Local Moving 101: Part 2

At some point or another in our lives, we all move. It’s part of life. But did you know that moving ranks as one of the most stressful life events? People may assume this is true of long-distance moves, but it’s equally true with local moves. The reason is simple: moving requires a lot of planning and preparation. The better you prepare for moving day, the more successful your move will be.

In Local Moving 101: Part 1, we explored the potential dangers, costs and aggravation that can come with a DIY move. We also looked at the importance of hiring reputable New Jersey movers and how to determine which professional movers deserve to win your business. Finally, we looked at how critical it is to secure your preferred mover on your moving date of choice as soon as possible.

In short, the first, most critical step you can take to ensure a smooth, successful move is hiring a professional reputable local moving company.

But that is just one of many of the action steps you need to take to guarantee a successful move.

Here are some other practical local moving tips that will help ensure moving day is as stress-free as possible…

Make Packing For Your Local Move A Priority.

It takes a lifetime to accumulate your furniture and belongings so it’s not surprising that packing is so time-consuming. When packing is left until the last minute, items are often poorly wrapped and packed in an unsafe, disorganized fashion. This increases the likelihood that items will be damaged or lost in the moving process, not to mention the headache of organizing a houseful of goods when you arrive at your new home. Make packing for your local move a top priority on your moving to-do list. Many movers recommend that you begin packing at least a month in advance of your moving date. If you don’t have time to pack or unpack your belongings, consider hiring a mover to do so for you. If this isn’t an option for you, research some packing tips that the moving pros use!

Pack a Bag of Essentials

Before moving day, pack a bag of essentials you’ll need when you arrive at your new home. This bag may include snacks, coffee or a tea, your favorite mug, toilet paper, paper toil, a change of clothing, a box cutter, hand soap, and other essentials you’ll need easy access to immediately upon arrival. That way, instead of worrying about opening boxes after an exhausting move to get the important items you need, you’ll be able to unwind and unpack at your own pace.

Pack a Little Every Day.

Packing can be a gargantuan task if you try to tackle it last minute. When you pack a little bit every day, you make packing a more manageable monster to slay. Even if you’re tired, you can sort through just one drawer or decide which books you’re taking with you. Psychologists have proven that the dread procrastinators experience before tackling a chore disappears once they start. They suggest setting a timer for 25 minutes. Besides the feeling of accomplishment that you’ll experience upon completion, you can reward yourself with anything from chocolate to an hour of Netflix.

Sell or Give Away What You Can’t Bring Along.

Moving is a great opportunity to take stock of your furniture and other belongings and decide what you do and don’t want to take with you. The earlier you do this, the better, especially if you want to sell pieces of furniture at a reasonable price. Leaving this until the last minute could result in you taking unwanted furniture with you that you couldn’t sell in time or having to give it away for free. Furniture can be sold at a traditional garage sale or on an online platform like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

You might also consider donating unwanted furniture, appliances, clothing or other items. Ask your moving company which local charities will pick up your gently used, unwanted items at no cost. Again, it’s key not to wait until the last minute to organize pick up. Be sure to call at least a week or two in advance. Even if you plan on giving unwanted items to friends or family members, remember that these arrangements take time.

Be Conscious of Space.

If you’re moving from a home or townhouse to a city-sized condo or apartment (or even a smaller home), you may not be able to take all your furniture and possessions with you. Try to look at the positive – it’s an opportunity to let go of things you no longer use, want or need and maybe even purchase some contemporary appropriately sized pieces for your new urban home. Ensure that you have the accurate room dimensions of your new place so you can measure your furniture and see what will realistically fit. Start the packing process as soon as possible so you have plenty of time to sort through your belongings and decide what you want to keep, give away, sell or put into storage.

Know Your Storage Options.

If you want to store furniture that you don’t have room for in your new home, research local storage options. To ensure your belongings are stored securely in clean, cool condition, look for storage facilities with excellent customer reviews. All Jersey Moving and Storage offers reliable, convenient residential and commercial short-term and long-term containerized storage, document storage and logistical storage. Investigate the difference between self-storage and containerized storage to see what option is right for you. All Jersey Moving and Storage's storage facility is containerized, which means that your items are blanket-wrapped, sealed and secured in large wooden containers to keep them safe.

Arrange for Child and Pet Care on Moving Day.

Moving day is stressful enough without having to worry about the safety and sanity of your children and pets. Ensuring that your children and pets are well-cared for on moving day will help give you some badly needed peace of mind, and allow you to focus on the other responsibilities on your plate.

For your children…If your children are older, arrange for out-of-the-house playdates on moving day or send them for pizza and a movie for the afternoon. If your children are younger, consider hiring a babysitter to be responsible for watching them, feeding them and keeping them entertained while you are busy directing your movers. Be sure to set aside a bag while you’re packing filled with everything your children will need to be occupied on moving day, from their favorite games and books to a nice supply of snacks and drinks.

For your pets…Consider boarding your pets or hiring a pet sitter and/or dogwalker. If boarding your pet for the day or leaving them with a trusted friend isn’t an option, consider closing your pet into a secure, well-ventilated room so they are safely out of the way of your professional movers. Set yourself a timer with reminders to let them out or walk them, and leave bowls with fresh water, food and their favorite toys.

Remember to Change Your Mailing Address.

Make sure to let everyone know that you've moved at least two weeks prior to your move. This includes your cable and utilities companies as well as your bank, credit card companies, doctor, insurance agent, dentist, PayPal, Amazon, magazine subscriptions and any other institution that needs to know where to find you.

Stop Grocery Shopping!

Just because you’re moving locally in New Jersey doesn’t mean that you want to worry about transporting food items from your own home to your new home – especially perishable items! Try your best to stop grocery shopping about two weeks prior to moving day. You don't want to purchase items like frozen goods and produce that won't be able to accompany you when you move. Instead, try to finish as much food as you can. The more you eat, the less you have to toss out or pack to transport on moving day. If you don't want to bother packing up dried goods, donate them to a local food bank. Just ask your local NJ moving company for a suggestion.

Disconnect Appliances in Advance.

Defrost your fridge and freezer. Clean the interiors of all appliances and leave them open to dry. Hire a professional to disconnect and reconnect all gas-powered appliances. Remove the glass turntable of your microwave and pack it separately.

Get Familiar with Your New Neighborhood.

If you’re moving to a new neighborhood in New Jersey, spend some time before your move getting familiar with it. A great way to do this is to spend the day walking around the neighborhood by foot. Where is the closest grocery store, pharmacy and post office to your new home? Where is the closest subway station? What’s the most popular yoga class or coffee shop? Get comfortable using public transportation, especially the routes that you will have to take to get to school or work. The more you know your surroundings, the more comfortable you will be on and immediately after moving day.

Make Your New House (or Apartment) Feel Like Home.

Even if you’re moving a few blocks over or to a nearby town, saying goodbye to an old home and neighborhood can be tough. Afterall, you’ve likely spent years building memories in your old home. One of the best ways to ensure a smooth transition is to start building positive associations with your new home and neighborhood. There are a few ways you can do this. First, once you’ve settled in, make an effort introduce yourself to your new neighbors. The more familiar faces you have around town, the more you’ll feel at home. Second, host a housewarming party and invite your closest friends and family to attend. This way, you can start building new memories in your new home, filling it with smiles and laughter. Third, if your home isn’t feeling quite like your own yet, put up pictures of loved ones and your travels to make it feel more at home.

All Jersey Moving & Storage: New Jersey’s Most Trusted Local Movers

Our local and residential movers have experience moving furniture, boxes, antiques, pianos and more. We use top-of-the-line equipment to ensure that your valuables and your home are protected from the moment we arrive at your old house or apartment until your items are safely unloaded at your destination. All Jersey Moving and Storage has extensive experience with helping families, couples and individuals move to new homes, apartments and townhouses in the New Jersey area and beyond. Familiar with the unique rules and requirements of many residential high-rise buildings in the area, we're able to ensure that your move runs smoothly and on schedule.

Are you moving locally in New Jersey?
Contact a member of the All Jersey Moving & Storage team today for a complimentary quote.