Edmonton boasts plenty of options for city living, from the high-rise apartments in the downtown core to the more family-centred culs-de-sac in South Edmonton.
If you're moving to a different part of the city, you're no doubt excited about your new adventure! However, if you've never completed a local move before, you may wonder about the best way to execute it.
While you may not be moving across the country, moving locally is still costly, time-consuming, and requires organization. Below, we've gathered a few tips for how to make the move to your new apartment seamless and ensure you're properly equipped to settle into your new home.
1. Account for weather changes
The weather in Western Alberta is anything but consistent. Even if your move-in date is forecast to be sunny and warm, prepare for the weather to fluctuate in the days leading up.
Leave extra time in the day to drive back and forth and unpack, as weather changes like snow, ice, or rain can make this process much more time-consuming.
2. Purchase a full set of packing supplies
It's a common misconception that you don't need to pack as thoroughly when making shorter moves in a city like Edmonton. Are moving boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other packing supplies really necessary when you're just moving fifteen minutes away? Can't you just toss your things in a few laundry baskets?
While you may not be relocating very far, the process of moving your items from one home to the next is still risky. If they aren't packed properly, certain items may fall or swerve in the back of the moving truck and break, or you may end up losing valuable items if they aren't sealed up.
Further, packing properly will allow you to keep things organized and make sorting and unpacking much simpler to complete.
3. Leave clothes on hangers
While it's important to pack in an organized manner, there are a few items that are easier to move across town in their current state, such as clothes.
Clothing that needs to be hung in the closet can be kept on its hanger by being packed in a garment bag. If you don't have enough garment bags for all your hanging clothes, you can go the DIY route using trash bags.
This method is ideal for accessing clothes for work or a last minute event without having to sort through all your boxes immediately after moving.
4. Pack an essentials box for the first night
When moving across the country, you generally plan to be without certain items for a few days, as the process of unpacking often takes much longer than a local move.
However, if you're switching homes but still need to be fresh for work the following day, you need to ensure you have everything you need to stay in your routine.
In your essentials box, include items like toiletries, cosmetics, work clothes, pyjamas, blankets, one set of tableware, a coffee pot, and a phone charger. Having these items on-hand will allow you to start the following day without feeling too disorganized as you continue to unpack and settle your new home.
5. Take your food with you
If you have a fridge full of groceries leading up to your move, you don't need to throw them out! When cleaning out your fridge, pack the food items that still have a few days of shelf life into coolers and lunch bags.
If you're moving in the summer, add a few ice packs to each bag to ensure your food stays cold in the car as you drive. Keeping what food you can will help you save money and make your new apartment feel more home-like as you have access to familiar foods.
6. Hire a professional moving company
To make the moving process smoother, hire a professional moving company to pack, load, unload, and unpack your belongings.
Our team at Mover Guys is here to help make the move across Edmonton quick and seamless so that you can enjoy your new home in our vibrant city without delay. Call us at 780-469-6644 and book your move-in day!