10 Do-able Tips to Guide Your Cross-Country Move

January 6, 2023

Moving Cross-Country

 

Moving across town can be challenging and rather time-consuming. But moving across the country? It can put quite a few wrinkles into the coordination and schedules of even the best of planners. Getting everything down to a science takes a tremendous amount of preparation, and we are here for it.

 

When you’re making plans for a long-distance move, ask yourself, what are my highest priorities? For many of us, this involves (at a minimum) finding a new place, saying goodbye to an existing living space, moving the lion’s share of our household goods, and getting settled into a new city and updated routine.

 

With that in mind, we’ve curated a list of do-able tips and helpful hints to make that long-distance move to new surroundings.

 

Tip 1: Begin with the end in mind.

Target your moving dates, then build a timeframe backwards. Ideally, you’ll want to have at least 8 to 10 weeks to plan for a cross-country move.

 

Tip 2: Create a moving checklist.

Multiple moving checklists are available on our site that could be helpful to cross-check. There are also several task-oriented and moving apps that can help you organize your thoughts.

 

Tip 3: Work with trained professionals.

About 8 to 10 weeks prior to the big move, get quotes from moving professionals to help as you begin planning.

 

Tip 4: Take inventory of your belongings.

This can also be part of a moving company quote, but it’s a good idea to decide which items to bring and which to leave behind or donate. Ideally, try not to move anything into your new place that you no longer love or need.

 

Tip 5: Figure out furniture plans.

Just like the concept of the popular Love It or List It TV show, you get to determine if you love your furniture enough to bring it with you or you’d rather sell (or donate) what you already have and then purchase new items — or some combination of the two.

 

Tip 6: Decide whether to fly or drive.

Based on your budget for time and money, you’ll need to consider whether you’d rather ship vehicles and fly or drive a vehicle or two along the route. If you’re moving as part of a corporate relocation, be sure to ask about how your transportation is handled.

 

Tip 7: Make plans for children and pets.

Once you know if you will fly or drive across the country, finalize plans for any children and pets before and after the move. It might be a good idea to secure extra hands for help, and/or time off from work with daycare arrangements and pet care still in tact.

 

Tip 8: Start the change-of-address process.

This previous post of 10 places to include goes beyond the post office, as they’re not the only ones who will need to reach out and find you once you’ve moved in.

 

Tip 9: Change over the home utilities.

At least two weeks before you move, contact the utilities for your area which include Cable/satellite TV, Internet services, water and sewer services, gas or heat, electricity, a security system, trash, and your phone line or VoIP service. Be sure to time your connecting times before you arrive so you won’t have to move in the dark.

 

Tip 10: Schedule some me-time.

Last but not least, add in some pamper time to help you stay calm and focused (and therefore able to make better decisions!), and reward yourself for a job well done.

 

Bear in mind, these plans don’t include how to sell an existing home quickly or how to make friends once you’ve moved into the next town. But those are plans for another checklist, on another day. Seek to learn all you can about ways to boost your curb and screen appeal — and deciding whether to buy or build in the next location can also help lighten the load.

 

Whenever you’re looking to help sell a house, in the market for local movers, long-distance movers, or seeking a full-service relocation, Beltmann Moving and Storage is here to meet your moving needs and budget, anywhere in the U.S.A. and abroad. Contact our team today to learn more or get a free quote.

 

 

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