Relocating across the country can be both exciting and stressful at the same time. However, the good news is that with some careful planning you can make your move very smooth. 

You just have to make sure that you stay very organized in order to achieve this goal. Take a look at these strategies as they will help you to organize and simplify the entire process. 

Plan and Budget Early

You can start by crafting a comprehensive timeline of the tasks you wish to complete before your move. Ideally, you should begin planning 8 to 12 weeks in advance.

This needs to  include tasks such as researching movers, and decluttering your home. 

You should notify important parties of changes to your address. Be sure to schedule utility shut off and connections. You should consider breaking down tasks by week as it will help you manage your workload and prevent any last-minute panics from happening. 

Moving across the country can be expensive. You need to make sure that you set a budget and stick to it. 

Declutter and Downsize

A cross country movie is an excellent time to declutter your home. Go through your belongings and divide them into categories such as sell, trash, donate and keep. You should be honest about the items you haven’t used in a year or more because it is probably time to get rid of them. 

You can also host a yard sale or sell items online as it can help to offset your moving expenses. Remember that moving costs are often based on weight and distance, so reducing your load is going to save you a lot of money. 

Measure your new space to decide what furniture and large items are worth transporting. Sometimes it’s better to sell some of your items and buy new ones in the location where you are going.

Organizing Your Packing 

You should gather essential supplies like boxes, bubble wrap and packing tape as well as markers. Quality materials are going to protect your items. 

You should start by packing non-essential and seasonal items first. Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. It will make things easier when you arrive at your new home. 

Using color coded or numbering systems can make unpacking a lot easier as well. Make sure you wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or paper and use soft household towels as wrappers so that you can get some extra padding. Clearly mark all your fragile boxes. 

Make sure you pack essentials such as medications, clothes, toiletries and important documents. Chargers and electronics should also be packed up as well. Keep this box with you rather than putting it in the moving truck.

Address Logistical Details

Contact the post office, credit card companies and your insurance providers. This will prevent you from having service  interruptions and losing your mail. 

Also, make sure you are scheduling your utility disconnection. Set up your new place with internet, water and electricity before arrival. 

Make sure you coordinate your move in this way to ensure a smooth transition. 

Prepare for Moving Day

Confirm all arrangements a few days before you move. You should check on the moving company’s arrival time. This is extremely important. Even if you had previously arranged at time, double check and make sure that everything is going according to plan. You never know what can come up.

Make sure you bring snacks, entertainment and water so you can have a very comfortable trip. Plan rest stops so you can stay refreshed. 

Make sure that you clean your old home very thoroughly so that you meet your lease obligations if you have been renting or your sale obligations if you have sold the home. 

When you get to your new home make sure you inspect for any damage to your belongings and check that all the utilities are functioning before you start unloading everything.

Settle Into Your New Home

Make sure that you unpack essentials first and be sure to tackle one room at a time. Prioritize setting up your kitchen and your bedroom so that you can have immediate comfort. Take the time to explore your new neighborhood. Make sure you know where your medical facilities, schools and grocery stores are located.

A cross country move is going to require some careful planning and preparation but it is possible to get it right. By organizing yourself early, managing your logistics and decluttering you’re going to reduce a lot of stress and enjoy a smooth transition into your new home.