Navigate Your Out-of-State Move with a Plan and a Self Storage Unit

Relocating across town is far more complicated than an out-of-state move or relocating across the country. These types of moves are stressful, tedious, and overwhelming. You have to prepare for hard work, delays, and crazy situations that pop up out of nowhere.

One of the first things you’ll need to do is lease a self storage unit at your new location. Even if you’re fairly certain that all of your belongings will work in your new space, you won’t know until they arrive.

For example, you can diligently measure a room for your sofa. You are expecting a perfect fit, only to discover that the movers can’t maneuver it around a tight corner to place it in the chosen room. Nothing works, and you don’t have another space for it. Don’t worry, self storage is your lifesaver. Here at Trusted Self Storage, we have the perfect sizes and types of units to keep that sofa safe and secure. You can focus on your new home and worry about the sofa later.

Now that you have your self storage unit in place to help you navigate the problems of moving, you can work out your schedule. Happily, we’ve done some of the work for you. The following suggestions will help you make a plan that will get you to your new home with the least possible stress.

 

Navigate Your Out-of-State Move with a Storage Unit and a Plan

Eight Weeks Before the Moving Day

Your new home is waiting for you and you’ve selected your kids’ new schools. Sorting and packing have begun, and it’s time to get serious.

Locate a moving company that is an interstate moving expert. This won’t be hard. Once you make your first online inquiry, you’ll be swamped with moving advertisements and emails. Narrow your choice to three, and then get estimates. Meeting with the moving reps will give you a good feel as to whether this company will be the best fit for your needs. You need a company that understands the regulations involved in moving from state to state. The company you choose should understand not only the monetary but the emotional value of your belongings. Check reviews, compare prices, and be sure that there is a reliable contact available to answer questions and keep you updated. When you make your decision, keep in mind that the lowest price isn’t always the best choice.

Create a budget and stick to it. This will be hard. Moving is expensive, especially a long-distance move. Many companies will “overestimate” so that you have a nice surprise when it’s time to pay the bill. But, there are no guarantees, and there are extra expenses not directly related to the moving company costs. It’s best to know how much you can spend and budget accordingly. Good luck with that. If you’re not good with this sort of budgeting, use a moving budget planner or spreadsheet to help you stay organized.

Notify your children’s current school.
Inform your children’s current school that they will be moving on. The school administrators will contact the new school for enrollment protocol and record-transfer procedures.

Make a plan for packing and storing.
Prior to packing, read Prepping for the Big Move and Self Storage Tips. You’ll find some good information that will help you get your move off to a good start and decide what you want to place in self storage. You can pack the items you want to store in separate boxes and containers and have the movers take them directly to your carefully chosen self-storage facility.

Man taking a break after packing boxes.

Four Weeks Before Moving Day

Change your mailing address.
Unless you’d rather not hear from them, give your friends and family your new address. Keep important documents coming by changing your address with the USPS. You can do this online or at the post office. Remember to inform your financial institutions and accountants. If you can’t move into your new home immediately, you can rent a PO box temporarily.

Update medical and vet records.
Advanced technology makes it easy for your new physician to access your records. If there is a problem, or your doctors use incompatible software, your new physician will guide you through the steps to complete this process. Don’t forget about Rover and FiFi. Pet laws vary from state to state so it’s a good idea to keep your pet’s registration and vaccination information with you throughout your move. In some states, you can be fined for not having this information.

Contact your new utility companies and cancel your current services.
Contact your new service providers early so that you can have your utilities activated a day or two prior before you move. You don’t want to be living by candlelight or without TV and the internet. Don’t forget to schedule the cancellation of your current services, but wait until the day after your move. You will need water and electricity. Your realtor should be able to provide you with utility phone numbers and information.

Two Weeks Before Moving Day

It’s a good idea to confirm moving services, not only to verify information but to refresh your memory.

Confirm your moving services. Call your moving company contact to confirm pick-up time, moving services, and costs. This information should be on your contract.

Moving Day

This is not an easy day, but preparation and organization will see you through.

Be ready to go. Get up as early as necessary, get dressed, and be ready to go. Have cash to tip your movers, and have those moving essentials packed.

When you’ve arrived at your new location, check that all your belongings have also arrived. The movers should review the moving inventory with you, checking for lost or damaged items. If everything is in order, both you and the moving company rep should sign the sheet and you will be given a copy. If you notice that an item is missing or damaged after the movers have left, take pictures and file a claim as soon as possible. Your original contact at the moving company can guide you through this process.

Post Moving Day

Establish legal residency and update driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations. Check with your state agencies to establish legal residency for tax and voting purposes. To apply for a new driver’s license most states have online appointment scheduling. You’ll typically need your current license, proof of residence and your social security card to get a new license. Don’t forget to register your vehicle and transfer your car insurance.

Summary
Moving is never easy and you’ll probably have the occasional minor setback, but it makes sense to have a plan. If you use these suggestions, with modifications for your personal situation, this adventure will go as smoothly as possible. Before you know it, the move will be a distant memory and you’ll be enjoying your new home.

Moving With Your Furry Family Members

Your getting ready for the big move. You’re almost finished packing and you’ve decided what to keep in your newly rented storage unit. The kids are mentally prepared and you’ve done more planning than you thought possible. You’ve read our Prepping for the Big Move and Moving Day Tips and Tricks blogs. You are ready. But hold on…you forgot about your furry friends. Read on to see how you can keep them happy during the chaos of moving.

Keep Your Pets Calm and Happy

Pets are an important part of your family, and moving can be bewildering for them. Their current home is their territory, and they’re going to need time and patience to adjust to a new environment. Dogs are social and their adjustment will be reasonably easy, but cats tend to be more sensitive to their surroundings. Whether you’re moving a cat or a dog, try to ease the transition by maintaining the schedule that they are used to.

It goes without saying that you know your pet’s unique personality traits better than anyone, but moving can be chaotic and a few tactical suggestions can be helpful. The following guidelines should help get you and your pet through this major life event. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to involve your kids in this process.

  • Prepare a pet friendly “overnight kit” with food, treats, dishes, grooming tools, toys, and kitty litter to keep your buddy content throughout the first few days of unpacking.
  • If you’re moving out of state, or even out of your area, be sure to contact your vet so that you have medical records and necessary medication. Don’t forget to get a recommendation for a new veterinary practice.
  • When moving day arrives, your pet should be away from the action. The best solution is to have your pet stay with a friend or in a kennel. If that’s not possible or you really want to keep your dog or cat with you, the next best solution is to keep them in a quiet, empty room with the door closed. Try to maintain their feeding and walking schedule and check on them at regular intervals. Giving them a sense of routine will be good for them and mean less headaches for you.
  • If you’re able to drive to your new home, take your pet in your own vehicle so that there is a feeling of familiarity. If your drive is lengthy, plan your stops to ensure pet-friendly hotels. Be extra cautious (especially if your children are helping with pets), and use a leash when getting your pet out of the car and into the hotel. Many animals have been lost in unfamiliar surroundings. If you’re traveling by air, check your airline for pet travel requirements. Always keep your pet’s vet records in your carry-on bag.
  • If possible, set up at least one room in your home before introducing your pets to their new surroundings. Confine your animals to this area while they adjust to their new environment. Be sure they have familiar toys and blankets; and, as always, maintain their regular schedule.
  • As soon as possible after the move, make sure your pet’s tags and microchip information are updated with your new address and phone number.

Dogs and Cats Acclimate Differently

Canines

The sooner your dog gets used to the smells of his new environment, the sooner he will feel comfortable. Let him tour the new home inside and outside. Use a lease on the initial introduction until you’re sure he feels completely secure. Do not leave your dog unattended outside during this adjustment period. Dogs are known to be masters of escape in an effort to return to their familiar territory.

Felines

Don’t be surprised if your cat disappears for a few days. Without familiar surroundings, cats look for dark hiding places like closets or even under a bed. Keep doors and windows closed as your cat may try an escape in the hopes of locating familiar surroundings. Your cat may refuse to eat and become “forgetful” when it comes to using the litter box. Choosing a special room as a private refuge, complete with food, water, scratching post, and litter box, can sometimes work. Eventually, your cat will be comfortable enough to explore the new home, and you can place a second litter box in what you hope to be a permanent location.

Remember that pets and people will eventually acclimate to and enjoy their new environment. Planning, patience, and routine will get everyone with two and four legs back on track in no time!

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