Long Distance Moves: A Short Tutorial

I have heard many people at my stage of life say that they don't know where they would even begin if they had to pick up and move the way we did.  For others, moving every several years is just a way of life--think military or pastor families.  Let me be straightforward: moving long distance with a family is not for the faint of heart.  But it can be and is done all the time.  I thought I'd share what I have learned mostly the hard way.  Maybe it will be useful for you when you have to or want to move, even if it's not until retirement.  (Shannon, this post is especially for you!)

First, check out your new community as much as possible.  There is a lot of grunt work involved in this, especially when it comes to finding a place(housing/neighborhood) to live. The internet is the best place to start.  Check out the newspaper online.  Call the city building and talk to someone there.  Visit, more than once.  While there, go to the Chamber of Commerce and talk to the person there.  They will give you all kinds of newcomer pamphlets, a phone book, a list of helpful phone numbers. We were fortunate; the lady who works at our Chamber of Commerce is a transplant from Indiana.  When you find a potential home, take the time to drive the area in the morning, afternoon, and after dark.  This will help you know what the atmosphere and neighbors are like. Scout out the stores and other places you frequent.  Where are they and how far do you have to go to get to them.  A local hospital was a must--it's the mom in me. Visit a church and see how you are received.  We chose the church with a large youth group, and we think we got it right.

Second, prepare yourself for what all you have to do to get established in the new place and close up shop in the old.  Navigating utilities and government agencies can be a real headache.  For example, we had to show up in person to have the utilities switched over.  Some things can't be done over the phone.  Find out what it takes to get your driver's license, your kids enrolled in school, your car insurance transferred.  Don't forget to  notify your creditors, subscriptions, etc of your address change.  Even though I did, some still are in the process of getting it right.  It's also important that you find out about sales, property,  and employment tax rates in your new area.  Things may be done very differently in other places.  We now pay annual property tax on our cars, but our driver's licenses are good for ten years.  No local employment tax, but the state tax is a flat rate.  In Ohio, there's a sliding scale for income tax.

Third, once you have found a house, do your homework.  We were fortunate enough to be given the keys to the properties and sent out to look at them on our own(highly unusual).  We took our time and spent at least an hour in each of the contenders.  We took pictures, made extensive notes, and took measurements.  We visualized our stuff and our lives in the space.  We wrote down what we had that would work in the spaces, right down to the curtain rods.  We listed what we would need.  When I got home, I made lists of what would move with us and what had to be sold.  The fact that we are about 100 miles from the coast means that there are no basements.  Since I had a basement, that called for some pretty drastic storage changes.  Have a garage sale!  Donate the rest.  Weed out all the things you don't need or absolutely love.  If you can afford it, sell almost everything and buy new(or new to you).  I am not kidding.  Take only your personal effects and most valued treasures.  I would have bought almost all new furniture if I could have.  

As far as the moving goes, my best advice is to hire a mover.  We didn't.  We couldn't.  We were given a moving allowance, but it did not cover the $7k it would have cost. We packed a 26' UHaul full.  It was grueling work.  I did most of the packing all by myself because of Kenny's work schedule.  Start a month ahead of time, at least.  Get friends to help if you can.  Thanks to our dear friends, I did not load the truck at all.  Unloading in the pouring rain in four hours was a nightmare.  Get help at the new place if you can.  We should have hired the hourly help to unpack.  Buy the stupid moving insurance.  A few bucks is worth the peace of mind knowing they'll replace your stuff.  Did I say this already?  If you can, get rid of all or most of your stuff and buy new!

This list is long, I know.  It's certainly not complete, but I will give you a break now.  One day it might be useful.  It's really nice down here.  Come January, you might just consider a move to the South too.

Hugs, Ya'll!