5 Tips For Your Cross-Country Move
From the East Coast to the West Coast, a cross-country move can be exciting and stressful. Here are 5 tips to make your trip more enjoyable and less complicated.
1) Clean & Purge Old Items
Before you begin packing, make sure to remove any unnecessary items from your home. This includes things like old clothes, expired food and cleaning supplies, damaged furniture, and art supplies.
If there are still items in good condition, consider donating them rather than throwing them away. Take time now before moving day arrives so that when it does come around, everything runs smoothly!
2) Do Your Research
Before you move, research the area where you’re moving to. You can use Google Maps’ satellite view to see what’s around your new home, and online resources like Yelp will give you a sense of the area.
It’s also important to research things like insurance policies so you can change them as soon as possible to the new state. Make sure to research the requirements for paperwork, vaccines, etc., for the whole family to avoid any last-minute delays or mishaps. Other research for a cross-country move should include job market research so you can avoid a career gap, if possible.
3) Take Care Of Business
The little details of a cross-country move can really pile up if you aren’t careful. Ahead of the move, it’s critical to transfer or close existing accounts (like gym memberships) and gather necessary personal records (such as medical records). As soon as you can, file for a change of address. In some cases, you may not know your new address immediately. If that happens, simply put a mail hold on your old address until you can update it to a new address.
4) Pack Strategically
When you’re packing for a move, it can be tempting to just throw everything in the car and hope for the best. However, this is not a good idea! It’s important to strategize your packing so that you get all your belongings safely from point A to point B.
Consider what items are necessary daily. For example: Do you use any kitchen appliances or cookware? If so, pack them up. Do you take daily medication? Make sure to have that on hand. Have enough clothes for yourself and the rest of your family members. The same goes with toiletries like shampoo, and soap—make sure there’s enough for everyone!
When it comes to packing up the moving truck, pack according to size and don’t leave any large gaps to maximize space.
5) Make Travel Plans Ahead of Time
Choosing the route to your new destination is a key part of a cross-country move. Research the route and don’t forget to include any stops, hotels, etc. You shouldn’t spend more than 8.5 hours driving per day. When planning the route ahead of time, ensure that hotel reservations are made in advance to avoid any unnecessary chaos of trying to find overnight accommodations. Don’t forget to check the hotel pet policy when bringing along beloved pets.
Trust The Expert Cross Country Movers
A cross-country move can be a time of great excitement for everyone. Trust the expert cross-country movers at Allegiance Van Lines, LLC. We offer move planning, packing, and storing, wrapping, and, of course, transportation services. Unlike other services that depend on contractors, we are a family-owned and operated cross-country moving service with over 10 years of experience.
We pledge to move America safely, one family at a time. Get started with your cross-country move today by calling 561-210-5120.