I wish to thank you for the kind words and comments from recently's post. I can't start to tell you just how much it indicates to me that you take the time to read what I need to say and leave sweet comments and messages.
I forgot to point out something in that post that I believe is truly important. Usage your own judgement when it comes to making choices about where you are going to live, send your kids to school, and everything else. It looks like when you discover where you are going, people like to tell you what to do.
Do not live in that area.
That school is not as good as this one. (I never ever trust the school ranking websites either, however that is for another post.).
That commute is awful.
You understand, there is a better location to do xyz ...
They are coming from a great place, however they are not you. This is your experience. When it comes to finding a location that you want to live in and what kind of lifestyle you have than anybody else, you know more about what you are looking for. We have constantly done our own thing and made our own choices and have never ever regretted it. As convenient as it is to crowdsource, this may be among those times when you trust your own instincts more. PSA over.
Recently, I talked to you about how I feel about moving. I like it.
If I am being perfectly honest with you, the real relocation can be a discomfort in the ass.
We are 3 weeks out from moving to Cape Cod (our 9th move?) and deep in the throes of the procedure. I believed that I would share some pointers that I have picked up throughout the years of military relocations.
1. Purge, purge, and purge some more. I play a weird plot with myself every time we move. I try to ensure that we have less things than we did the previous relocation. I am particulary pleased with our last relocation-- 8,500 pounds.
For me more stuff implies more to take care of, more to unpack, and more to move again. I am fairly ruthless, if I don't use it or like it, it goes. If we have boxes with several moving sticker labels on them that have actually never ever been opened, possibilities are great we do not require it. (FYI-- A lot of Goodwills will come to your house and select up.).
2. Go through your drawers and put the little things in Ziploc bags. The movers simply can drop the bags into the box, and when you are unpacking, you can just dump it back in. Whatever is together. This is specifically practical for scrap drawers, utensils, underclothing drawers.
Speaking of utensils, make sure that you check every closet, drawer, and cabinet to make sure that whatever was packed. Our real estate agent was kind enough to go back to the house and send us the drawer that we forgot about. When you sign off, it is not the responsibility of the movers, so make sure to double check.
It can be difficult to get cable television appointments during moving season. Call your existing service providers Source and let them know your relocation out day to turn off what you already have in your present house.
If you have school age children, 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 easier to get physicals and their vaccinations prior to you leave than when you get to your new town.
While I am completing the documents, I also find a pediatrician and dental practitioner and call to make sure that they are taking new patients. I keep a little file folder with all of our crucial documents in it and bring it with me.
6. Treat your movers well. This one should go without saying, but after some conversations lately, I am a little shut off by the way some people treat the people moving their valuables. I have actually had actually best of luck with movers. I keep the refrigerator 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 move is. They probably aren't going to pack your things precisely as you would, but they are professionals. They pack and move people every day. They know what they are doing.
The night before the movers come to load, I move us out of the house and into a hotel. It is too hard to do it while there is a moving team in the house and I tend to get overwhelmed. And everything read more that does not require to get packed is already with you.
I will be sending my pet dog to doggie day care. Make sure that the hotels or visitor houses that you are remaining at take animals. Moving can be terrible for animals, so try to keep them as tension free as possible.
9. Very same with the kids. I truly highlight the "adventure" aspect of moving rather of the leaving part. I unload their rooms initially and get them settled into the house prior to 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 tvs and electronics. And it is an actually good idea to hand bring the "parts" box (the screws, bolts, and all of the little pieces to put everything back together). It is funny how lots of people have informed 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 very first night. I make certain that 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. Just kidding about the red wine. (Not truly. Have great deals of wine.).
When it comes to unpacking, simply get it done. Drawing it out makes me feel less settled, and as soon as everything is unpacked and moved in, you can begin to check out and enjoy your brand-new town.
When we get to the new house, I try to get there a day prior to the movers come. After whatever is moved in, unpacked, and put together, I treat myself to an expert cleansing. It is so great to have a tidy home after all of the insaneness of a big move.
14. Be flexible. Stuff happens. Movers are late. Homes aren't all set. Things break. Moving is going to cost more than you believe it does. It isn't completion of the world. Don't sweat the little things. It isn't worth it in the long run.
15. Have enjoyable. Every moving season I believe that my other half and I are going to get separated. (We never ever do.) Being able to laugh and have a good time with the relocation is a lot better than being worried out and unhappy. Everyone aims to me to see how I am dealing. My kids, my partner, the movers. If I am snapping at everybody and unpleasant, everyone else is going to be too. Take it in stride.