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A long-distance move can be more stressful than a local move since it requires significantly more planning and travel, in addition to transitioning to a completely new state, environment, and lifestyle. You may be anxious thinking about all the procedures involved in a long-distance move, and whether your belongings will reach the right destination safely. When planning a long-distance move, it’s imperative to find the right St. Louis movers for your journey and to ensure you’re put in the right planning and research for a smooth relocation. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know to move long-distance with ease, including how to pack and manage time effectively, as well as how to find the right moving company in St. Louis. Keep reading for our top tips!
- Start Early and Create a Timeline
When it comes to long-distance moving, starting the planning process as early as possible is key for a stress-free process. Experts recommend starting the planning 6-8 weeks (about 2 months) before the desired moving day. Create a detailed timeline that includes all the tasks you need to complete before moving day. This timeline should include hiring a moving company, packing your belongings, and notifying important contacts of your move.
- Research and Hire a Reputable Moving Company
Hiring a reputable moving company best suited for your move is crucial for a successful long-distance move. Start by getting multiple moving estimates from different moving companies and compare the prices and services. Look for companies like McGuire Moving & Storage with positive reviews and ratings, and ensure they are licensed and insured. Confirm the moving date and all the details of the move in writing to avoid any misunderstandings.
- Create a Moving Budget
Long-distance moves can be expensive, so it’s essential to create a moving budget to keep track of your expenses. Your budget should include costs such as moving company fees, packing supplies, travel expenses, and any temporary housing or storage costs. Setting aside some extra funds for unexpected expenses is also a good idea.
- Declutter and Organize Your Belongings
Moving is the best opportunity to declutter and get rid of items you no longer need. Go through your belongings and decide which item to keep, sell, and donate. You can earn money by selling unwanted items. It will also help make packing manageable.
- Gather Packing Supplies and Start Packing Early
Gather packing materials, including bubble wrap, packaging tape, boxes, and markers. Pack unnecessary items well in advance of the day of your move. Indicate on each box what’s inside and which room in your new house it belongs in. Unpacking will be considerably easier as a result. As you prepare to move into your new house, don’t forget to include an essentials box filled with stuff like toiletries, extra clothes, and important paperwork that you’ll need right away.
- Notify Important Contacts and Update Your Address
As you prepare for your move, make sure to notify important contacts of your change of address. This includes your employer, bank, insurance companies, utility providers, and any subscription services. You should also update your address with the post office to ensure your mail gets forwarded to your new home.
- Plan Your Travel and Accommodations
If you’re driving to your new home, plan your route and make any necessary hotel reservations along the way. If you’re flying, book your flights and arrange for transportation to and from the airport. Ensure you have a plan for transporting your pets and any large or valuable items that may require special handling.
- Prepare Your New Home
Before moving day, ensure everything is set up for your arrival. Make your utilities like electricity, water, and internet set up without any problems. Make sure everything is clean and do repairs to things if needed.
- Stay Organized and Keep Important Documents Handy
Keep all your important documents, such as moving contracts, identification, and financial records, in a secure and easily accessible place. Having these documents handy will make the moving process more efficient and help you address any issues that may arise.
- Conduct a Final Walkthrough
Before leaving your old home, conduct a final walkthrough to ensure you haven’t left anything behind. Check all rooms, closets, and storage areas. Make sure all windows and doors are locked, and that the utilities are turned off. Leave any keys and important information for the new occupants.
Potential Challenges of Long-Distance Moving
While the prospect of relocating to a new place offers numerous opportunities, the process itself can come with obstacles that you should anticipate and plan for to keep your move running smoothly. Here are some potential obstacles or moving mistakes to avoid during a long-distance move:
- Higher Costs
One of the primary concerns related to long-distance moving is the high costs. It involves more costs compared to local movers. These costs can include hiring a moving company, fuel, lodging, and meals during travel. The farther the distance, the costs may increase due to transportation costs and labor. However, coming up with a detailed budget that includes a buffer for unexpected expenses and effectively planning your move can help avoid these unplanned costs derailing your move.
- Emotional Stress
Moving long distances can be emotionally taxing. Moving to an unfamiliar place and leaving behind friends and family causes emotional strain. Always keep in contact with your support system at home to alleviate any loneliness you might feel as you settle into your new home. Additionally, get involved in clubs or activities in your new area to meet and connect with new people.
- Logistical Challenges
The logistics of a long-distance move are far more complex than those of a local move. Coordinating the packing, transportation, and delivery of your belongings over a long distance requires meticulous planning. Delays in delivery, potential damage to items, and the need for temporary storage solutions are common issues that can arise during a long-distance move. Always plan for potential hiccups or delays by creating a timeline that allows for delays or potential hiccups during your delivery just in case.
- Increased Risk of Delays
There are different conditions in the new place and factors such as weather, traffic and logistical challenges can cause delays in your plans. These delays affect when you are starting a new job or enrolling children in a school. As we specified earlier, effective planning and leaving extra time on your moving timeline can help alleviate this stress and give you plenty of time to settle in, even with potential delays.
- Coordination with Moving Companies
Coordination with the moving company for a long-distance move is challenging. Careful planning and communication are necessary from the time the movers arrive, loading your belongings with care, and reaching the destination. Miscommunication and lack of coordination can cause stress since you might already be stressed due to long-distance transportation. To avoid this, when researching your moving company, always ensure you choose a company that practices open, honest, and transparent communication.
- Unfamiliarity with New Location
Moving to a new city or state means adjusting to a different lifestyle, climate, and local culture. Finding new service providers, such as doctors, dentists, and schools, can be time-consuming and stressful. Additionally, navigating a new area without prior knowledge can lead to initial confusion and discomfort. When choosing to move to a new area, you should always conduct thorough research into healthcare systems, schools, and more to ensure your family’s lifestyle and needs are suited to the offerings and infrastructure in the area. Additionally, get familiar with the area if you can, whether in-person or virtually, to try and get more familiar with your environment.
- Potential for Increased Stress on Relationships
Long-distance moves can put a strain on personal relationships. The stress of moving, coupled with the challenges of settling into a new environment, can lead to tension and conflicts among family members. Maintaining long-distance friendships and relationships with those left behind can also be challenging and requires extra effort to stay connected. Always check in with your family and friends throughout your moving process and leave extra time to hang out with and foster these relationships. This might be a stressful time, but your family and friends will be here to support you throughout.
McGuire Moving & Storage: Reliable Movers in St. Louis
McGuire Moving & Storage is one of the best St. Louis movers in the area and is renowned for our high-quality customer service and next-level professional moving and storage services. Known for our flexibility, we offer both short and long-term storage solutions and use top-quality moving equipment handled by highly trained professionals.
McGuire Moving & Storage prides itself on meeting individual needs with dependable service at affordable rates, no matter what you’re moving, or storage needs might be.
Choose Us for the Best Long-Distance Moving Experience!
McGuire Moving & Storage stands out as the most trusted choice for long-distance moves among the St. Louis moving companies. Our professional team ensures a seamless relocation experience, whether for residential or commercial needs.
For those planning a move, McGuire offers comprehensive services tailored to meet individual requirements, backed by our commitment to customer satisfaction. Contact McGuire Moving & Storage today to schedule your move and experience our dedication firsthand.
