Moving to a new city is exciting, but if handled improperly, it can also be unnecessarily stressful. Whether your long-distance move is for work, family, or otherwise, proper planning is key to a successful transition.
At Road Haugs, we’ve got moving down to a science. We’ll walk you through the essential need-to-knows for a long-distance move, from starter preparations to moving day tips and finally settling into your new home. With this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any moving curveballs and embrace the fun and excitement of heading to a new area.
Pre-Moving Planning
Long-distance moves deserve your time, attention, and preparation. When planning, make sure you consider the following:
- Setting a moving date: Set a date that affords you time for planning and works with your schedule. Think about work commitments, school calendars, and seasonal weather conditions when choosing the best date.
- Choosing the right mover: Look for licensed, reputable long-distance moving companies with positive reviews, transparent pricing, and good customer service. Check out several options and compare pricing and company reputation to find the best one for you.
- Creating a moving checklist: Don’t go anywhere without a plan. List out your moving tasks, and break down larger tasks into small, manageable steps, assigning deadlines to each. A well-organized checklist helps you stay on track and reduces stress during the moving process.
Decluttering & Packing
You never realize how much stuff you own until it comes time to move, so you’ll most likely need to get rid of some things before relocating. Remember, less stuff means an easier moving day. Go through your home room by room, sorting items into keep, donate, sell, or toss piles. A good rule of thumb: if you haven’t used it in a while, it’s best to let it go. If you want to donate, many organizations welcome gently used clothes, toys, and appliances. Once you’ve condensed your belongings, pack smart: use good supplies, group similar items, and label boxes clearly. Don’t forget to pack an essentials box for your first few days in the new place so that you don’t have to open multiple boxes before you find what you need.
Handling Logistics
Don’t forget a few essential logistics that need to be taken care of before and after your move to make settling into a new home easier:
- Changing your address: Notify employers, schools, financial institutions, government agencies, and all other relevant parties of your address change to stay in contact.
- Post office: You can visit USPS.com/move or your local post office to submit a change of address form and set up mail forwarding to your new location.
- Utilities: Make sure essential utilities are taken care of at both locations. Contact your current and future utility providers to schedule service disconnections and new installations or setups.
- Subscriptions: Notify subscription services like magazines or newsletters of your move, update delivery addresses, or cancel local subscriptions that you won’t need anymore.
- Managing important documents: Gather, organize, and securely transport important documents like birth certificates, passports, and financial papers. Keep them with you during the move; you don’t want anything important getting lost in the shuffle.
Moving Day Tips
Start early and stay organized on moving day. Confirm arrival times with your movers and keep their contact info handy. Walk through your home with the moving team to point out special items and notes. You’ll expend lots of energy on moving day; stay hydrated and have snacks nearby. Double-check rooms as items are loaded to avoid leaving things behind. Do a final walkthrough of your old home once everything’s loaded on the truck. At your new place, show movers where to put furniture and boxes. With good preparation, your moving day can be smooth, quick, and stress-free.
Make Your Long-Distance Move Easy With Road Haugs
Trust Road Haugs for a painless long-distance move from North or South Carolina. We’re a full-service, family-owned company, and we handle everything from packing to storage and moving, treating your belongings and new home as if they were our own. Our professionals have secured an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau through our white glove service, stress-free moving experience, and unmatched professionalism. Whether moving FROM Charlotte, North Carolina or TO Charlotte, North Carolina, we can assist with all your needs, even internationally!
Get started on your long-distance move now and schedule moving services in and out of the Charlotte area with Road Haugs.
