Moving is a part of life. We move for jobs, to be closer to family, or to relocate to a different community.
If you find yourself packing up and relocating don’t worry, you’re not alone. According to the US census, 19,462 people have moved to Alexandria, VA since 2010.
Are you moving from Arlington to Alexandria Virginia? This helpful guide has lots of advice to help make your move go smoothly.
Preparing For Your Move From Arlington To Alexandria
Okay, so you are going to move. There is no need to stress. First, conduct some research on your new community.
How far is Alexandria VA from Arlington VA? You’re moving just up the road from where you live now. This new community is about 20 minutes north of where you currently live. That’s not too bad!
Alexandria is a beautiful city with lots of cultural experiences you can participate in. Alexandria has seen a lot of growth in recent times. This city is located on the Western bank of the Potomac River and just a few miles away from the heart of the District of Columbia.
Living in Alexandria is a unique experience. They have lots of old buildings but the town still feels fresh and vibrant. Alexandria is a hotspot for visitors coming to tour D.C. but there are plenty of locals-only places you will get to know.
Moving from Arlington VA to Alexandria VA is much easier than say from Miami, Florida to Seattle, Washington but you will still want to do some research to get acquainted with your new neighborhood.
Find A Moving Company
If you plan on hiring professionals to help you move now if the time to start looking around for movers. Ask your friends and family for recommendations of moving companies that they have previously used. Look online and check the companies’ reviews.
Call local moving companies to get an estimate and ask about any additional fees you might incur during your move from Arlington Alexandria.
It’s a good idea to get a least three separate quotes before you make a final decision so you can see what the average price is for the service.
Set A Budget For Your Move
Moving can be expensive. Planning out a budget for your move can help you stay on track. On average, renters pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for a move and homeowners pay between $8,000 to $11,000.
This depends on how much stuff you are taking with you and how far you are moving but it’s a good idea to prepare a budget to help keep costs down.
IF you have pets or kids that could make your move more expensive. Plan if you will need to pay for child care of boarding during your move. Take advantage of online moving calculators to help you get an estimated cost of your move.
Plan Your Packing Supplies
It’s a good idea at this point to start collecting your packing supplies. Use an online calculator to help your figure out exactly how many boxes you need. Save your receipt just in case you buy a few too many because you can always return them if they are unused.
Packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and packing paper will keep your dishes and fragile items from breaking. You will also need packing tape and lots of sturdy boxes.
Consider buying specialty boxes that are made for electronics or a closet box that allows you to keep your clothing hung during the move.
Packing Up The House
Few people enjoy packing. If you are one of those people who can’t stand packing you could hire a professional service to pack for you. These services are completely customizable to your home’s unique needs.
They also assist with unpacking so that you and your family can focus on getting settled into the neighborhood and your new job.
But if you are going to be packing yourself there are a few tricks that you can use. When packing up your closet leave your clothing on the hangers. This makes it easier to put everything up in your new home.
Use linens and towels to protect your fragile items. Secure kitchen knives in dish towels to make sure they don’t come loose during the move.
Keep an inventory of your boxes and label each box with its contents as you pack. That way you will know which box has your stuff when it is time to unpack. You could even snap a quick picture of the box before you tape it up with your smartphone to help jog your memory.
Put together a bag of essential items that you need to take with you. Things like your toiletries and a couple of pairs of clothing and your laptop all should be left out of the moving boxes.
This way when you get to your new home is you don’t feel like unpacking right that second you still have everything you need for a couple of days.
Unpacking Your Home
When it comes to unpacking it is best to give yourself a deadline to completely be unpacked by after the move. Yes, moving is exhausting and you will need a break after moving day but make sure you come back to unpack.
The kitchen is usually the most complicated room to unpack. Start by unpacking the kitchen first and then your unpacking job will slowly become less stressful as you go.
Do a little bit at a time. You don’t have to be completely unpacked in a day. Get rid of your empty boxes as you unpack. Empty boxes can take up a lot of space in your home. As you unpack throw out or donate your moving boxes.
Donate Items You Can’t Take
After you got the bigger things taken care of now it is time to access your stuff. Take a look at all of your furniture, rugs, clothing, and children’s toys, and decide what goes and what stays. Items that you are not taking with you can be donated.
Large items like furniture can be picked up by some organizations. Call your local organizations and arrange a pick-up time.
Smaller items can be easily dropped off at the Salvation Army or Goodwill. These organizations are happy to take your donations off your hands and employ people to sell your goods in their local stores.
Call Your Utility Company
It is best to call your utility company as soon as you know you will be moving. Most companies require shut-off and activation dates at least three weeks in advance. If you do not notify your new utility company in time you could be living in the dark after your move.
Canceling your utilities doesn’t require a lot of work. A few simple phone calls should do the trick. Your utility company is used to people moving and they know what to do when you call.
The important thing is to not forget this task. It’s best to take care of this as soon as you know the new address where you will be living. Do it early and get it knocked out.
You will have to pay any outstanding balances when you give them a call. Your new company may even require a deposit if you haven’t had service through them before.
Some companies also require someone to be at home when they come to turn the utilities on for the first time. If you can’t be there personally ask your real estate agent or landlord if they could be present for you.
Clean Out The Fridge
Stop buying groceries and start eating up the last of the food in your fridge or pantry. It would be a shame to see good food go to waste during the move.
Moving to Alexandria VA isn’t that far from where you live now so you could always take your food with you. The fewer food items you have to take the easier it will be the day of the move.
Have A Plan For Your Pets And Small Children
It’s best to leave pets and small children with friends or family on the day of the move. If this isn’t an option look into daycare centers and borders. Arranging alternate plans for your children and pets will keep everyone on task and happier.
Conclusion
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by a move, even if it is just up the road. When moving from Arlington to Alexandria VA follow these steps to make your move easier.
If you are looking for trustworthy and affordable movers to help you move consider Carmack Moving and Storage.
We have the experience and qualifications to help you move safely. Request a quote today and see why people in Virginia and the D.C. area choose Carmack Moving and Storage.
