Ultimate Moving Hacks for a Short Distance Relocation

Moving house can be quite a stressful experience, even if it’s only a few blocks away. Although there are some major differences between local and long-distance moving,  a local move can be as challenging as a long-distance one, but there are some things you can do to simplify the process. Firstly, don’t underestimate short-distance move and organize everything in advance to avoid stress or unpleasant surprises. Give yourself enough time to sort out, pack, and organize your possessions. Reliable professionals from your local area will know the traffic patterns and other details necessary for the most efficient relocation, so you should definitely consider hiring them. But if you want to move on your own, here are some tips to help you. Carry on reading to find the ultimate moving hacks for short-distance relocation.

Make a game plan

When you’re moving long-distance, planning is extremely important and may take a lot of time. On the other hand, moving locally is usually way less difficult, but still requires planning to be successful and stress-free. Plan your move wisely and reduce moving stress. Start by writing down all the tasks and then mark the most important ones. The top priority tasks should be at the top of your list and you should also include a time schedule. Don’t forget to make a moving checklist because it will help you stay organized and on track – otherwise, you may easily forget something that’s important for a smooth process.

Sort out

Go through your things to figure what’s worth taking with you and what should stay behind. Each item should go into one of the three piles: keep, sell, or donate. Start from any room in your house and continue until you go through every single room in your household. If it’s difficult to let go of almost anything, you can invite your friend who will give you honest advice about whether it’s worth keeping something. You can also try a “12-month rule” and get rid of anything you haven’t used in a year.

Pack a personal overnight bag

Having a few essential things easily accessible will take the stress away after you arrive at your new address. Pack a bag with toiletries, a change of clothes, and anything you know you need for the first night after moving. The last thing you want to do is to rummage through boxes to find a hairbrush or toothpaste.

Measure your furniture

One great thing about moving locally is that you can visit several times before moving and get familiar with a new neighborhood. But you can also get familiar with your new home and work on your layout in advance, so check the measurements of new rooms and your bulky furniture to make sure they’ll fit. You can also move some of the things and move one room at a time instead of moving the entire household on a moving day. We suggest making your pre-move measuring checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything.

Set reminders

Make a list of any extra tasks that need to be completed before moving to your new home. These are some things you should include in the list:

• Cancel services and arrange them for a new address (utilities, internet, cable, etc.)
• Forward mail (through USPS)
• Change of address (for any documents or credit cards)
• Get a baby or pet sitter for a moving day
• Reserve a storage unit

Start packing

As mentioned earlier, you can move room by room and only have a little left to do on a moving day. If you’re moving just around the corner, you can visit frequently and move one part of your belongings any time you feel like it. Some things may help you stay on budget and move easier, like finding boxes from the nearest liquor store instead of buying new ones. Since your things will not spend a lot of time in the boxes, you can use the free ones you find. Another efficient way to move things is to use suitcases and bags instead of moving boxes, and you can also just leave your clothes on hangers and move them like that. If that doesn’t work for you, you can always pack and move everything when moving day comes.

Ask for help

When you’re moving short-distance, performing a DIY is possible in most cases, but you’ll probably need some help. Ask your close friends or family members to help you out with packing, loading, or driving. A few helping hands will make all the difference and you can say thank you by taking them out for drinks, dinner, or having dinner at your new place. Having friends during the process will make relocation less stressful and you’ll make new memories.

Hire movers or DIY

The last on the list, but not the least, is to decide whether a DIY option works for you or not. For example, you may be too busy at work to spend time packing, you may be moving in the same city but too far to visit a new place multiple times, you may not be able to find any helpers at the moment, or you may simply want to relax and let professionals handle your entire relocation. The DIY move requires some organization, such as renting a moving truck if you have plenty of things to move, packing and unpacking, carrying heavy boxes and loading them into the truck, etc. So if you prefer to hire a moving company, you’re not alone – many people decide to do the same.

Make sure to research in advance to find the best Brooklyn movers for your local move. Get online and read reviews and ask your friends or colleagues if they can recommend a trustworthy company. Your social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter can also be a great way to get recommendations – a single post may be enough. Once you narrow down the choices, always get at least three different quotes to compare prices and see what’s included in which price. All these steps are a bit time-consuming but only by following them, you’ll be positive that you found a credible and reliable moving company, such as Dorothy and Martha Moving NYC. Contact us anytime to get a free moving quote.