26 Tips to Make Your Move Stress-Free

Moving can be one of the most exciting and yet stressful experiences in life. 

From packing up your belongings and coordinating a move date to setting up utilities and unpacking your belongings, a lot goes into making a move successful. 

Fortunately, you can ensure your move is seamless with the right plan and strategy. 

Here are some tips to help you move stress-free:

Before the Move

Before you move, it is important to plan ahead and make sure everything is in order.

Create a Moving Checklist

It’s never too early to create a moving checklist. 

As moving day approaches, things will inherently become increasingly hectic. The last thing you want to do is make moving even more stressful by forgetting important tasks such as turning on utilities at your new home. 

As soon as you know the move is taking place, find a great moving checklist, even if it’s months away. During that time, you will think of things to add, and you will be well-prepared by the time it gets here. 

Pro tip: For an added layer of organization, include a realistic deadline for completing each task. This will help ensure you stay on schedule. 

Change Your Address

Changing your address ahead of time is crucial to avoid missing important pieces of mail. It is recommended to complete this task at least a couple of weeks before the move. 

There are two different places you need to change your address. The first is with Canada Post, and the second is with your banks, service providers, loan companies, etc. 

Anyone you receive important information from via mail should be notified of your address change.

Turn on Utilities

Turning on utilities such as electricity, water, and gas can take a few days or longer from the requested date. 

Give yourself plenty of time to ensure utilities are on when you arrive at your new home. 

A good rule of thumb is to turn on utilities at least a week before arrival. If there is an issue or a delay, you will have time to sort it out.

Scheduling Movers & Moving Trucks

Whether you are hiring movers and trucks or just moving trucks, it is vital to make reservations as soon as you know your moving date. Otherwise, you risk not being able to find a reputable company with availability. 

Do your research when choosing a moving company. Talk to friends and family about their recommendations. Look at online reviews and talk to a few companies before deciding. Be sure to ask for proof of licensing and insurance. Every reputable moving company should easily be able to provide both. Rates should be transparent and easy to understand. 

If you plan on hiring movers, it may be more cost-effective to hire movers and trucks separately. Depending on the area, separating these two costs can be more affordable, and you can stay in total control of the process. 

Here is a list of movers in Bonnyville and surrounding areas. 

Take Extra Time Off

It is challenging to juggle a full-time job and move simultaneously. 

You should not only take time off for the days you are moving but, if possible, a couple of extra days to give you time to settle in. Or schedule an extra day on either end of moving days so that you also have a full day to prepare. 

Being able to give 100 percent of your focus to the move will reduce stress and help your family settle in faster.

Eat Stored Food

Moving food is a hassle, especially if it needs refrigeration. 

2 to 3 weeks before your move, try to avoid going to the grocery store. Instead, eat the food stored in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. This will lighten your load and allow you to start fresh once in your new home.

Declutter

There is no reason to waste time packing and transporting belongings you don’t even want in your new home. Purge before your move. 

Visit every room before or as you are packing, and throw away or donate items you no longer use or want. It will save you time, hassle, and space in the moving truck.

Purchase Quality Moving Boxes

It may be tempting to visit your local retail stores and stock up on their leftover boxes. However, you never know what you are going to get. 

Reused boxes are often unreliable. They may have already been strained and, therefore, weak. There could be water damage, dirt, and who knows what else may be lingering on the inside and outside of retail boxes. 

Instead, opt for investing in quality moving boxes. They are inexpensive, and you can choose the sizes you need and the quantities of each. These boxes will be sturdier and easier to stack. 

Some moving companies will even buy back the boxes you don’t use at full price.

Label Label Label

Label every single box in great detail. You can even use a different coloured label for each room. 

You think you will remember what is in each box, but chances are you won’t when it comes time to unpack. Detailed labelling will save you a lot of frustration when settling into your new home.

Take Assembly Photos

You will have to disassemble your electronics and possibly even large pieces of furniture. Taking pictures of how everything goes together will make reassembly much easier at your new home.

Have Documents on Hand

Before moving day, make sure to have any essential documents you may need. This includes contracts, utility papers, birth certificates, social security cards, financial records, and medical records.

During the Move

Moving day will likely be chaotic. It’s important to be prepared. 

Here are some tips for staying organized and ensuring your move goes smoothly:

Create a Game Plan

Map out your day as best you can, with the understanding that you may have to be flexible. 

For example, decide in which order you want to move out belongings. Maybe you want to start with the kitchen, followed by the living room, and then work your way to the bathrooms. 

Having a game plan in place will help your day run smoother.

Allow For More Time Than You Think You Need

The feeling of running behind will increase anxiety and frustration. Allot for more time than you think you need for each part of moving. 

For example, if you estimate loading the moving trucks to take three hours, allow for five. 

This way, you won’t feel behind if it takes four hours, and you may even feel ahead of schedule.

Bring Patience

There are bound to be unknown hurdles that pop up on moving day. Be sure to bring an abundance of patience and be prepared to practice it.

Recruit Family and Friends

If friends and family are nearby who can help you on moving day, take them up on it. Many hands make light work, and the day is sure to go much smoother.

Eating Healthy During a Move

The hustle and bustle of moving can make it difficult to maintain healthy eating habits. However, with a few simple strategies, you can ensure that your diet stays on track. 

Eating healthy during a move is possible and can make the entire process much easier and more enjoyable. 

Here are need-to-know tips:

Create a Meal Plan in Advance

Estimate how many meals you and your family will need during the move. 

Next, decide how many of those will be on the road and how many will be at either your old home or your new one. Decide ahead of time what each meal will be. 

For example, the morning of the move can be a breakfast at your old home. For meals you know will be on the road, go ahead and choose restaurants based on your route. 

This way, you will not be stuck eating fast food because everyone is starving, and it’s the only place in sight.

Prepare Meals Ahead of Time

Prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them. This way, when you need them, all you have to do is pop them in the oven, and your family has a healthy, nutritious meal.

Incorporate Time in Your Moving Schedule to Eat

Eating on the fly results in cramming a bunch of unhealthy food and snacks into your mouth and moving on to the next task. This will make you feel sluggish and just plain terrible. 

Instead, when you are mapping out your move, include adequate time to eat proper meals sitting down together. You and your family will feel better, and the move will go much smoother.

Moving with Kids

Moving can be an extremely stressful and upsetting time for children. This is especially true if your family is moving to a new city or state and they must leave their school and friends behind. 

Following these tips will help you make their move as stress-free as possible:

Tell Them As Soon As You Know

Kids like to be included. Be sure to sit your children down and tell them about the move as soon as you know it’s a done deal. This will also give them as much time as possible to adjust to the idea. 

Include as many details as possible, including the benefits for them. 

For example, if your child likes to play basketball, tell them about your new town’s top-notch basketball program. Answer all questions, no matter how many they are.

Spend Time with Family During the Move

Depending on your child’s age, it may be best to ask a family member, such as a grandparent or an aunt or uncle, if your child can stay with them during the move. 

This is especially beneficial if your child is very young or extremely stressed about the situation.

Settle Children in First

Once you arrive at your new home, the first rooms you should unpack are your children’s rooms. This way, they feel more comfortable and have some place that feels familiar to go while you unpack the rest of the house.

Have Activities Lined Up

To make your children settle in quicker, line up fun activities ahead of time so they can see how awesome their new home and city are. 

For example, plan a visit to the local park or Zoo.

Moving with Pets

Moving to a new home is terribly stressful for most people. But you may not realize how stressful moving can be for pets. 

This is especially true for moving with cats because they are territorial and do not like change. 

Moving with pets is a little more involved if you want to make the move less scary for your pet, not to mention safe. 

Here are helpful tips for moving with pets:

Familiarizing Your Pet with a Carrier

According to the ASPCA, most pets do not spend time in a crate or carrier. This is the safest way to transport your pet, especially cats. Gradually familiarize your pet with its carrier. 

Start by offering treats and meals in the carrier with the door open. Eventually, shut it when they begin eating and open it right after. 

Once your pet is comfortable in the carrier, take them on short vehicle rides in the carrier. This way, loading up in the carrier will be something they are already comfortable with when moving day comes.

Keep One Room the Same

Understandably, pets do not like change. It can make them stressed and anxious. 

Keep one room, preferably their favourite, intact for as long as possible when packing up your home. This will give them somewhere to go and a feeling of familiarity amidst all the changes.

Introduce the New Home Slowly

When you bring your pet to your new home, avoid turning them loose and letting them roam free. They are in a new environment, which can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. 

Instead, confine them to one small area of the home with their favourite things. As they become comfortable, slowly introduce them to other areas of the house.

Have a Friend or Family Member Pet Sit

If you feel that the chaos of a move will be too much for your pet, ask a family member or friend to watch them. 

It should be someone whose house they are familiar with and comfortable in. This way, when you bring your pet home, the new house is already set up, and your pet can settle in more quickly.

Take the Stress Out of Moving

Moving is an exciting time but can also be stressful for your family, especially kids, and pets. The tips above will help you plan and make your move smooth and as stress-free as possible.

Century 21 Poirier Real Estate is the Lakeland’s most trusted real estate agency. With over 50 years of experience, our dedicated team will help you every step of the way. 

Whether you are looking to buy a new home, sell your current one or both, we will ensure the process is hassle-free. 

Contact us today, and let us help you in your next chapter of life.