I wish to thank you for the kind words and remarks from last week's post. I can't begin to inform you how much it means to me that you put in the time to read what I have to say and leave sweet remarks and messages.
I forgot to discuss something because post that I believe is really crucial. Use your own judgement when it comes to making choices about where you are going to live, send your kids to school, and whatever else. It appears like when you find out where you are going, individuals love to inform you what to do.
Don't reside in that community.
That school is not as good as this one. (I never ever trust the school score websites either, however that is for another post.).
That commute is terrible.
You understand, there is a better location to do xyz ...
They are coming from a good place, but they are not you. This is your experience. When it comes to finding a place that you want to live in and what kind of way of life you have than anyone else, you understand more about what you are looking for. We have constantly done our own thing and made our own options and have never ever regretted it. As convenient as it is to crowdsource, this might be among those times when you trust your own instincts more. PSA over.
Recently, I spoke with you about how I feel about moving. I like it.
If I am being perfectly truthful with you, the real relocation can be a discomfort in the ass.
We are 3 weeks out from transferring to Cape Cod (our 9th relocation?) and deep in the throes of the procedure. I thought that I would share some suggestions that I have gotten over the years of military moves.
1. Purge, purge, and purge some more. I play an odd plot with myself whenever we move. I try to make sure that we have less stuff than we did the previous move. I am particulary happy with our last move-- 8,500 pounds.
For me more stuff means more to take care of, more to unpack, and more to move again. I am fairly ruthless, if I do not utilize it or enjoy it, it goes. If we have boxes with numerous moving sticker labels on them that have actually never ever been opened, chances are good we don't need it. (FYI-- A lot of Goodwills will concern your home and pick up.).
2. Go through your drawers and put the little things in Ziploc bags. The movers just can drop the bags into package, and when you are unpacking, you can simply dispose it back in. Everything is together. This is especially helpful for scrap drawers, utensils, underclothing drawers.
Speaking of utensils, make sure that you examine every cabinet, closet, and drawer to make sure that everything was loaded. Our realtor was kind enough to go back to the home and send us the drawer that we forgot about. Once you sign off, it is not the duty of the movers, so make sure to double check.
It can be tough to get cable visits throughout moving season. Call your existing service providers and let them understand your move out day to turn off what you currently have in your current home.
5. If you have school age kids, make sure that you understand what you require to register them at their brand-new school (and sports if they are playing in the fall). It is simpler to get physicals and their vaccinations prior to you leave than when you get to your new town. A lot of school districts have whatever you need online or will send you the paperwork. This has constantly made the shift a lot easier for me.
While I am filling out the documents, I likewise find a pediatrician and dental expert and call to make certain that they are taking new patients. I keep a small file folder with all of our essential documents in it and bring it with me.
6. Treat your movers well. This one need to go without stating, however after some discussions recently, I am a little turned off by the way some people treat the people moving their belongings. I have had really best of luck with movers. I keep the fridge stocked with drinks, have breakfast and lunch for them each day, and trust them to do their job. The nicer I am to my movers, the faster and easier the relocation is. They probably aren't going to pack your things precisely as you would, but they are specialists. They load and move individuals every day. They understand what they are doing.
The night before the movers come to load, I move us out of the house and into a hotel. It more info is too hard to do it while there is a moving crew in the home and I tend to get overwhelmed. And everything that doesn't require to get packed is currently with you.
I will be sending my dog to dog day care. Make sure that the hotels or guest houses that you are remaining at take animals. Moving can be traumatic for animals, so attempt to keep them as stress totally free as possible.
9. Same with the kids. I actually play up the "experience" aspect of moving rather of the leaving part. I unpack their spaces first and get them settled into the home before I deal with the other spaces. I ensure that the movers put their bikes on the truck last, so that they are the very first things off of the truck when we get to our new home. The kids can ride bikes and play while the movers are moving us in.
10. Tape the remotes and cords to the backs of the televisions and electronics. And it is an actually good concept to hand bring the "parts" box (the screws, bolts, and all of the little pieces to put everything back together). It is amusing how lots of individuals have actually told me that is the one box that has actually gotten lost.
11. Pack a box of things that you know that you will need the opening night. I make certain that here there are clean sheets for all of the beds (I put the folded sheets into a trash bag), shower drape, some towels, and a bottle of white wine. Simply kidding about the red wine. (Not truly. Have great deals of wine.).
12. Just get it done when it comes to unpacking. We normally are "images on the walls" by day 3. Drawing it out makes me feel less settled, and as soon as whatever is unpacked and relocated, you can start to explore and enjoy your new town.
When we get to the new house, I try to get there a day before the movers come. After everything is moved in, unpacked, and put together, I treat myself to a professional cleansing. It is so great to have a tidy home after all of the insaneness of a big move.
14. Be flexible. Stuff takes place. Movers are late. Homes aren't all set. Things break. Moving is going to cost more than you believe it does. It isn't the end of the world. Don't sweat the little things. It isn't worth it in the long run.
Every moving season I think that my partner and I are going to get separated. Being able to laugh and have fun with the move is so much better than being stressed out and dissatisfied. My kids, my spouse, the movers.