How to plan a cross country relocation?

Relocating halfway across the country is not an easy thing to do. On top of all the things you normally need to organize and do when relocating shorter distances, you also have to take into consideration some other things when you decide to plan a cross country relocation. So, without further adieu, let’s see what those things are.

Plan a cross country relocation tip #1: declutter

Let’s start off with this simple fact. The cost of the move is in direct correlation with the weight of your belongings. So, what does that mean? Well, it means that the price of the move is going to be higher if you have more things to transport. So, the best way to shave off a couple of bucks from the auto transport Florida, or any transportation service really, is to pack fewer things. So, how are you going to do that? Well, it’s time to start thinking about tidying up your belongings.

Decluttering 101

As we have mentioned previously, the best way to save money on transportation when moving cross country is to pack fewer things.  However, the best way to go about it is to purge everything that is not considered to be essential. Things like clothes you’ve rarely or never worn, books you’ve never read, or never intend to read, items that are only collecting dust and are really serving no purpose at all. So, what should you do with those items? Well, you can either donate them to a foundation such as Goodwills or Habitat for Humanity. Or you can recycle them or even throw them away. Whatever you decide to do just make sure that by the end of the day… You have fewer things then when you started decluttering.

Tip #2: ask for help

If you are reading this article that means that you know that moving cross country is hard. However, add a family to that equation and the word “hard” gets a new level of meaning. The already hectic move can become an absolute nightmare and chaos if left unchecked. That’s why we recommend that you ask your partner and kids to help you out during these trying times. Letting everyone pack an essentials box can go a long way. Not to mention how helpful it would be if your kids packed their own rooms. This way you have more time to spend on important things that need to be taken care of.

Plan a cross country relocation tip #3: hire a moving company

However, when moving cross country one thing is for certain. Hiring a moving company is a must. DIY type of move can only bring you so far. Simply put, the specialty services, the effectiveness, and the cost of hiring a moving company outweigh the benefits of trying to move by yourself. So, what’s the secret in hiring one of the best cross country movers? It’s rather simple. The secret lies in asking for multiple moving quotes from different moving companies and finding the one that most appeals to your moving budget and taste. It’s really as easy as that. However, we all know that is easier said than done. It will require a lot of experimenting and testing until you find the perfect match for you.

Tip #4: Create a moving index.

Even with hiring movers you still need to make sure you keep track of your belongings. The best way of going about that is to create a moving index. So, what is a moving index, we hear you ask? Well, it’s a method that allows you to know exactly where each of your belongings is packed. For example, if you have multiple moving boxes labeled “books” and you need to find a specific book, you have no idea in which moving box it is. That’s why we recommend that you create a moving index.

Label each moving box with a number. Now, write up the contents of the box labeled with that number. That way, whenever you need to search for an item, you can just look up your moving index and find out exactly what moving box that items are in.

plan a cross country relocation tip #5: Check for damages

After you have decluttered, hired a moving company, packed up all your belongings, and labeled them properly all that is left to do is… Well, relocate! However, there is an important thing you should keep in the back of your mind after you relocate cross country. And that is to make sure to check for any damages on your belongings. Sometimes, during transport, your valuable items might get broken, scratched, or nicked. So, you should definitely check if that is the case. However, even if that is so, do not fret. You can always file a claim and receive compensation for your belongings. Just make sure you have a before and after photo as proof!

Last but not least – the paperwork.

Most people forget about this, but one of the most important things when relocating long-distances is to settle all your paperwork. Driving license, medical documents, and insurance. For example, if you are planning on driving in the new state, then head on over to the local DMV and get all the paperwork settled. On the other hand, if you are traveling with kids make sure to give enough notice of the relocation to the schools. And last but not least, make sure to transfer all the important medical records to the new state.  These are all important items that must be on your moving checklist. So don’t forget about them. They are equally important as all of the tips we’ve mentioned in this article!

It is our hope that this article helped you plan your next big relocation. Make sure to read each tip carefully and actually follow the recommendations we have mentioned. Only by doing all this, you’ll be able to achieve the relocation of your dreams!