Stress-Free Moving Tips

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

So you’ve just purchased your dream home. Maybe it’s your first house; maybe you’re moving into something bigger and better. But chances are, once you take a look at how much stuff there is to move, you’ve briefly considered one of two options: burning your old stuff and starting new or attempting a minimalist lifestyle with just the basics.

Pulling out hair, weeping, and the sudden urge to chuck a television out the window are all symptoms of moving stress (consult your doctor if these symptoms persist). But local moves can run smoothly if you just have an efficient plan.

First and foremost, start packing early!

“Almost everyone has more stuff than they think they do, and almost no one leaves enough time to pack it,” says Movers-edge.com. It usually takes about a month to pack a whole house, so start in rooms with things that aren’t used frequently, like the attic or garage. Pack a few boxes a day and you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve packed at the end of the month.

Prioritize your boxes while packing. Create an “open me first” box for each room and clearly label it as such. Use stickers to color-coordinate boxes from each room so you can easily distinguish where they should go in the new house. You really don’t want to open a box of underwear in the kitchen.

You should keep things together. Your entertainment center is already a twisted web of confusion, so put cords and electronic accessories in baggies and tape them to the box of their matching component. Also attach a photo of how the cords were set up to make re-installation easier. Keep light bulbs with lamps and when disassembling any furniture, place all the nuts and bolts in a bag and label it. Designate a small box in which to put all those little parts so you know just where to look when assembling in your new home.

As only Mr T. could phrase it, we pity the fools who have to move in the summer, especially in Bakersfield. You may not have a choice of the time of year you are moving, but you can pick the time of week. U-haul.com suggests: “move on a weekday when banks, utilities, and government offices are open.” There will also be more street parking available for trucks.

Consider your basic needs for the first day or two. There is nothing worse than having to put your bed together when you are exhausted, so set them up right away when they arrive. Also, bring a bag or box with your everyday essentials, like toothbrushes for the family, deodorant, a change of clothes for everyone, bottled water, non-perishable food, etc.

When it comes to loading the rental truck, make sure beds and large pieces of furniture are secured to the wall of the moving truck. Then load boxes. Any large, top-heavy items should be laid horizontally. Be sure to cover furniture with blankets and use couch cushions as padding. Use every bit of space available, even for a cross-town move. Loading a truck is like playing a real-life game of Tetris. Arrange boxes to fit flush with other items until you finish. And plants and fragile items can be placed in cars.

Doesn’t sound so bad, right? Moving always seems like a hassle, but by having an organized plan in front of you, you’ll find it’s not that rough.

The hardest part is actually finding people to help you move. But that’s an entirely different article.

©istockphoto.com/477sean/jlocke

Article appeared in our 28-3 Issue - August 2011