Moving into a new home can be exciting and it can also be stressful, especially in present circumstances with the spread of COVID-19. Whether you are moving because your lease is up, or because you are looking for an apartment community with luxury amenities, knowing how to keep yourself and your family healthy and safe while moving is of the utmost importance.
Additionally, when you move, you’ll need to bring all of your furniture and pack your things into boxes. It takes an incredible amount of organization and time to move your material things. You and your family will also need to adjust to a new way of life. Often when you move, you’ll want to meet your new neighbors, make different friends, and explore the neighborhood.
To make sure that this transition is a positive experience for your whole family, we’ve created a list of tips to help you have a stress-free move.
Start packing early
When you finally know your moving date, start packing early enough so that you don’t end up doing everything last minute. Set a plan in place for what you will pack and when you’ll do it. Depending on how much time you’d like to have, give yourself between 8 to 12 weeks before your move to prepare. This way, once you’ve finished packing everything, you’ll have more time to clean and won’t need to feel stressed or rushed on your moving day.
Organize your things
Moving goes much smoother when you are organized. One of the easiest ways that you can be organized during a move is by getting rid of excess clutter before you begin packing. That way, you’ll have less to pack and won’t need to worry about spending time getting rid of things while packing. Getting rid of excess clutter will help you feel relief and ready to conquer packing. Another way to stay organized is to create a move-in checklist. Creating a checklist will help you have a smooth transition to your new home and hopefully have everything you need when you move.
Expect the unexpected
Moving can bring many unexpected events. Allow yourself to be flexible in case anything goes wrong because usually, at least one thing goes wrong when you move. You may want to give yourself more time to pack in case you run into any unplanned situations.
Follow CDC recommendations
By now, most people are aware of the CDC guidelines, but here is a refresher for you and your family to use while you are moving. While you are packing and moving, avoid touching your face and wash your hands as frequently as you can. You may want to bring a travel-sized hand sanitizer to use whenever you don’t have access to running water to wash your hands. Stay 6 feet away from others. If required in your state or city, wear a cloth face covering. These things can help protect yourself and others from getting sick while you are moving.
Hire a moving company
If you feel like you need extra help while moving, then you might want to look into hiring a moving company. When searching for the right moving company, look at reviews online. Choose a company that has high reviews and exceptional customer service. You’ll want to hire a moving company that cares about your health and safety, especially since you might have concerns about coronavirus. Ask moving companies what they are doing to combat the virus and keep their customers and employees from getting sick. Many moving companies in the Chicago area have adopted health codes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while working. Choosing a moving company that will keep your health and safety in mind can help you feel comfortable and make your move go smoothly.
Explore the neighborhood
Exploring the neighborhood around your new home can help you adjust more quickly to your new surroundings. You can choose to do this either before or after your move, just make sure that you are following local and state guidelines while you explore. Since many storefronts are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, you’ll want to figure out what essential stores are open, like grocery stores, and where they are located. You could also look for local dog parks and nature preserves, where you can go for exercise or walk your dog. One of the most exciting parts of a new home is getting to know the area.
Settling in
Once you have moved into your home and unpacked all of your boxes, it’s a matter of time before you and your family feel completely comfortable and at ease. Before you totally unpack everything, you may want to clean your apartment so that you can have complete peace of mind. Although the CDC says that the transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented, they do recommend disinfecting surfaces to prevent the spread of any viral respiratory illnesses. After you finish cleaning you can start to unpack and begin to beautify your home with picture frames and other decorations. If you work from home, create a home office that will help you be productive during work hours. Take advantage of the luxuries provided by your new home, especially any amenities that you now have access to. Now, you and your family are on your way to feeling right at home in your new living space.
Interested in learning more about our apartment community in Lincolnshire? Contact us here for more information.