Are you gearing up for a move to Boston, The Cradle of Liberty?
We expect the city to see a job growth by over 42% over the coming years, which is far higher than the national average. This is why Boston is such a great place to set your sights and start shopping around for a place to live.
But moving anywhere, let alone to Boston, can be stressful and harrowing. How can you ensure that you’ll get there in one piece, and with your sanity intact?
That’s why at Realty WW gathered the following tips:
1. Set Your Budget
Budgets aren’t boring. They tell your money where you want it to go. When it comes to moving, things can get expensive quickly.
Do yourself a favor early in the game and set a budget for how much you can reasonably afford when moving to Boston with a reputable company. It can be an expensive place to live, and overall, the average cost of living here is higher than the national average. A studio apartment, on average, will cost around $2000 if it is in a nice neighborhood.
Once you have a number, you can start shopping around and find the right moving services that will help make your move to Boston as stress-free as possible. Experts specializing in the trade have figured out where risk lays and how to solve emergency situations. That’s why professional routine and know-how can actually save you from unexpected hassle and nerves
And even if you can’t afford to farm out most of the work, our tips can still help you if your budget is on the smaller side.
2. Figure Where You Want to Live
Boston is a beautiful city and even though not among those most on-the-move cities nationwide, there are areas that offer specific activities and certain amenities depending on the neighborhood.
Before you make your move, take time to consider what you want to do for fun and other activities. Weight in on the city, where it is and where it’s headed at.
Areas like Beacon Hill are scenic, but they are also touristy.
Back Bay is affluent, and the rental rates go right along with that affluent lifestyle.
Suburbs including Cambridge, Belmont, and others where neighborhoods are more family-friendly with parks and quieter neighborhoods, but the housing cost for that solitude and low crime area is often reflected in the cost of living.
3. Plan the Plan
Create a plan or a checklist at least two months before your scheduled move. As you progress, you’ll, of course, be checking things off your list, but your list will change and evolve. You might think you can remember everything, but there are a lot of little things that can add up and take up important headspace and mental energy.
Free your mind by writing things down in an easy-to-access place, such as your phone or a small notepad you can keep in your purse.
If you plan to rent when you relocate to Boston, it’s a good idea to start checking out property rentals a couple of months ahead of time. Rentals go fast, especially during the late spring and throughout the summer, so starting early is a wise idea.
Take time to list several places to check out and if possible, try to make time for a trip in advance so you can visit apartments and other rentals not only to see if the inside is going to make a suitable home but also to check out the neighborhood.
Advanced planning can save you time and money when it’s time to make your move.
4. Get Rid of Stuff
Parry down your belongings. The less stuff you must move, the less time, money, and hassle you’ll spend packing, hauling, and unpacking your items.
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Everything you don’t use that’s unnecessary for your new life in Boston, consider throwing it away, donating it, or storing it.
If you are planning on selling your current home prior to your move to Boston, it’s best to declutter and make sure your home looks as large and roomy as possible for potential buyers. Clearing space by getting rid of your unwanted household items is a good idea so buyers can envision their own furnishings inside.
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5. Schedule a Pick-up
Once you’ve gone through your belongings and have set aside the things you aren’t going to take with you, you don’t have to toss them in the trash. Your old items may bring joy to someone else. You can schedule a donation pick up, where professionals will come to your home and take your things to the local Goodwill.
6. Request Quotes
Moving companies can vary significantly on service, quality, and price.
Do your research, such as check out Google reviews, or ask family and friends for recommendations. Once you’ve narrowed down a selection of reputable moving companies that meet your needs, contact them and request some price quotes on moving. Usually, a moving company will send a representative to your home to assess your belongings and the number of items you want to move.
If you completed steps 3 and 4 before you call around for quotes, you’ll save on moving company fees and have a better chance of staying within or coming in under your allotted budget.
7. Pack Early
The sooner you start packing, the less stressful your move is going to be.
Waiting to pack until the day before your movers are scheduled to arrive can make the process unpleasant and overwhelming.
Chances are, you’ll want to spend your last couple of days in your current location creating lasting memories with your loved ones and spending time in the community before you say, “good-bye.” Failing to pack early can rob you of this precious time, and you might regret it.
If you don’t have enough boxes for packing, you can get them for free from your local liquor store. You might even have some larger boxes from electronics or other items stored away in your home that you’ve forgotten about.
Gently used boxes can hold lighter items like towels or bedsheets. It’s best to use durable plastic totes for things like dishes or heavier, more fragile items.
8. Switch Your Address
Before you move, take the time to switch your address so you receive mail at your new home. You can do this either at your local post office or online. If you don’t change your address until you get settled in your new home in Boston, you can end up missing out on not only final utility bills from your previous company but also on personal mail that you won’t want to miss.
It’s best to call your utility companies about a week before your scheduled move to make sure that your name is off the utilities. This will also give you some time to return any possible items, such as cable cords or cable boxes.
Although moving is a huge project, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Keep these top tips in mind once you finalize your decision to move to Boston. Prepare long ahead of time, set up what should happen when, make the right arrangements and think how the entire process can happen easy and smooth.
October 18, 2019