Packing for Your Move
Packing is both art and science–art in combining just the right items in each box to arrive damage-free, science in producing an inventory that enables you to quickly find anything you need at a moment’s notice after arriving in your new home.
Some helpful hints:
- When possible, combine items that will go together in your new home.
- Pack heavy items in smaller, heavy-duty cartons.
- Clearly mark room destination on top and at least one side of every carton.
- Tag bedroom boxes and room doors with BR-1 or BR-2 etc.
- Some items should be moved with you:
- Family records
- Passports
- Insurance, health and other related paperwork
- Photo albums
- Children’s health records
Don’t forget Pets, Plants and Perishables:
- Have pets groomed on moving day
- Make plans early for their transit to your new home.
- Four weeks prior to moving, begin the process of winding down your freezer’s content to avoid throwing out large quantities of food.
Records, Valuables, Notifying Utilities
Gather records and memorabilia and make plans to move them as carefully as possible including:
- Family medical and tax records
- Diplomas, school records
- Family genealogies, pictures
- Business, social organizations other memorabilia
- Notify utilities, media and others before the move.
- Check this list of businesses to be notified:
- Electric power company
- Water company
- Natural gas supplier
- Local telephone companies
- Long distance telephone company
- Television company
- Stock brokers, mutual funds
- Credit cards, banks
- Magazines, book clubs
- Religious organizations
- Country, boat, sports clubs
Moving Ideas for Kids
To the younger members of your family, moving can be upsetting. Communicate openly and realistically with all family members as early as possible. Here are some other helpful hints you can use: Tell children what is happening and include them in the process of selecting the new home, if possible. If children feel included in the decision-making process, and “take ownership” of their new home, the transition will be easier.
- Don’t throw away personal stuff behind a child’s back.
- Negotiate what goes and what stays.
- Bring pictures from the new home and school, as well as special things about the area.
- Ask the new coach, scout leader, teacher, etc., to call your child.
- Don’t try to get rid of children’s favorite items at this time even though it might make moving simpler.
- Don’t forget grandparents, cousins, and your extended family, close friends of adults and children. Share the excitement and responsibilities.
- If every family member takes responsibility for an age-appropriate part of the move, yours can be an easy move.
Learn more about buying a home with Stefan Gerber.