The ABCs of Moving

Has an event or happenstance in your life suddenly caused you to have to relocate in a short amount of time? Maybe you finally got that promotion your supervisor was talking to you about, but you have to move to another location, or perhaps someone in your family has fallen ill and you need to be closer to take care of them. Whatever your reason for needing to move all the way across the country in a small time frame, you’d better start preparing a game plan or else you’ll find yourself forgetting a lot of important steps.

1. Hire Professional Movers ASAP

If you don’t do anything else, it’s important to hire a moving company, particularly cross country movers who can help you get your belongings across the country in the most convenient and affordable manner. Generally you have several options to book your moving date, but you want to secure the date as soon as possible, especially since you’re in a bit of a hurry.

2. Consider Renting

If the need to move across country is right around the corner you should simply consider renting a place to stay for a few months so that you have the time you need to find a place you can really call home. Depending on the location you’re moving to and the size of rental property you choose your rent will be pretty low allowing you to save some money while you shop for the home of your dreams. This is also ideal for those who will need time to sell their home before jumping into a second mortgage.

3. Shop Around for Storage Units

If you’re going to be downsizing by moving into an apartment, then you’re going to need some place to store the rest of your belongings. Storage units can be an affordable way to have your personal belongings closer to you without actually having them in your home until you’re ready.

4. Enlist Help Early On

You probably have enough friends and family members that will help you pack things up and get them loaded onto the moving truck. Ask them to lend you a helping hand and in return they can have things you don’t want anymore or you can offer to cook dinner for everyone so you can spend some quality time together before you actually move. If you don’t have enough support around you can also consider the option of hiring packers or movers who will load the truck for you. This way you get things done in a reasonable amount of time.

5. Contact Your Service Providers

Unless you want to end up footing the bill for utilities and entertainment services in two locations you will need to reach out to your service providers and prescription services to have things shut off. While you’re at it, you’ll also want to go ahead and research the service providers in the area you’re moving to so that you can contact them as well. Having services such as gas, electric, and hot water are going to be important once you move. Since you can contact most utility companies and entertainment service providers through your online profile, scheduling shut off  and shut on dates should not be a problem.

6. Secure All Your Personal Docs

Unless you plan on traveling thousands of miles back across country anytime in the near future you’re going to want to make sure that you’ve secured all of your personal documents. You want to make sure that you have the originals or copies of your birth certificates, social security cards, medical records, school records, and whatever else you might need before you head cross country.

7. Start Looking for Discount Flights

The moment you realize you’re moving cross country you’re going to want to look for the most affordable airline companies to purchase your tickets from. There are a lot of travel sites that advertise last minute deals so you should have no problem in finding flights that are cost effective.

Unless you want to end up making mistakes when moving long distance, it's probably a good idea to start your moving plans the moment you find out you have to relocate. Having your plan in place ahead of time can defuse even the most hectic of situations. By following all the above listed advice and sticking to a plan, you’ll be at your new place of residence in no time at all.