Everything You Need to Know about Moving into an Adult Community: Part 2

First things first, congratulations on your big decision to move to an adult community! Hopefully, you’ve had an opportunity to review the benefits and challenges of such a move that we outlined in “Everything You Need to Know About Moving into an Adult Community: Part 1” and you’re ready to take the leap. While moving to an adult community is a big step that comes with different obstacles, there several practical action steps you can take to make the move as smooth, stress-free and successful as possible.

One of New Jersey’s top moving and storage companies, All Jersey Moving and Storage has experience helping many mature adults move from their familiar home to an adult community. Our knowledgeable, experienced moving team shared some strategies and insider tips that will help ensure this big move is seamless so you can start enjoying this exciting new chapter of your life!

BEFORE THE MOVE

Hire a Professional Moving Company.

Moving into an adult community is a big, sometimes overwhelming change and you deserve for the transition to be as easy and stress-free as possible. The best way to ensure a successful move is to hire a reputable, professional moving company. Moving can be physically and emotionally taxing. Professional movers have the skills and expertise necessary to give you peace of mind and ensure your move doesn’t take a strenuous physical toll on you either!

When you’re moving, the last thing you want to worry about is your possessions being lost or damaged during the moving process. Hiring reliable, experienced and insured movers is a worthwhile investment because they will ensure that your belongings arrive at your new home unscathed. They also know how to protect your stairwells, walls, floors and entryways from damage during the moving process.

All Jersey Moving and Storage has helped many mature adults move into new adult communities, and we take every measure to ensure that your belongings arrive in the same condition they were in when they left your old home.

Secure Your Preferred Moving Dates in Advance.

It’s always a good idea to book your first-choice moving company well in advance, especially if you have a particular moving date in mind. A few months before your move is an ideal time to book, as it increases the likelihood that your mover can guarantee availability on your desired moving date. Once your moving date is in place, you can begin mapping out a manageable packing schedule with a reasonable timeline that will keep you on track.

At All Jersey Moving & Storage, we recommend that you book your movers about 6 to 9 weeks in advance of your move to ensure that your preferred date is available. We find that the beginning and the end of the month, as well as Saturdays, are the most popular and therefore the busiest moving times. However, our clients appreciate that we always try to accommodate last-minute and weekend moving requests whenever possible.

Start Packing ASAP.

Without question, the most challenging, daunting aspect of moving is preparing for the move itself. Packing up a lifetime of belongings and moving to a new community can be emotionally stressful, almost more so than it is physically draining. Starting to pack your belongings at least a month in advance helps minimize the stress of last-minute packing. Last-minute packing isn’t only exhausting - it also results in chaotic, disorganized packing, which makes the unpacking process far more difficult as well. Getting an early start will ensure you have time to sort methodically through your belongings and carefully pack the items you intend to keep so you are ready for your movers on moving day.

Start by packing the items you don’t use frequently such as decorations, old clothing, antiques, fine china, and items in storage. At All Jersey Moving & Storage, we provide clients with moving and packing tips that our team of experienced movers has put together to make the packing process easier and ensure your belongings are protected for transport.

Sell or Donate Unwanted Items.

Moving to a new active adult community is a great opportunity to purge old, unwanted items that are no longer of use to you or that you simply don’t have room for in your new home. Getting rid of unwanted items also means your movers will have less to move, thereby reducing your moving costs. More importantly, it feels good to get rid of old things that are simply gathering dust!

Packing and sorting your items early will allow you the time needed to sell items of value you don’t need anymore, pass certain belongings along to friends and family, or donate old furniture and other household items to a charity.

Consider Your Storage Options.

If you have certain valuable or sentimental items that you’re not ready to let go of but don’t have room for in your new home, don’t panic. All Jersey Moving and Storage offers clients access to our short-term and long-term containerized storage facility. Our large, wooden storage containers are secure and movement into and out of our facility is closely monitored, so you can feel good knowing that your valuables, furniture, important documents and family heirlooms are stored safely inside them.

Creating a Packing System and Schedule.

To minimize the chaos of moving, it is incredibly helpful to create a sorting system during the packing process so you can clearly identify which items you want to keep, give away, sell, donate, and put into storage. Even when you get an early start, packing up all your belongings can feel overwhelming, so it’s beneficial to break the packing process down into management steps and stages. Your packing schedule should identify which rooms you’ll tackle first, second and so forth and establish a timeline that ensures you don’t exhaust or injure yourself in the process.

There is also tremendous value in creating a clear labeling system. Ensure that your boxes and containers are clearly marked, summarizing the contents inside and identifying which room they should be moved to upon arrival at your new home.

Consider Packing and Unpacking Services.

Packing and unpacking are the most time-consuming, physically taxing moving activities. If you want to make your move to a new adult community as easy and effortless as possible, consider investing in assistance with the packing and unpacking processes.

All Jersey Moving and Storage offers partial and complete unpacking services. We can even place your dishes, delicate antiques and kitchenware in their designated cupboards, drawers, and closets. This service is popular amongst busy professionals, seniors, individuals moving in a hurry and anyone who wants to enjoy a more “hands-off” move.

THE DAY OF THE MOVE

What to do Upon Arrival.

If you’ve hired a professional residential moving company like All Jersey Moving and Storage, they will ensure that your furniture and belongings are moved to the correct rooms in your new home. After ensuring everything is in its proper place and nothing was damaged in transit, it’s time to start getting settled! If you haven’t done so already, make sure your utilities are up and running before you start unpacking.

In order to make moving day as seamless as possible, prepare a box of necessities in advance that you’ll need upon arrival at your new home. This box of essentials may include box-cutters, tape, scissors, an extra change of clothing, water bottles, toilet paper, a phone charger, etc. Easy access to these items will allow you to immediately begin unpacking priority boxes so that you can ease into your new life as quickly as possible.

Unpacking.

After the movers have left, prepare everything you’ll need for your first day and night in your new home:

• Take out your linens and make the beds
• Unpack a few changes of clothing
• Put fresh towels, toilet paper and other essential toiletries in the bathroom

Tackle your unpacking in increments so that the process doesn’t take a damaging physical toll. If you arrive in the late afternoon, don’t push yourself to do more than unpack the absolute essentials. You’ll be far more productive and better able to organize your belongings after you’ve had a meal, a hot bath or shower and a good night’s rest.

To ensure a smooth unpacking process, it can be helpful to create an unpacking schedule. Your schedule should outline “priority” boxes you need to unpack first and which rooms you intend to unpack first. While you don’t want to be living out of boxes for too long, it’s okay to tackle your unpacking incrementally over the next few weeks once your essential items are unpacked.

Remember that there’s no shame in asking for help to unpack your belongings. It’s a tiring task and “many hands make light work”. If you don’t have friends or family who are able to help, or you prefer to leave the task to professionals, turn to All Jersey Moving and Storage. We offer partial and complete unpacking services to help alleviate the stress and physical toll that comes with packing and unpacking.

HOW TO GET ACCLIMATED TO YOUR NEW COMMUNITY           

Learn the Lay of the Land.

Becoming familiar with your surroundings is one of the fastest ways to feel comfortable in your new community. Invest time into learning the lay of the land. Get to know the major streets and intersections and figure out where the closest bank, grocery store, post office, and pharmacy are located. Take advantage of your GPS and map out the routes you’ll take to the locations you’ll be visiting on a regular basis.

One of the more enjoyable ways to get acclimated to your new community is to try out new restaurants, shops, and cafes in the area. Don’t be afraid to ask locals for recommendations. “Getting out there” is a great way to meet new people and will help ease the transition to your new neighborhood.

Make it Feel like Home.

Let’s face it, it’s natural to have a hard time leaving a home and community filled with memories. To help ease the transition to your new adult community, do what you can to make your new home feel as familiar and comforting as possible. One way to do this is to decorate with keepsakes from your travels and photos of friends and family.

Once you’ve settled in, consider hosting a housewarming party or meal for close family and friends so you can start building new memories. You may also want to treat yourself to a new piece of art, decor or furniture that will make you feel excited about your new living space!

Become Part of the Community.

Take advantage of all the social opportunities and amenities your new adult community has to offer. They’ll likely have:

• Volunteer opportunities and community service projects
• Classes (i.e. dancing, aerobics, art, etc.)
• Gyms, pools, and recreational areas
• Social events and communal meals

The more you get involved, the easier it will be to get to know your neighbors, build friendships and begin feeling like you are part of the community.

All Jersey Moving and Storage is one of New Jersey’s top-rated professional moving companies with experience in executing moves to adult communities. Our licensed movers will make your move as seamless and stress-free as possible. We take great care to ensure your belongings arrive safely, unscathed and on schedule so you can focus on beginning this exciting new chapter in your life.

Contact us for a complimentary moving quote today!