So you’re in the final steps before moving. You’ve got all of your arrangements made, your moving company contacted, final closing papers signed, lease signed, security deposit down and your move date is fast approaching. But what next? The next steps can be some of the most important so we’ve compiled a list of things for you to accomplish before your move.
But real quick, did you get that moving company selected? If not we have a suggestion, try us out! We’ve been in the moving business in the Metro Detroit area for long enough to know how to do it right. We’ve got the reputation to prove it. Check out our free quote on your next move.
Back to business, it’s a few weeks out, and at this time you need to be focused on making sure all of your records are transferred, and arrangements have been made in regards to doctors, banks, and your kids.
A little bit of effort on this can save a lot of pain in the future. Do. Your. Research. Talk with your health insurance company see who you can go to, or where you can go. Once you have a good idea of where/who you’d like to see, call the office and arrange for all your records to be transferred. You’ll have to call your doctor’s office, sign a release document to give permission to transfer them/ tell them where they are going, and boom. You’re done.
If you have any pets, make sure to do this as well for them. Also, make sure your not moving into a “Pet Restrictive Zone” some cities have rules for some pets. So make sure Fido is allowed in your new area.
Nothing can be better for your move and soul than a complete cleaning/ house purge. Getting rid of the clutter will not only help your move, but also help you reduce the amount of junk in your life.
We’ve compiled a list that will help guide you through “The great purge”.
Let’s start with your closet:
“If you haven’t worn it in over a year, toss it.”
The easiest way to determine if you’ve worn it recently? Look to the back of your closet or the bottom of your drawer. Go to the areas of your organizing system where clothes go to die, this is where you can start. Granted there needs to be some seasonal considerations, but you need to get rid of clothes, shoes, and accessories that you don’t like or don’t wear any more. They take up more space than you think.
Some people like the “three boxes” technique where you have a “Keep it” box, a “Toss it” box, and a “Maybe” box. This technique helps so you can see where your true feelings lie on your sweater vest collection or your cat shirt entourage.
The Kitchen:
This is the second area of the house with the most stuff you probably don’t need. Extra sets of silverware, extra appliances, and glassware you never use. Go through and take an honest look at your kitchen/ life and see what you can get rid of. Do you really need/use that juicer or espresso machine? We didn’t think so. Get rid of them.
Bathroom Brigade:
Ahh yes the bathroom and all the accessories that come with it. Over the years you collect things that you just don’t really need. Extra Make-up pallets, extra razors and shaving guards, and extra bottles of sample shampoos from hotels… PURGE THIS. Get rid of all these extra things you don’t use. Trust us.
Other things that we tend to compile that we shouldn’t:
Clean like your gonna have a garage sale, and then actually have one.
Having a garage sale will not only help you get rid of a bunch of stuff you don’t need, it will also give you a little bit of extra cash in your pocket for the move. Its a win/win, yes you will have to do math on a Saturday, and yes you will have to interact with the dreaded “Garage sale crowd”, but it’ll be worth it.
Left overs?
Depending on how lazy you are, you have a few choices here. If you think you can get a few bucks off of some items, try to hustle them online (craigslist, facebook) or use the ad section of your local newspaper. Or if you have items you don’t think anyone could possibly want, you can see what those people look like with the “free” section on Craigslist. People will come, especially when it’s free. If you still have stuff left over, donate it.
If you need help with your next move remember we here at Men on the Move can help. We’ve been in the moving business for over 24 years, and have gained a trustworthy reputation with a focus on quality. We will even offer you a free quote for our services. Simply click here and fill in our on-line form and we will return with a quote for our services. It’s that easy. So fill out our form, and get the ball moving!
Take the question out of the move! We’ve made a list of things to research so you can get to know your new town better
When planning a move the most exciting part can be getting a lay of the new land. Where to eat, good spots to hang out at, where you can buy a decent cup of coffee. It really makes the move real for you and helps you make plans for your new life.
If you haven’t started the new search on your new town, let us help you with what you should be looking for and in a logical order (yea there should be an order).
Before figuring out all the “Fun Stuff” you need to figure out the basics.
Work, schools, grocery stores, public transportations, hospitals and doctor’s offices, these things are the first things you need to figure out. Knowing the locations of these will determine how you exist in your town (e.g. will you be walking or driving to work? What is the bus schedule ect.). The quicker you know the better.
Best resources for this:
Google Maps
City’s official websites
-What is the “vibe” of your town or city?
Are you moving to a quiet small town, an artsy town, or a large city? The difference matters, especially if you want to settle in and find your nitch. Ann Arbor is very different experience from other places in Michigan like Holland and Southgate. Figure out what your neighbors are gonna be like.
Best resources for this:
City’s Official Websites
City’s Official Facebook/twitter accounts
Online Forums (Reddit, Yelp, TripAdvisor, when in doubt google it)
Wikipedia
-What is weather/climate like there?
When you move somewhere, knowing the climate and weather patterns can make a big difference. For example, if you move to West coast of Michigan you will HAVE to learn about the lake effect. People who live on the coast will tell you “Don’t trust the weatherman, he’s always wrong”, and that will make all the difference. With a little bit of research, you can be more prepared for any inclement weather that may happen, and how to prepare for it.
Best resources for this:
Wikipedia (seriously)
weather channel
This is the best part, now you get to find out more about your town and where you can go to have a fun time
-Food/Drink
One of the best parts of moving, trying the local’s best. Food makes for a fun time and the local drink spots are where you can make new friends or find your newest drinking spot. Local breweries, distilleries, coffee shops, and food are what can define a town. So go out and enjoy them!
Best resources for this:
Google searches
Local newspaper’s “Best of” lists
Online Forums
Yelp
-Entertainment
Next, ways to keep yourself entertained! Movie theaters, dance clubs, hiking spots, music spots, and other things you love. Make sure you cross-reference reviews on these spots, though, get the best experience with a little research we always say!
Best resources for this:
Google searches (shocker)
Facebook searches
Online Forums (These things are lifesavers for local information, seriously)
Specific Interest focused website (Hiking websites, Disc golfing websites)
-Meeting People
This one. So one of the hardest parts of moving can be meeting new people. There are resources out there to help, volunteering, classes, and activities that you enjoy (ex. yoga classes, local clubs, etc.)
Best resources for this:
Meetup.com (connects people who have similar interests in activities they enjoy)
Craigslist
We hope this list has helped you get excited about your move. Remember, if you need help with your move across the Mitten State, we here at Men on the Move can help! We’ll give you high-quality service at a price you can afford.
Get your free quote for your next move here!
When moving there are usually important reasons why, for your job, family or to save money. There are always some important steps to keep in mind when you are planning the perfect move. Steps such as setting down roots for your move. What we mean by this is getting familiar with the area you are moving to. You might have visited your new job location, but what about the surrounding areas? Do you know where the schools are? How about the local hospitals or banks?
You may think you have everything covered when it comes to moving. You have it all planned and hired the right movers, such as Men on the Move! But unfortunately, there is always a few things that may get overlooked. Throughout the process, and setting down roots is usually one of them. Making new friends may be a good step to getting to know your new area. Doing things you enjoy such as bowling, yoga or volunteer work, helps you meet new and interesting people.
A common mistake people make is expecting too much too quick, everything takes time, and building a proper community relationship with friends and neighbors will take some time. Of course, once you are finally moved in you should familiarize yourself with everything around you, grocery stores and local entertainment maybe some tings you want to learn quick and of course the internet can always help you!
The most important thing about your new move and feeling comfortable with your new area is not to stress out. Relax and enjoy your new city, before long you will be settled in and welcoming other new residents to the area. Always remember, no matter where you move hiring a professional moving company like Men on the Move, makes moving stress-free and an enjoyable experience.
There is a saying, “All’s fair in love, war, and real estate” and if you’ve ever had to get an apartment in a large city you know this to be true. Large cities such as Detroit have a different approach for apartment hunts versus a mid-sized city or college town. We want to help navigate you through the process of securing your new apartment no matter what kind of move you are looking to make.
No matter how big the city or how small the town is, you have options when looking for an apartment. Options such as:
-The local classified ads
-local renting websites, craigslist
-hiring an apartment locator, or service
-Craigslist and google searches
Trucks with no company names, or logos are a flag for a potential unlicensed illegal movers.
Moving day is approaching, and you may have found that you are in need of some extra hands on the move. If you’ve never hired a moving service company you may be asking questions like “How much is this going to cost?”, “What is the difference between a licensed and unlicensed mover”, or “ Why not use this craigslist guy?”.
First off, we are going to strongly advise you not to use the craigslist guy, just for the simple reason that he probably isn’t licensed. Having a license for a moving company is important for you to the consumer because it ensures a few things:
In the past few years, there has been a skyrocket in complaints against unlicensed moving companies. Many sting operations to shut these illegal operations down (Here is an example story from New Jersey). From items getting stolen to unexpected price hikes, you need a company you can trust. For the Metro Detroit area, there is no better company to use than Men on the Move. You’ve probably seen us on highway helping someone with their move or heard about us on the radio. When it comes down to it, no one does it better than Men on the Move.
We also offer free quotes for your commercial or residential move so you can better assess your moving costs. Finally, we are fully licensed, insured, and always give our award winning service.