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Relocating can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it can also be a stress-inducing hassle. Whether you're moving because you want to or because you have to, here are ten relocating tips to make the whole process a little easier.
This is something you should do before you move. Get to know the area, find out where the closest supermarkets, banks, and movie theaters are. Making an unfamiliar area more familiar should ease the relocation process.
If you're planning to make use of a moving company, don't call them a few days before the planned move. Contact them a month in advance so you can be sure to have a truck available when you need to go. Also take some time to find the right movers and make sure that they are properly insured and reputable. On the Rent.com® Moving Center you can compare moving quotes from up to six moving companies, as well as find storage facilities and other moving resources. Think ahead about how many boxes, rolls of tape, and types of packing material you will need to transport your belongings safely. Get creative by planning to use sleeping bags to protect furniture surfaces and use towels and blankets to cushion fragile items in boxes.
However you plan to organize your packing, you should have one box that is packed only with the things you can't do without (favorite clothes, toiletries, etc.). Make sure that box is clearly marked and that you know where it is at all times. That way when you arrive at your new place and are trying to settle in, you won't have to tear every box apart looking for what you need.
There's a lot going on during a move, and it's easy to forget things. One of the best relocating tips you can follow is to make lots of lists. Make a list of everything you need shut off or turned on. Make a list of everyone you need to contact about your change of address, from the post office to your favorite uncle. Make a list of what you're packing and where you packed it. The more lists you make, the easier the process will be. One quick method is to jot down items on the side or flap of the box you're packing as you're packing it. Or, number every box and keep a master list.
Relocating is a great time to throw away stuff you don't want or need. You're giving yourself a fresh start; you might as well do it without all of your old baggage. If you just can't bear to part with some things right now, consider putting them all in a "one year" box. Seal that box and bring it with you, but if you haven't needed to open the box to get anything out of it in one year, toss it without even looking inside or sell it on eBay!
Now you have some relocating tips to use once you've got your final destination all worked out, but what about when you know you need to relocate but don't know where yet? Here are some tips for finding a place to relocate to.
You may be relocating because you need a bigger place or one closer to your work. Whatever your reason is, it may necessitate an increase in rent. Before you start looking, figure out a range of rents you can afford, based on your current living expenses. Make a budget and take pains to be accurate. For most people, the rent range falls between 25 and 35 percent of their monthly take-home income.
Decide what is most important to you when it comes to your move. If you're moving closer to a new job, location will be the priority, whereas if you are starting a family, it will probably be space. Larger places and rentals in better locations will probably be more expensive, so you need to decide which feature will take priority if you have to sacrifice one, and how much you will be willing to sacrifice.
No matter how good an apartment looks on paper or on a computer screen, even if it is accompanied by detailed pictures, you should never seriously consider entering into a lease arrangement for an apartment until you've seen it yourself. Pictures can be misleading: They may be taken from a deceptive angle or may not reflect recent wear or damage. Furthermore, you'll want to see what the surrounding neighborhood is like. When you visit the rental, take time to walk around the neighborhood or visit at two different times of day.
When budgeting, keep in mind there may be savings intrinsic to your relocation that you have not considered. An apartment several miles closer to your work may mean considerable gas savings over the course of a month. Your new apartment may have a gym, allowing you to cancel your gym membership. Try to determine which areas you could relocate to that may save you money and adjust your budget considerations accordingly.
All of this preparation may seem like a lot of work, especially considering the tip about visiting the places you may relocate to. But you don't have to visit every place that could be a potential option. Thanks to the power of the Internet, you can narrow your search down considerably before ever leaving your current apartment. To start, all you have to do is locate the apartment finder at Rent.com. Now that you've established your budget, where you want to move, and what size place you're looking for, all you have to do is put that information into the apartment finder. Before long, you should receive the best of the Rent.com listings that fit your criteria. Read the detailed reviews, look at the pictures and narrow it down to a top few using the guidelines you've already prepared. Then you can check out the two or three places that have made the cut.
Using these tips won't guarantee you'll find the perfect apartment and move in without a hitch, but you just might, and they will certainly make the process a whole lot easier.