A long-distance relocation is no simple task. From packing up your entire house and planning your move date to getting settled at the new apartment, the to-do list can seem never-ending. To help you have a stress-free move, we’ve included a few hacks for moving to a new city, so keep reading, and happy moving!
Real Estate Services
Once you’ve decided to relocate, you’ll need help selling your current home and finding a new home. No one understands the real estate industry like a real estate agent, so you should use a listing agent to help you sell your home.
The best realtors have years of experience in the real estate market and will use this experience to help you find a new occupant for your current home. They’ll also use this extensive real estate experience to facilitate real estate transactions on your behalf. If you’re looking for real estate agents in Oakland, CA, for instance, consider asking friends and family members for referrals. Customer review sites can also offer great leads to the top real estate agents in the Oakland area.
Declutter
If you’re planning on hiring a moving company to help you with your long-distance move, it’s important to know that most movers base their quotes on the weight of your possessions. This means that any heavy lifting or long carry trips will come at an additional cost. Cross-country relocations can be quite expensive, so lighten the load to help you save some money.
A great way to lighten the load is by decluttering. Besides helping you save a fortune on moving costs, decluttering can also help you figure out what stuff you need and what you can donate, keep in a storage unit, sell, or toss out as trash. Once you’ve sorted through your belongings, consider donating some of your items to charities. If you have a ton of books, for instance, consider donating to a prison book program in your area.
Hire Movers
The moving process is an extremely stressful one. Luckily, you can get rid of some of this stress by hiring a professional mover. If you’re looking to hire a top Fort Lauderdale mover, for instance, consider using top-rated sites like the Better Business Bureau or Angie’s List. Once you have a list of potential movers, interview at least three of them to understand what type of moving services they offer—unpacking and packing services, storage solutions, packing supplies—and also to compare fee estimates.
As you prepare for your upcoming move, also remember to have some cash and snacks on hand for the loaders. The jury is still out on whether you should tip per hour or as a portion of the overall cost. A quick Google search can let you know what amount is considered fair in your state. If the movers did an amazing job and you had a great moving experience with the moving company in general, consider leaving five-star reviews for each service they offered on their website.
Paperwork
Lastly, as your move date draws nearer, don’t forget to change your mailing address. To do this, you can visit the USPS website and pick the date you wish to have your mail forwarded. Also, remember to update your credit card billing address. This too can be done via the click of a button.
While we’re still on paperwork, also remember to get a new driver’s license once you’ve moved to your new city. To do this, visit your local DMV. Don’t forget to bring your proof of residence, Social Security card, and your current driver’s license. About two weeks before your moving day, call the utility company in your new city to organize a reconnection of essential utilities, such as water, internet, cable, and gas.
