photo credit: erix!
In 4 years in Asia my husband and I have moved apartments 4 times, with our 5th move only weeks away. Each time our lease has come to an end we have either opted to move to a different apartment or been asked to pay more rent (clearly refusing too and choosing to move instead).
It’s inherent that with so many moves under our belts that the process has become a little easier, more streamlined, more organised.
Perhaps I could put ‘professional house mover’ on my resume?
From someone who has moved many times, both before and after having a baby, here are my top 5 tips for surviving your next apartment move.
Keep a List
Moving is stressful at the best of times. There is generally lots to organise in a relatively short amount of time so it certainly helps to keep a list of things to do and tick them off as you go. Keeping an actual list can help keep you anchored – and focused on what you need to do – whilst your world reorganises itself around you.
Utilities and Services
Getting onto your utility and service providers as soon as you have your new address confirmed, can help ensure the smooth transfer of service from one apartment to the next. It helps to call your Internet and Television service providers quickly as they often have a week or longer waiting period before a rep can come and reconnect your service in your new apartment. Make sure you (or your agent) sets up the utilities in your new place – it’s no fun having no electricity – and don’t forget to close your utility accounts at your old place too. It often takes a few days before your service provider sends somebody to read the meters and issue the final bill (and you don’t want to be paying for the next tenant to use your electricity).
If you can, pay the Professional Movers
It really does make life easier, especially if you have little ones running around. In one day your moving company can come in, pack all the boxes, disassemble all your furniture, pack the truck, unload it in your new place and put everything away for you. They’ll even put your furniture back together. Whilst it does cost more than the do-it-yourself type of move it makes life just that much less stressful. It even gives you the time to do a bit of a cull of things you don’t need before the movers get there.
Be inconspicuous
On the actual moving day, when the movers have arrived nice and early, it really helps to be inconspicuous. The removallists will have their instructions – usually pack anything that isn’t bolted down – so it often helps if you can leave the apartment for a few hours whilst they do their packing thing. This is especially helpful if you have young children as they will just be in the way and it will be much more enjoyable for them to get out and about (at this point you will need a coffee).
Bedrooms first
The very first thing I do once our movers have finished putting everything into our new apartment is to find the clean sheets and make all the beds. The actual moving day can be a very long day and you’ll want to jump into bed early on that first night. No doubt the kids will be overtired, and possibly overwhelmed from the move, so I find it helps that everyone can actually get into their beds when they are tired. The boxes can wait but sleep cannot.
If you can manage to do most of these things, then at the end of the day pat yourself on the back, pour yourself a glass of wine and celebrate that you’ve survived another successful move.
Do you have any other tips you’d like to share? If so, please leave a comment below.
