Enjoying A Fuller Existence By Moving

Posted on: 15 September 2017

Moving involves the same basic processes no matter where you're moving to or from. You pack everything into boxes, drive it in a truck to your new location, and unload it all again. The details, however, can differ based on where you are moving. Specifically, if you are moving into a house or apartment in a busy city, there are a few things you'll want to make sure you do before and on moving day. Follow these tips for smooth sailing.

Ask where you can park.

Moving trucks are big, and city parking spots tend to be small. You don't want to pull up in front of your new home with a moving truck, only to find that the closest viable parking spot is 1/2 mile away. So, a week or so before your move, get in touch with your new landlord. (If you're buying the home, reach out to the realtor.) Ask where the best place to park the moving truck might be. They may tell you about a nearby parking lot you can use that you may not have realized was vacant, or they may be able to direct other residents to park elsewhere for the day so you have enough room on the street.

Measure doorways and your furniture.

Problems with ill-fitting furniture are remarkably common in the city where doorways and hallways tend to be smaller. You would not be the first one to buy a brand new couch, only to discover it does not even fit through the door. So, visit your new house or apartment ahead of time, and measure each of the doorways. Then, measure each piece of furniture before you load it into the moving truck. If you determine something won't fit, then you can save yourself the trouble of loading it into the moving truck. Give it to a friend or sell it online. If you're in a hurry, you can list it inexpensively and someone will probably show up to take it off your hands!

Pack your boxes lightly.

When you move into an upstairs apartment, especially, carrying boxes up the stairs will become quite a burden. Even if you have a downstairs unit, there's a good chance you'll have to walk quite a distance from the moving truck to the doorway. You'll make things a lot easier on yourself if you pack your boxes lighter. You can either choose smaller boxes overall, or just avoid packing too many heavy items into one box. For instance, instead of packing a box of books and a box of towels, pack two boxes and put half books and half towels in each.

Say "hi" to the neighbors when you arrive.

In the city, apartments and homes tend to be quite close together, so there's a good chance all of the commotion of your move will attract some attention from the neighbors. They'll be a lot less annoyed by your noise and actions if you take a minutes to say "hi" when you first arrive. Try to be considerate of their needs, moving your truck for them as needed and remaining quiet if you happen to still be unloading things later at night. These will be the people you'll be living near for quite some time, so focus on building a friendly relationship!

If you follow the tips above, your move into a city home should go smoothly. For best results, look for a moving company that regularly serves clients in the city you're moving to. They can tell you more about parking restrictions, the utility companies in the area, and other things to think about as you move in.