Last time we moved it was also just 5 minutes away. We got a nice hotel for the night, so my wife and D hung out there during the day and we had somewhere comfortable to spend the night and no worries about delays on moving day.
Then the next day you can start fresh with the unpacking.
Incidentally, the movers conveniently had a nice folding director’s chair and set me up with that and a couple boxes for a desk for both ends of the move. They gave me paperwork with all the boxes and numbers (they put their own sequential numbered labels on the boxes), and I checked them off as they came back off the truck. Anyway, you might want to secure a chair of your own to sit in when you need a break.
Oh and also anything you plan to pack in your own car that you’re not able to do up front, place in the bathtub and let the movers know to leave it alone.
Make a plan for moving your electronics - computers, tablets, echoes, etc. Maybe do that in advance of your movers coming (since you already have access to the place). We have moved my daughter’s electronics in our car each time she moved, and made sure they were not left unattended at any time.
My best suggestion was what @cfsmap posted above, to make the bed as soon as you can, so you can just fall into it when you’re exhausted.
Other than that, just prepare for several days of chaos.
DH and I moved exactly 11 years ago into our current house. Facebook has reminded me of my postings from those days. My biggest issue: I couldn’t find my hair dryer!
You guys have been so helpful! Several things I’ve already done like mark boxes of top and side, put all decor items randomly in open bookshelves for now, and got some basics already at the house.
My husband surprised me and put our new bed together which I was REALLY dreading doing! Mattress gets delivered tomorrow and sheets are in the bedroom closet so we should have a place to rest our heads the first night.
And you have convinced me NOT to worry about food! My husband has a habit of collecting gift cards so I made him surrender a few to me to put in my purse and someone (2 of my kids will be around to help a bit) can run and pick up some food!
I had the movers put all the stuff I didn’t need immediately into the garage (unless really heavy) and then I moved it when I needed it. That way I didn’t have a ton of boxes in the kitchen I had to get to, boxes of Christmas stuff, books, etc. I could take my time unloading -and I did. I had a two car garage and only one car, so it worked for me.
I need to call my contact today because I can’t remember what I’m suppose to do with rugs/rug pads…do i roll up or with/can they??? I remember him saying to ask the guys to load the rugs LAST - so that they can come off the truck FIRST and be laid before furniture.
Do you recall what you did with rugs???
Also lamps - can’t recall the protocol!
In reality, there are many things we have already brought over - small stuff we could load in our car, many of my handheld plants, etc. But also in reality, I could probably use another few days to pack - but I will make it work!
We move frequently due to my spouse’s job (5 times in the past 9 years) but most of our moves are long distance.
Several of the tips I would give have already been provided, but in addition, I have packed a suitcase with several days worth of clothes and toiletries. Fewer boxes to go through when getting ready each day! Make sure you also have bath towels handy.
If you have pets, make sure you have their food/stuff accessible as well.
One other thing for the “open first box” is lightbulbs. Your move is a quick one so maybe they won’t take them out of the lamps but we’ve had some long distance moves where it took us forever to find the bulbs (and remote controls). Or if you are moving a few small things over yourself maybe stick a lamp or two in your car.
Yes light bulbs are already at the house! And talked to the movers and they will roll and tape the rugs (whew) and are dropping off boxes for the lamps - which I will remove shades and light bulbs.
Internet is already set up at new place? Stock up on drywall anchors and command hooks (latter for when you’re not yet certain where you want to hang something light…); know where the drills and mallet and level are…? Good luck!
I know it’s frivolous of me to get art up right away, but here are my reasons: (1) to get the pieces out of the way (and out of harms way) - don’t want them taking up precious floor space while unpacking, (2) to get an immediate feeling of enjoyment from the new space even while there are boxes everywhere, and (3) to decide whether they are in the right spot while I still have the manic energy associated with moving. Once inertia sets in, I know I will find excuses not to move things…
Also, take care of your back. I must have been overly ambitious during my recent move and now I’m paying for it.
Wouldn’t that be a great addition to the tasks of the movers…follow the homeowner around the house and hang art!!! Some people would pay a lot of that! I hate the process of hanging things and the only person who hates it more is my husband!
