4 Practical Packing Tips for Moving to the Province

Have you recently gotten a new job in the province? Are you simply tired of the cramped, chaotic metro and looking to start a new life somewhere different? Whatever your circumstances, preparing to relocate your household can be both daunting and exciting in equal measure. On the one hand, you’re probably looking forward to settling into a new environment and having all sorts of experiences in your new home. On the other hand, the process of packing up an old house or apartment is a long, labor-intensive endeavor that many people grit their teeth through until it’s finished.

However you might feel about moving, there’s no denying that employing a strategic approach can make the experience much smoother and less stressful. Try the following tips and your next move may just be the quickest and easiest of your life:

Declutter Before Packing

Packing up everything you own into what feels like an endless series of boxes and bags can be overwhelming. Clearing your home of clutter before you start packing even one box can go a long way toward easing this process for yourself. Go through your home and separate the items you no longer need or want from those you want to take with you. Then determine what you want to do with the items in the former pile: you can give them away, sell them off, donate them, or dispose of them.

One good thing about the decluttering process is that it’s a good opportunity to take stock of items around your house that need to be replaced. There’s no need to pack up an old microwave or coffee machine that’s been on its last legs for years. Instead, look up where to buy microwave oven online and have this and any other new appliances you order sent ahead to your new house. That will leave you with fewer things to pack and a nice clean slate to look forward to when you do move.

Start Preparing Early

There’s a reason so many moving guides assert that planning ahead and starting your preparations well in advance of your move will make the overall process more manageable. Consider the number of steps involved in moving, which will probably include prepping your budget, organizing your items for packing, booking moving services if necessary, and more. It’s only logical to imagine that the more time you give yourself to do all these tasks, the fewer headaches you’re likely to experience.

It’s entirely possible, and in fact, recommended in many cases, to start preparing for a relocation as soon as you have a new home locked in. Some things you can get out of the way early on include looking up and contacting logistics partners if you need them, making a moving checklist, and updating your contact details. Beyond your friends and family, you should also notify major service providers about your change of address, such as the post office, your bank, your utility companies, your insurance companies, and others.

Stock Up on Quality Moving Supplies

It can be tempting to pack your things into old boxes from the grocery store or from prior moves. However, bear in mind that these are likely already compromised from prolonged exposure to air and moisture, as well as everyday wear and tear. The last thing you want is for your boxes to start falling apart while you’re packing them—or worse, as you’re taking them out of your car or moving truck and trying to carry them into your new house. Moving boxes are relatively cheap, and investing in new ones that are reliable and sturdy can save you a lot of stress in the end.

Other supplies you’ll want to stock up on include packing tape, paper towels, garbage bags, box cutters, and permanent markers. Purchase or order these things at least a few days in advance of your move, so you won’t have to run out to the store in the middle of packing. If you don’t end up using all your supplies during the move, you’ll still find plenty of use for them afterward.

Label Boxes in Detail

Packing up your old home room by room and labeling your boxes accordingly are tried-and-tested moving tips. You can make things even easier for yourself down the line by listing out the contents of each box on the side in permanent marker. Knowing exactly what’s in each box will make it much simpler for you to decide which boxes to unpack first when you arrive at your destination. It will also be easier to find what you need in case you end up looking for a specific item.

Moving, like many other large projects, is easiest to manage when you break the overall process down into a series of small, workable tasks. If you go in with a solid plan, it’ll be much easier to stay on top of everything you need to do not only on moving day, but in the days leading up to it and the days immediately after as well.

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