Cross country relocations can be stressful no matter what type of home you’re leaving behind. It’s especially hard when you have to leave everything behind, including friends and family members. But with a little preparation and planning, your cross country move can be as stress-free as possible. Here are six tips for making your cross country move easier:
Pack a Bag of Essentials
When you pack your bags, make sure to pack a bag of essentials. Certain items might be easier to find in your new city or state, so you can skip packing them until you get there. But other items might be important in your new community, so it’s a good idea to have them on hand. Here are some essentials to pack in your bag:
- A change of clothes – If you’re moving between cities, you’ll probably want to change your clothes as soon as you arrive. Make sure to include clothes for this purpose.
- A change of shoes – Same goes for shoes, as you’ll probably be wearing different shoes outside of work.
- A change of socks – Wearing the same pair of socks for a week might be a sign of OCD, but you’ll probably want to clean them and change them as soon as you arrive.
- A change of underwear – You’re probably going to smell a little when you arrive, so make sure to include some deodorant.
- A change of towels – You’ll probably want to shower when you arrive, and you’ll
- probably want clean towels.
- A change of sheets – You’ll probably want to change the sheets when you arrive or as soon as you get there.
- A change of outfits – You’ll probably be tired when you arrive, and you might want to change your clothes.
Organize Before You Leave
Before you leave, be sure to put your things in boxes and make a list of the items you want to take with you. You’d be surprised what you might leave behind when you’re in a hurry. Make sure to include all the important items like your wallet, passport, cell phone, etc. And keep in mind that the TSA might be stricter in your new city, so make sure to pack your bag in a way that’s easy for them to access. Here are a few other things to keep in mind before you leave:
- Plan your schedule – Map out your schedule before you leave and make sure to keep in touch with your family and friends. It’ll be much easier to stay in touch with them if you have a specific schedule planned out.
- Create a to-do list – While you’re on the road, make a to-do list and add anything that you want to get done while you’re away. You might want to add a to-do list to your phone or computer, so you can check it frequently.
Know Your New Destination’s Driving Habits
When you move, you’re probably going to be driving a lot. In this case you will want to first, make sure you contact a company that can help you ship a car across the country. You’re also probably going to be driving a lot of different roads. So it’s important to know which roads to avoid and when. Cross country moves are awesome because they give you an opportunity to explore new places. But you’ll also be exploring new roads. Make sure to know the driving habits of your new city and state. This can help you avoid traffic and navigate around unexpected roadblocks. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re driving:
- Avoid rush hours – Rush hours are especially bad in many cities. Avoid driving during rush hours if you can, as you’re likely to encounter a lot of traffic.
- Avoid highways – Avoid highways whenever possible, as they’re usually much busier than other roads.
- Avoid back roads – Back roads are usually much less crowded than other roads, so you can use them if you have to.
Decide What You Can Live Without
There are a few things that are likely to be more difficult to replace in your new city. So make sure to think about these things when you’re deciding what you can live without and what you should bring with you. These include:
- Friends – Make sure to keep in touch with your friends from your old city. You can use social media, phone calls, or visits to keep in touch with them.
- Pets – If you have pets, make sure to take them with you. You’ll have to be extra careful when you get them to their new home, and you might want to find a long term care facility to visit often. But you can usually apply for a pet license when you move, so you can keep your pet’s license with you.
Help Your Pets Adjust
Don’t just toss your pets in the car and drive away. That can be difficult on your pet, especially if they’re used to being in a specific location. Instead, make sure to crate them when you leave and crate them when you return. You can also do a quick walk around the block before you leave and then again before you come home. You can also make sure to leave the windows cracked, so your pets can go to the bathroom outside.
Stay Connected with Loved Ones
Don’t forget to keep in touch with your loved ones before you leave and while you’re on the road. That way, they’ll have a way to stay connected to you, even if you’re not near them. Here are a few ways to stay connected:
- Pack your phone and charger – If you want to stay in touch with family, friends, or loved ones while you’re on the road, make sure to pack your phone. You can also use a mobile hotspot, so you can keep in touch while you’re driving.
- Use Wi-Fi and data – If you don’t want to pack your phone, make sure to use Wi-Fi and data while you’re on the road. That way, you can stay connected and enjoy your trip.
