Moving for the First Time: Beginner's Tips

Moving for the first time can feel overwhelming. In fact, relocating for the 10th time can feel overwhelming, too.

When planning for your first move, it's easy to feel intimidated. But moving doesn't have to be stressful. With some planning and organization, first-time movers can have a smooth experience.

These tips can help reduce moving anxiety.

Make a List of Tasks

Several months before moving day, make a list of all the tasks you need to address. Writing everything down in one place — whether on your phone, on your laptop, or even just on a sheet of paper — means you don't have to try to keep everything in your head.

Put a due date by each once you've noted all the things you need to do. Then you can prioritize the items on your moving checklist and use it to guide your planning from here on out.

Create a Moving Budget

Moving can be expensive. The average cost of moves under 100 miles ranges from $800 to $2,500. If you're watching your spending, there's not a lot of wiggle room.

Help stay on track by creating a moving budget. The budgeting principles are the same as any other budget; simply write down what you need to spend and research how much you think it'll cost. Then as you spend, note the actual costs.

Declutter and Downsize

Before relocating is a perfect time to go through your belongings and eliminate what you don't need.

After all, there's no need to expend time, energy, and money to move items you no longer use or want. A couple of months before moving day, set aside several hours to go through your belongings. Categorize everything into one of the following categories:

• Keep

• Sell

• Donate

• Recycle

• Trash

How you categorize items depends on a few factors, such as the item's condition, value, and usefulness. Many organizational experts suggest getting rid of anything you haven't used in the past year or two.

If you have a hard time deciding, ask yourself, "do I really need or want this?" If the answer is no, it's time to let it go.

Give Yourself Time

To reduce moving day stress, give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Everything moving-related, from packing to securing movers, almost always takes longer than you think, so start early.

Getting a head start on decluttering, packing the items you won't use in the meantime, dealing with utilities and deposits, and scheduling movers and other services well ahead of time will reduce your stress.

Hiring professional movers is the best way to lessen the stress and anxiety surrounding moving. A reliable moving company will do the heavy lifting for you, helping ensure that your items are safe and providing you with peace of mind. Contact us for a free quote. We can help with your move.