How to Prepare for a Cross Country Move

Moving from one end of the nation to another can be a stressful situation. It can be especially painful if you don’t plan in advance. For many people, scheduling a move depends upon the sale of their current home. When that happens, they often have only 30 days to get everything ready and tie up the loose ends. Make the most of the time you have left by doing careful groundwork in securing a smooth move for you and your family. Terry Moving and Storage can help you with all of your moving needs.

Things You'll Need:

Moving boxes
Masking tape
Indelible markers
Checklist

Instructions:
1. Get moving estimates if you will hire a moving company. Contact the movers well in advance of your home selling. Alternately, get price quotes from do-it-yourself truck rentals. Check out our Resources section for some reputable companies.
2. Sort your household goods and possessions. Put them in one of three categories. The most important items you will need are classified as Category 1. Items that you want to keep--yet don't need immediately--go into Category 2. The last category, number 3, is for items that you no longer want. These items will go into yard sales or be used for thrift shop donations.
3. Begin your moving preparations in earnest when you sign a contract to sell your current home or when there is one month left before your move. Gather your most important financial and business records along with crucial documentation. Place these in a case where you can access them in the weeks before the move. This box will stay in the vehicle in which you are traveling.
4. Call the Chamber of Commerce in the new community where you will live. Ask for an introductory packet. In these packets, you will find coupons for local business and recreation commissions. You'll also find maps of your new location.
5. Contact your child’s school and your family physician two weeks before you move. Notify all of the upcoming relocation. You'll likely be able to pick up the records yourself, or you may request to have them sent to your new location. Depending on the policies of the school or office, this can be a fairly easy task.
6. Begin packing your possessions. Haul Category 3 items away as soon as the boxes are full. Seal each Category 2 box with tape and label the contents. Leave Category 1 boxes unsealed until the night before the move.
7. File a change of address with the post office in the week preceding your move. The post office will need your new address and the last date to deliver your mail to your current address.
8. Schedule a tune-up for your vehicles in the week prior to your move. Contact all your utility providers and notify them of your move date. Consider leaving the phone and electricity on for the entire day you move out, but make sure it is shut off directly after the moving date. You don't want to pay for things you won't need.
9. Pack the moving truck with the category 2 items first. When you get to your destination, the most important items will be the easiest to access when you've packed those category 1 items last.
10. Double-check your home before leaving for the last time. Open all the cabinets and closets to make sure you didn't forget anything.

Tips & Warnings:
-Relax. Moving long distance can be a headache, but take it step by step to avoid feeling pressured.
-Check the reputation of moving companies. Call the Better Business Bureau and research the company on the Internet before choosing one.

Use Terry Moving and Storage for your relocation needs.

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