Moving across Canada—whether it’s from one province to another or crossing over from the United States border—can be an exciting and overwhelming time. No matter the reason for relocation—work, school, or a fresh start—there is a lot to do and consider before it’s time to leave your current home and embark on the next chapter of your life. To ensure your transition is as smooth as possible, consider these four tips to eliminate the stress of your upcoming moving across Canada.
Decide Early on What to Take with You
As soon as you decide that moving across Canada is beneficial for your personal or professional endeavours, start thinking about what you want to take with you. The sooner you start to sell, donate, or toss away belongings that you don’t need or want, the less you’ll have to think about and pack away when it comes time to go.
If you have a lot of items and aren’t sure where to start, consider going through one room at a time. Contemplate which items you absolutely want to take with you, and which ones you’re able to part with. Keep photographs and sentimental items that are close to your heart, and furniture that is still in good, usable condition. Items that have seen better days, such as an old armchair or that pile of unread books, can probably stay behind. Consider asking a family member or close friend to store objects you are uncertain of for the interim until you’ve finalized your decision. You can also ask your loved ones if they want to keep any items; this way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your unwanted items will still be loved and remain in your family or circle of friends. Every item you choose not to take with you will lighten the load and, ultimately, end up costing you less to move it.
Once you’ve narrowed down your belongings, remember to think about the space at your new home. Is it smaller than the house, condo, or apartment you have now? Maybe you should sell or ask a family member to take that sectional sofa off your hands. Do you have any collections, like old posters or shoes? Ask your closest friends if they’d be interested in taking items from your collection and adding them to their own. If not, consider using a selling platform or get in touch with an online community that shares your interests. While it’s never easy to part with your possessions, knowing that they’re going to be used and loved by someone else will help lessen the pain.
Pack Your Belongings Early
Moving companies know that there is a lot to consider before a move from one location to another is carried out. They also understand the emotional stress it can have on you. That’s why most moving companies offer a packing package to help with your move. The upside of going forth with this option is being reassured that your belongings are in good hands with top-notch professionals who know how to properly pack a box and handle fragile items. With expert assistance by your side, it’ll be one less thing that you would have to worry about. The disadvantage to this, however, is that it will add to your overall moving cost. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll need to determine if the peace of mind and benefits of opting for a packing package outweigh the extra costs.
If you decide to handle the packing yourself, consider starting ahead of schedule. Ask a family member, friend, or roommate, to help you out if there’s too much to do for one person. It’s imperative to be mindful of the weeks or months ahead. Regardless of how much time you have before your move, the days will go by faster than expected, and you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute—or accidentally leave something behind! The more you get done before moving day, the less stressful it will be for you when the big day arrives. Tools should be the very last thing you pack away since they’ll come in handy when you least expect it and should be placed in an easy-to-reach spot on the truck. Books, off-season clothes, and decorations can be packed first as they won’t be of much use until you’re settled into your new home.
Notify the Right People
In the midst of packing your belongings, there’s another important task you’ll need to tackle before moving day: notifying people and companies your change of address. Make a list of all the people and companies you receive mail from and notify them in the weeks leading up to your move. By giving everyone advance notice that you’re moving out from one dwelling and into another, it allows them to update their filing system or address book accordingly. Additionally, this ensures all your personal mail gets sent to your new mailbox (without delay) and not to your old one. This will include:
- Canada Post
- Family and Friends
- Your Employer
- Medical practitioners
- Schools
- Government services
- Home and automobile insurances
- Cell phone providers
- Banks
- Alarm system companies
- Subscription services (magazines, retail stores, charities, etc.)
In the months leading up to you move, make a list of all the people and companies who will require a copy of your new address. Every day when your mail is delivered, keep track of all the companies and individuals who sends you something via post so you can notify and cross them off your list. You can always opt for mail forwarding at Canada Post, so if you do forget to notify someone, you will still receive your mail. You’re also able to change your mailing address and personal information online for various personal accounts. Simply log in to your account to make the necessary changes, and it’ll automatically be done hassle and stress-free!
Research Your Moving Company
Reputable cross canada moving companies moving companies will be able to provide you with an estimate before your cross-country move. Make sure to be honest and upfront about how many rooms you’ll be taking items from, the number of large or difficult items movers should be aware of, and the length of the move from start to finish. By providing all of the pertinent information, this will ensure an accurate quote and can put to rest any concerns you may have before you reserve with a moving company.
Also, be sure to look at new ratings and reviews to further ease your moving woes. Companies change over time, including staff, training programs, and ways of delivering their service. Those latest reviews will provide insight about recent experiences—giving you food for thought—which will help determine whether you’d be in excellent hands with a (still) reputable moving company.
King’s Transfer Moving and Storage provides the assistance and reassurance you’ll need to ensure your cross-Canada move is efficient and stress-free. Contact us today for additional questions and information, or schedule a free estimate!