Moving within your local area is a much different experience than moving across the country. A move to Atherton may seem exciting, full of beautiful homes and wooded lushness, however, the promise of living in such an exclusive area may lead to culture shock that may have you heading back to the East coast if you’re not careful. Make sure to do your homework and understand a locale’s unique benefits and challenges before you pack up your belongings and start your cross-country journey.
If you plan to rent as you look for a home to buy in the area, it is important that you have a clear sense of which items you will keep for the move West. Addressing these decisions before the move, knowing what you absolutely need to unpack in your rental home and what can wait in storage will make your long-distance move go smoothly. Strategic planning and packing smart can help you avoid a meltdown. So don’t throw in the towel, simply think it through, plan well and if you have children you already know that you will need to create a workable transition for them. There are some wonderful books to help with that. Moving is an adventure that can be stress-free with a well thought out plan in place.
Don’t panic if you haven’t cleaned out your closets in a decade. Now is the time to finally go through them. Lay the groundwork today and the multiple moving parts of your relocation will fall into place. Follow these few tips:
Know as much as you can about Atherton – Take the time to learn about Atherton and find out as much information as you can. The information you gather will help you determine what’s sensible to take with you and what isn’t. The weather (Atherton has a Mediterranean climate by the way), your available space (in your rental home or newly purchased home) and new lifestyle will give you lots of clues as to what to bring with you. If you have furry friends that will move with you, find out about state and city ordinances regarding vaccine requirements, leash laws and limits on the number or types of pets you can keep. Start gathering important details about schools, vehicle laws, insurance, etc.
Put a system in place – Most likely, there are items you will want to keep, items you will want to sell, stuff you will want to give away and things that will end up in the trash. Organize your belongings into these four categories (keep, sell, give away/donate and trash) to help you sort everything out. If you’re packing your belongings yourself, pack your items one room at a time and label things so you really KNOW what’s in the box. This will make the unpacking much easier. If you want someone to handle the packing for you, check with your preferred mover – or call us. Cummings Moving Company can get your whole house packed and moved to Atherton with ease. We will even unpack it for you!
Follow the one-year rule – If you haven’t used an item in a year, the chances of you using it anytime soon are pretty slim. Just go ahead and donate it. Carting around those skinny jeans that you think will fit you one day or that heavy mixer that you plan to fix one day might seem like a good idea, but the truth is – it’s probably wishful thinking. When you add up the actual cost of moving and/or storing things you will likely never use, it is a waste. Better to ditch, sell or donate those items, save money on the move and then, with the savings, pick up a few new things that fit your new life in your new home.
Find a reliable mover – If you’re toying with the idea of making the move on your own without professional help, think again. Getting professional help is the best way to go by far! Professional movers like Cummings Moving Company know how to pack and transport a houseful of belongings safely. Make sure that you iron out the details with your mover and that you know exactly when your new residence will be available for move-in. Not having an accurate date could be a costly mistake. Fortunately Cummings has a state of the art storage facility that can easily accommodate you in the event of a timing issue like this. However, if a mover (including Cummings) needs to hold your items overnight or for a few days, there is a cost involved. And if your mover does not have their own storage facility, the burden may be on you to take delivery at a temporary storage facility and move your belongings again in a few days.
Moving is full of small details like this. Work closely with your mover, choose someone who has you covered in any eventuality – then do your best to make sure the details and dates are correct. It will make your move so MUCH easier.
Have a schedule to follow – Put together a moving calendar or organizer/binder to make sure you stay on track. Time can get away from you when you’re in the middle of a move so do your best to come up with a schedule beforehand.
Cummings Moving Company | Residential & Small Business Moving & Storage | San Francisco Movers
Cummings Moving Company is a family owned and operated moving & storage company proud of its well-established reputation in San Francisco and throughout the region – reflected in their extended residential, small business and Realtor referrals. The company is a female, minority, and veteran-owned and operated moving company with over 45 years of exceptional client service – spanning the entire country and beyond. For more information about quality, stress-free moving, in San Francisco please call 415-387-4000 or from the Peninsula call 650-629-3000. Request a Free Moving Quote HERE or continue to explore our website and San Francisco Blog.
The advice on our website and blog is provided as a courtesy and is intended for informational purposes only. It is offered as-is with no warranty expressed or implied. We hope it provides you with helpful information that you can use.
