Most of us would rather do without the hassle of moving homes, as it can be a stressful and time-consuming process for Baby Boomers and other Americans alike. The good news is there are many things you can do to make the transition to your new home much smoother and more manageable.
Read on to discover our best moving tips for Baby Boomers…
7 Moving Tips For Baby Boomers
1. Plan Well Ahead
Unless some sort of emergency or extenuating circumstance forces you into having to move home at very short notice, there’s no reason not to plan ahead and make all of the necessary arrangements with plenty of time to spare.
Things like booking a moving company, or arranging transport yourself, and sourcing boxes and bubble wrap can all be done weeks in advance of your planned move-in date. Having all of this arranged well in advance gives you the opportunity to consider everything and make any necessary adjustments and additional preparations.
2. Don’t Underestimate
You should never underestimate the challenge of moving – even if your new home is pretty close to your current place – especially if you plan on moving by yourself. Packing, arranging transport, planning a route, loading and unloading, and unpacking all take time and effort.
If you have a large number of heavy or bulky items that you’ll be moving with you it’s probably best to hire movers or at least enlist the help of some friends or family.
3. Consider Moving By Yourself
We’ve just told you not to underestimate the task of moving, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least consider moving by yourself. For instance, if you don’t have much furniture or aren’t planning on taking most of it with you, you should be able to handle the move by yourself.
Or, even if you do have furniture but don’t mind hiring and driving a truck and have friends who can help you, then moving by yourself can be a good way to save some money.
4. Pack Strategically
It’s quicker to just pack everything into boxes without giving it much thought, but doing so will put you in a nightmarish situation when it comes to unpacking. Instead, you should try to be strategic and thoughtful about which of your belongings you pack together.
It’s a good idea to pack items of the same sort together and to consider packing a box or two of things that you’ll need as soon as you move in.
5. Plan Your Route
If you’ll be moving by yourself, you should think carefully when planning your route and take things like poor weather, tolls and terrain into account.
This part of the moving process deserves more thought if you’re moving to another city or state, but even if you’re staying within the same city it’s still worth thinking about and planning ahead of time.
6. Label Everything
Every box you pack should be labeled so you know exactly what’s inside it and won’t have to open a dozen boxes to find what you’re looking for when you’re unpacking. Be sure to label each box just after you pack it, otherwise you might forget what you put in there.
7. Don’t Pack Too Late or Too Soon
Deciding when to start packing your items is tricky. If you wait until a couple of days before you move, you’ll have to rush everything and will be super stressed out. On the other hand, if you pack too early, you might need to open up some boxes to access things you need before you move.
It’s best to start around two weeks before your move date, but only pack things you won’t need until you move. This way, you can pack the remaining stuff a few days before your moving date and will have plenty of time to do so, as most of your belongings should already be packed.
Should I Relocate?
If you’ve recently retired and are thinking about relocating now that you aren’t tied to a particular city by your job, read our Baby Boomers’ Guide To Moving. In it, we look at the benefits of relocating, list some of the most popular retirement destinations in the US, and give you several key tips on selling your home.
A Quick Summary
- Most people hate moving homes, as it is a tedious and stressful process.
- Our moving tips can help you move to your new home in an organized and time-efficient manner.
- Labeling your boxes and being smart about how you pack your belongings can make your life much easier when it comes to unpacking.
- You should think about moving by yourself, as it can be a good way to save some money.
- You should plan your move well ahead so you know exactly what the plan is and won’t be rushing like crazy in the run-up to your move-in date.