One of the most important aspects of relocation is the move itself. Boxing up a life in one city and cultivating a home in another is no simple feat. With so much to consider, from utilities changes to furniture arrangement, it can be easy to become overwhelmed.
Guide to Greater Gainesville is here to help, with a top to bottom moving list to calm the nerves and ease the transition for any maxed-out mover.
The undertaking of a move is one that few relish. With the right groundwork, however, the process of turning a new place into home can be an enjoyable, stress-free experience.
Preparation
Budget
First thing first- budgeting. Account for movers, truck rental, packing supplies, any new licenses and registrations, cancellation fees and professional cleaning costs. Establishing a budget will give an idea of how much money the move itself will cost, and whether or not there will be enough left over to buy that new sectional.
Update Address
Update all billing companies and personal correspondents with the new home address. From monthly subscriptions to the bank, to the first cousin who sends the hilarious holiday cards, this will ensure that no mail is missed once the move has been made.
Register to Vote
Once the new address is official, it is time to register to vote. Registering with the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections office, led by Supervisor Kim A. Barton, gives newcomers the ability to vote for local elected officials and impact everyday life in their new community. The office is located in the Josiah T. Walls Building, 515 N. Main St., Ste. 300, Gainesville. Call 352-374-5252 or visit votealachua.com. To find voting precinct by address, use the database at votealachua.com/Voter-Information/Precinct-Finder.
Research Schools and Forward Medical Records
Research schools in the area to find the right fit and find out when try outs are held for local sports leagues in the new city. This will make for an enjoyable and less disruptive transition if they have something to look forward to.
Line up new general physicians, dentists and specialists and have medical records sent over. Perhaps even scour reviews for a trustworthy mechanic in the area.
The Great Purge
There is no greater opportunity to pare down belongings than during a move. Instead of packing up everything in the home, consider the “take it or toss it” approach.
Once every nook and cranny has been cleared out, and the “take it” items are all boxed up, the “toss it” pile can be divided. Have boxes set aside for donations and the dumpster so those drop offs can be easily accomplished.
Hosting a yard or garage sale is another great way to clear out belongings, with the benefit of a few extra bucks to go toward the move or a needed new item.
Organize Movers and Gather Supplies
Get an on-site estimate, especially if there are heavy pieces of furniture in the mix. A phone estimate is not always accurate, so it is best to have a representative come out to see what exactly will need to be moved.
From there, start gathering all of the supplies needed to pack like tape, boxes and insulation for fragile items.
Cancel Old Services and Set Up New
Schedule cancellation dates for current services like utilities and internet, as well as installation dates for the new home’s services. It is best to overlap the two dates by about a week to ensure that everything is up and running on day 1 in the new home.
Pack and LABEL
The fun begins. Focus on one area of the house at a time so as not to get overwhelmed. Be sure to label every box clearly. Set aside a few extra boxes for items used on a daily basis, that will not need to be packed up until the last week or final day.
Reserve a few boxes for the items used on a daily basis that will not be packed until the last week or last day.
Have a Going Away Party
If time permits, get together for a little going-away shindig with friends and family. Proper closure to a chapter of life in the city the family is leaving is important.
Upon Arrival
Clean Before Unpacking
Ideally, the home is sparkling, fresh and ready to move in. In the event that the new space has not been given a thorough cleaning, be sure to tackle the job before unpacking. This gives an advantage to reach all of the spaces that the furniture will soon be covering.
Arrange Big Furniture
Get the big stuff set up first and establish a loose blueprint for where everything should go. This can always be readjusted later, but having the furniture laid out will begin to make it feel like home.
Unpack
The party begins with unpacking. Remember those labels? They are about to come in handy.
Have the movers place each box in the room for which it is labeled. The same as packing, begin unpacking one room at a time and generate a loose idea of where everything belongs.
Just like the furniture, things can be rearranged later if the general consensus is that the silverware should be in this drawer instead of that one.
Familiarize with the Neighborhood and Neighbors
Go for a family walk and get out in the new neighborhood to scope out the neighbors and say hello. Establishing a network of friendly faces in the area will bring peace of mind while settling into the new surroundings.
Establish the Lay of the Land
Drive or bike around to find the local grocery store, gym and other conveniences—ahem, Target. Familiarize regular routes and get a bearing of the surroundings so that errands do not feel so daunting when it comes time to run them at the beginning of the week.
Check out local intramural sports or social clubs, which are a great way to make new friends in a new city.
Celebrate!
Do not forget to celebrate once the last box has been unpacked and broken down. Moving is no small feat, and a reward is certainly in order. Time to cozy in, pop a bottle of champagne, and start fresh in new home.