4 Easy Ideas to Move from Home Without Stress
Planning to move from a house to an apartment? Planning to downsize to a smaller space? Like an empty nester, your family home may seem too big and difficult to maintain.
The idea of less housework, lower expenses and lower amount of headaches on house maintenance is certainly appealing, but where do I start? Downsizing my home could be the first important decision to make. But then some other questions would need to be answered. What do I do with my oversized furniture? How do I fit all my stuff into an apartment that’s probably half the size of my current house? Check out this guide to help reduce your anxiety and make downsizing a much easier process.
Start planning early
As soon as you decide to move into an apartment, start planning. Starting early helps you become more organized and reduces your stress.
- Identify the best time to move. Do you prefer a weekend so that your family or friends can help? How far do you plan to go? Will it require one or more days?
- Create a list of all the items you have at home and classify them into things you must have and things you can live without.
- Define your lifestyle and space needs for your new apartment. Do you need space to work? How many rooms do you want? How many visitors will you have?
Research where you want to live
Once your plans are in place, start researching neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle needs. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you want to be close to friends or family?
- Do you prefer to live near shopping malls or public transportation?
- Do you like the neighborhood?
- Are there walking trails, parks, or waterways nearby?
- What do you want in your new apartment? Do you want specific services such as gyms, swimming pools and clubhouses?
Do your research before narrowing down your options and comparing apartments. Use these questions as a springboard to help you make practical decisions.
Deciding what to take and what to get rid of
Once you’ve found a great apartment, it’s time to decide what to take and what to get rid of.
- Get rid of oversized furniture that fits in your house but might not fit in your new apartment.
- Throw away or recycle old items you haven’t used in years.
- Hold a garage sale to get rid of ‘good condition’ things you won’t need in your new home.
- Create a plan for all the extra things you have. Donate to charity, recycle, throw away or sell things you don’t need. If you need to store some items, find a storage facility.
The key to moving to a new apartment while remaining stress-free is getting rid of clutter. It’s easier said than done, but it will make your life a lot easier.
Find a reliable moving company
Rather than undertake the move on our own, it may be better to hire a reliable and professional carrier to ease the transition.
- Research reliable movers with great reviews online and/or through a personal recommendation.
- Make reservations as soon as possible to avoid paying higher last-minute prices.
- Explain exactly what you need from the move so you won’t be disappointed with the service.
- Find out about the charges. Some offer flat rates, while others charge by the hour or by distance. Ask the mover about any additional prices that might cover insurance, packing, and more. Choose a company that is up front with prices from the start.
- Identify supplies you may need. This will include packing boxes, bubble wrap, foam wrap, tape, and packing paper. Some moving companies also offer you this with your reservation.
A reliable moving company can pack, load, transport and unload your things in your new house. They may even offer you some downsizing tips specific to your needs. You might want to try renting a truck and moving around on your own. That might work for you too.
Downsizing an apartment is the perfect way to start fresh, without all the hard work of home maintenance. Plus, more time and money to spend on the things you love: Travel the world, visit friends and family, pursue a hobby, or join a class.
