Moving check list

Relocating can be a nightmare, or it can be a richly rewarding experience. Moving to someplace new can even be an adventure in and of itself. However, if you wait until the last minute to prepare, or let disorganization, poor planning, or spur of the moment decisions rule your move, you're almost guaranteed a nightmare you will wish you could forget.

Careful thought and early planning can make any move smoother for everyone involved. For a more successful relocation, try these suggestions:

· If your company is moving you, check for any company-sponsored relocation services. If available, this can serve you countless hours of frustration. Even if you have access to company (or other) relocation services - and especially if you're on your own - scope out your options carefully.

· Hopefully, you at least know where you are to move. (If not, you'll need lots more help than these few simple tips, I'm afraid!) If you have a final destination in mind, then you're ready to gather some information. Contact the local Chamber of Commerce for relocation and tourist information. You will need all of the information possible. Even tourist information can provide you with useful information.

· Try to collect newspapers from your future home that cover a wide period of time. Newspapers can give you invaluable information about your new community. You can also gain valuable insight into the community, itself, as well as into its business and social structure.

· Make contacts with people and businesses from your future home. Get in touch with banks, realtors, and other potential sources of information and help. Many of these businesses and their employees specialize in helping newcomers get moved in and settled. And let's not forget the value of good customer service. This is not to say that these people should be taken advantage of. But people in business already know the layout of the community. And it's in a business's best interest to cultivate potential customer relationships. Besides all of this, many people are just kind and caring enough to want to welcome newcomers to their community, and are happy to help.

· If possible, plan a visit to your new home and community before you move in. Once you get there, personally meet with the contacts you've made and glean any advice and suggestions they offer. Take a tour of the community, and let your contacts - and new friends - introduce you around. This makes moving to a new place a little less intimidating, not to mention less lonely and frightening. Check out the neighborhood, churches, schools, and different businesses you may wish to visit.

· Before you move, try to arrange to have your utilities and such turned on either the day before you arrive, or on the day you actually move in. Who knows, some of your new contacts might even be willing to drop by your new house or apartment the day before you arrive and meet any utility people, so your new home will be fully up and running when you move in.

· Start packing early! Start with the items either out of season, or items you don't anticipate needing before your move. But pack carefully - you don't want to interrupt your packing by having to dig through box after box, looking for something you suddenly find you have to have before you move.

· Pack in stages - starting early with the least needed items and working closer to moving day. The closer you get, however, start packing some separate suitcases and boxes with the things you use every day, as well as with things you may need during your move and during the first days in your new home. Again, this saves having to desperately search through countless boxes, trying to find the exact item you need. This also helps when using conventional moving services. You don't want to find yourself missing critical items if your movers are for some reason delayed.

Above all else, just take your time, prepare as much as possible in advance, and take your move in stages and in stride. Remember, it's just a move, and this, too, shall pass. Before you know it, you'll be all settled in, feeling like you're as much a part of your new community as one of the founding fathers of your new home.