Buying a new house can be stressful: Saving for a down payment. Applying for a mortgage. Selling your existing home. Competing with other buyers. It’s a lot to think about!
If you’re moving long distance, that comes with a whole other set of problems. Still, many people make it happen without much difficulty.
What to Keep
One of the biggest things people struggle with when they move out of state is what to hold onto. It’s obvious that you have to pare things down – it’s just easier to move a long distance if you have less stuff – but what do you keep?
Use a pack, purge, or donate system to help narrow down your stuff. Since moving across the country (or just state lines) can get pricey, focus on keeping the things you really need (like dishes and a bed) and anything with irreplaceable sentimental value (like your grandmother’s collection of costume jewelry).
All of those old college textbooks and the moth-eaten stuffed animals you’ve been holding onto for 20 years? They can probably go.
Pack Smart
In theory, packing is a pretty straight-forward task when moving into a new house. Take your stuff, put it in boxes, and go. But packing for a long-distance move is a whole new ball game. More time on the road means more opportunity for your items to get lost or damaged – and that means extra precautions are needed to keep your belongings safe.
When packing for a long distance move, make sure to use quality boxes: Often, you can get them for free from grocery stores or other retail outlets, but you can also purchase them from storage facilities and moving companies. In addition to sturdy containers, make sure you to use bubble wrap or egg carton to keep your fragile items safe and (pro tip!) take pictures of your electronics in case they get misplaced and you have to file a claim.
Consider Transportation Options
• Rent a truck
Many people enjoy a good road trip. Driving for hours on end with a great podcast can be almost meditative – and, bonus, it’s usually WAY cheaper than hiring professional movers. Many truck rental companies will allow you to rent a vehicle for a one-way trip at no additional charge and offer flat-rate fees up to a certain number of miles.
• Rent a shipping container
If driving a moving truck for hundreds of miles doesn’t sound appealing to you, there are other options! One of the easiest, and most economical, choices is to rent a shipping container. Simply contact your company of choice, they will deliver a shipping box to your new house, you fill it up with your possessions, and pick it back up and move it to your new location.
• Ship your belongings
Another option when you don’t feel like loading a truck is to simple ship your items. There are several options, including USPS, UPS, and FedEx. The downside is, if you have a lot of large or heavy possessions, shipping them could end up costing quite a bit – that’s why we recommend this choice ONLY for people who have limited household goods.
A First Night Bag
When you relocate – whether out of state or otherwise – you’re not going to want to dig through your boxes looking for your toothbrush after a long day of moving. Put together a small bag of essentials to get you through a few days while you sort through everything. Include items like essential toiletries, a few fresh outfits, a phone charger, important documents (insurance cards, identification, etc.), and perhaps a special sentimental item or two. And remember that Katchen Company professionals can make that initial transaction so much easier for you.
