Moving Advice by An Experienced Urban Gypsy

I think I am in a fairly good position to write this post now, considering that in almost a span of two years, I moved to three major cities. So, here it goes, in the voice of a fairly experienced and self-proclaimed moving consultant.

The Decision to Move : This may be the toughest call and the beginning of this new dilemma, it may be externally imposed but the hardest part is to uproot yourself and your loved ones and detach from what has now become familiar . But this move business could be also seen as a chance to start a new life and explore new places, or possibly a step closer to get back to your family or “feel settled”. 

What to Move: Usually you’ve got to think about Family, pets and items (vehicles, valuables, documents, furniture, appliances)… Crucially, think about your family first…will they move with you? Earlier? Later? With you? Ensuring that their timing is appropriate is a bumpy chapter in itself. 

As a general rule, the higher the value of the items, the more you need to plan to move earlier. Vehicles are another major worry. If you are moving in drivable distance, you can just use your vehicle.

Also, think about how you will manage during the days you will not have access to these “big ticket items”.

Try and carry valuables and documents with you.

Another major consideration is WHAT NOT TO MOVE: what to leave behind is a valid question you have to ask yourself and often to your family members. If you can sell/donate/dispose any items, please do have a plan for it. To be honest, discarding items is a TOUGH decision for me. I am a collector. I like to store things. It is almost emotional for example to choose which clothes or books I really don’t want to take back. 

Big Decisions First:

It’s easier when you live in rented accommodation. You need to know the rent agreements end to end, what will happen if you breach them or if you need to make any contingent housing arrangements because of some duration of unavailability of housing. You will also need to investigate if your employer or future employer is bearing a part of the cost of the move, if yes, what are the terms (sometimes they may even have a bond agreement). Please check with your family members about this as well. It may be possible that moving may be a wee bit convenient if a part of cost is being shared.

Achtung! There may be indirect costs involved as well for example, family occasions, unpaid leaves or opportunity costs in terms of a lucrative business prospect which may have to be postponed because you are planning for a move.

On finances, liquidity is important even if you are expecting some part of your expenses to be met later: Airtickets, foregone rent, advance payments for the new accommodation can squeeze your wallet in unimaginable ways.

 

Enjoying the Last Weeks in City:  Even the thought of moving maybe stressful sometimes and rightly so. The anxiety of a new life in a new place or getting back to your past could be mentally tiring. I always make a list of things I planned to do or people I planned to meet during my stay and couldn’t. This is my list of to-dos for the remaining period. I find it a bit of escape from the humdrum to try and follow this list and meet friends. 

3 Weeks Before You Move:

Inform your landlords, bosses & families about the impending move. In some cases, Landlords may take the lead and inform you when you have to empty the place.

Prepare a checklist of all the items you need to move. Be on the lookout for a moving agency if the quantum is great, you have the cash and/ or you want to be hassle-free. You have a choice of local (make sure they operate in your destination!) or national movers (they are expensive, and service levels differ hugely). You may need to send them dimensions of items before you get a quote, some even need pictures, it’s a good idea to keep these ready to get estimates. Though Justdial and other such services are good to get contacted by several movers at once, you don’t want to be spending time just attending their calls.  Depending on how quick you have to move (I am assuming here you have the luxury of 3 weeks), spend your energy shopping as it is quite a high involvement decision. In general, I do not like to spend this time just hunting for movers and I used GATI, their service is really no-frills but you should just thank them that the goods arrived. I would never trust them with big-ticket items. Since you have the luxury of time, keep an eye on your friends or family who will be travelling to your destination, sending them a few semi-useless items you won’t need for the next 3 weeks may be a good decision. Just make sure they are REALLY good friends. 

2 Weeks before You Move:

Ok, let’s be fair, you have 2 weekends, not really 2 weeks. In my honest opinion, you should ready to move. Make sure you pay your bills for the month, your bai, inform your local mates. You may want to organize a farewell party and invite yourself and your buddies. If you are popular obviously they will throw you one. If you did not get invited to one yet, it’s time for some initiative.

You may need to buy new luggage. Start sorting out stuff you would need for the last week and pack them in smaller travel bags. Start hunting for cartons and packing material, strings and tapes. Stash items you won’t need for the last 2 weeks. Come on, you can do without that hair dryer. And, I hope you got your own tickets ready. You are THE PACKET!

1 Week Before You Move:

Negotiate with your landlord about last month’s rent, any advances he/she owes you. Right time!

A week is enough for any cheque to materialize or reach your doorstep. I’ve seen people rushing things at the end, and the landlords get nasty or get away with rightful amounts. 

Discuss with movers about the date you want them to execute the move. Inform all concerned about of your final departure date and time.  

Reserve things that you would need during the next 2-3 weeks while you settle to another place, these will be the essentials and should not be packed off.

A huge pain point is excess food. It may be stored food, leftovers, refrigerated stuff and other random supplies. You would need to plan for its consumption/disposal/donation/ packing.

3 days before you move:

Warning bell if you are still sleeping on your bed? I mean, is your bed still around? No, last 3 days are like camping if you own the bedding. Make a list of bags/cartons/items with some unique identifiers. Put a sticker on each of them mentioning your name, number, destination or permanent address. Pack up!

THE MOVE: Prefer a weekend. You can ask your friends to help you move and treat them to lunch when you all are done. Double check whether the number of cartons tally. Most movers will not weigh the packages but go by volume. That’s fine, as long as you know what logic they will use to determine what they charge you. Do not pay the complete amount to your mover. Only an advance amount may be required. Again, did you double check if anything remains? Don’t forget to say goodbyes and thank you to those who deserve. 

Moving On: Welcome to a new life! It may take you several weeks before you feel fully unpacked and settled. Receiving your luggage, finding suitable and relatively permanent accommodation, getting used to new routes, people… getting used to new comfort zones, this will all take time and patience. Once reasonably tucked in, you will have to inform several people of your new coordinates: new phone numbers, addresses and such like. You will have to write to your bank and work about these changes. Funny thing is you may have to inform different divisions in your bank about this change: at the branch, for credit or debit cards, then change it on the internet banking site (we so need cloud computing!). Here’s the good part about moving on: it’s going to be worth all your efforts :) 

And here goes the last piece of advice, do throw in a housewarming party, if possible invite me and thank me for all the well-meaning advice :)