Looking for a New Start: When to Prepare for a Move

How you prepare for a move, and how quickly you get going on your plan, is going to depend on how long you have before the big day. Some people know that they’ll need a new apartment in 6 months, while others are working on a long-distance move and have a lot more to think about in the process. Regardless of how long you have or how far you’re going, every move is going to need preparation. So, even though the dates can vary, it is important to review a few factors before jumping into preparing your unique moving schedule.
 
As a general rule, you should begin to prepare for a move, especially a long distance move, as soon as it has been made official. There are a few factors that will affect the timing of your move, amd with planning, timing is key. Consider the distance that you are moving. If you are moving across the city, you can take more time to plan; for a long distance move, you may need half a year or more. Also consider your belongings - do you have large items, fragile items, antiques, art, and the like? These may need an expert mover’s touch to move safely. And, if you are moving during peak season, spring through early fall, you’ll need to make plans right away, especially if you intend to hire a mover.
 
For long distance moves, you will see a few unique challenges in comparison to a cross-city move. You will need to search for apartments or homes in the new area, perhaps take a trip to explore the new area, and do your research to make sure you are familiar with the new area. You may also begin to job search, unless you are moving for a job. Because it can take a while to land the right job, starting at least 6 months before your move is necessary. And lastly, you may need to hire help with a long distance move, because moving across the country is obviously a big task to undertake. 
 
A few months before your move, regardless of distance, you’ll have a laundry list of cleaning and decluttering projects to get home. Two to three months before you move, deep clean your home or apartment. Downsize your items, too, by decluttering along the way. Sort items into piles of keep, toss, and donate, and you can easily dispose of them later as necessary. Begin to look into moving companies, if you choose to use one. Gather boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other supplies around this time you can begin packing 4 to 6 weeks beforehand.
 
Whether you’ve found yourself renting one of the beautiful apartments near Berkeley or have to move to be closer to family, there is a lot of planning to do. Get started as soon as you can to avoid unnecessary moving stress.