Moving In: Tips to Simplify Your Next Move

Moving into a new home can be an exciting endeavor! Whether you’re moving for work, to be closer to family, or to simply change your scenery, a new home is guaranteed to bring unforgettable adventures and experiences. Even so, the process of moving comes with its challenges, stressors, and frustrations. 

‍

Packing is exhausting, and hiring moving services can be expensive, draining your energy and wallet. Fortunately, moving doesn’t have to be a miserable experience. We’ve prepared 10 tips to simplify your next move so that moving in can be less of a hassle, and more of a celebration of what’s to come. Learn how to reduce expenses and minimize stress when moving to a new home with just a few easy steps!

‍

1. Create a moving budget. 

Moving can be expensive — expenses can quickly add up between the cost of packing supplies, moving services, and transportation. That’s why it’s essential to create a moving budget to help you manage and track your spending during the moving process. Having a set budget makes it easier to prevent overspending on materials and services, allowing you to breathe easily without the thought of steep bills looming over your head. Moving is stressful enough as it is, and having unexpected expenses pop up only gives you another thing to worry about. Plan ahead to avoid unpleasant surprise expenses during your move (The Simplicity Habit, n.d.). 

‍

2. Schedule services ahead of time. 

One commonly overlooked task during the moving process is setting up appointments for utilities and services. Moving is a strenuous procedure, so you want your new home to be as comfortable as possible once you arrive. That means having running water, electricity, and internet connection. When it comes to setting up those utilities, every situation is different. Be sure to check with your property manager to identify which utilities you’re responsible for setting up on your own vs. which of those your landlord has already set up for you. Having that information will allow you to call the appropriate provider ahead of time and schedule an appointment for your move-in day (Stewart, 2017). 

‍

3. Say goodbye to clutter. 

Throughout our lives, we often accumulate a lot of stuff, making the moving process quite a hassle. Thus, it’s best to declutter anything you don’t want or need before moving so you won’t have to lug around any unnecessary items. Those old, ratty bath towels you don’t use anymore? If they cannot be repurposed as cleaning rags, it’s time to let them go. That pair of jeans you haven’t worn in three years? Donate them! 

‍

Purging your unneeded belongings can be a lengthy process, so try to start several weeks, if not months, in advance. This will help you declutter your new home before move-in day and can also save you money! Owning fewer items to move could mean a smaller moving truck and lower shipping costs (MOD Assistants, 2023). 

‍

4. Get organized. 

Moving is a hectic and overwhelming experience, so set yourself up for success ahead of time by getting organized. Keep track of the contact information for your landlord, movers, and utility services in an easily accessible spreadsheet or note on your phone. Plus, keep any paperwork or financial information you’ll need on move-in day handy in a folder so you don’t have to search for it at the last minute.

‍

If the thought of organizing is daunting to you, hire a professional! From pro organizers to personal assistants, there is a service to help everyone stay organized when moving (MOD Assistants, 2023). 

‍

5. Pack smarter. 

Packing can be exhausting — the urge to throw everything in boxes randomly can be tempting, but packing with a purpose will make your life much easier when unpacking in your new home. Luckily, we have some tried and true methods for packing. Firstly, pack heavier items at the bottom of your containers or boxes. This ensures that delicate items aren’t squished or broken during the move. 

‍

Next, rather than investing in tons of plastic wrap and packing peanuts, use soft household items to pad your breakables. For example, blankets, towels, and pillows will do the trick. This should help minimize the packing materials needed for the move — again, saving you money! Additionally, ensure you fill up every box to maximize efficiency and space (Kristin + Co Organizing, 2022). 

‍

6. Go room by room. 

Pack items in the same room or area of the house together to make packing and unpacking as simple and painless as possible. Pack one room at a time, filling up boxes with items that pertain to that area before packing the next room. This will make the unpacking process much easier, preventing items from getting lost or misplaced along the way (Kristin + Co Organizing, 2022). 

‍

7. Label everything. 

Labeling is key to staying organized during the moving process. Whether you prefer to color-code your boxes with tape or simply write which room each one belongs to on the box, labeling will save you a lot of time and energy, especially when you’ve just moved in and need to find a specific item.

‍

If you want to get even more detailed, write down the contents of each box on a Post-it note or index card and stick it to the side of the box. That way, you don’t have to rummage through every box to find what you’re looking for (Kristin + Co Organizing, 2022). 

‍

8. Separate your essentials. 

Set aside some essentials for the trip to your new home and your first few nights after moving in. The unpacking process will take several days, if not weeks, to get everything unboxed and settled. Therefore, you should keep anything you can’t live without for a few days in a separate container for easy access. Don’t forget to pack a few outfits, toiletries, medications, snacks, phone chargers, and important items for children and pets (MOD Assistants, 2023; Stewart, 2017). 

‍

9. Hire a professional moving company. 

Moving is difficult, especially when you have children and pets to care for. Hiring professional movers can make this process exponentially easier for you and your family. There are many options to choose from, so you can find a company that suits your needs and budget. Don’t forget to read reviews before selecting a company! 

‍

If you’re dreading packing and unpacking, professionals can help with that, too! Before you move, evaluate all your options to make the moving process as easy as possible (Kristin + Co Organizing, 2022; Stewart, 2017).

‍

10. Don’t procrastinate. 

When it comes to moving, it’s never too early to start preparing. As soon as you know a move is in your future, start decluttering and making arrangements — researching moving companies, buying boxes and supplies, and so on. Moving is a stressful experience as is, and rushing to get everything done at the last minute will only intensify that stress. You’ll thank yourself later for being so prepared (MOD Assistants, 2023; The Simplicity Habit, n.d.). 

‍

Moving requires a lot of time, energy, and planning, and even then, the process doesn’t always go smoothly. However, despite the unavoidable stresses of moving, there are several ways to make your moving process a less complicated experience. These simple steps will help make your move as simple and painless as possible, so you can skip the worrying and get straight to enjoying your new home. 

‍

For more moving tips and information on home maintenance, check out our blog! 

‍

Resources:

5 Perfect Ways to Simplify Your Next Move 

7 Tips to Simplify Your Next Move 

Our Guide to a DIY Move: 10 Ways to Make Your Next Move the Smoothest and Least Stressful Yet 

Seven Ways to Simplify Moving for Less Stress

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

‍