Tips on moving to a new farmhouse from suburbia!

Moving can be a very stressful experience. It is surprising how much preparation goes into making a move as stress-free as possible. Here are some tips to help make your move as smooth as possible. This blog includes doing it yourself. 

• Get a moving estimate from at least two different companies. It will help you save on costs and ensure you get the best deal. 
• Make a list of the items you’ll need for your move. This will help you avoid running into any problems down the road. 
• Arrange for a truck pickup or to have a moving company pick up your furniture and appliances ahead of time. It will save you time and hassle. 
• Bring along a copy of your insurance policy. This will help you get reimbursed for any damages that may occur during your move. 
• Pack all your essential documents, such as your driver’s license, passport, and social security card.
• Use the proper packing materials. It will help protect your belongings and make a move go as smoothly as possible. 
• Be prepared for any emergencies that may arise. This includes ensuring you have enough money to cover any unexpected costs. 
• Have a plan for when you arrive at your new home. It will help you get settled in quickly.
• Stay positive. Moving can be a challenging experience, but it can also be rewarding. Don’t allow the stress of the move to take away from the joys of having a new Farmhouse.

1. Packing list essentials

2. What to pack for the move

Moving is a significant and stressful event that requires a lot of planning. You want to remember everything, so you must know what to bring and leave behind. It is crucial to take into account the size of your new farmhouse. You may want to get more clothes or furniture than you think you need, or you may want to leave a lot behind. It all comes down to what you want and what you will use. You also want to consider what you will need in your new home. You may need a few items you can’t find in your old home, so planning is vital.

3. What to leave behind

When you move to a new home, knowing what you need to take with you and what you can leave behind is vital. When packing up your old home, it is a good idea to make a list of everything you want to take with you and pack it in boxes. This will make it easier for you when it comes time to move. Take this time to clear the clutter and keep only the essentials you need or find meaningful. It will also make it easier to figure out what you will leave behind. Remember that almost everything is helpful on a farm only if you have enough space to keep the items organized and tidy. 

When moving to a new farmhouse, knowing what you are planning to take with you is also essential. It is often easy to forget what you have in your old home and what you bring to your new home. Be aware of what you have taken with you so that you do not accidentally buy it again for your new home if you already have one.

4. Essential items to set aside

Here is a list of items you should still pack but keep safe. Separate and put in a precise spot after you have moved. I mark these boxes with red X’s. 

• Important documents such as your passport, birth certificate, and social security card
• Necessary electronics such as cell phones, chargers, power strip, laptops/computers, and TV
• Kitchen appliances that you may immediately need such as a blender, coffee maker, and pots and pans
• Important furniture such as your desk and a chair
• Important clothing items such as underwear, socks, and pajamas
• Cleaning supplies such as a broom and mop
• Essential pet items, such as cat and a dog food
• Medications and toiletries

5. Whom to contact to let them know

You should also contact your insurance, banker, and utility companies. You will need to let your employer know your new address. If you have any questions about the processes, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I would be happy to give you ideas or helpful hints. Let businesses know you’re moving so they can adjust their records and policies as necessary. Not only will this save you time, but it will also help to avoid any potential headaches or disputes down the line.

6. Insurance

Contacting the insurance company is going to be one of the first steps, and you can do it in several ways. You can call them, email them, or even post a notice on their website. The most important thing is to be as detailed as possible, so there are no surprises. Most mortgage companies require this once you have found your new farm.

If you’ve done your research, you’ll know which businesses are most likely to be involved in a dispute or claim after you’ve moved. By contacting them in advance, you can avoid any potential hassles.

7. Doctor’s and Dental office

The doctor’s office and dentist’s office are elementary. Make sure you take with you any of your prescriptions or any critical paperwork. Take a picture of your address, so they know where to send your mail. Bring a list of the hospitals and doctors in the new area so that they can help refer you to someone in the new place.

Many people have to change their address because they move, but only some can quickly find a new doctor in a new area. It can be challenging to find new doctors. However, there are ways to make it easier. First, make sure you contact your doctor and dental office. They can possibly help you refer you to a doctor in the new area. If you are unsuccessful in finding a doctor in the new location, try finding one nearby and then ask for referrals. 

8. Landlord

If you’re renting and thinking of moving, you should contact your landlord as soon as possible. This is especially important if you have lease agreements with them. They may have specific procedures they need to follow to mitigate any damages that may occur during your move-out. You should also contact any other businesses affected by your move-out. Notifying them in advance will help ensure a smooth transition for all parties involved.

9. Possible Tenants

If you sell a home and have tenants, you must contact them as soon as possible. Notifying them in advance will help ensure a smooth transition and make things as easy as possible for everyone. Moving can be a traumatic experience for some, so taking all the necessary steps to minimize the disruption to your tenets is essential.

Notifying your tenants in advance will help give them time to plan for their move, arrange for temporary storage, and make any necessary adjustments to their scheduling. It will help minimize the disruption caused by your move and make things as easy as possible for everyone. Who doesn’t love easy?

10. Utilities

Utilities are always looking for new customers and are always willing to work with farms that can help them grow. Contacting your utility company can help you understand your needs and find the right partner.

Utilities can help you with energy efficiency, renewable energy, and connected home services. They can help you with billing, account management, and technology adoption.

Utilities can help you save money and protect the environment. So if you are looking for new ways to grow your farm, contact your utility company.

11. Cable and Internet

When you move, you must notify your cable and Internet service providers as soon as possible. Telling them in advance will allow them time to adjust your service and offer a promotional price.

In addition, if you have DirectTV, you should contact them to let them know you’re moving and to schedule an installation appointment.

If you have Comcast, you can contact them to change your address, add a new service, or upgrade your service.

Remember to inform your providers about any special equipment you’ll need, such as a new satellite dish or converter box, or any modifications you’ll need to your existing service, such as adding a new phone line. 

If you are moving into a farm country, internet and cable aren’t as easily accessible. If internet speeds matter, remember farming will keep you plenty busy.  Moving to a rural location can severely limit your internet options.  Use a service like https://www.highspeedoptions.com to help find the available providers at your new location.  I personally like StarLink ( https://www.starlink.com ) but the start-up costs can be expensive.

It’s also a good idea to let your current internet provider know. If they have availability in the new location, they may need to update your account information and change your modem and/or router settings.  If they don’t you will need to cancel your current service.

12. Telephone and Cell

When you’re moving, there’s a good chance you’ll need to change your phone service provider if you have a landline. You’ll need to contact the phone company to let them know your new address. You can also get them to schedule a tech visit to test your line and ensure everything is working correctly if you want a landline installed on the new farm. They may even offer you a temporary discount on your bills if you contact them soon enough.  Ensure you have the all-important cell service when out on a property if you are not planning on having a landline. 

13. Trash and Recycling

Trash on the farm could range anywhere from a suburban-like weekly service to a dumpster service.  This will take a little research, it is always good to just look around and see what your new neighbors may be using.  The service providers are usually printed on the trash can or dumpster.  If anything, talking trash is a good conversation starter with your new neighbor.

Your current trash company will need to know where to send a final bill and put a stop date on service so they can send the trash truck out one last time.

14. Animals and Pets

If you own animals, you should contact the local county office for the district you will be moving to. This is especially important if you have any animals that will be moving with you. Different counties require you to have specific permits for specific animals. That will give you time to take care of any animal-related paperwork. 

15. Mail

Contacting the post office can be daunting, but doing so is essential. Why? The post office handles a large percentage of the nation’s mail. This means that they have access to a lot of information and data.  In addition, the post office can also help you with your website for the farm. They can help you to create a mailing list for your website, and they can also help you to set up email opt-ins. It can help you to capture leads and build your email list. Most importantly, the post office can help you to track and forward your mail. 

16. Drivers License

Depending on where you live there are different rules for updating your driver’s license.  Contact your local DMV for the required updates in your state/county.

17. Banks and Credit Cards

You should contact your bank and all your credit card companies. They will all need to be updated with the new address.   The most confusing for me was to know which zip code to use when asked for at the gas pump!

18. Conclusion

When it comes to moving, I have a lot of valuable tricks and trades up my sleeves. In 1990 I married the love of my life, who was in the Air Force at the time. I knew that in the armed forces, moving comes with the territory. We moved eight times in our first seven years of marriage, including once overseas and back. I adjusted my list with each move to make it better than the previous one. Because of this, I have a lot of essential tips to share. Here are a few for you to remember:

• Make a plan
  • When you’re ready to move, make a plan. Figure out what you need, and want and where everything will go. It will save time and energy later on.
• Get organized
  • Pack your boxes and crates as neatly as possible. It’ll make the moving process go smoother.
• Label everything
  • Labeling everything is crucial so you don’t have to look for something specific later. This includes boxes, crates, and even furniture!
• Don’t overload your truck
  • Try to pack as much as you can at once and then take it one item at a time to the truck. This way, you won’t have to deal with heavy boxes or furniture.
• Set up a timeline
  • Create a timeline for your move, so you know exactly when everything will happen. It will help to keep you on track.
• Call a moving company or rental truck company
  • There are many moving companies, so it’s essential to choose the right one for your situation. Ask around or check out reviews before making a decision. Or find a rental moving truck company and reserve a truck large enough to fit your life in. This can be a great way to save some money.
• Don’t stress out
  • Remember, moving is a lot of work, but it’ll be worth it when you finally have your new farm or office set up and everything is where it’s supposed to be.

I hope you enjoyed my blog about how to coordinate moving services. Coordinating moving services can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it in the end. I outlined the steps you need to take to ensure a smooth and stress-free move from the trash company to the doctor’s office. To what to keep, to what to leave behind. I feel I covered it all! I can’t wait to hear about your move in the comments, and I hope you found my blog helpful. 

---

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” 

~Alexander Graham Bell