If you’re planning a long-distance move, you’re not alone. According to the Joint Center of Housing Studies of Harvard University, around 40 million Americans move annually. Roughly 14 percent of these moves were across state lines.
Undoubtedly, a long-distance move involves nuances and challenges not common with standard moves. The logistics are complicated, so the less stuff you have to move, the better off you can be. Scale down before making the trek with your belongings. Here are a few items to consider leaving behind.
1. Living Room Furniture
Living room furniture can be some of the most space-demanding furniture pieces. In fact, a three-seat sofa can take up as much as 50 cubic feet. This can take up a lot of space on your moving vehicle.
2. Appliances
Appliances also take up a lot of space on a moving truck and can require special handling. But, things like a refrigerator, washing machine, or window air conditioner usually hold their resale values well. Or, you can choose to donate them. These appliances can be relatively easy to find used or cheap once you get settled—and that’s if your new place doesn’t already have what you need.
3. Excess Clothing
Before packing up everything in your closet, weed out any excess clothing. Even though clothing and shoes are not weighty, they can take up a lot of space. Sort through what you have and let go of anything you can’t remember wearing last.
4. Books and Magazines
Books and magazines take up a lot of space, and they are weighty. Therefore, they can be costly and challenging to move. Unless your books have sentimental value or you’re an avid collector, consider whittling down your collection.
5. Extra Kitchen Clutter
If you have a massive collection of coffee mugs, dishware for far more people than you ever feed, and too many small appliances, scale these down. Go through your kitchen with a discerning eye. Consider what is extra and what you never really use.
6. Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture is another space-consuming thing to consider leaving behind. These pieces tend to have a limited life span because of their exposure to the elements. Therefore, with the depreciation of what you have considered, it may be less costly to simply leave the pieces behind.
7. Garage-Kept Items
The garage can be a catch-all for many items that don’t have a place, but some garage items are necessities. Lawnmowers, gardening equipment, landscaping supplies, and yard tools—these items can be essential. However, when you are moving to a new state, your gardening and landscaping needs may look different.
Get the Help You Need for Moving Long Distance
Moving can be a big undertaking, and having a long way to go to get your stuff to your destination is an even bigger challenge. Having an experienced long-distance mover on your side means a lot. Reach out to us to get a free quote for your upcoming move.
