The year 2023 is an exciting year for many reasons. For many, it marks a new beginning—a time of change and opportunity. And for some, it’s time to move.
There are many reasons why people move. Some people do it to be closer to family or friends, for a job opportunity, or to be closer to nature. No matter the reason for your move, there are many things to think about and prepare for, especially if it’s your first time. Here’s a beginner’s guide to moving in 2023 to help make the process easier.
Before The Move
As a first-timer, your excitement might be up in the air as you wait for the big day. But while you’re waiting, it’s best to prepare everything before moving to your new home. Here are tips to help you set everything straight before the move:
- Make A Budget
Making a budget before moving for the first time is a smart way to keep your finances in order and avoid overspending. Here’s how to make a budget before moving:
- Consider Your Financial Capacity
Figure out the finances you have to work with, including your savings, income, and any financial assistance you may be eligible for.
- Look At Your Moving Expenses
Once you identify your financial capacity, you must consider your moving expenses. It includes the cost of hiring a moving company, such as The Big Boy Movers, or renting a storage unit, as well as the cost of packing materials.
- Factor In Your New Cost Of Living
You also need to factor in the cost of living in your new location, such as rent, utilities, groceries, and other necessary expenses.
Once you’ve laid out your finances and moving expenses, you can start looking for ways to cut back on costs and avoid financial problems.
- Start Packing Early
Packing early has many benefits. It gives you time to declutter your home, purge items you no longer need, and figure out what will go where in your new place. Here are a few tips on how to start packing early before moving.
- List what you need to pack: It’s essential to stay organized and on track with what needs to be done.
- Begin with items you use the least: Start with things you don’t use daily, such as seasonal clothing and holiday decor.
- Pack one room at a time: Don’t try to tackle the entire house at once. It will only overwhelm you. Instead, focus on packing one room at a time.
- Use packing materials wisely: There’s no need to spend a fortune on boxes and packing materials. You can find many of these items for free. Check with local retailers, office supply stores, and neighbors to see if they have boxes or packing materials they’re not using.
- Don’t forget the essentials: Make sure to pack a bag of essentials for the first few days in your new home, like toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, and anything else you may need.
The tips above can save you time and money and make the moving process less stressful. So, don’t wait until the last minute. Start packing early and enjoy a smooth move.
- Purge Things You Don’t Need
When you’re moving to a new place, you don’t want to lug all that unnecessary stuff around. So, it might be best to purge things you don’t need. But how do you know what items to get rid of? Here are some tips:
- Get rid of items you haven’t used in the past year, like clothes, books, kitchen gadgets, etc. If they’ve been lying in your room unused for a year, chances are you won’t use them in your new place either.
- Donate or sell anything that’s in good condition but that you no longer need or want. There’s no point in keeping something around that you’re never going to use.
- If you have duplicates of anything, get rid of the extras. For example, if you have two similar coffee mugs, keep the one you use most and get rid of the other.
Purging unused items before you move will make a move more manageable and help you start fresh in your new place.
- Find A Good Moving Company
Here’s how to spot a good moving company and why it’s so important to do your research before you choose one:
- Ask For Referrals
Start by asking your family, friends, and officemates for recommendations. There’s a high chance that someone you know has used a moving company before, and they can give you a good idea of which ones to use and which to avoid. You can also look online for reviews of moving companies in your area.
- Get Quotations
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential moving companies, call each and ask for a quote. Ensure to ask about any hidden fees or charges and get everything in writing before you agree to use their services.
- Check Their License And Insurance
Make sure the moving company you choose is licensed and insured to protect you in case anything goes wrong during the move. Once you’ve found a few good moving companies, take some time to compare their prices and services to find the best deal.
Why is it so important to hire a good moving company? Because they can make your move a lot less stressful by helping you pack and load your belongings and take care of the details of the moving process. By finding a good moving company, you can be at peace knowing your move will go off without a hitch.
During The Move-In Day
You’ve finally set everything straight, and the big day has arrived—it’s time to move in. Even if you’ve hired professional movers, there’s still much to do on moving day. Here’s a helpful checklist of things to do on moving day, from start to finish.
- Get An Early Start
Wake up early to avoid the heat of the day and the rush of the afternoon. And never forget to have a good breakfast. You’re going to need your energy.
- Have A Plan
Know what you need to do and where you need to be to stay organized and on track. If you’re hiring professional movers, ensure they have everything they need—a copy of the floor plan, keys to the new house, etc.
- Delegate Tasks
The actual moving day can be hectic and stressful for everyone involved. Delegation of tasks and responsibilities to different people ensures that everything gets done promptly and efficiently.
List all the tasks that need to be completed on moving day. Each person helping with the move can be assigned specific tasks. Some of the tasks that need to be completed on moving day include the following:
- Loading the boxes into the moving truck
- Checking the utilities (electricity, water, etc.)
- Unloading the boxes at the new home
- Setting up furniture
Having a designated leader who can coordinate everyone’s efforts and ensure everything is getting done is also a good idea. This person should be organized and able to keep everyone on track.
- Take Breaks
There are a few reasons why taking breaks is essential. First of all, it’s a lot of work. You’ve probably been packing and preparing for weeks, and finally, moving everything into your new place can be exhausting.
You’re probably sweating and need a break to cool down or warm up. You might be so focused on moving everything that you forget to eat and drink, but you need to keep your energy up.
Finally, you need to take breaks to avoid injury. Lifting heavy boxes and furniture all day is tough on your body, and you don’t want to risk injuring yourself. So, take breaks. Your body will thank you, and you’ll be able to finish the move more quickly and easily.
Settling Down After The Move-In
After move-in day, you should do a few things to ensure a smooth transition into your new home.
- Make It Feel Like Home
After move-in day, your new home may feel like a blank canvas. You may be wondering how to make it feel like home. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Start with the basics: Make sure you have all the essentials for your new home, such as bedding, towels, dishes, and cleaning supplies.
- Unpack your boxes and place your belongings: This will help you feel more settled in your new home.
- Add personal touches: Hang up photos, put out candles or vases with fresh flowers, and add other items that make your new home feel like your own.
It takes some time to adjust to your new home, but allow yourself to settle in and make it your own.
- Familiarize Yourself With Your New Surroundings
After all the unpacking and your furniture is in its rightful place, it’s time to get to know your new surroundings. Here’s how to do just that:
- Get out and explore: Take a walk or a jog around your new neighborhood to get a feel of your new community.
- Meet your neighbors: Strike up a conversation with those who live near you. You never know; you might just make some new friends.
- Familiarize yourself with your new community’s resources: Find out where the closest grocery store is, where the library is, and where the post office is.
- Check out your new community’s website: Most cities and towns have a website that contains a wealth of information about the area.
Making an effort to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings will help you to feel more at home in your new community.
Final Thoughts
Moving to a new home can be an exciting and overwhelming experience, especially if it’s your first time. Take the time to plan and prepare so that your move goes smoothly and stress-free. As you embark on this new chapter, remember to stay organized and flexible and not be afraid to ask for help. Good luck with your move!
