Ways You Can Prepare for a Move to a New Home

Moving to a new house or cabin can feel exciting, stressful, emotional, or all the above. You have to coordinate moving schedules while saying your goodbyes and packing up your belongings.

Here are some ways you can prepare for a move to a new home so that you can make the process as stress-free as possible.

Create a Plan

Moving to a new house can feel overwhelming, which is why a plan will keep you organized. Sit down and make a list of everything you need to handle before, during, and after the move.

Here are a few items you might need to include on your list:

• Transfer your utilities to your new address (water, electricity, internet, etc.)
• Schedule time off work
• Forward mail to your new address
• Change the locks on your new home

Declutter Your Current House

While decluttering is always a good idea, handling it before you move is even better. If you’re moving to a cabin that’s smaller than your current home, decluttering is a necessity.

Go through each room and decide what you’d like to keep and what needs to go. From there, you can decide what to toss, sell, give away to friends, or donate to charity. Decluttering will make packing, moving, and unpacking that much easier.

Select Professional Movers

While a DIY move is always an option, sometimes it’s worth the investment to hire the pros. Ask for quotes from several moving companies to find the best one for your situation.

If you hire movers, make sure you understand if they provide boxes or furniture pads. If not, buy or order these supplies so that you have plenty of time to pack.

If you have an item like a piano or a residential safe that’s complicated to move, hire a specialized pro. These items can be dangerous or even impossible to move on your own.

Learn About Your New Surroundings

One of the best ways you can prepare for a move to a new home is to research your new neighborhood or city. Make note of the closest hospital, urgent care clinic, and police station. If you’re moving to a rural area, you might need to learn a skill like checking a well pump in case it goes out.

If you have children or pets, locate schools, parks, and other attractions in the area. It can also be fun to make a list of restaurants you’d like to try.

While it may take a while for your new house to feel like home, doing your research can make the process easier and more fun. Moving is a difficult task, but it’s a rewarding one that can offer a fresh start.