How to Move Across Country Stress-Free

If you’re moving across country to your new home, here are a few tips to minimize the stress.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. If possible, hire a reputable moving company. Do your due diligence, get names and agreements in writing and recognize that most companies give you a 3-day window to pick up and 4 to 6 weeks to deliver.
2. When packing your items, pack them as if you expect a pack of gorillas will do the loading and unloading. While most reputable shipping companies do a remarkable job ensuring your items are handled with care, these companies are carrying your belongings and those of about 10 other households. They will be moved several times during the journey.
3. If you don’t need it, then sell or donate it. If it costs less to buy it than to ship it, then sell it or donate it.
4. If you decide to pack yourself and rent a truck, compare this to the cost to hire movers. It may be close in price.
5. For your most prized possessions, pack them and mail them to yourself with insurance.
6. If you drive across country, rise early and get to bed early. Most freeway hotels fill up quickly. Not only is driving at night not as safe, you may have trouble finding a vacancy.
7. If you are driving your personal vehicle across country, pack and transport only what you intend to take out each night. Leaving items in your car is an invitation to thieves who frequent freeway hotels.