Discover The Best Stress-Free Tips When Moving Cross Country
You are probably right if you think moving cross country will be a life-changing experience. And with some preparation, you can make this move stress-free. However, did you know approximately 8.93 million people in the US have relocated since the start of Covid-19 in 2020?
Of course, deciding to move can create a lot of stress for you and your family. But it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. And with some good tips, you can reduce yours!
Don’t Stress When Moving Cross Country
Moving cross country can be a life-changing experience, but stress almost always accompanies change. Yet, many of us move to improve our living conditions and create a better life for our families. Whether it’s a better job offer to move closer to family, moving cross country is a huge commitment.
And with over 50 thousand moving trucks in the US, Americans are on the move for a better life. Typically, over 15.3 million households in America with 2.3 family members move annually. And studies show these numbers continue to grow as moving cross country looks more promising than ever.
During the pandemic, many people left large city living and headed to the suburbs. And the appeal of urban or country living continues to grow every year. But unfortunately, families moving cross country don’t prepare for the stress moving can have on themselves and their families.
Below, you’ll discover tips on how to create a stress-free experience when moving cross country.
Tip #1: Plan Your Move Early
Planning your move gives you more time to navigate the confusing world of shipping and delivery. Whether shipping a car to Hawaii or moving your furniture to New York, filling out and processing the paperwork for these orders can take time. You don’t want to cause delays to your travels because of a paperwork mishap. By planning early, you will have space to adjust your actions according to what the situation needs.
For instance, your shipping partner can’t accommodate your desired date for delivery. However, since you’re planning early, you still have time to adjust your schedule or look for a different shipping partner. When moving cross country, you’ll want to ensure you do the research beforehand.
Besides shipping, you’ll also want to list what you want and need to bring. Above all, this will later serve as your guide once you start decluttering and packing your things. Doing so will avoid loading excess baggage and raising your travel costs.
Tip #2: Do Your Research Months In Advance
Before embarking on your journey, research the country or state you’re moving to and keep good notes. You can ask questions like, what’s the climate like there? Does it require you to own certain types of clothing? If you’re moving to a place warmer or colder than your last residence, you’ll want to know the weather and climate conditions.
Research winter and summer skincare tips to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing throughout the year. Learn more about the culture and history of the people living in the area. Seek out tourist attractions and exciting activities you can try while you’re there. Of course, this will help you adjust quickly to the new environment.
Tip #3: Declutter Before Packing
Packing too much stuff for your move will only make things more complicated. The more things you have, the more space you’ll need and the more expensive everything will be. So avoid bringing things you no longer need or even want as much as possible. You’ll want to take the essentials and valuables when moving cross country.
For instance, if you’ve garnered quite a vast collection of cooking pans over the years, you may want to consider selling or giving away some of them. Unless you’re secretly a master chef in training, you will not likely use all those cooking pans soon. Keeping them will only take up space in the moving van, so it’s best to eliminate them as quickly as possible.
Then, when you organize and declutter your home, you can start packing what you want to keep. Doing that will prevent you from the temptation to pack things you feel guilty about selling or giving away. Remember, the more you pack boxes when moving cross country, the more moving expense increases. Of course, you’ll want the best vehicle shipping for your posessions to know they will arrive safely.
Tip #4: Use Appropriate Packing Materials When Moving Cross Country
If you want to keep your belongings secure during transit, you’ll want to use the appropriate packing materials. Of course, you can also rely on a cross country moving service for these things. For those who don’t already know what these materials are, here’s a list of things that you generally want to have:
- Moving boxes of different sizes
- Several rolls of tape
- A black marker (or labeling)
- Bubble wrap
- Plastic wrapping
- Packing peanuts
- Packing paper
- Scissors
- Trash bags
- Rope
You can add or remove items from this list according to your needs when moving cross country.
Some people may need some extra hands to help them get the packing done. If so, consider professional packing services like Muval to help pack your goods and move them to your desired destination. These professionals have the skill and knowledge to complete your packing correctly. In addition, choosing the right company can free up your schedule so you can take care of more pressing things, like paying off your bills or canceling subscriptions.
Tip #5: Decide on Transport
Conversely, some people might prefer to do all the moving, but it can create a lot of stress. If your vehicle is too small to carry all your things at once, consider renting a truck or moving van.
Whatever you choose, make sure to decide earlier than your departure date. Moreover, this gives you more time to eliminate complications or issues that might disrupt the entire move.
More importantly, make sure you use the services of a great moving service, as this ensures your items are safe and arrive on time. You can check them out here, knowing you hired professional movers to care for all your moving needs.
Tip #6: Find Something That Motivates You
Planning and preparation are only 40% of the work you must do when moving cross-country. The other 60% is executing your plan—which isn’t always easy. Some people might feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of getting everything done. Others might not feel too motivated and require a bit of pleasant motivation.
You should find something that will motivate you to continue the process. For instance, you could have a treat on the other side of your move, e.g., a spa reservation, a week off, or a tasty dozen of your favorite pastries. You can figure out what motivates you and focus on it for the rest of the journey.
FAQs About Moving Cross Country
Q1: How much does car shipping cost?
Cross-country car moves can cost anywhere between $600 to $4,100. However, the prices will vary depending on various factors, i.e., vehicle make/model, vehicle weight, delivery destination, etc.
Q2: How long does it take to move cross-country?
Moving cross-country typically takes around 10 to 14 days. However, you can expect your belongings to arrive at their destination within three days, depending on how far it is.
Q3: When should I start planning for a cross country move?
It would be best to start planning your move at least six months or earlier. Furthermore, this gives you enough time to get everything you need together.
Conclusion
Preparation is critical if you want a stress-free cross-country move. First, start planning, so you have enough time to smooth out issues and find the right people to help pack and deliver your things. Then, consider the tips above and apply them to your moving process. Hopefully, it improves your odds of a memorable and stress-free move.
This year, many people decided to move to a small city and escape the madness of big city life. Most search for family-friendly smaller towns as well. With all the turmoil, expense, and congestion of city life, raising a family outside the chaos seems a much wiser decision.