Packing up your stuff and moving to a faraway land is a time-honored American tradition that used to be limited to whatever you could cram into a transatlantic shipping trunk or a covered wagon. Today’s transport options are vastly superior, but it still takes thoughtful preparation to ensure that your belongings arrive safely at your new home. In fact, the risk of damage to your items during a long haul is greater than with a short-distance move because your stuff will be subjected to more jostling and other movement that can cause heavy boxes and furniture to crash into one another.

Preparations Can Help You Save Time & Money

No matter how far you’re moving, it’s a good idea to sort through your belongings and keep only what you need or absolutely can’t part with. Discard, donate, or sell the rest well before moving day. This will certainly lower your costs with a professional mover, and it’s likely to translate into less expense for a DIY move, too, because you’ll be able to rent a smaller vehicle. Here are a few additional tips:

• Pack as much of your own stuff as you can, even if you hire moving pros, so you can be generous with padding and securely seal every moving container.
  
• Choose heavy-duty plastic storage bins instead of cardboard boxes for packing. Bins are sturdier and designed for stacking, which means they’ll be less likely to topple when the moving van stops and starts.
  
• Invest in moving insurance. Whether you entrust your belongings to a professional moving company or rent a truck to move your stuff yourself, you’ll probably have low-cost options for purchasing this type of insurance.

If you’re planning to move to beautiful Central Florida, make sure you consider the spacious apartment homes at One 51 Place in Alachua, FL. With a wealth of on-site resort-style amenities, One 51 Place is well worth the hassles of relocating, whether you’re moving across town or across the nation. Contact us today for more information.