Moving can be a daunting task for anyone, but when you’ve lived in the same place for 38 years and are transitioning to a new environment, the physical, emotional, and mental toll can be overwhelming. My wife and I recently moved to a new construction home in an over 55 community, and it was an experience that tested us in many ways. I’ll share some valuable tips, thoughts, and observations based on our journey.
- Legal Safeguard: Consider hiring a lawyer to review any sales agreements, contracts, or negotiations. While you may hope for smooth sailing, having legal counsel in your corner can provide a safety net if things go awry.
- Budget Realistically: When creating a moving budget, be sure to add 30-50% more in expenses than you initially projected. Our estimated packing and moving expenses were around $4,000, but the actual cost ended up closer to $6,000. Some companies may provide lowball bids, so it’s essential to anticipate potential hidden costs.
- Vet Your Contractors: For any work exceeding $100, obtain multiple bids and exercise caution when encountering lowball offers. Trust recommendations from friends or family for selecting contractors or handymen. Reliable professionals are crucial during a move.
- Expect Delays: Be prepared for unexpected delays in your move. My wife and I found ourselves as vagabonds for ten days because our new home wasn’t ready as anticipated. Planning a budget for accommodations and meals during such delays is wise.
- Balance and Diversions: To combat the overwhelming stress that often accompanies a move, make time for downtime and activities unrelated to the moving process. Personally, I found solace in playing pickleball as a distraction from the hustle and bustle of relocation.
- Lean on Your Support System: Having friends, family, or a support system can be invaluable when you’re feeling down, angry, or frustrated during the move. Their emotional support can make a world of difference.
- Problem Solvers vs. Problem Creators: Choose to work with individuals who are proactive problem solvers rather than those who create more issues than they resolve. Too often, I had to step in to handle problems that the professionals I’d hired should have managed.
- Selling Items: Sometimes, you can’t sell everything you planned to. Despite our efforts, we found it challenging to sell items like a snow thrower, furniture, and kitchen items that were in good condition but we were unable to move to the new home. In the end, we had to donate or give away 90% of what we had hoped to sell, despite significant discounts.
Moving is undoubtedly a formidable challenge, and our recent experience highlighted the importance of thorough planning, realistic budgeting, and a strong support system
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