There are a whole heap of studies that place moving house among the most stressful events in life. One recent survey even places it above divorce and a new job on the stress meter. Misplaced possessions, wrong fitting furniture, delays setting up your utilities, contracts and what not; it’s not always easy!
But don’t get discouraged, Certainly don’t let this put you off moving house. Because what some of these studies fail to mention is that moving house can potentially be one of the most rewarding experiences as well, especially with these top tips.
Pre-Move: Be Prepared
A lot rests on your mental preparation. Whether you’re on your own or part of a family, getting yourself in the right mindset is crucial to relocation success. The better prepared you are, the more secure you’ll feel about your impending move.
For starters, transit insurance can help achieve a sound piece of mind. Knowing you’re covered – on the off chance your valuables get smashed or mysteriously vanish – can do wonders to your wellbeing.
Arrange a switch of all your home services, including electricity, gas, internet, phone, TV and water. Certain companies like connectnow can move them all at once. The joint switching of said services is a huge benefit that can save you time and money and help take a massive weight off your shoulders.
Doing research on your new area is beneficial and should leave you excited about the change. In this case, knowledge is pwer, even down to the nitty gritty of which day your rubbish gets collected or where the nearest supermarket is…you know, all that little stuff that will make your life just a little easier.
Research your property and double-check access points. For example, checking your parking restrictions could prevent your van from being towed on the day. Likewise, studying the floor plan can determine if your bulky furniture will fit through the door.
Take photos of your electronics, such as the back of your TV or computer. This will make life easier when you go to plug those fiddly little cables back in. Take pics of your energy meters too, as a measure against overcharging by your energy company.
Finally, create a moving day survival kit – whether it’s a specially marked moving box or a standalone kit, I recommend putting a few of these essentials together and keeping them close by:
- toilet paper
- kettle
- coffee and tea
- garbage bags
- basic tools
- cutlery / mugs / plates
- first aid kit
- spare clothes
- a light lunch / snacks
- sheets and pillows for your bed
- toiletries etc
On the day: Keep Calm
The first tip for moving day is to get help with packing/unpacking. A friend in need is a friend indeed. And a friend who helps another friend move house is an exceptional one. Keep them close and buy them gifts to butter them up.
Hire cleaners to save you the hassle. This applies to both your old and new properties. After packing up, you probably won’t want to clean to the high standard your realtor wants. And then there’s the messy process of moving in, which will likely resemble a bombsite. Save yourself the effort and let professionals do the job right. The best part is that you wouldn’t even have to spend too much money. After all, whether you are hiring end of lease cleaners in Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane, the company you choose will charge you based on a reasonable and similar pricing standard.
Try to stagger timing of deliveries. If you’ve taken our advice with some of the other tips, you’ll likely have a few services scheduled for moving day. But having them all turn up at once (or not at all) will quickly make the day much more stressful.
Get your bed made as soon as it’s set up. You know by the time the day is over you are going to be exhausted. I like to make sure I make my bed right away. Hopping into a freshly made bed when you are exhausted from the days happenings will ensure you get a good nights rest, and give you something familiar in your new surroundings.
Post move: Carry On
Once you’ve settled into your new property, it’s a good idea to branch out a bit. Get involved with community groups, local sporting clubs, the neighbourhood gyms etc. Introduce yourself to your neighbours, stroll through surrounding streets and familiarise yourself with what’s around.
Try and find a support group…whether it’s your neighbours or workmates, to make the alien surroundings feel more natural.
Investigate local transport options. No matter if you’re driving, riding or walking, try alternative routes. You might discover some hidden gems on your journey.
Inside your actual house, take the time to work out the finer details, such as where that ches of drawers should go or which direction the TV should face.
