Moving is stressful for anyone in the family, but it can be tough on little ones. But, between unpacking boxes, setting up utilities, securing your new home, and taking care of all the other nuances that go along with moving, helping your kids get settled into their new community can be fun for everyone. So here are ways you can help your kids start to feel at home in their new neighborhood. 

1. Go for a walk — without a destination. 

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything you need to do as you get settled into your own house. Taking a kid-directed walk without a time limit provides your kids with free (supervised) reign to take in the sights and sounds around your new home. If you don’t live in an area where you can easily head out for a walk, pack up the little ones and take them to a park or nature preserve and let them check out plants and animals at their own pace. 

2. Hit up a new sweet treat spot once a week. 

One great thing about moving to a new town is exploring all the delicious food the area offers! Eating out regularly can get expensive — especially when you consider all the costs associated with moving. Having dessert in a new way once a week provides a fun, inexpensive way to give your kids something to look forward to as you get to know your new town together. 

3. Celebrate local sports teams. 

Cheering on your local baseball, football, or basketball team is a great way to help your kids feel like a part of the community. Of course, if your area doesn’t have a professional team, no worries — even hitting up a local high school game or checking out the scene at the little league field can help your kids feel more at home. 

4. Consider a pet if you don’t already have one. 

We know — moving is stressful enough without adding any new responsibilities to the list, but trust us on this one. Your family is creating new routines — adding a pet to the mix can provide your kids with a sense of security, responsibility, and joy. 

5. Set the positivity tone. 

Your kids will copy your attitude — for better or for worse. So do what you need to do to take care of yourself, whether exercise, meditation, kicking back with a good movie, and inviting your kids to join you. Family de-stressing can be a great way to bond and settle in together. 

Above all else, consider your kids as you decide how to help them feel at home. For example, extroverted kids might love diving right into a team sport, while introverted kids may prefer to spend some time wandering around a children’s museum or nature center to get a feel for the area. 

Moving Assistance

If you’re planning a move, contact us for a free quote. We can help eliminate some of your stress by taking care of the packing, the transport, and the unpacking of your belongings.

Moving is a process many people dread. You can be highly excited about your new location, but you may be hesitant because of the countless moving tasks on your to-do list. A quality moving company can assist with every aspect of your move, relieving stress and allowing you to concentrate on the positive changes ahead.

All great moving companies possess several key characteristics. The following are five key characteristics to look for when choosing a top-notch moving company.

Key Characteristics of a Great Moving Company

A simple Google search may result in dozens of moving companies eager to help. You’ll want to choose one that is secure, reliable, and trusted by others in the community. These are five essential qualities to help you find the best moving company for your needs.

Licensing

A genuinely top-quality moving company will be licensed in their state and by federal authorities. Moving companies must include their Department of Transportation (DOT) licensing numbers online and in advertisements. They must also possess a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration carrier number.

Every state has different licensing requirements for moving companies. Research the requirements in your state and ask the potential companies to show you their licensing. 

Don’t commit to a moving company that is not licensed.

Clear Rates

The moving company you choose should not be trying to mislead you with fine print and hidden fees. A top-quality moving company will provide you with transparent rates based on the services you need. Read the moving contract entirely several times before committing to hiring.

Excellent Customer Service

Quality customer service is an essential aspect of a moving company. The company should respond quickly to all your questions and concerns. Representatives should also be knowledgeable on moving services offered, time frames, and other details.

Numerous Positive Reviews

Customer reviews for most companies are now easy to access online. However, we also suggest contacting your friends and family about local moving companies they’ve used. Hiring a trusted, local company can help you avoid any scams or unreliable companies solely operating online.

Combining recommendations from people you trust and other customer reviews can help you make an educated decision about which company is best for you. In addition, we recommend researching the company’s complaint history with the Mover Registration Search tool on the U.S. Department of Transportation website.

Excellent moving companies tend to stand apart from the rest.

Local Knowledge

Hiring a local moving company has significant advantages. First, you can speak with representatives personally about your specific moving needs. This helps avoid miscommunications, so you receive the exact moving services you need. Local movers can also be more efficient, as they already know your city or region well.

Many local moving companies handle large interstate and even international moves. Speak with a representative to ensure your local moving company can tackle the size and distance of your move.

Move Easier Than Ever

Hiring a quality moving company can relieve much of the stress associated with moving. It can also help save you time so that you can focus on work, your family, or life’s other obligations.

We’re here to help with every aspect of your move, large or small. So contact us for more information and a free quote to get started today.

It’s your worst nightmare during a move — getting to your new home and realizing you can’t find your passport, birth certificate, or treasured family keepsake. Unfortunately, it’s easy for essential items to get misplaced (or worse — thrown away or left behind) during a move.

There are some items you’ll want to keep with you as you travel to your new home. Check out this list of important things to keep by your side as you work through the moving process.

Keepsakes

Irreplaceable family heirlooms and keepsakes are priceless, and you’ll want to be sure you keep these items safe throughout your move. Pack photo albums, diplomas, old family portraits, heirloom jewelry, and other items with exceptional value in a safe place. It’s normal to have these things strewn about the house in day-to-day life. A few months before your move, set aside an area for keepsakes and heirlooms, and place them in that designated spot when you come across them in your home. Before you begin to box up your life, place these items in a safe container and decide how you’re going to travel with them to your new home.

Birth Certificates

It’s a pain to get a new birth certificate. Keeping your family’s certificates close to you is wise. If you don’t already have a filing system for important documents, this is a great time to get organized. A small plastic filing box (that you can later place in a locked, safe storage area in your new home) is a great place to put documents like birth certificates, social security cards, and naturalization papers.

Passports

If you’re flying, it’s wise to have your passport on you. Even if you aren’t, getting a new passport can be stressful, and it’s easier to keep it with you than have to dig it out of a storage box years down the line. Keep your passports with your birth certificates in your important documents box.

Jewelry

We’ve already covered heirloom items, but you should also keep jewelry that’s important to you close. Small things like earrings and rings can easily get left behind or misplaced during the moving process. Just like family heirlooms, set aside an area for jewelry that you come across as you pack and clean your home in preparation for your move.

Cash

When you move, life still happens. Debit cards get lost, bank accounts get hacked — it’s a pain, but most people experience these issues from time to time. Having a small amount of cash on you ensures that you’ll still be able to get gas, food, etc., if you run into issues with your bank account while you’re moving.

Prepping for a Move? We Can Help!

Moving is tough — especially when you’re trying to figure it all out on your own. However, when you work with a professional moving company, you benefit from years of experience. Reach out to us today to talk about how we can help you transition smoothly into your new home.

Moving requires fuel and a lot of packing materials, but it’s entirely possible to plan for a “greener” move. If you’re looking to save resources and help protect our planet, here are some tips that can help you arrange an eco-friendly move.

1. Use Sustainable Packaging Materials for Breakables

When people think of packing, they think of bubble wrap. While it’s essential to wrap fragile and irreplaceable items carefully, using bubble wrap isn’t always the most Earth-friendly approach. Instead, try using soft fabrics, such as bath towels, dish towels, pillowcases, blankets, and even clothing to protect breakables.

2. Utilize Biodegradable Packing Materials

In addition to soft fabrics, try using biodegradable and recyclable packing materials. Options include newspaper, recyclable packing paper, or GreenWrap —  a bubble wrap alternative that is compostable, recyclable, and biodegradable.

3. Use Reusable or Gently Used Moving Boxes

Planning a move without boxes is next to impossible, but they tend to create a lot of waste if not recycled properly. A greener alternative than buying all new boxes is to rent reusable moving boxes. Rental companies will typically offer to pick up and drop off the boxes as a service. This makes it eco-friendly, convenient, and stress-free.

Or you can tap into your residential moving company. Often, they will provide you with gently used boxes that are sturdy, less expensive, and ideal for your move.

4. Pack the Kitchen Last

Many people choose the kitchen as one of the first places to pack. When you begin the kitchen packing process, avoid packing dishes, utensils, cookware, and any other items to prepare and eat meals. Leaving essential kitchen items out of the upfront packing can help with a greener move. Doing so means using fewer disposable plates and plastic utensils and saving money on takeout meals (which also generates waste).

Make a plan to use up the food you have on hand instead of ditching food items that you can’t bring with you.

5. Make Fewer Trips

Going the DIY route typically means numerous time-consuming trips to the new house, using extra fuel, and putting more wear and tear on the car. Hiring a professional mover can ensure the move is made in one trip. This saves both time and energy. If a self-move, or partial self-move, is desired, pack as much into the vehicle as possible to cut down on multiple trips.

6. Downsize Personal Items

Moving is the perfect opportunity to downsize possessions, reduce clutter, and lighten the load. Donate gently used items, hold a garage sale, and give belongings away to friends and family. Try to avoid throwing out what is salvageable or might be useful to someone else. Keep in mind; many charitable organizations will come to your home to pick up items you no longer want.

Moving With Pro Movers

Eco-friendly moves sometimes take a little more planning but can benefit both the planet and your wallet.

Do you have an upcoming move to plan? If you need help with any part of the moving process, having a professional mover help you can make your life easier and less stressful. To receive a free price quote, contact us today. We’re happy to talk to you about eco-friendly moves or answer any other moving-related questions you may have.

The bathroom can be a tricky room to pack because there are many messy items, some fragile items, and things that shouldn’t get packed at all. If you’re getting ready to move and are packing up your bathroom, these tips can help. 

1. Purge First

Get rid of anything that isn’t worth taking. This might include bottles of shampoo that are almost empty, lotion bottles that don’t seem to want to close up properly, and anything you haven’t used in a very long time. Recycle the containers as you pack up.

You’ll probably find quite a few expired medicines and bathroom products that you used once and then forgot about. Most of these items aren’t worth bringing to your new home, so get rid of them. Don’t throw away your old medicines. Your doctor’s office or pharmacy may have regular medicine drives to take back expired medications – call around to find a place where you can drop off your old medicines. 

2. Set Aside Items for Your Go-Bag

Remember that you’re going to want some of your most essential bathroom items for your go-bag or moving essentials kit, including your toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, haircare products, makeup, deodorant, and so on. These are the products that you’ll be using as soon as you get to your new home. You’re also going to want these items through the day that you move out, so pack them separately!

3. Wrap Breakable Items

Use bubble wrap to protect breakable items like your glass soap dish, glass dish filled with cotton balls, mirrors, and more. You can also wrap delicate items in packing paper or put them in a box with packing peanuts. Label the box “fragile” and double up on tape to close the box and keep it closed. 

4. Label Which Bathroom

Are you moving from a two-bathroom home to another two-bathroom home? Label the box according to which bathroom the box corresponds to. For example: maybe one bathroom is called the “1st-floor bath” while the other bathroom is called the “2nd-floor bath.” Label the box according to which bathroom you are packing. This will make the unloading and unpacking process more manageable. 

5. Know What Can’t Be Packed

Your moving company will likely have a list of non-allowable items that you can not pack for transport on the moving truck. That list probably includes aerosols and certain cleaning products. Know what’s in your bathroom that you can’t load on the moving truck. Either pack up these items in a box and put them in your car and transport them yourself to your new home or separate them and give these items away before moving. 

6. Put Messy Items in a Plastic Bag

Wrap shampoo bottles and lotions that you plan to bring with you in a sealable plastic bag to prevent them from leaking out during transport. These items will be heavy when packed together; limit the box to a small size to keep the weight down. 

Get Help From a Professional Moving Company

The best thing you can do for yourself during a big move is to get help from a professional moving company. Contact us for a free quote and get started with your upcoming relocation. We can provide you with more tips to make your relocation a success!

If you’re planning to move in summer or at a time of year when outdoor temperatures can reach extreme highs, then you need to be ready. Knowing how to protect yourself from heat illness, when to get help if it’s needed, and the signs of distress related to heat can help you stay healthy during your upcoming relocation.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Make it a point to stay hydrated throughout the packing and moving process. Keep a lot of water and a selection of sports-type drinks designed to hydrate the body on hand. Force yourself to take regular sips of water. Keep your refrigerator stocked with these beverages, and if you’re working out in a garage, then pack a cooler complete with ice and your favorite drinks. Supply water to friends and family and others who help you.

Know the Weather Forecast

Pay attention to the weather forecast, especially if the predictions show dangerously high temperatures. This may mean that you’ll need to plan to pack extra on the days when it’s cooler and avoid packing on days when it’s very hot. If forecasters predict dangerously high temperatures for your moving day, plan to get as much done in the early morning and the evening when the temperatures are cooler.

Take Breaks

Take frequent breaks while you’re packing, unpacking, loading the truck, or exerting yourself. If you tend to forget to take breaks, set the alarm on your mobile device to remind you to stop, drink, sit down and rest. Have a place that’s cool where you can go for breaks, whether that’s near an air conditioning unit or just in a shady spot.

Pack When it Cools Off

If you’re packing your belongings yourself, plan to do as much packing as possible in the early mornings and the evenings, when it’s cool enough to move comfortably. Avoid packing in the heat of the day, especially if you’re working in a hot spot like your garage or attic.

Get Help When It’s Needed

The best way to protect yourself from getting a heat-related illness is to get help from professionals. Hire a professional moving company to do your packing, unpacking, and moving for you. Professional movers know how to get the work done safely, and movers are used to working in long, hot, challenging conditions. Hiring movers can help you avoid a serious illness or over-exertion that could endanger your health and put a serious wrench in your upcoming relocation.

Know the Signs of Heat Illness

Know the signs of a heat-related illness. If you or any others display symptoms of heat illness, contact emergency services as soon as possible to get help.

• Nausea
• Confusion
• Cold, clammy skin or hot, dry skin
• Tiredness or weakness
• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Dizziness
• Heavy sweating

Protect You and Your Loved Ones: Hire a Moving Company to Do the Work.

You can worry less about staying safe when moving in the summer by hiring a moving company. Work with a full-service moving company that can do the packing and heavy lifting for you. It’ll make it easier for you to stay cool, comfortable, and safe during your upcoming relocation. Contact us today to get a quote.

Hundreds of thousands of seniors relocate across state lines every year and moving away from familiar people and places creates specific challenges. Although moving affects everyone from school-aged children to adults relocating for work, our valued elders experience unique challenges.

Many discover that large family homes become underused after children grow up and move out. Upkeep, maintenance, and landscaping seem more like expenses and chores than lifestyle assets. Whatever the reason Baby Boomers and, soon, Gen Xers decide to move, these are challenges and solutions worth considering.

1. Recognize the Telltale Signs You Need to Downsize

It’s sometimes difficult to let go of homes that resonate with heartfelt memories. It seems like each room reminds you of a significant life event. But it’s also essential to recognize the importance of quality of life. If you find yourself struggling with the following, downsizing may be the best solution.

• Underused Space: Empty-nesters discover they simply don’t use rooms that were designed for a larger family. While they may not seem overly burdensome to clean and maintain, you pay taxes and associated costs. That impacts your financial position during retirement.
• Exhaustion: When yard work leaves you tired and takes multiple days to complete, you may have too much land. Working yourself to exhaustion detracts from leisure time.
• Finances: Big houses or those in expensive areas rank among the primary reasons older Americans move to quiet and less expensive areas.

Downsizing tends to resolve many of the challenges seniors experience as they transition into retirement. People with substantial equity or who own their home outright can improve their financial situation.

2. Preparing Your New Home for Physical Limitations

Moving to a new community involves learning the lay of the land, accessing health care, and other necessities. Many retirees find local resources are in place to offer information and recommendations. But the physical space can present challenges that need to be taken care of in advance. These rank among the more prevalent issues.

• Stairways: Some seniors require ramps and lifts to negotiate stairs and are likely to make upgrades to meet this challenge. But people just beginning to struggle physically would be well-served to make changes before moving.
• Thresholds: Our bodies lose muscle mass as we age, and seemingly small things like thresholds become problematic. It’s reasonable to make alterations when using a walker, wheelchair, or just feel like your legs get tired.

The key takeaway is that age slows our bodies down. Taking proactive measures before moving in helps sidestep unnecessary challenges.

3. How To Manage Relocation Stress

Even when someone eagerly anticipates a move, relation stress can creep up on them. Acclimating to a new environment leaves gaps in people’s daily routines and a loss of familiarity. Having little to occupy your days and too much time to think about it can be a recipe for depression. The good news is that you can help manage stress and anxiety by immersing yourself in the community. Joining local organizations with like-minded people helps establish new bonds. Taking up hobbies and attending social events can rekindle a sense of place.

It may take a little time to build a new life after moving. However, that new chapter in your life can be a rewarding adventure.

Moving Help

Are you downsizing and starting a new chapter? Contact us today for a free quote. We can help with your packing and relocation to make your downsizing move stress-free. 

When you’re moving a distance that takes several days to drive, you’ll need a good essentials kit. That means you’ll have to leave some stuff out while you’re packing so that you have it available when you need it.

Many people pack too much and miss out while they’re on the trip. But you don’t have to.

Keep these five things with you to help make your move as smooth as possible.

1. New Location Documents

Whether you are buying or renting your new home, you will have many documents to manage. You should bring things like the lease, closing documents, utilities and more.

Other important documents you should keep with you include things like your passport or birth certificate, legal documents, financial information, school records, and medical information. Make sure that you keep them safe and out of sight.

If you signed up for utility services, it’s wise to have a printed record with contact information just in case they aren’t working when you arrive.

2. Trip Reservations

Printing out maps and itineraries seems so outdated now. And yet, they could be vital – what happens if you lose your phone?

You don’t need to carry a huge stack of paperwork everywhere you go. Just having the information for the places that you plan to stay may be enough.

If you’re flying, don’t forget your boarding pass and identification. If you’re driving, you’ve got more flexibility. Just remember to keep all those documents in a safe spot of the car.

3. Drinks and Snacks

Many people like to drive their vehicles instead of transporting them in a moving truck. If you’ve got days of driving ahead, it’s wise to prepare for it.

Make a list of your favorite snacks and drinks and stock up before you leave. Be realistic when you shop. A road trip is no time to start a strict diet.

If you’re bringing the kids and pets on the trip, remember to get the things they like, too. That way, you won’t have to stop as frequently.

4. Basic Care Supplies

Think about the things that you would need for any other type of long-distance trip. Include clothing, personal hygiene items, medications, electronics, and chargers.

Using the list, pick a suitcase that you can easily pick up and move from a car or airport baggage claim. If you’re worried that you won’t fit everything, try a few methods to pack a suitcase efficiently.

5. An Open-First Box

Pack an open-first essentials box. This box contains all the things you’ll need to get started in your new home, like towels, laundry soap, and essential kitchen items.

It’s tempting to throw almost everything in here. To keep it simple, focus on the things you’d otherwise have to buy your first night.

If you have the room, consider bringing the box with you. That way, you won’t have to worry about the arrival of the moving truck.

Long-Distance Moving Pros

A long-distance move is a big deal, so you’ll need to prepare. To learn more about how professional movers can make your experience much less stressful, ask for a price quote today.

You have made your way to your new house to call home with the help of professional movers. However, in a new location in a place that may not yet quite feel like home, you may feel a bit less than secure. About 38 percent of people in the US have a home security system or line of protection, but just after a move, you may not have that system set up just yet. In the lag time between the day you move in and the home security system installation, there are a few things you can do to make your new property as secure and safe as possible.

1. Change Your Locks

The realtor handed you your keys to your new home, and that was likely a great feeling. However, you never really know how many copies of keys are out there in the hands of others. Therefore, one of the first things to do once you get to your new home is to change your door locks. 

2. Make Sure All Access Points Are Locked

Most homes have a good dozen or more entry points, and you should check entry points first thing. Make your way through the house and make sure:

• Your windows are locked on every floor
• Any entry doors – including a side garage door – are appropriately locked and secure
• Basement or attic entry or access points are secured (e.g., basement windows, attic roof access panels, etc.)

3. Install Your Window Treatments Early On

Lowering visibility into your home thwarts people with ill intent from seeing you, your family, and what you own. For security purposes, make installing blinds, curtains, and other window treatments a top priority when you get to the new place.

4. Keep Your Property Well-Lit

Good lighting can do a lot to deter thieves, vandals, and squatters who may still think the property is empty. For your first few nights in your home, keep the property well-lit, inside and out. Go ahead and replace bulbs in your porch or landscape lights, install new fixtures if needed, and leave a light on in the house when you head to bed.

5. Pick Up a Small Security Camera

Security cameras are far more accessible now than ever. You can pick up a small surveillance camera at most retail and home improvement stores that you can wirelessly connect to your phone or laptop. These cameras can be mounted in just a few minutes and can really help you feel more secure in those initial days at the new place.

Make Your Move Quick and Safe with Professional Movers

Did you know that having professional movers help with your transition can be the safer option when moving? Having pros helping you through the process means the transition happens quickly, fewer onlookers are likely to take notice, and pro movers will not leave your belongings vulnerable positions. 

Reach out to us today. We can provide you with a free quote and get you safely to your new home.

When you consider the many challenges you may face in life, moving can come up as one of the more stressful. Between sifting through belongings, weeding out what goes and stays, tying up loose ends, and preparing the new place, it is easy to get a bit frazzled. Include the fact that you have children to care for in the process, and the entire ordeal is overwhelming.

As your moving day looms shortly, taking some time to simply step back, breathe, and get prepared for the work ahead is essential. Take a look at a few useful tips to help you de-stress as a family before your big move.

1. Plan a family game night.

Board games don’t typically require anything other than the game to have fun. So, pulling out a board game to play in a house full of packed boxes and disarray is not challenging; somewhere amid the chaos of packing, planning, and preparing for your move, set aside one afternoon to just sit down as a family and play a few games. If you’ve already packed the board games, try some games like charades or eye spy that don’t require any specific board or pieces.

2. Create a memory box together to keep from your current home.

Leaving home can be emotionally challenging for every member of the family. If your children are especially struggling with the upcoming move, get everyone together to create a memory box. Memory boxes can be used for so many life situations, but they serve the same purpose: to create a safe place for a collection of memories or keepsakes.

Allow everyone to contribute to the memory box for the home you are leaving behind. A few good ideas of items to include:

• A handwritten note from each member of the family about a favorite memory
• Pictures of certain things about the house that everyone wants to remember (e.g., a photo of the backyard or a family gathering spot)
• Small physical souvenirs from the property (e.g., a stone from the driveway, a clipping of wallpaper, or a dried flower from the landscape)

3. Get away from the move for a day, or even a few hours.

Dealing with the stress of a move can be easier when you get the chance to step away from the process and physically immerse yourself in a different environment. Try to arrange for some family time out of the house. Go to the movies, have a picnic at the park, or go on a short road trip.

4. Pencil in quiet time daily.

Getting a few quiet moments as an adult with a lot of stress to contend with can help you stay calm. However, quiet time is just as good for children as it is for adults. Some professionals even claim that quiet time is valuable for kids because it helps them synthesize and process new information.

Every day leading up to the move, make sure the house gets a brief stretch of quiet time. Allow everyone their personal space and just spend a few minutes collecting their thoughts.

Destress Your Family Move with Professional Movers

Moving as a family may be a little rough, but a little help can make all the difference. Reach out to get a free moving quote for your big move, and we’ll make sure you have more free time to focus on your family.