8 Genius Hacks for a Smoother City Moving Experience
Moving to a city can be a challenging experience, especially when you do it unprepared. Thankfully, there are numerous hacks to ensure that you, your belongings and your sanity all arrive at your destination in one piece.
Why Moving to a City Is Stressful
Whether you’re transitioning to urban living or you’re moving to a new city, the process can be naturally stressful. You may find yourself in new surroundings where the culture tends to be about minding your own business rather than building a support system.
Moving in itself is also very challenging, both financially and emotionally. A survey found that 48% of Americans faced stress when moving. Many would compare it to planning a wedding, having a baby or even going through a divorce.
How to Make Moving to a City Easier
Regardless of how stressful moving may be, it’s a key life event that changes everything, oftentimes for the better. Here are some hacks to ease the pressure.
1. Plan as Early as Possible
Most of the chaos from moving happens because you’re leaving everything up to chance. Instead of being spontaneous, plan what you can as early as possible. Start with your moving timeline.
Decluttering and packing should come first. They will also comprise the bulk of what you do, followed by the delivery and unpacking stages. Remember to give yourself grace throughout this period, especially if you’re securing moving-in permits for a moving truck or going through other changes like switching jobs.
2. Narrow Down What You Really Want to Bring
The usual mindset is to move every tidbit that you own from your current space to your future one. However, it’s important to ask yourself whether you actually need to take everything. You can donate some items and make the load a lot lighter.
Try to look at the whole endeavor as a scale. Is the effort you’re putting into the packing and moving of an item equal to the amount of happiness that it brings you? If so, then place it in the to-bring pile of belongings.
3. Pack in Categories
Packing your items into categories will make the organization portion of unpacking much easier. Try to do it in terms of rooms first, like how dining furniture, cutlery, utensils and more go into the kitchen, while toothbrushes, toiletries and cleaning products go into the bathroom.
You can be more niche with certain belongings, like with clothing. Separate them by daily and seasonal wear to be mindful of what you’re using and vacuum-seal accordingly to save space. Remember to add an easy-to-read label.
4. Keep Smells at Bay With Lavender Sachets
If you’ve moved before, you know how some items might smell after being in boxes for way too long. Neutralize that scent by putting a lavender sachet or two in each container. The filling should be two parts lavender and one part rice to avoid having too overpowering of a fragrance.
For the container, it’s important to get breathable fabric that will let the smell waft through. Hand sew the little squares using a needle and thread and you should be good to go.
5. Create a “First Night” Box
It’s easy to get fixated on transporting everything you can to the new place and settling in afterward. However, it’s crucial to get a breather in between, and the first 24 hours in your new home are the best time for that.
Have a first-night box with essentials like documents, primary electronics and charging cables. It’s also important to have things that will help you unwind, like a fresh set of clothes, your favorite towel and skincare products.
6. Make Your Bed First
The bed is definitely the first thing to set up in your home. A survey found that 64% of people say a change in their sleep quality, with 34% of them reporting it got worse. It could be the stress as well as the long-haul moves.
Regardless, having a good sleeping area increases your chances of being on the more positive side of the spectrum. Unpack the mattress and pillows before adding a fresh set of bedsheets.
7. Order a Meal
Celebrate moving to the city by ordering some takeout. If you want to avoid having to clean dishes on night one, choose easy-to-eat foods like pizza or burgers. You could also use disposable plates and cutlery, especially if other people are staying with you.
Pro tip — consider ordering extra. That way, you have a few delicious leftovers to easily reheat throughout the first week. Thank yourself later.
8. Use a Residential Moving Company
Some people ask their friends and family for help when moving. However, the truth is you need an experienced helping hand when you’re moving all your belongings. Hire a residential moving company that can assist you every step of the way.
Let your movers manage the logistics of your belongings. That way, you can focus on other aspects of the move, like organizing and decorating your new space.
Work with BMS Moving & Storage for Residential Moving
BMS Moving & Storage is a multilocation, top-rated residential moving company in L.A. It’s a full-service provider that can handle local and long-distance moves.
It also provides packing and unpacking services alongside storage solutions. Worry less about fragile and high-value items, as specialized equipment and methodologies ensure they are delicately handled, which helps make the big move even more stress-free.
Simplify the Moving Experience
Moving can feel absolutely surreal, but it’s necessary to advance to the next stage of your life. Consider planning early, hiring a residential moving company in L.A. or whichever city you’re moving to and taking all the necessary steps to make the journey as smooth as possible. You’ll be surprised at how refreshed you feel when you finally settle in.
