Those who say, “Moving is as easy as pie,” or “You only need to organize a little, pack a few boxes, and you can move without any stress,” have never experienced a real-life move. Because let’s be honest – moving is stressful, overwhelming, and everything but easy.
You have to pack a lifetime’s worth of possessions while maintaining your routine activities and handling moving tasks like canceling utility services, finding a new home, sorting out the logistics, and a lot more. On top of that, the feelings of nostalgia and reluctance to leave your old home can add to the mounting stress. And why shouldn’t it?
Moving is a big step. You’re leaving your comfort place and starting from scratch again in a new location. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed. This shift is incredibly chaotic for people moving between two big cities, such as Houston and Dallas. Houston has an 8% lower than the national average cost of living, while Dallas has a 3% higher price than the national average. However, the job market in Dallas is much better than in Houston, and the city offers way more amenities and opportunities for career and personal growth.
So, whether you’ve bought a new house or moving into a rented apartment, here are six ways to make moving from Houston to Dallas an effortless experience.
1. Hire Experienced Movers
You might think moving on your own will save you some money, but the truth is that experienced movers can offer more value for the money you spend.
However, since not all moving companies offer the same quality of services, it’s essential to research thoroughly before hiring one. If you are moving from Houston to Dallas, hire experienced Houston to Dallas movers to transport your belongings safely and quickly. These experts are well-trained and can provide moving supplies, packing services, and other help to make the process easier and stress-free.
2. Make an Inventory Checklist
This checklist is going to help you throughout the move. It’ll help you keep track of everything you need to do and remember while moving. Plus, you can review this list to ensure everything arrives safely at the new place.
So, first, list all the heavier, bulkier items like sofas, mattresses, tables, bookcases, etc. Then, follow up with other things like appliances, electronics, clothes, jewelry, etc.
Remember to create a room-wise list so that moving your belongings into the new house will be much easier. Also, click pictures of expensive or fragile items and add them to the list. It will help you with insurance claims if something gets damaged during transit.
3. Declutter and Downsize
As much as you want to take all your belongings, it might only be possible sometimes due to lack of space or the expense. So, take the time to review all your belongings and separate things you need from those you don’t.
Create three piles — keep, donate/sell, and toss — for each item in every room. Use the 6-month rule as a guide. If you haven’t used anything in the past six months, chances are it holds no more value to you, or you don’t need it anymore. Of course, it doesn’t include seasonal items like winter wear or holiday decorations.
You can donate or sell the items you don’t need to reduce your burden even more. Ensure the item’s condition is good enough for the next person to use. Additionally, if you have typical recyclables, recycle them to reduce the amount of waste and help the environment.
4. Pack Smartly
Imagine the immense chaos if you don’t pack your things properly. Your items will be damaged, you’ll have to unpack and repack several times to fit everything, and your expenses will skyrocket. To avoid all this, pack smartly.
Start with non-essential things, like books, decorative pieces, and seasonal items, and then move to the essentials. Pack every item in durable boxes and label them for easy sorting when you reach your destination.
Use suitable packing materials, like foam sheets or packing paper, to keep your items safe and secure during transit. It’s also wise to wrap breakable and fragile things with bubble wrap and tape them shut for extra protection. Also, leave some space in the boxes so they don’t burst open in transit.
Finally, keep a separate bag for items you’ll need while moving, like extra cash, a first aid kit, and snacks for a quick energy boost.
5. Sort Out Your Finances
Moving involves excessive financial planning and paperwork. You must pay all the bills, cancel all the subscriptions, and pay any balances you owe before you move.
So, how do you go about it?
- Start a spreadsheet to track your expenses.
- List all the payments you must make before moving day and assign due dates for each payment so you won’t miss any deadlines.
- Calculate the estimated cost of moving your items and budget accordingly.
- Transfer funds from one account to another.
- Consider any additional costs associated with the move, such as insurance and taxes.
You can also create an emergency fund. It will help cover unexpected expenses during the move and ensure you stay stress-free and prepared no matter what happens.
6. Schedule a Cleaning Time
Once all of your stuff is packed and ready to go, it’s time to clean your old place. While it may be tempting to skip this step, cleaning the living space is essential to get your full security deposit back if you’re renting or attract potential buyers if you’re selling.
So, deep clean the entire house and look at every nook and corner for dust or dirt. Make sure to wipe down all the surfaces, including windows, floors, counters, etc., to leave behind a sparkling clean home.
Focus on areas like the kitchen and bathroom, which are the most prone to dirt and germs, and a top inspected area by landlords and buyers. Use natural and eco-friendly cleaning solutions to remove dirt, grime, and odors.
While cleaning, if you find some repair work, fix it before you leave. It’s a great idea to take pictures of the place once it’s cleaned and furnished so you can use them as a reference when making the final inspection with your landlord.
Conclusion Moving:
Moving ignites all sorts of feelings, emotions, and anxieties. But if you plan it well and have an effective strategy, the entire process flows much smoothly and before you know it, you’ll be in your new place, getting settled in and ready to start the next chapter of your life.
So, find a reliable moving company to help you out with the move. Declutter all your items before packing, and find a way to recycle, donate, or sell the things you don’t need. Follow the proper steps for packing and labeling your boxes, sorting out your finances, and cleaning your home before you call it a day. These small steps will go a long way in making the relocation process stress-free and more organized.