My last but one move was huge as it was the first time I'd moved to a different country and it was with a 6 week old baby AND not knowing a single person there. It is hard to remember those first few months now as Amsterdam became home. We loved the lifestyle and made life-long friends there.
At least that move was within Europe. Now this has become my biggest move as it is to the other side of the world. We have to start all over again in Sydney, so watch this space....
Click on the links below for my blogs centered around moving:
Travelling light, or not!
The BIG pack
Search for a home
The Big Un-pack
My packing tips
- You will never have enough time to do everything. Write a list, prioritise and delegate where possible
- Ask/beg for help
- If moving overseas check with customs for that country for items which are not allowed in
- Generally you will have to remove batteries from everything, kids toys, clocks etc
- Give the neighbours notice
- Check if parking permits are needed and check if you or the movers need to get them
- If you have a choice of move date, it helps to organise the move for the day before rubbish collection, then its not left on the street for days.
- If selling or giving away items start early, even for big items. It's better you sell a wardrobe and keep everything in boxes for a week than be left with it at the end
- Try to put items in the rooms where you want them to end up because they will be packed by room.
- Pack a suitcase of things you are taking and if possible take them to a friends. I've heard lots of stories of bags being packed by accident.
- Have snacks and lunch at the ready, you won't have a proper kitchen to make lunch when they get going and you probably won't have time to pop out. Plus removers work better with biscuits!
- Don't rely on telling packers not to pack something, write 'do not pack' on a big bit of paper and stick it on. Despite telling our packers the toothbrushes and strollers got packed.
- Professional packers work really fast, make sure you have pulled out everything you need before they arrive.
- At the end, before the packers leave, open every cupboard door in every room to make sure nothing has been missed.
- See if a friend will lend you cleaning materials, dustpan and brush, hoover etc for a final clean when everything has gone.
My unpacking tips:
- Notify your new neighbours if possible. A good way of introducing yourself.
- When unloading, start piling boxes up opposite areas that big furniture is going to go e.g. sofas and wardrobes, otherwise you won't be able to get them in and they are generally the last to come off the lorry.
- When opening boxes have a marker pen ready so if not unpacking the whole box there and then you can write on the outside the contents.
- Walk around with the removers so they know which each room is to be used for so boxes can be left in appropriate room
- Open all fragile boxes while the removers are there to check for damage. Worth checking the insurance details before. Some will only pay out for damages found while removers are present.
- Again, food and drinks at the ready.
- A good company will have a list you can check off box by box to make sure nothing has gone missing.
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