Why is Moving House So Stressful?
If you have a preconceived idea from the majority of negative articles that moving house is going to be stressful, then it will. There will inevitably be a psychological effect of moving house as you’re uprooting your life, leaving behind important relationships and going through a physically strenuous process. However, if you’re worried, then first identify the areas of the process that have the potential to bring on anxiety.
Reasons you might feel stressed when moving:
- Change of routine
- Thought of packing
- Fear of the unknown
- Leaving friends and family
- Feeling unprepared
- Physical labour
Research has previously shown that it can affect not only adults but also children too. It was discovered that children showed “poorer mental health in periods following a residential move” than those who were stable and not constantly moving house. Clearly, moving house can have a huge impact on families and people’s mental health, proving that it is a stressful event to go through.
So, what can we do to prevent any moving house stress? With planning, sensible choices and our 9 top tips then you should be able to stay on top of the moving stress.
Tips for Minimizing the Stress and Cost of Your Move
Stress and costs; wouldn’t it be great if we could limit them both? Of course it would! Moving is commonly associated with being a costly and stressful event, even though it doesn’t have to be. In the following post, we will outline three tips for reducing your stress and your moving cost and keeping them to a minimum.
Answer Two Important Questions
“Can my moving company get in and out?” and “will my furniture and appliances fit?” Whether you’re moving from one permanent residence to another – and especially if you’ll be occupying temporary housing for a few months such as an apartment or condo – there are two things you want to keep in mind:
Vehicular Access
Take the area in the immediate vicinity of your new residence into consideration; is there room enough for a 53-foot moving van to maneuver safely? If not, the driver will have to park the moving van as close to the residence as he or she can get and rent a smaller truck and shuttle your goods to your residence. Finding this out at the last moment is a nasty surprise that can cause you more than a little stress. Access can also be a problem if you’re moving into a permanent home. Gated communities are a prime example of a situation where a shuttle needs to be used. Granted these environments shouldn’t deter you from purchasing the home you want, but knowing the circumstances in advance will mean less stress and better enable you to budget for the added moving expense.
Furniture and Appliances
From time to time the furniture and appliances that fit so perfectly in your old home can be tricky to fit into your new residence. Stevens personnel see it more frequently than we would like to admit. For example, that big armoire is too big to fit in the upstairs bedroom. If you are bound and determined to make it fit, the only way is to hoist it up over a balcony and through a larger entryway offered by a sliding door at significant added expense. Exercise equipment can also cause problems for moving crews. In many cases this equipment needs to be taken apart before it can eve moved. It’s just one more headache you don’t need.
Make specific plans with your old friends to see them in the future.
It’s always difficult to say goodbye. And when people move, they usually have very good intentions of staying in touch and visiting. But let’s face it — sometimes life gets in the way and you don’t get around to making those plans. So put the get-togethers and reunions on your calendar before you leave. That way, you’re more likely to follow through.
Introduce yourself to your new neighbors.
Even if this is out of your comfort zone, it is always helpful to know your neighbors. Whether you need to borrow a cup of sugar, have someone keep an eye on the house when you’re traveling, or simply to make new friends, it is definitely worth it to go out of your way to get to know the people who live near you.
Establish new routines.
Let’s face it — everything has probably changed for you. And that includes your routines. Maybe your route to work is a lot longer, so now you can’t get up early to do your morning workout. Try to figure out ways that you can still do the things you love, but with different routines.
Find as many free boxes as possible before moving
Moving boxes aren’t cheap! Before you start packing, seek out free moving supplies from various stores, online marketplaces, community groups and friends. Not only is the process of finding free boxes easy, but it’s also a surefire way to save hundreds of dollars on moving expenses. You can find potential moving boxes on Craigslist, Freecycle, U-Haul Box Exchange, Nextdoor.com and local Facebook groups. If you’re looking to take the search offline, check out local liquor stores, big box chains, offices, grocery stores, recycling drop-off points, and schools. Of course, you can always ask friends, family and neighbors for any extra moving boxes they may have lying around.
Choose a cheaper date and time to move
One of the easiest ways to save money during a move is to simply choose the right moving date. When hiring a professional moving company, the date and time of your move can make all the difference when it comes to the ease of your relocation and the size of your bank account. First, avoid moving during the “peak moving season” from May to August. Instead, opt for a mid-week, mid-month moving date between the months of September and April. Demand is typically lowest during the mid-week and mid-month days. Therefore, your costs will likely be lower as well. Of course, many of us don’t have the option to move during the most ideal time of the year. If this is the case for you (and you’re looking to save money), I suggest considering a DIY move instead.
Pack everything yourself
While hiring professional packers can certainly speed up the moving process, it can also weigh it down in terms of cost. Hiring professional packers can get expensive – costing upwards of several hundred dollars. Of course, packing rates vary from moving company to moving company. So make sure to ask how much they charge per hour per mover and how long those packing services typically take.
Hire professional movers.
No one really likes packing and lugging around furniture. So if your budget allows for it, hire a dependable moving company like Allied. When I have moved, I have done it both ways — done it myself (along with friends and family members who helped out), and I have hired movers. Trust me, having movers do all the work took away so much of my stress, and it was definitely worth it.
Questions to ask your movers before hiring them
When moving locally or long distance, you are pursuing not only a reasonable price but also a good quality of services. In order to get a good moving service and a good price, you might need to negotiate with a moving company. The rule of thumb – do not sacrifice quality for low-cost services when choosing a moving company. Here are some questions you’ll need to ask your movers before hiring them:
- What are the services you can get?
- How much will the move cost?
- How much time will your moving take?
- Will you get insurance for all of your belongings?
- Do you pay extra for the packing supplies?
- What does a full-moving service imply?
- Are there any additional fees you should count on?
By asking all of these questions to a moving crew, you will make sure to prepare for any inconveniences. In case your movers don’t seem to speak openly about their services, you might want to avoid them and look for others.