Planning a Move in the Near Future?

Relocating to another town can be an exciting adventure, although the experience is often overwhelming and hectic at the same time. Whether you are moving because of a job transfer, to be closer to family or simply to embark on a new lifestyle, a certain amount of preparation is required to make the transition a smooth one. Planning ahead and becoming organized in the early stages of the move is the prescription that will help ease the transition.

Research Your Destination

The first step after the decision to relocate is to research your destination. In the early stages of planning, take the time to talk with people who have lived in, or visited the area. Surfing the Internet for information on the community will not only familiarize you with its reputation and character, it will also help you determine if the location realistically matches your lifestyle and preferences.

The primary factors that may affect your decision to move to a new area include (but should not limited to): the community's real estate market, employment opportunities, schools, amenities, lifestyle, accessibility to nature, the crime rate, and the proximity to emergency care, highways and airports. If you are planning an overseas move, the climate, culture, language, and laws must also be weighed in your decision.

Once you have evaluated the facilities and weighed the pros and cons, you will have a better idea if the move is feasible. While some moves require very little adjustment, others involve intense preparation and a complete change in lifestyle. Children need to be considered in your decision to relocate - not only will they have to pull up roots and start new relationships, they will need to adapt to a new school system, and be exposed to a different youth culture that you may or may not approve of.

Planning a visit (or several visits if possible) to your desired stomping grounds is the best way to get a feel for the environment. Not only can you check out neighborhoods and the real estate market, you can also drop by potential employers, recreation facilities as well as the town office to research the area. Dropping by the local shops and grocery stores is another way of gaining a distinct perspective of the community and the people. Last but not least, the trip itself into to the area will indicate its accessibility in terms of traffic conditions, the proximity to airports, bus depots and train stations.

When accepting a job in a new location, resist the urge to base your decision solely on a promotion or a raise in pay. Though the opportunity to earn more money is tempting, being transferred to an isolated area with limited health care facilities may outweigh the benefits of a larger paycheck. In order to avoid any nasty surprises that may arise after you have already made a commitment, it is essential that you take this time to investigate what the new town has to offer.

Plan Ahead

Anyone will tell you that the two most important details when deciding to relocate are finding employment and a place to live. If you are moving for reasons unrelated to a job transfer, scouting newspapers, job sites on the Internet, and employment agencies prior to the move are essential. Forwarding your resume in advance of the move will greatly increase your chances of finding a job before rent, or a mortgage payment is due.

Becoming familiar in advance with the job market will ease the transition for you and other members of your family who will be seeking employment in the new area. Searching for a place to live is often a demanding and drawn-out task. This is where a real estate agent will come in handy, even if you are searching for a rental unit.

Doing your own market research will allow you to make educated decisions in terms of what you can afford and what you can expect in your price range. Real estate web sites are easily accessed on the Internet, and provide a great starting point for homebuyers. Enlisting the help of a real estate agent is an efficient way to quickly connect you to homes on the market that meet your criteria, and to help ease the pressure of locating the right buyers for your current home.

Tying Up Loose Ends

When housing arrangements are made final, it is time to begin contacting the utility companies and notifying them of your move. Make arrangements for the disconnection of your current services as well as the connections at your new residence. Companies that require advance notification are water, gas, electricity, phone, cable TV and Internet service providers. Don't forget to make arrangements for your newspaper deliveries and garbage collection at the same time.

After sorting out the installation of your services, you will also need to notify banks, credit card companies, and change your address for filing your taxes. A safe measure is to visit the post office and have your mail temporarily redirected in the event you have forgotten to notify a particular party. If you are changing provinces or states, it is important that you contact your department of motor vehicles to switch over your license and registration - and in some countries, the state or provincial health care provider to update your coverage.

When planning to leave your current place of employment, make efforts to adhere to your contract and give sufficient notice to your employer. Use professional courtesy and finish any outstanding work. Remember that leaving a job with grace and tact will ensure you have a solid reference to rely on for future employment opportunities.

Packing

After settling on a moving date, it is time to arrange the packaging and transportation of your belongings. The first thing to decide is whether to pack all of your possessions, or take this opportunity to sell or donate some articles that you could do without. Estate sales eliminate the hassle of moving large items and most often result when a family is moving overseas.

Shipping large items overseas can be expensive, often more costly than purchasing replacements. An estate sale will force you to differentiate between items you really need, and items that will fit in with your new décor. The relocation process is an ideal interval to rid your home of clutter, while earning some extra cash to purchase furniture and accessories that will suit your new quarters.

Once you have decided what you can live without, consider how you will move your remaining household items. The method used to pack your items is crucial in avoiding any damage or loss of property. Some movers include the service of packing your items for you. If you do the packing yourself, exercising some organization will save you a lot of pain and aggravation in the long run.

Initially packing items that are rarely used can give you a jump-start long before the actual moving day. Investing in bubble wrap and packing tape, while gradually picking up boxes from a factory or grocery store, are actions you can take well in advance of the move.

The majority of the boxes collected should not be too large for carrying. Select oversized boxes should be reserved for light, bulky items such as bedding, or pillows. Heavier items including books and dishes should always be packed in smaller boxes for easier carrying. If the box is reaching its weight limit and is only half-full, try filling the remaining space with a light blanket or stuffed animals.

Labeling boxes as you go will save you a lot of grief upon arrival at your new home. Unpacking may take several days, and you will need access to certain items during this time. Not only should you specify which items are in each box, it is also useful to indicate which room a box is destined for so movers can drop them accordingly. When dealing with 50 or more boxes, you'll be thankful you did this. No one wants to spend hours opening boxes and moving them from room to room during the early days following the move.

Keeping track of your possessions can also be simplified by numbering your boxes. By numbering your boxes and compiling a corresponding list of the contents, you will not only know where items are packed, you will also be made aware if a box has gone missing.

Professional movers routinely take inventory of clients' belongings. However, compiling your own list is a good practice in the event there are any disputes with regards to missing property. During the time between selling your home and moving into your new residence, you may opt to place some of your belongings in storage. Items that you prefer to move in advance can easily be placed in storage for later access. Storage facilities are particularly useful when there are delays due to renovations, or possession of your new home. Utilizing a storage unit allows the freedom of moving your possessions at your own convenience.

Transporting Your Belongings

Many decide to hire a moving company to do everything from packing to complete room set-up. However, taking on the task of moving personal items yourself can save you a bundle of cash in the long run. Renting a self-drive moving van is an economical approach to transporting large items. Moving van rental companies lease anything from a small pick-up, to a 26-ft truck. If you are moving overseas and choose to ship articles, an overseas moving company will usually include the pick up, documentation, insurance, customs and delivery in one package.

Keep in mind that shipping furniture or a vehicle can be a lengthy process due to duration of the trip and the time your articles will spend in customs. Moving your vehicle by attaching a tow dolly or vehicle trailer to the moving van is one method of transporting your car without recruiting a second driver. If you have more than one vehicle to haul, hiring a vehicle relocation service will save you a lot of headaches especially if the distance is great.

Extra consideration should be given to the transport of your pets, as they will require special care during the move. Pets often become frightened and may try to run away when being relocated to an unfamiliar environment. When outside, your four-legged friend should be kept on a leash, and be sporting an identification tag with his name, your name and your contact details. If the trip is long, you may want to consult your veterinarian about mild sedation during the trip if your pet is not accustomed to car travel.

Planning short trips a week or two before the moving day is a good way of easing a nervous animal into the long trip. Invest in a folding kennel, and make sure you make plenty of regular stops for your furry friend during a long road trip. If you must make an overnight stop, make sure your accommodation is pet-friendly. Remember to bring your pet's food, water, bedding, a scooper and plastic bags for clean up. If flying to your destination, your pet can sometimes accompany you on board. If your pet is traveling by freight, make sure you obtain the kennel in advance so he can become familiarized and be at ease with spending a significant amount of time inside.

Plants also require special care during transportation, as they are susceptible to shock when placed in modified conditions. Temperatures below 35 F or above 95 F can kill many varieties of plants in a matter of hours. Most plants can survive up to a week without light, and slightly longer without water. To avoid any damage, ensure your plants are moist when places in cartons, and gradually expose them to light upon arrival to avoid wilting and sun scalding. Cuttings of your favorite plant can be substituted if there is limited room during transport. Most cuttings can survive for several days if kept in a plastic bag containing damp vermiculite, peat moss, or perlite.

Moving In

The day you move into your new home, your first priority is to check and make sure the utilities are connected. Giving your new digs a good cleaning before bringing your possessions across the threshold will save you time and energy, since a house is much easier to clean if it is empty. If your move is time constrained, having your cleaning supplies handy is a good idea when loading items into bathrooms, closets or kitchen cabinets.

After you have settled, follow up on forwarded mail, and have your children memorize your new address and phone number. Obtaining a local phone book, and information concerning garbage collection and recycling practices should be done in the first week. Often, relevant information will be left behind by the previous tenant, or delivered by the community's welcome wagon.

Relocating can be a stressful event, but it doesn't have to be. With a little planning, research and organization, an overwhelming task can be transformed into an exciting adventure!