Relocating for Work

Planning your move

The key to a smooth move is organization. Use our helpful tips on choosing a mover, packing, cleaning and preparing your kids to make the transition easier. We even have a 90-day move countdown checklist to keep you focused and on-track.

Plan your move›

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Storage facilities

If you did not have much time to prepare for the move (and sort through your belongings) or you are moving into a small apartment temporarily while you look for a larger home, you will want to investigate storage facilities in your new city. You want to choose a well-reputed facility that fits your needs.

• Check reviews online to avoid storage centers that frequently raise their rates, have poor customer service, or get many complaints about property damage.
• Remember that the storage facility closest to your home may not be the best for your budget. You may think you will want to visit your storage space often, but in reality, most people rarely visit. A place farther away could save you a bundle.
• Get a space big enough to move around in and access all your boxes. Don't rent a space your stuff barely fits into. You don't want to have to remove all your boxes to get to something in the back. Make sure you have room to work and move things around.
• Determine if your items need to be climate controlled. If you will only be using the space for three months in a temperate climate, you may not have to worry. But if you don't know how long you will need the unit, you should hedge your bets with a facility that will keep the humidity low and the temperature mild.

• Be aware of insurance requirements. Some self-storage facilities require that all renters insure their belongings. However, if you already have homeowner's or renter's insurance, your policy may cover your storage facility. Check your policy before signing up for the storage company's insurance plan
• Compare the prices of storage units in different locations within the facility. You can sometimes save money by renting a less convenient unit. Units that are easy to get to typically cost more than units of the same size that are tucked away on a different floor far away from the elevator or stairs.
• Make sure the facility is open during the hours when you will need access to the unit. Office hours typically differ from the hours when you can access your unit, so if you will need assistance from someone in the office, take note of the shorter hours for office staff.
• Read the terms of your rental agreement. Make sure you know what happens if you miss a payment, need to change units, or notice damage to your belongings.

There are a few storage companies that offer both moving and storage, using a single container to transport and store your property. These can be a good option when you need longer than a day to fill your moving truck or have less than a couple of weeks between the moving of your belongings to the new city and when you will be able to transfer them into your new home.

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Downsizing

Moving is the perfect time to let go of all the things you don't need anymore. If your company is moving you and helping with relocation expenses, you may not have to worry as much about packing, but even then, no one wants a million boxes to unpack at their new home.

• Create areas in your home or garage where you can separate items into piles labeled "donate," "throw away," and "keep."
• Evaluate boxes in your attic, garage, shed, closets and storage unit that you have not opened in a year or more. If you haven't thought about these items in more than a year, throw them out.
• Go through your home office and get rid of files more than 10 years old.
• Inventory your kitchen equipment (e.g., pots, pans, spoons, plates, appliances) and donate anything you have not used in more than two years.

• Clean out your closet, removing any items that don't fit or that you haven't worn in one year.
• Take time to draw a small floor plan of your new home, positioning your existing furniture in it. Donate anything that will not fit.
• Schedule a pickup date with a local charity that will come by your home to take your donation. (Many organizations offer this service – particularly for furniture donations.)

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