home. However, having a positive mindset can help you view this process as exciting instead of dreadful.
