7Tips for Moving Cross Country
Whether a large family, a couple or a college student moving across the United States, a cross country move can be overwhelming, daunting and exciting at the same time. To ease the stress and to encourage the excitement of a move, we’ve compiled a list of seven tips to make the move across the country a little less daunting and a little easier.
Pack & Sort
It is recommended to begin sorting through your things as early as three months before a large move. This gives ample time to decide what is to be thrown away, what can be sold, what can be shipped and what is coming to the new house. Start with one room at a time and pack as you go. Do not keep unnecessary or non-sentimental items, if it can be sold or thrown away it means less cost and items to move. Once items are sorted in categories of “moving” and “not moving” be sure to label boxes clearly with information about the box contents and the room they will go in once the move is finished.
Compare& Schedule
Once the items have been sorted, it is time to compare options and schedule out the long move. Compare rates for moving with a rented truck, hiring movers and using shipping/storage containers and decide which is within your budget and the best fit for you. Remember, the sorting and packing stage should have minimized and organized all the items for the move, so you should have a good idea of what moving option will work best for you. It is also important to look into the cost of car shipping if you are using other modes of transportation for the move or have more vehicles than drivers.
Ship & Sell
Furniture is always difficult to move and it important to realize that often times the cost of moving furniture across the country is more expensive than buying new home furnishings. Determine which furniture to ship to your new home and consider selling the rest. All proceeds from selling previous furniture can benefit the purchase of new furniture once settled after the move or assist with overall moving costs.
Also consider shipping some items via FedEx, UPS or USPS to save room in trucks and heavy lifting. USPS offers Media Mail to customers who need to ship books and CDs, saving money and space for a move. Consider which items can be shipped or sorted into a truck for the cross county move.
Map It Out
Always remember to be as detailed as possible and carry the mover, tracking numbers and new home information on hand during the move. This prevents confusion and stress if a situation should arise. To also prevent stress, it is important to know where you are going and the most effective way to get there. Map out traveling routes, bathroom and food stops and be aware of how long it will take to reach your new home.
Breathe
Lastly, it is important to remember to breathe. With plenty of preparation time and organization, a cross country trip can be a breeze. By taking your time and remembering to breathe, a move can be almost calming as you unclutter your home and look forward to another chapter in life. For more tips and a full list of supplies needed for a move, check out this article from Real Simple.com.
Senior automotive logistics professional with a passion for the industry and a 10+ year history of accomplishments. Proven track record of exemplary client management working with both RMCs, Van Lines and OEMs. Keen ability to react to an ever-changing marketplace while offering superior technology solutions, programs and services. Architect of award winning auto transport portal technology offering transparency and agility to clients, agents and transferees. Successful team builder and leader easily managing budgets with effective leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving capabilities.
