If you’re going over to your new place beforehand to inspect or paint, don’t go empty-handed. Take a carload of moving boxes with you–every time! You’ll be amazed at how much you have done before the day of the moving. It also gives you a head start on organizing and unpacking some of your moving boxes and putting things in their place in your new home.
As to your movers, if you’re going professional, take advantage of in-town moving offers such as hourly rates instead of paying by weight. It can make a big difference in your budget. If you’re moving things yourself, reserve a truck early.
But what if you’re not going to be able to do any of these things before moving day? Don’t worry! You can still ease your move by planning ahead. Ask the landlord or previous owner of your new place if you can take a look well in advance. If so, you can get a lay of the land, so to speak, and be prepared as to where things will go and what, if anything has to be done to improve or repair the place.
If you’re moving yourself in town, you’ll have the luxury of getting friends and family to help. Give them enough forewarning though so that they can plan to be available for the move.
Another advantage to moving in town is that you can easily go back to your old place for anything you forgot or to clean it up for the next occupant, not necessarily on the same day. Your move can be seamless when you’re moving in town. It just takes some advance planning and you’re on your way and in your new home.