school year winds down, many families will be preparing to pack up and move to new homes. Read on for 4 tips when moving family long distance from a mom who has been there and done that!
Plan Ahead
This can certainly be easier said than done – but whenever and wherever possible – try to plan in advance. Having answers to questions such as where will you live (short-term if your new home is not ready) will help. Planning ahead can also mean getting organized when convenient. Make a list of records/items you’ll need (e.g. for vehicle(s), insurance, school, doctor, veterinarian, etc) to grab from providers/establishments. Once you know you’re moving – whenever you schedule/have an appointment – grab needed records and store them away. As the move date gets closer, if there are places you have yet to visit – carve out 1-2 hours and make calls to have them sent over or set for pick-up. Putting the lists on your phone is an easy way to keep track of tasks.
Declutter
Summer is also a great time of year to declutter. Post unwanted items on Facebook Marketplace, gift items, host a yard sale or donate to organizations in your community. The more you declutter the less you have to pack and pay to move. On the arriving side – less to unpack and figure out where to place things. If I could do things again – I would make every effort to further rid ourselves of items to help with packing and need to store. Being located in the south – the lack of basement and limited attic usage – sure has an impact on off-season storage.
Prepare
To the best of your ability prepare and this is a multi-faceted concept. Prepare your family members with what to expect (and know there will likely be changes to routines and disruptions to the best made plans). When packing for your journey – if possible – set aside a box of things you will need for your first few days while the majority of your items are inaccessible. Ideally – essentials (change of clothes, medications and toiletries) but also some less thought of items (think garbage bags, paper towels and toilet paper). Plan to keep your personal and confidential documents close during your move (eg. jewelry, important documents (think passports, birth certificates, etc) so that they don’t go missing in any way, shape or form.
Ask for Help
Perhaps the hardest thing to do for many of us is to ask for help. Take people up on their offers of assistance! When we moved, my friend saw the need for our kids to be entertained and planned an afternoon at the zoo. 4+ years later and the kids still talk about the memory of their afternoon at the zoo. This sure beats the chaos that was swirling at home when the hired movers quit, the truck didn’t fit on the trailer and it was pouring rain. While you can always look to repay the kindness of friends and family – if your move makes this impossible – plan to pay it forward.
Here’s Hoping 4 Tips for Moving Family Long Distance Sets You Well off on Your Journey
Moving can be a huge headache or series of adventures. It is up to you and your family to choose the path. Hopefully with some planning, decluttering, preparation and assistance from friends and family, the stress of moving can be minimized and mitigated. If you’ll be moving to the Jacksonville area and would like to discuss your future home or make plans to sell your local residence, please feel free to contact me. I would love to help get you and your family settled in the next place you will call home. Good luck!