You may really like your neighborhood – it may be safe, with a lot of greenery and a variety of local amenities, conveniently located close to your workplace, in the catchment area of a good school, etc. Yet, you may not like your current home – it may not suit your needs and preferences and you may not feel comfortable in it.
In such a case, moving to a new house in the same neighborhood is the perfect solution – you will stay in the same area you like and will get a new home that you love. To make things even better, the move itself won’t be very difficult – after all, you’ll only be moving across the street.
Keep in mind though that while moving in the same neighborhood is indeed much simpler than moving to another city or state, it is not without its challenges – you will still need to sort out your belongings and pack them for moving; you will still need to complete all kinds of laborious moving tasks and do a lot of heavy lifting; you will still need to change your address and transfer utilities; etc.
Moving is never easy – even when you’re moving next door. If you play your cards right, though, you can make your short-distance relocation cheap and efficient.
Here are some expert tips for moving in the same neighborhood to help you perform a fast and successful move next door.
How to efficiently move in the same neighborhood
When moving within the same neighborhood, you will keep your community and will stay in the same general area, so you won’t need to deal with some of the most stressful aspects of the typical relocation process:
- You won’t need to adjust to a new environment and to a new community;
- You won’t need to part with friends;
- Your children won’t need to change schools;
- You won’t need to look for a new doctor or for new service providers; etc.
Things will be much easier and there will be fewer moving tasks to take care of, but you will still have a lot of planning and preparation to do. In order to achieve a smooth and efficient next door move, you’re advised to:
1) Start your moving preparations early
Time can be your ally when moving short distance, so you should make sure to take advantage of it:
- Make a moving calendar so you can keep track of your moving tasks and don’t miss anything important;
- Decide whether you’ll move by yourself or will hire next door movers – If you’re literally moving next door (to another apartment in the same building, to a neighboring house, etc.), you will likely manage without professional moving assistance. If you’re moving to a house in another part of the neighborhood, though, it may be better to use professional moving services;
- Ensure moving help – Ask friends for help or book the services of experienced and reliable next door movers at least a month in advance;
- Try to get the keys to your new home a couple of weeks before the move and get the place ready for moving in – complete any necessary repairs and desired renovations, deep clean the house, etc.;
- Start packing rarely used and out-of-season items a month or so in advance. Take some of the pre-packed boxes with you every time you visit your new home.
2) Take care of the paperwork
There will be less paperwork to deal with when moving such a short distance (you won’t need to collect school records or medical records, to cancel or transfer memberships, etc.), but you will still have to change your address, update some documents (all papers that contain your address), and transfer utilities.
Be sure to take care of the paperwork in time so you start receiving your mail at your new address immediately after the move, have the utilities in your new home running on move-in day, etc.
3) Declutter your home
Even though you’ll only be moving across the street, it doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to relocate every single item you own to your new home. Use the opportunity to free yourself of clutter and get rid of everything you don’t really need or like.
Sort out your belongings and throw away damaged items and items that are too worn out or too outdated to be used again. Set aside duplicate items, items that don’t fit into your new home, items you’re not interested in anymore, clothes and shoes that haven’t been worn in over a year, etc. – sell these things online or at a garage sale, give them away to family or friends, or donate them to local charities. (See also: How to get rid of unwanted items when moving)
Paring down your possessions will save you time and effort when packing for moving – and will make your relocation much simpler and easier.
See also: How to declutter your home before moving
4) Make a moving inventory
Whether you’re moving across the street, across town, across the country, or across the ocean, it’s crucial to make an inventory of the items you intend to relocate – so you know exactly what you have for moving and can decide whether you’re going to need professional moving help or not, what size moving vehicle will be necessary, how much and what kind of packing supplies to get, etc.
Besides, a moving inventory will help you keep track of your belongings and make sure that nothing has been forgotten or lost during the relocation – and it will serve as proof in case of a conflict between you and your next door movers.
See also: How to make a moving inventory
5) Pack your items smartly
Packing for a move next door is not as difficult and tedious as packing for a long distance move. You can use some smart and efficient packing strategies that will save you plenty of time and effort – and packing materials – when moving your belongings such a short distance. (Read on for details.)
6) Organize a smooth moving day
Moving day won’t be much easier or any safer just because you’re moving next door – you need to plan it with great care in order to ensure your smooth and successful moving experience:
- Take measures to protect your property from damage;
- Do everything possible to prevent accidents and injuries;
- Make sure you have all moving day essentials at hand;
- Plan all the details – consider possible difficulties and possible solutions, reserve elevators and parking spots (if applicable), clear the way of obstacles, provide food and drinks, etc.;
- Triple check everything.
Must-read: Moving day tips
How to pack for a move next door
Even though you’ll be moving a very short distance, you can’t just take your belongings to your new place one by one – you need to pack your items for safety and efficiency.
That being said, you don’t need to pack your belongings the same way as when moving long distance.
1) You won’t need to buy a lot of packing materials:
- Your items won’t travel for a long time, so it will be safe to use alternative packing materials that you already have at home – suitcases, backpacks, laundry baskets, crates, and buckets as moving containers; old blankets, sheets, towels, and clothes as wrapping and padding materials; etc.;
- You won’t need to pack everything in boxes – bags will work great for non-breakable items (strong, clean garbage bags, large tote bags, etc.). Be sure to pack more delicate and more valuable items in moving boxes though (either buy new packing boxes or get some used cardboard boxes for free but make sure they’re clean and strong) as they will provide better protection to your cherished possessions;
- You will be able to re-use packing supplies – You will be able to make multiple trips to your new place, so you will be able to take a few packed boxes over, empty them, get them back home, and fill them again;
- It will be safe to transport items in their current “containers” – Leave clothes in dresser drawers, office supplies in desk drawers, etc. – just be sure to wrap each drawer in plastic wrap to keep its contents in place.
2) Your items will still need proper protection:
- Reinforce the boxes, immobilize the items inside, and provide lots of cushioning (See also: How to pack boxes for moving);
- Take proper care of breakables and valuables (See also: How to pack fragile items for moving);
- Wrap larger household items in moving blankets and plastic wrap;
- Label the boxes with their contents and destination room (to make unpacking easier) and write any necessary handling instructions (FRAGILE; THIS SIDE UP; etc.). (See also: How to label boxes for moving)
3) You will be able to take perishables and non-allowable items to your new home:
- Food – Frozen foods and refrigerated foods can be packed and moved in cooler bags and boxes. Other food items can be relocated in plastic bins or large plastic bags;
- Cleaning supplies, paints, propane tanks, and other hazardous materials – Professional movers won’t load such items on the moving truck for safety reasons, but when moving in the same neighborhood, you will be able to transport them in your car (or just carry them over) – just make sure that you don’t expose them to extreme heat/
Needless to say, you will be able to easily take your plants and your pets to your new home too.
How to take your items to your new home when moving next door
Depending on just how close your new place actually is and what kind of items you have for moving, you may need a moving truck, may be able to move with your car, or may not need a moving vehicle at all.
1) If your new home is within 1,000 – 1,500 feet of your current one, you may not need a moving vehicle.
You will be able to simply carry – or roll – your items to your new place, though it will require a lot of walking back and forth. Make sure you have several people to help you and don’t rush things – when people are tired and work in a hurry, accidents are bound to happen.
Bonus tip: Provided that there aren’t stairs along the way, your best option is to use a moving dolly:
- A utility dolly for boxes and smaller furniture pieces – You can stack several boxes on the dolly and take them to your new home at once (just make sure the boxes are well secured on the dolly). You can also position a small furniture piece on the hand truck and roll it to your new place.
- A furniture dolly for larger furniture.
2) If your new home is further away, you won’t be able to relocate your belongings without a vehicle:
- If you’re moving without furniture and appliances, you’ll likely be able to move with your car. Keep in mind though that you will probably have to make multiple trips between your old home and your new one;
- If you’re moving furniture and other large household items, you will need a moving truck. You can rent one and ask friends to help you with loading and unloading, or you can hire next door movers to take care of your items. The first option may be a bit cheaper, but using professional moving services will make things much safer and much easier for you. The pros will save you a lot of time and effort and will reduce the risks of damages to your items, property damages, and personal injuries to a minimum. So, when considering your options, be sure to find out how much it will cost you to move from one house to another in the same neighborhood with a moving company – you may decide that the extra cost is worth it.
Must-read: Benefits of using professional moving services; What do local movers cost
Bonus tip: Even if you decide to hire next door movers to transport your belongings to your new home, be sure to take your valuables in your car with you. (See also: Things to always move yourself)
Do you know any other efficient moving next door tips? If so, be sure to share them in the comments section below!
