Census data tells us that around 28 million people in the U.S. moved in 2021. It’s a decline from 2020, with experts blaming the pandemic for this decrease in migration. However, with the pandemic situation cooling down, people are likely to start moving again. With that, they will also have to deal with the woes of moving to a new house.
Moving to a new house is a stressful task. You need to be organized and have the right tools and services to make sure you get everything done. If you are moving into your first home, many things need to be taken care of before you even start packing.
Here are a few tips for making sure your move goes smoothly:
Purge Your Belongings
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of moving, but you can’t afford to forget about your stuff. By purging your belongings and only taking what you need, you’ll save money on moving costs and not stress out about finding space for everything when you get to your new home.
To begin the process, start by getting rid of things that don’t fit with the new style of your house or apartment. You can also donate items to charity if they’re still usable but no longer have a place in your life.
If there’s anything left over after all that, consider donating them to friends or family instead of throwing them away; most people love free furniture. If none of those options appeals to you, take them down to a thrift store so someone else can enjoy them.
If you think you have a problem with hoarding stuff, you might want to consider looking into the symptoms of hoarding disorder. A study published in BMC Psychiatry suggests that hoarding symptoms are often related to higher rates of disability. Thus, it is something you might want to concern yourself with if you think you are always hoarding stuff.
Get Rid of Worn-Out Stuff
When moving to a new house, it’s easy to get carried away and pack every single thing you own. However, you don’t need all of those things. If you’re still not sure how much stuff you really have, take photos of each room in your current house and count the items in each photo. You’ll likely be surprised by how many things are just sitting around unused or forgotten about.
While it can be tempting to bring everything with you, remember that taking too much stuff will only make life harder when you move. Instead of bringing old clothes and other worn-out items along with new furniture, consider donating them or selling them at consignment stores instead, as discussed earlier.
Hire a Moving Company
There are lots of reasons to hire a moving company.
First, they have the right equipment and personnel to do the job quickly and efficiently. Second, they will have experience with all types of moves. Therefore, they know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to packing up your belongings and transporting them safely from point A to point B. Lastly, most reputable movers will offer insurance protection in case something happens along the way.
According to a report titled “Moving Services Market in the US by Type and End-user – Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026,” the U.S. moving services market is set to grow by $1.95 billion in the next five years. That means more businesses will soon enter this market to make the most of this opportunity. You can rest assured that if you search hard enough, you’ll surely find a moving company that suits your needs.
Make New Purchases After the Move
Don’t buy anything new until you’ve moved into your new home. You may want to invest in some new furniture and kitchen appliances, but wait until after you’ve settled into your house first. You’re going to be stressed enough during this process. Thus, don’t make it worse by adding more stressors.
If there are things that you absolutely need, such as a couch or bed frame and mattress, go ahead and order them online before the move date arrives. You should also consider buying from a local store or outlet. That’s because it’s much easier to order and receive your product that way. You can also return it or exchange it if you find any faults.
Let’s say you’re in Spring, Texas, and you need a mattress. It’s a part of Texas where you can easily receive delivery from any corner of the country and even the world. However, given that you’ve just moved there, it’d be ideal for you to shop local if you want to buy a mattress in Spring, Texas. There are many renowned stores there that sell mattresses. You’ll even find stores that sell mattresses from popular brands.
You’ve already waited to buy this since before you moved. Now, waiting for delivery from far away places can take up to weeks. Instead, shopping locally from Spring, Texas, or wherever you have moved can help you avoid delays and also fill you with instant gratification. Besides, shopping locally means you can also exchange the product the same day if it doesn’t fit your needs.
Maintain Cleanliness from the Start
Remember to keep the house clean and tidy from the start. This is a very important habit to have because it will make you feel good about yourself and your new home.
You should also keep your kitchen clean and tidy, as well as your bathroom, bedroom, living room, and garage. You can do this by cleaning them daily or at least once a week.
When moving to a new house, you must remember these tips to make the move less stressful. Following these tips will also help you settle down easily after you move to the new house.
