Studies show that moving house is up there with divorce and losing a loved one when it comes to stressful life events. Moving should be an exciting proposition, but it’s easy to get bogged down in packing and seemingly endless to-do lists. If you’re relocating, here are the ultimate hacks for a stress-free move.
Find somewhere to go
The stars align for some people, but this is not always the case. If you’ve sold your house and haven’t yet found your dream home, make sure you have contingency plans in place. If you don’t have a home to move into, there are options. You could move in with friends or family members until you’re ready to move, or you could explore furnished short term rentals. Renting a house or apartment will give you space, freedom and the time to look for the perfect property. If you’re house-hunting and you’re struggling to find the right house, consider modifying your search criteria. Expand the area, explore up-and-coming areas or think about compromising on internal or external space. It’s also worth thinking about buying a house that isn’t in pristine condition. Sprucing up an old house can help you add value and buy in areas that might have otherwise been too expensive.
Write a comprehensive checklist
Writing lists is a brilliant way to simplify the process of moving out of your old house and into a new base. Write down all the tasks that need doing before you move, starting with priority jobs. Examples include contacting service providers and organizations to change your address, packing, decluttering and cleaning, finding a removal firm and setting up mail forwarding. Work through your list methodically, crossing off time-sensitive jobs first.
Get help
Packing up a whole house, moving to another place and unpacking is a time-consuming, labor-intensive process. Getting help can save you time and energy. Ask friends, neighbors and family members to help out with packing, or take up offers of favors, such as babysitting or looking after pets. Search for local removal firms that specialize in the relevant services, for example, packing, unpacking or moving heavy objects. Try to make moving as fun as possible. Get your friends together for a Friday night of packing boxes, which also involves listening to music, looking at nostalgic old photos and having a glass of wine, for example.
Pack like a pro
Packing like a pro can help you save time and minimize stress. Start by having a clearout and getting rid of anything you don’t want to take with you. You can sell, donate or throw away items based on their value and condition. Go through every room and start packing anything you won’t need before you move. Make sure you’ve got plenty of boxes and crates, strong tape and a marker pen before you begin. Mark each box clearly with the contents and the intended room in your new house. This will make unpacking much simpler and speedier. Pack a bag of essentials for the first night. You don’t want to be rummaging around looking for pajamas or mugs for a well-deserved cup of tea or coffee after a long, busy day. If you’re short on time, look for moving companies that offer packing and unpacking services.
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