Moving to a new city, in most cases, is a really big step. Especially when it’s a long-distance removal. It’s not only about all the technical intricacies of the process, but mostly about making the new place a home. You need to get ready to make some new friends, get comfortable in the new workplace etc. But before it comes to that, you need to actually move. That we can help with. Here are some tips that will make the process easier.
Make sure that moving to another city is a good decision
Moving to another city is not a step that should be taken lightly, especially if all your life has been revolving around the place you currently live in. So before you go, think about the pros and cons. Go through them thoroughly and make sure that going to another city, especially if it’s far from home, is going to be beneficial for you. If it will advance your career or help you to get peace of mind in your private life, go for it. Just make sure that you:
- have some plan for your life in the new place, for example, that you’ll get a job there or have someone that will support you at the beginning,
- can afford to live in the place you picked – be aware that the big cities, such as Madrid, Paris or London can be much more expensive than Cracow or Prague,
- have saved enough money to go through the first few months – bear in mind that, for example, if you’re about to rent a flat, you’ll be expected to provide a deposit.
If you’re sure that’s what you should do, it’s high time to get to the logistics.
Moving to another city: how to start?
First of all, start planning in advance. Moving to another city is a big step, so you need to organise it thoroughly. Our advice is to get started at least 6-8 weeks before the big day. What to begin with?
Formalities
The first thing you need to do is figure out what formalities you need to go through before you move. That may involve things like:
- informing your landlord (if you have one) that you’re about to leave the flat or organising the process of selling/renting your old place once you’ve moved out,
- terminating your contract with ISP, cable TV provider etc.,
- giving your notice letter at work – remember that you may have to stay at work for a few weeks after you inform your employee about your resignation,
- informing your friends and family about your decisions.
Packing
Packing is the biggest deal of all of them when you’re about to move to another city. When you do that, you need to take all you need with you, in one go preferably. It’s important, especially if you’ve decided to move to a city that is located a few hundred (or thousand) kilometres away.
To make it as painless as possible:
- start packing early – don’t leave it until the last week before the removal. It’s more complicated than you think!
- begin packing in the room that you use the least often,
- decide which things you really want to take with you, and which you should get rid of – as difficult as that may be, throwing out the stuff you don’t need will save you time and money. You can sell or donate the belongings that can still be useful to someone,
- organise and label everything – it’s important to categorise your belongings by the room they’re about to be used in the new place and their type. By doing that, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and be able to find all the necessities instantly,
- secure your belongings – use proper packaging accessories, such as carton boxes, bubble wrap foil, scotch tape etc. If you don’t know where to get them, ask your removal company for help. They’ll give you some advice or even provide the boxes etc. themselves.
Remember to mark all the boxes containing glassware, tableware or electronics with the “FRAGILE” label, so that the movers know to be extra careful with them.
Moving company
While you’re packing, you should pick a moving company that will help you get your things moved to the new city. Remember: not all of the removal companies provide long-distance moving services. That’s why you need to make sure that the one you’re interested in hiring can help you.
While choosing the movers, check:
- the cost of moving to another city with them – normally, the rates depend on the number of things that are about to be hauled, the distance between your old and new home and the range of services you require. For instance, the price will be lower if you pack your belongings on your own and won’t need the movers to set up your furniture in the new place,
- the range of services you can be provided with – make sure the movers offer not only the moving van itself but support with the whole process. Carrying heavy furniture requires strength, experience and special equipment too!
- whether you’ll be given the comfort of a single point of contact with the company – being able to keep in touch with one person that keeps you updated about your removal’s progress makes it so much easier!
Schedule
Once you’ve gone through the formalities, make sure the new place is ready for you and pick the removal company, the only thing you need to do is pick the removal date. In most cases, the whole process can be done in one day. Nevertheless, it’s reasonable to schedule the move at least a few days in advance. That will give you some extra time for dealing with any unexpected obstacles.
If you need help with a long-distance removal, feel free to contact Master Moving. We’ll provide you with high-quality services and make sure that moving homes goes smoothly and fast.