Helpful Tips When Relocating

By Joyce McIntosh


If you are moving far away from your hometown, you might be both excited and nervous about this new adventure. Unlike moving and staying in your general vicinity, relocating to a new town or city poses a whole new set of challenges beyond the typical moving tasks. Here are a few tips to make relocating a little simpler.

Finding a moving company is always a big task, and while you need to get several estimates, don't do it over the phone. Ask them to come out, look over your entire house and give you a firm, written estimate. In addition, even if you have the very best moving company in the world, move your most valuable items yourself. This includes jewelry and expensive artwork, as well as items with a high sentimental item. This insures that your items won't be stolen or broken.

Truly one of the best things about moving is that it provides you with a real opportunity to assess your belongings. You will definitely find tons of items that you no longer need and want, and you can donate these items and give them away. Not only will these mean you have less to pack, it can help to lower your moving costs. Reducing clutter also can reduce stress, so reducing your possessions will also make life a great deal easier at your new home.

One thing you might need to research is where to find a good quality self storage facility. These are very handy when moving, especially if you haven't purchased a new home and need a place to store belongings or if the new home is not yet available due to escrow or improvements you are making to the property. Some moving companies will store your items, but typically at a higher cost than you would pay to rent a storage unit.

When searching for a local self-storage facility, be sure to find one that allows you to lease by the month or even by the week if you really just need the service for a little while. Security is always an important consideration, so make sure that the facility is totally fenced and is well lit. It also needs to have security monitoring on site. For your convenience, select a storage facility that allows you to have 24/7 access to your storage unit.

Before you head into to town, do some basic research about your new home. With the internet, this task is easier than ever. You can get to know where grocery stores and drug stores are located, as well as researching the local schools and even sports organizations for your kids. You can also find a suitable church or house of worship. You also probably will need to find new doctors, dentists, veterinarians, cleaners and other service providers. Your real estate agent and new neighbors are often excellent resources.




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