Almost ten million Americans move every year. However, the trials and tribulations of moving cause 75% of them to regret it. About 44% admitted to crying at least once throughout the process, and a majority of them experienced negative emotions like stress, anger, and sadness. However, these feelings are understandable. Packing your entire life in cardboard boxes and moving them across the states is challenging. Many Americans agree that it is the most stressful event of their lives, with 44% comparing it to a breakup or divorce.

This situation is even worse when you’re moving long-distance. Besides leaving everything you’ve ever known behind, how do you know where to start? What should you pack first? How much will everything cost? These questions leave much room for self-doubt. However, you can still make this move stress-free by making a checklist. You can use this as a guide to make your long-distance move fun.

Long-Distance Moving Checklist

Hire Professionals 

You might be considering handling the moving process yourself to save costs, which can vary according to your state. Suppose you live in Maryland, which has a 21% higher cost of living than the national average. In that case, you might have to spend more money on hiring professionals compared to cheaper states like Virginia, which is only 1% more expensive than the national average. However, a survey by One Poll revealed that 94% of people who hired a professional moving company believed it was worth every penny. 

So, regardless of how expensive your move may be, enlisting the help of trustworthy professionals can save you from the hassles of moving. Still, you should research and compare estimates for your move according to your area. You can get quotes from local companies; simply look up long distance moving company near me on your preferred search engine, compare the rates, and choose the most affordable one. With the help of these professionals, you can take a considerable chunk of the moving process off your shoulders.

You can trust these professionals to pack your furniture and safely transport it long distances. They can also provide short-term or long-term storage to give you time to eliminate excess items and offer valuation insurance options in case of damage. Hiring a professional mover should be the first step of your moving process to make the rest of your journey easier. 

Declutter and Organize 

The more items you have, the more effort and money it takes to transport them to a new location. Before you start packing, clearing out things you no longer use would be best. You can split them into three categories:

• To sell: If you have items in good shape but you no longer use them, consider selling them to invest in your move. You can also sell old furniture to get new ones. Once you allocate every item to this category, you can have a giant yard sale before your move to reduce clutter.
• To donate: Most organizations will accept small household items like rugs, kitchenware, or kitchen appliances. You can also donate old blankets or bed sheets to animal shelters.
• To discard: Once you have allocated your items to the other two categories, you can place items in this category. Instead of transporting these unnecessary items to your new home, you can discard them before moving.

However, knowing which items to discard and which you should keep can take time and effort. In that case, consider taking a picture of each room and keeping the things that first catch your eye. This technique allows you to recognize items that hold sentimental value. You can also rank items according to usefulness by keeping what you have used or will use in the next 20 days. 

Create a Timeline

Once you get a moving estimate and your moving date is finalized, you should set a timeline to keep things on track. It is easy to procrastinate and leave most things for later. However, doing everything at the last minute is more stressful and you may make more mistakes. You might pack a few fragile items poorly or need help finding essential files, which can be stressful. To avoid these issues, consider the following timeline: 

Six weeks before your move: 

• Notify your landlord, neighbors, employers, or other relevant parties about your move.
• Start packing small by clearing non-essential items from your side tables or kitchen drawers.
• Contact the post office for an address change, which you can do online or in person.

Four weeks before your move:

• You should contact the utility provider of your new home to set up electricity and water by the time you arrive.
• Gather your important documents and place them in a secure box. You should also backup and make copies of important files on your computer. It will help in case of damage or emergencies on the road.
• Book your tickets to your new destination by now and make arrangements for temporary accommodation while you wait for all your stuff to arrive. 

Last two weeks before your move:

• Finalize your packing.
• Double-check that you have packed everything.
• Have your current residence cleaned. 
• Confirm your travel plans. 
• Say final goodbyes to your neighbors and friends. 

Since every move is unique, you can adjust this timeline according to your needs. Taking more time to pack ensures fewer chances of making mistakes and accidentally leaving essential items behind. You are moving long distances, so make sure you get everything right the first time because coming back for missing stuff might be difficult.

Conclusion 

Change can be challenging yet also delightful. You can consider your long-distance move as a hassle or an exciting adventure. The choice is yours. A positive mindset can go a long way and motivate you throughout your move. Remember that you are not alone in this journey and can tackle this challenge with your family as a team. Use this move to bond with your loved ones and create fond memories to take to your new home.