By Emma Noah
Relocating is hard. Relocating in winter is more or less torture. The logistic nightmare of packing and moving is more than enough to make any adult cry. Add that to unpredictable weather, slippery roads, and having to wear layers after layers of heavy clothes, and you’d understand why winter is the least popular season for relocation.
But if for some stroke of bad luck, you got stuck in having to relocate during this chilly season, then these five winter relocation hacks might save you money, time, effort, and a whole load of stress.
Winterize your car.
This is crucial in keeping you and your family safe during the winter, but it’s most especially important if you’re planning to move. Switch to winter tires to ensure maximum safety and performance. These tires will have better traction against slippery roads.
You should also install winter wipers that can withstand the cold weather and keep ice from accumulating on the blades. Topping off fluids is also ideal. But most importantly, get your brakes checked and always bring extra car batteries just in case. You wouldn’t want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere now, do you?
Don’t take on the move on your own.
Even if your car has been winterized, moving all your belongings, furniture and appliances included, all on your own is a bad idea. Remember that getting the move done as efficiently as possible is the goal. The roads are slippery, and the daylight hours are short. The faster you get it over with, the better.
You can always ask for help from family and friends, but getting a reliable moving company solves a lot of your current problems and avoids possible problems that may arise. Hiring well-equipped and highly-trained movers is the best course of action if you want a stress-free relocation.
And don’t forget to treat your movers well. If it’s hard for you, then it’s probably hard for them to move things in the winter, too. Make sure you verbally thank them for their hard work. A cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate can also help. And tipping them generously will not hurt anyone.
Check the weather religiously.
And by religiously, it means to pray that no hail storm spoils your plans. Kidding aside, you should always check the weather forecasts in real-time. Check the forecasts for both your destination and all the places you’d go through along your route. This gives you enough room for flexibility in your plans.
You have to be prepared for the unpredictable weather. Adjust your plans according to possible weather-related complications. This means packing all the electronics in your car in case the moving truck gets stuck in the cold overnight due to a snowstorm. Another good example is double packing fragile things and keeping them insulated in case of a blizzard.
Prepare both houses for foot traffic.
Both the house you’ll be leaving and the one you’ll be moving into will be subjected to a lot of foot traffic during your relocation. You, your family, friends that would help, the movers, and many people will be going in and out of both homes. And the last thing you want is to worry about the expenses if somebody damages any of them.
Keep your carpets and hardwood floors covered from all the mud that you’d have to clean. You should also clear sidewalks and driveways to avoid slipping and breaking your things. Turning your heater off can be a wise move as well since there will be people going in and out, and your furnace will try to adjust to that, which means you’ll end up using up more power.
Last but not least, make sure that your utilities at the new house are already up and running. Imagine having to spend the night without light, heat, and Wi-Fi. Terrifying, right?
Make sure that the kids are in a different location.
This is important mainly because of two reasons. The first one is your kids’ safety. Traveling with a heavy load on icy roads can be dangerous. It would be in their best interest if they could spend the night at some relative’s house and enjoy a sleepover instead of impatiently annoying you and complaining about the move.
And that is the second reason. You are already going to stress over the relocation itself and most probably the cause of the relocation. With all the things you have to worry about, having your kids stay safely, comfortably, and silently away from the move is one less thing off your mind.
The bottom line
Winter relocation may not be ideal, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it seems. With a bit of planning and a few tips online, you can turn an uphill battle into a walk in the park. Happy holidays!
