10 Moving Tips to Make Your Life Easier

May 13, 2022

Moving – from across the street, to across the country – can be an arduous process. A study conducted by One Poll on behalf of North American Van Lines found that moving is by far the most stressful event in life. Respondents rated moving as more stressful than divorce/breakup. While the moving process is not exactly fun, it often leads to a positive outcome. Planning ahead and staying organized can minimize moving headaches. Keep reading for ten moving tips you should consider for your next move. 

10 Moving Tips

1. Create a moving checklist

A checklist helps you stay organized and serves as a visual reminder of all tasks that you need to accomplish. Create a plan for each room and set a realistic timeline. Most experts recommend starting on your move at least eight weeks prior to your move-in date. Set reminders in your calendar to buy boxes or schedule a donation pick-up. Starting off early and with a clear strategy will reduce your moving stress. Another way to reduce stress is to stay organized with a moving folder.

2. Maintain a moving folder

While a moving checklist helps you keep track of everything, a moving folder contains information relevant for your move, including moving estimates, contracts, final bills, and other important documents. It is always a good idea to have a hard copy of your documents in case something happens to your computer or phone. If any questions come up during your move, it will be useful to have these documents on hand. Next up on our moving tips, declutter and downsize while you pack.

3. Get rid of clutter

The less stuff you have, the easier it will be to move. Clearing out the clutter first will save both time and money. In order to make sure that your furniture fits, take measurements of your new home. It is worth taking the time to assess belongings and sort them into “keep”, “throw”, and “donate” boxes. Instead of asking whether you should keep an item or not, you should ask yourself whether the item is worth packing, moving, and unpacking in your new home. When you’re done decluttering, it’s smart to start packing your non-essential items first. 

 

4. Pack non-essential things early on

Hopefully, you will know that you are moving weeks or months in advance. A good way to begin is by packing off-season items and things you won’t miss. If you are moving in the fall, you can start packing summer clothing and swim gear as well as books and other items that are used periodically. 

Having some things already packed up will be a huge stress-reducer when it is time to move. Speaking of stress reducers, have you heard about the ranger roll?

 

5. Research packing techniques

There are many tips on how to pack strategically, from getting free moving boxes to moving bulky furniture.  For example, when moving clothing, an easy and low-budget way to move hanging clothes is by using a large drawstring trash bag to slip clothes inside while holding onto the hangers and tightening the drawstrings around the hanger hooks. This way makes it easy to unload clothing directly into your new closet without the need for a suitcase. For clothing that is not on hangers, the ranger/army roll can save precious space. Finding packing techniques that work for you will keep your moving momentum from stagnating. It’s important not only to find techniques that save space but also to keep things organized, such as numbering or color-coding your stuff.

 

6. Color-code your moving boxes

Moving can be a disorienting process, so save yourself some confusion by color-coding and labeling your boxes. Color code each room by using different colored tape or print multi-colored packing labels. Color-code your boxes on multiple sides. Prior to bringing all the boxes inside, place colored tape at the entrances to rooms. This will save movers (or your friends and family) time by matching color to color rather than having to read (or look for) the label. While you’re organizing, let’s not forget to schedule those cleaners and movers way ahead of the moving day.

 

7. Book early for professional services

During the middle of a move, you will probably not have the time or energy needed to provide a proper deep clean to a house or apartment. If you are hiring professionals such as painters or cleaners to work on your home, book early. Waiting may result in a higher price, especially during peak moving season. Scheduling early is crucial when hiring movers, as well as setting up your utilities.

8. Set up utilities

Once you have your final move-in dates, contact your utility providers to schedule service at your new home. You do not want to arrive at your new home, exhausted from the move, only to find that the electricity, water, or heat are not in service. Schedule it ahead of time, and keep records of your requests. Contact the City of Las Cruces Utilities to set up gas and water and electricity with El Paso Electric. At the same time, request service stops for your move-out date at your current address. 

While not essential, you may want to schedule your Internet provider as well. 

 

9. Keep your essentials with you

As you box up more and more of your home, you finally reach a time where all that is left to pack are the items that you use every single day. These include necessary items like your toothbrush, medications, paperwork, a change or two of clothes, and maybe some dishes and utensils. Keep these essential items with you in a suitcase or bag. In case of an unforeseen disaster, at least you will have some basic necessities with you.

 

10. Get a moving truck with a ramp

A truck with a ramp is an absolute must-have for those who are DIY moving. Moving heavy furniture and awkward items can take a toll on your arms, knees, and back. Renting a moving truck with a ramp will ease the process of loading and unloading bulky items. Make sure you are parked on a flat, level surface for safer loading and unloading. A truck with a ramp, along with a dolly, will ease the process and save your knees.

Like most large (and overwhelming) projects, it helps to break down the moving process into smaller, more manageable pieces. Budgeting, planning, and packing over time helps reduce the chaos that often accompanies a big change. 

Preparing for a move is one of the very last steps in the home buying process. Even though moving can be stressful, it is also very exciting. Are you considering making a move to Las Cruces? If you are interested in a contemporary and energy-efficient home, take a look at Arista Development listings and schedule an appointment to visit one of our model homes.

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