Not many individuals or families enjoy moving, even if doing so would positively change their lives. It’s because the effort required to pack up and relocate can take a serious toll on your mental and physical health. The New York Post recently reported that moving is more stressful than going through a divorce. This finding stands particularly true for people who move across borders, for instance, from West Palm Beach, Florida, to South America. International moves necessitate dealing with complex legal and administrative procedures. On top of that, leaving behind familiar neighborhoods, friends, and relatives can be challenging for the entire family. Nonetheless, moving to South America, a region witnessing a steady influx of migrants with 10,887,474 immigrants in 2020, offers lifestyle changes and new opportunities.
Moving across borders or cross-country doesn’t have to be stressful. All you have to do is stick to the following tips to keep stress at bay:
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Find The Right Moving Company
With movers by your side, you’ll not have to worry about straining your back to load or unload large boxes. However, since there are so many movers to choose from, you might need to invest extensive time and effort in selecting the best one. So, before you sign the dotted line, it would be smart to consider various aspects , such as the company’s overall reputation and experience.
You may start by reading online reviews. People post reviews on numerous online platforms after having a positive or negative moving experience. While conducting your research, reading these reviews may even shed light on the underlying factors you had not previously considered.
While reading reviews, pay close attention to movers with substantial experience serving in specific locations, like South America. If you’re moving from West Palm Beach, FL, to any country in South America, let’s say Argentina or Chile, ensure you hire movers with international relocation experience. When moving from West Palm Beach to South America, you most likely want to avoid any inconvenience in terms of logistics or acquiring any legal permits. Given this reason, hiring credible and experienced movers is advised.
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Declutter
Moving provides a great opportunity for decluttering. Get rid of all the junk you do not need in your new place of residence. Decluttering before relocating will also help you save time, money, and energy to pack and carry unnecessary household items.
However, like most homeowners, you will likely consider decluttering an overwhelming chore. Well, you can make it easy as pie by using these time-tested strategies:
- Categorize the items: An effective decluttering project starts with categorizing your belongings. Assuming you want to begin with books, round up all your books from wherever they may be hiding. Check the closets, the cellar, the attic, everywhere. After that, you can analyze each publication and select the best ones to preserve.
- Conduct a practicality test: If you’re confused about whether to sell or keep an item, ask yourself honestly if you will ever use it. For clothing, set a deadline. You probably will not wear an outfit again if you have not attired it in a year. Thus, you can put it on an online selling platform or drop it off in a charity’s collection box.
- Start early: Tap into the clean-up process at least two weeks before the scheduled arrival of the moving company. That way, you will have an ideal time to ponder every item carefully.
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Lay Down a Packing Plan
Do not simply stack your belongings on top of one another. Instead, come up with a packing method that proceeds room by room. To begin with, select the areas, such as closets and rooms, that you wish to organize first. It is best to start with the rooms that hold the stuff you will not need in the last weeks before moving. As a general rule, wait until the very end to pack your kitchen and bedroom contents.
Keep in mind that every moving box has a maximum weight limit. Overloading the box beyond that threshold means it might collapse. For this reason, you must opt for only high-quality boxes. When using old boxes, it is crucial to properly inspect each one before stuffing them. Moving pros recommend not exceeding the standard weight limits of the box size you are using – 50 pounds for a small box, 65 pounds for a medium box, and 80 pounds for a big box.
People usually underestimate the time it takes to pack. As a result, they engage in packing at the last minute. Doing a little bit every day is advised than getting everything done in the last few hours before your movers arrive.
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Do Not Forget Your Pets
When moving, it is easy to lose track of the family pet, among all the other things that need to be done. Before you pack up and move, visit the vet to get your pet up to date on vaccinations and identification.
Staying on top of the appropriate paperwork for your animal is essential, especially if you plan on leaving the country or state. Research pet-friendly airlines and portable kennels if you want to take your pet on a plane or in a vehicle.
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Carry A Survival Kit
The contents of a survival kit will allow you to carry on with your normal routine until you have unpacked everything. It might include a favorite blanket, a flashlight, dog food, and toilet paper. Also, ensure you have enough cash to tip your movers and pay for pizza delivery, as you may be too exhausted to cook yourself.
In addition, compile a central file to keep your most critical documents so you can quickly retrieve them when needed. It bears worth mentioning that these suggestions are meant to serve only as a starting point. Each household has different requirements, so tailoring your “moving day survival pack” is important. For example, if a family member is facing a medical condition, you will likely need to pack necessary medications or medical equipment in the essentials bag.
Conclusion
Moving entails a great deal of work. Whether this is your first relocation or your twentieth, there will always be obstacles to overcome. But the good news is that walking the tight line of the abovementioned tactics will pave the way for a hassle-free relocation. Moving across borders or states can be overwhelming and stress-inducing, but with the help of professional movers, you can easily navigate the process.