It's hard enough moving across town, let alone cross country. If you have a big move coming up, you may feel overwhelmed by all that you need to do. Making a checklist and knowing how to prepare for the move in advance will reduce some anxiety. 

When moving across the country, you have a few different options for hauling your belongings. If you don't have many items and want to travel light, consider selling your furniture and decor pieces and repurchasing on the other side. 

If you have a lot of stuff and prefer to take it all with you, hire a residential moving company to haul everything for you. In some cases, the professional movers will also help you pack up before the big move. The third option is to pack everything yourself and rent a moving truck to drive to your new city. 

Whether you choose to hire professional movers or do the job yourself, there are several things you can do to make the journey easier and more stress-free. Here are some ways you can prepare for your cross-country move:

1. Gather Important Papers 

If professional movers are packing up your home, make sure you put any important paperwork, such as leases, rental agreements, birth certificates, and vaccination records in a secure location, such as a specific folder or a safe. Plan to keep the paperwork in your vehicle, rather than the moving truck, so that they're on hand if you need them. 

2. Protect Your Furniture 

Since your furniture and other pieces may be moving around inside a truck during the cross-country trek, prepare it before the movers arrive. For instance, wrap costly furniture, such as real wood dressers and tables, in blankets to protect it from nicks and scrapes. 

You can also protect items with bubble wrap. Wrap the pieces, such as antiques or delicate decor items, tightly in the plastic sheets and then secure with heavy-duty tape. Use the wrapped items to help cushion any unprotected items in the truck. 

3. Prepare for Storage 

If you'll be placing some of your belongings in a storage unit while you secure permanent housing in your new city, prepare them prior to moving day. Remove any food particles from pots, pans, or other bakeware to prevent insects and other pests from entering your storage space. 

Label any boxed or bagged items so that you'll know where to place them in the unit. For example, you may want certain pieces stored closer to the unit's door for easier access. 

For more information, contact residential moving services near you.