We’re in a bit of an unusual spot: unpacking and settling into a new rental while already planning another move in about seven months. It feels odd to make this place feel like home when we know we won’t be here forever, but the relief of knowing we’ll remain in the same area makes the next decisions about long-term housing easier.
The short-term rental solution was perfect while we searched for work and figured things out. Now that we have a clearer timeline, we can take our time with a more deliberate house hunt and think ahead about what will work best for our family. Moving is always equal parts stressful and exciting, and after going through it I wanted to share the most useful strategies and the biggest challenges we ran into—hopefully these tips will help anyone else facing a move.
Some things went very smoothly; others taught us lessons the hard way. Below I’ve organized the best practices that saved time and stress, followed by the parts that proved most challenging so you can plan around them.
What worked well
- Do research early. Searching for “moving tips” turned up countless ideas. Reading other people’s experiences helped me avoid common mistakes and gave me practical packing shortcuts to try.
- Keep hanging clothes on their hangers. Slide a large garbage bag over garments while they hang on the closet rod, then tie the bag at the top so the hanger hooks remain exposed. When you arrive, hang the garments back and untie the bag. It’s fast, protects clothes, and saves folding time.
- Leave items in dresser drawers. Instead of emptying dressers, tuck clothing in the drawers and wrap or secure the drawers so contents don’t spill. It uses space efficiently and makes unpacking faster.
- Begin purging early. Start sorting what to keep, donate, or discard well ahead of moving day. The closer it gets, the harder decisions become—so giving yourself time reduces stress and avoids last-minute regrets.
- Transport drawer organizers intact. Silverware trays and small organizers can be wrapped in a towel or bubble wrap, taped, and packed as a unit. Unwrap and slide them into the drawer at the new place for instant organization.
- Collect small hardware in one bin. Keep curtain rods, picture hangers, screws, and similar small items in a clear plastic container with a lid. Label or keep that bin accessible so you aren’t hunting for nails and anchors when you need them.
- Keep packing supplies together. Store markers, tape, scissors, and a notepad or binder in a tray or single box so you can grab everything from one place when packing or labeling boxes.
- Use up perishable food. Take inventory of the pantry and freezer and plan meals to reduce what needs to be moved. Freeing up space and minimizing food waste makes the transition easier.
- Pack a first-day essentials kit. Include bedding, toiletries, a change of clothes, basic cookware, coffee, and chargers. We also packed our clothing in suitcases so we could find outfits quickly without digging through boxes.
What was challenging
- Cleaning both homes was a bigger job than I expected. I cleaned as much as I could before moving, but there always seemed to be one more thing. Friends who helped on the final day were lifesavers. I discovered how effective melamine sponges can be for scuffs and grime, but I also learned to plan so I don’t need to make multiple long trips back and forth—especially when the properties are far apart.
Packing the truck efficiently was harder than expected. While many people helped carry items and load boxes, only one person organized the interior of the truck. Having an extra pair of hands inside the truck to arrange boxes as they come in would have made better use of space and kept items secure during transit.
We also learned that the loading order matters. A friend suggested loading large furniture last so you can place it directly where it belongs and then stack boxes around it. That approach makes unloading and room setup quicker, but in our case we were racing the clock and didn’t manage that layout. When possible, plan your loading sequence ahead and communicate it to everyone helping.
Those are the main takeaways from this move. If you have tips that worked well for you, I’d love to hear them—sharing what you learned can make future moves smoother for everyone.
Additional packing and moving topics to consider:
- How to pack your kitchen without losing your mind
- Packing and planning ahead
- Ten lessons learned on moving day
If you missed earlier posts with photos and room tours of our rental so far, look for updates showing the living and dining areas and ideas for organizing a smaller master bedroom.
