Living in Dallas-Fort Worth
10 Steps to Moving to Dallas-Fort Worth
10 Steps to Moving to Dallas-Fort Worth
Considerations
Whether you are moving to Dallas-Fort Worth or just down the road, it is the start of a new beginning. Moving allows you to establish new connections on personal and professional levels that would not have been made otherwise.
While there are many advantages to moving, there are also a few considerations to be mindful of before doing so. Take the insight below and dive deeper into the steps you may want to take to help ensure you are prepared for your upcoming move.
#1 Moving Strategy/Plan
Even if you don’t know your final destination yet in Dallas-Fort Worth, develop a moving strategy and plan before the big day. It will allow you to answer common questions like what boxes go where, who is moving what, and what and how you are loading your stuff. That will reduce your stress and hopefully eliminate the unknowns.
This is also a great opportunity for you to coordinate with movers or others who have offered to assist you along the way. When creating a moving plan, consider things like:
When you are able to move into your new home.
When you need to be out of your current home.
Where you will store your belongings until your new home is ready.
Whether or not the move can be done in a single day or needs to be split into multiple days.
Tools and supplies you may need to help with packing and moving.
Moving plans are great if you stick to your timeline. Give yourself lots of wiggle room to allow time for mishaps.
#2 Finances/Budget
Moving can be a big expense, especially if you are moving out of state. This is why it is important to make sure you can cover the cost of moving. he amount you can expect to spend on moving will depend on a few factors:
Where you are moving.
If you are hiring a moving company/additional help.
Supplies and tools you intend to use.
Vehicles you are planning to use to move and all the associated expenses.
A few tips to consider before your move is to check your banking accounts to ensure there is enough money to cover expenses. If you are able, set a budget for the move ahead of time. This will require you to keep track of your expenses for the move so you can make sure you are staying within your budget.
#3 Packing Supplies
Let’s look at the supplies you will want to get before moving:
Box knife.
Bubble wrap (or anything to help cushion fragile belongings).
Cardboard boxes in varying sizes.
Cargo straps.
Dollie/Hand Truck.
Furniture pads/moving blankets.
Marker bold enough for labeling.
Packing tape.
Pen and paper.
Scissors.
Screwdriver and/or drill and/or wrenches (to breakdown furniture).
Trash/recycling bins.
You can find most of these items at most local grocery stores or stores like Wal-Mart or Amazon, and local self-storage facilities. You can even ask friends and family for extra boxes to help cut back on costs. Be sure to locate the nearest place to buy these items near your new home in case you need more items mid-move.
#4 Eliminate unnecessary and unwanted items
A great way to make the moving process go smoother is by getting rid of unwanted items along the way. While you are packing, consider if you truly need items. Separate unwanted items into bags or boxes and set them aside to be donated or sold.
If time allows, you might even consider a garage sale. In doing so, you are completing the task of getting rid of unwanted items, while also bringing in funds that could help you with the cost of the move.
Any item that is gently used that you are not able to sell can be donated. Always be sure to check with your local shelters before donating to verify what items they do and do not accept.
#5 Establish Medical Care Close to Your New Home
If you are moving to Dallas-Fort Worth or to another area in Dallas-Fort Worth you will want to establish medical and family care close to your new home. This includes:
Physical and mental health services.
Dental care.
Vision care.
Pet Care.
Child Care.
It is important to note that your current insurance may be out-of-network in your new area. Check with your current provider to verify coverage information if you wish to maintain the same insurance. Be aware that you may need to inquire about new medical insurance after the move.
You will also want to communicate with your current medical providers if you are changing providers and ask them what you will need to do to transfer your current records to your new providers and how long that process will take. HIPPA requirements necessitate the process, and providers may take longer to accomplish the transfer.
#6 Pack Properly
There is a wrong way to pack. By prioritizing certain actions, you can certainly make your moving process less stress-inducing and help ensure your belongings arrive intact and safely to your new home.
When packing - Do:
Get rid of items you don’t need or want.
Figure out how many boxes you will need beforehand.
Label every box (room the box goes in | if it’s fragile/heavy | what items are in that box).
Leave a bag or box of essentials (medical supplies, pet items, toys, change of clothes, and toiletries) out and easy to access throughout the move.
Leave your clothes on a hanger if possible.
Wrap plastic around items with an opening that may spill or leak.
Plan for and ask for help if needed.
When packing – Don’t:
Overpack items in a box making it too heavy.
Leave everything to the last minute.
Stay up all night before moving day.
Pack valuable/fragile items at the bottom of the box or moving truck.
Keep in mind the more organized you are while packing, the easier it will be to unpack.
#7 Mailing Address & Mail Forwarding
One major part of moving that is easy to overlook is updating all records to reflect your new address. You will need to change your mailing address through the United States Postal service. You can do it online or at the post office. You will need to provide your name, email address, what type of move it is (temporary or permanent), your old address, and your new address.
You will also need to update any personal record that requires proof of address with your new one. This includes:
Employee records.
Subscription services.
Insurance information.
Bank accounts.
Personal services.
It may take some time for the move to fully reflect on all accounts. Try to forward your mail to the new address as soon as you can to help speed the process along.
#8 Set up Utilities & Terminate Utilities
If you are moving to a new home within the same city, you will want to contact your current electric, gas, sewer, water, Wi-Fi, and cable providers to update them on the move. Be sure to inform them of the last day in your current home and when you will be officially moved into your new one so they can keep utilities running between both until no longer needed.
If you are moving out of state, you will want to contact the current utility providers to terminate all services. Be sure that before your move to research utility providers in your new area. Waiting to do so until after you’re there could add to the stress of moving to a new state.
#9 Moving Out
Once everything is packed and ready to go, give your home the final goodbye. Listed below are a few tips on what to do when moving out:
Do one last, thorough walk-through of every room for personal belongings. Don’t forget the attic and/or basement.
Conduct a deep clean yourself or hire a cleaning company to tidy up the home after you have moved everything out.
Make any necessary repairs or modifications to anything that is to be left for the next owners.
#10 Say Goodbye
As strange as it sounds, it is okay to feel a sense of attachment to your current home and neighborhood. For some, a move will entail leaving the place where they started a family and built memories that will last a lifetime.
Take the time to appreciate all your times in the home and look back at all the neighborhood has done for you. In doing so, you are properly closing a chapter to an old life and embracing the beginning of a new one.
Moving Is A Life Changing Experience!
Moving is a life changing experience for many reasons! It is the end of one adventure and the beginning of another. Having a support network throughout the process make will make it a more enjoyable, rewarding, and less stressful experience. We would be honored to be added to your support network for your upcoming move. Contact us with questions and/or for support.
Here are a number of good sources that will help you through the process as well. Check them out and let us know what you think.
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Internations has lots to say about moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Check out their What You Need To Know When You're Moving to Dallas.
Hello Landing - Moving to Fort Worth, Texas? What You Need to Know
Hello Landing - Moving to Dallas: Your Relocation Guide
Find out about moving to and living in Dallas-Fort Worth
Hello Landing - Dallas
Hello Landing - Fort Worth
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NewHomeSource offers its Moving to Dallas? Here's Your Relocation Guide
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MoverJunction Moving to Fort Worth TX in 2023? Complete Moving Guide
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MoverJunction Moving to Dallas, TX in 2023? Complete Moving Guide
We would like to offer you insights to make your upcoming move as smooth as possible. We have compiled a Moving Guide, a Moving Checklist, and a Moving With Children Checklist to help you remember everything, even the little things, when making your move.
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Moving to Dallas-Fort Worth - Bottom Line
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For more insights and information on the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, its counties and cities, and what they each have to offer, check out NeighborhoodWired.
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Dallas-Fort Worth is a great place to live, work, and play! However, it is not for everybody. Hopefully we have given you a realistic view of the steps to moving to Dallas-Fort Worth and to living, working, and playing Dallas-Fort Worth.
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If you didn't find what you were looking for or want more information, contact us! We love to talk about Dallas-Fort Worth, and we can help you make Dallas-Fort Worth your special place to live, work, and play!
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