From packing up all the family’s belongings to finally hanging that last picture frame on the wall, moving to a new home is a labor of love.
Tedious moving chores like unpacking boxes and arranging furniture become exciting steps that turn an empty house into a full new home. Soon enough, sitting on the couch surrounded by all the hard work paid off will end the journey with a smile.
Still, there are many steps to take to make relocating the most stress-free, positive experience it can possibly be, from moving on out to settling on in.
Moving Preparation
Budget
The first and one of the most important steps is budgeting. Take into account the movers, U-Haul, packing supplies, any new licenses and registrations, cancellation fees etc. Establishing a budget will give an idea of how much money the move will cost, and whether or not there will be enough left over to buy that new sectional.
Update Address
Update anything and everything with the new home address. From monthly subscriptions to the USPS, to the bank and beyond, this will ensure a smoother settle in once the move has been made.
Register to Vote
Once that 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 the best schools in the area and find out when try outs are for the kid’s travel league in the new city. This will make for a smoother and less disruptive transition if they have something to look forward to. Find new general physicians, dentists and maybe a trustworthy mechanic while at it. Prepare to find reliable replacements for these staples so that when they are needed, it is already lined up.
The Great Purge
Before packing commences, this is a good time to clear out every nook and cranny and put together a donation box, or several. The more stuff that gets thrown away or donated, the less to pack, so this is crucial. Hosting a yard or garage sale is a great way to clear out belongings and gather a few extra bucks to go toward that sectional.
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 someone come out to see what they will be working with. 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 the cancellation date for current services like utilities and internet and then set up the new services at the new home so that they are already up and running come move-in day.
Pack and LABEL
The fun begins. Focus on one area of the house at a time so as not to get overwhelmed, and be sure to label everything. Leave a few boxes empty 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 the 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 clean and ready to move in, but in the occurrence that it is not, clean 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 more 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 where it belongs. The same as packing, begin unpacking one room at a time and generate a loose idea of where everything belongs.
Just like the furniture, this 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
Take walks and get out in the 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 more importantly, the closest Target. Get a bearing of the surroundings so that errands do not feel so daunting and unfamiliar when it comes time to run them at the beginning of the week.
Check out local intramural sports or clubs, which are a great way to get acclimated and 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 a new home.
By Madison Rae