Hello World! Welcome Friends! In December 2022, the Houston Public Media reported that Texas had become home to nearly 30 million people. Many Texans relocate from suburban to metropolitan areas within the state or other states in the country. In fact, Texas was the second state with the most relocations in 2021; California ranked first.
If you’re living in the greater Houston area, you’ll realize that Space City has remained a major hub in the medical and oil and gas sectors for the last few years. A survey shows that thousands of people have been moving to/from H-town. Now, many Houston residents are migrating within Texas, the top destinations being Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. So, how do you move long-distance within the Lone Star state? This article covers some suggestions for your relocation.
Here’s how you should plan a long-distance move from one Texan metropolis to another:
1. Start Planning Early
Start packing at least a month before moving; it’s ideal to start two months before the moving date if you know when you’re scheduled to hit the road. You need enough time to arrange the upcoming relocation by updating your address, scheduling the utilities at your new home, and having the property deep-cleaned for your arrival. So, ensure you’ve got enough time for all these chores too. Packing can be the most stressful part of a relocation. So, don’t wait until the last minute.
2. Hire Long-Distance Movers
While some homeowners prefer to transport their household stuff with the DIY approach, it’s better to hire the services of professional movers. Like other people in the Lone Star state, Houston residents are more comfortable working with BBB-accredited moving companies when relocating. You can search for Houston long distance moving companies online to work with their friendly and qualified teams for your relocation plans.
Professional movers offer intrastate moves from Houston to different Texan cities, e.g., El Paso, Charleston, Dallas, Austin, and Corpus Christi, among others. Also, you can hire their services to move to another state too.
3. Get Packing Supplies
Leftover Amazon boxes won’t help you pack your entire life’s worth of stuff when moving. You must purchase enough packing supplies, and it’s much better to use boxes made specifically for transportation purposes. Here’s a brief list of supplies you should gather to pack your things:
- Boxes
- Duct tape
- Box cutter
- Ziplock bags
- Paper towels
- Bubble wraps
- A pair of scissors
- Permanent markers
- Large-sized trash bags
- Ropes and bungee cords
4. Label and Color-Code
Moving isn’t just stressful because of packing; unpacking all your belongings and sorting everything out can be just as worrisome. And all moving experts agree that labeling and color-coding every box is the best way to ensure effective unpacking later. So, label all boxes, and don’t just write the words “kitchen” or “bathroom” on them, but list the contents of every box on the box or a separate piece of paper.
5. Pack Boxes Strategically
Make sure you don’t pack boxes too light or too heavy; they should be of manageable weight. This can be done by packing a combination of heavier and lighter objects into the same box. Even if some are heavier than others, put lighter boxes on top of the heavier ones. Putting heavier boxes on top may cause them to crush the lighter ones. So, be strategic when packing your boxes for relocation.
6. Choose Off-Season Moving
Experts believe that almost two-thirds of relocations take place between May and September. One can conclude that it’s more cost-effective and convenient to move in fall or spring; summer appears to be the busiest of all seasons. You can save a lot of money by choosing off-season to move.
However, it ultimately depends on your unique circumstances. So, don’t decide anything unless you have consulted your family first. Choose a date suited to your schedule for your convenience.
7. Buy Moving Insurance
Your belongings are prone to damage while being transported to another location. Movers may lose valuables or damage easily-breakable stuff by improper handling of boxes. For this reason, you have to ensure your insurance covers transportation-related damages. Moving companies also offer clients insurance, but this insurance is sometimes limited. So, buy better insurance to ascertain the safety of your goods. A more comprehensive plan effectively protects your valuables in transit.
8. Create an Inventory
How to know if everything has arrived safely at your new home? You don’t want movers to lose your stuff and then wonder what has gone missing en route. That’s why it’s important to make a list of all the things the moving company is bringing to your new home. You can write down all the details of the valuables being moved or just use an app to create this inventory. Also, add some pictures to your catalog. These pictures will help you bring a strong claim against movers if they’ve damaged something you own.
9. Expect Delivery Delays
Movers aren’t always punctual. No matter how professional they are, unexpected delays such as traffic, closed routes, and weather conditions can affect delivery timelines. So, pack a few essentials in a bag and carry this bag on your person when traveling. This bag must contain the following:
- Medications
- Phone chargers
- A change of clothing
- Travel documents
10. Remove the Clutter
Moving brings a chance to start downsizing and decluttering. Give away household items you don’t anymore, the books nobody reads, the clothes nobody wears, and the furniture nobody sits on now. Removing these items will also reduce the load the moving company has to transport, thereby making you pay less for their services. You can either throw away these excess items, donate them to those needing them, or sell them to cover some of your relocation costs.
But if you don’t want to throw away something, you can rent a self-storage unit, just like 10% of Americans do.
Conclusion
Texas is a huge state, and there are plenty of opportunities spread throughout its metropolitan areas. For this reason, you’ll see several people switching between cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin. However, a long-distance move can be terrifying. Moving can stress you out beyond your expectations, so it’s wiser to plan it properly. Use the tips above to ensure relocation within the Lone Star state is a breeze.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
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What Is a Split-System Air Conditioner?
5 Signs Your Home Needs a Complete Rebuild
5 Practical Tips for Soothing Sore Muscles After Gardening
How to Improve Home Health: 5 Tips to Get You Started
Practical Ways to Help Keep Bacteria Away from Your Home
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