Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/happy-couple-with-laptop-sitting-on-couch-in-new-house-4245992/

Whether you are seeking better career opportunities or a lifestyle change, a cross-country move is an exciting affair. That said, the stress and organization of such a big move can take away from the positives. Here are four tips that can help to simplify your cross-country move and perhaps even allow you to enjoy the experience.

Make a Timeline Checklist

A moving checklist is a must for a move of any size. A moving checklist consists of all the tasks that you have to perform in order to have a smooth relocation. This can include something trivial such as changing a membership address online to an important affair such as transferring your Internet service. Having a moving checklist allows you to keep track of all your essential to-do items. This will become increasingly handy closer to the move as you become busier and more stressed.

However, a simple checklist is not enough. You should timeline your action items. The best time to start making your checklist is at least two months before the move when your mind is still calm and clear. Adding a timeline to your checklist enables you to prioritize your tasks and ensure that they are completed early enough so as not to affect your move. For instance, you should set up mail forwarding at least two weeks before the move and you may need to take your pets for the necessary vaccinations six weeks in advance. Also, make a moving day checklist to help you cope with the overwhelming events of the day.

Lighten Your Load

The best way to make your moving experience easier is to have less stuff to transport. Aside from having less to carry, cleaning out your belongings can also allow you to save on moving costs. Ideally, you should start sorting out your possessions two to three months before the move. Tackle your house room by room. For each room, sort your items out into three boxes: Keep, Consider, and Throw. Only items that you use often and absolutely want or need should go into your Keep box. If there are some items you are on the fence about, they go into the Consider box. The Throw box can be further sorted into Recycle, Donate, or Discard.

Decluttering your entire house can seem daunting, especially as we tend to hoard more items than we realize. However, getting to it early will make the task more manageable. If there are several members in your household, it can be useful to set a day a week where everyone tackles a room or a part of a room. Should there be memorable or heirloom items that you want to keep but do not necessarily need in your new home, consider placing them in storage for now and deal with them after the move.

Seek Specialized Services

You should start researching specialized moving services that suit your needs two months before your move. For example, families who are moving with the elderly may need special medical equipment or transport options that are designed for people with low mobility. Similarly, people with pets should contact movers who have experience in transporting animals across long distances. These moving services can also provide useful advice, such as how to crate train your pet for a less stressful travel experience.

If you have large items of furniture, furniture shipping will take a massive burden off your shoulders. Furniture are complicated items to transport on your own as they often come in odd shapes and sizes. Hiring a dedicated furniture shipping service to take care of moving your furniture will free you up to focus on more important things. Most furniture shippers offer a range of services that include packing, custom crating, and insurance so you can rest assured that your furniture is in good hands.

Pack to Unpack

A key tip when you are packing your possessions is to pack with your unpacking efficiency in mind. What this means is that the goal is not to stuff things in boxes as quickly as possible, but to be able to unpack them into the correct rooms and in the right order easily. Achieve this by segregating your items by room, then further breaking down these items into groups that you will pack together.

For instance, your current home may have a laundry and linen room but your new home may have a laundry room and a separate linen cupboard. In this case, use one box for laundry supplies and one box for your linen so you can get sorted swiftly. If space allows, separate items according to size so you can unpack and situate the larger items first. Assign a color to each room in your new home and color code your boxes accordingly. This way, you know at a glance where each box needs to go.

Moving cross country is a huge undertaking. The earlier you start your planning and preparation, the more organized you will be. Use a timeline checklist to stay on top of your tasks and declutter to decrease your load. Keep your new home in mind when packing and use a specialized moving service for a hassle-free experience.