What not to move long distance

Moving long distance is very difficult and very expensive – and the more things you decide to relocate, the more difficult and more expensive your relocation becomes.

So, when planning a long distance move, one of the very first things to do is to decide what exactly to take with you – and what to leave behind.

The choice won’t be an easy one (it is always hard to let go of items you have owned for a long time) but taking all your possessions to your new home will be a big mistake – you will spend too much money and too much effort on moving things that you may not use ever again (not to mention that you will bring a lot of unnecessary clutter to your place and your new life).

So, how to decide what not to relocate? What should you not move long distance?

Here are some useful tips and suggestions to help you make the right choice:

What items are not worth moving long distance?

Unsurprisingly, there are a great number of things that are not worth moving to a new home – especially when that new home is far away.

Items that you won’t need or won’t be able to use in your new surroundings

Whether you’re moving short distance or long distance, it makes no sense to relocate things that won’t fit your new place or new lifestyle:

1. No matter how much you may love your extra-large couch or how valuable your antique grandfather clock is, for example, there is no point in moving them if they won’t fit through the doors of your new house or apartment – or if they won’t fit the layout of the place (See also: Why you should make a floor plan of your new home before moving);
2. Needless to say, you should not bring along your outdoor furniture or your garden tools if you’re moving into an apartment; you should not relocate your children’s old items if your little ones have already grown up and won’t be living with you after the move; etc.

When moving long distance, however, the list of items that you may not need or may not be able to use after the relocation is much longer than when moving locally:

• The climate in your new area may be quite different from the climate in your current surroundings, so many of your clothes and shoes may not be appropriate and some season-specific items may not be needed at all (you will have no use for your fur-lined boots and coats and for your snow blower when moving to a state with a year-round mild climate, for example);
• The local laws in your new area may be different from the rules and regulations in your current state, so you may not be able to bring some of your things to your new home – some plants or pets may not be allowed in your new state or country, guns and certain types of equipment may be illegal in some places, etc.

You’re advised to carefully research your new area before the move, so you can make an informed decision about what to pack and what not to pack for moving.

Must-read: How to decide what to take when moving

Items that may not survive the move

When moving long distance, your belongings will travel for a long time, so they will be at higher risk of damage (from traffic accidents, extreme weather conditions, transfers along the way, etc.).

Therefore, you’re advised to avoid moving items that are easily susceptible to damage as they may simply not survive the long-distance relocation (such as very delicate and highly sensitive items that may get ruined when exposed to heat, cold, temperature fluctuations, or moisture for a longer period of time).

Items that will be too expensive to move

Long distance moving costs are based on the weight of the shipment and the complexity of the move. So, if an item is very heavy and/or very difficult to move, it will add a lot to your final relocation costs.

You need to think twice before you decide to relocate any such items – it may be cheaper to leave them behind and buy new ones after the move. Besides, your relocation will be much easier if you avoid moving bulky items and specialty items that have special packing and handling requirements.

Outdated items and items that are not in good condition

There is no point in moving an item all the way to your home only to replace it with a new one after a few months – so, if a piece is damaged or worn out, if it is long outdated, or if you just want a newer model, you should not take your old item with you. This is especially true for outdated electronics, old appliances, and worn out furniture.

Easily replaceable items

Last but not least, it makes no sense to go to the effort of (and spend the money for) relocating things that can be easily replaced after the move.

If an item is easily affordable and easily available, it may be better to leave it behind and buy a new one after the relocation. This way, your move will be cheaper and simpler and you will save yourself a lot of time and effort.

Having considered all of the above, you should be able to easily decide which of your belongings are not worth moving to your new faraway home.

Related: How to get rid of unneeded stuff when moving

What not to move long distance

So, to put it in a nutshell, here is what you should avoid moving long distance:

• Large and heavy items – furniture, appliances, etc. It doesn’t make logistical or financial sense to move bulky items to another state or country – they weigh a lot, take up a lot of space in the moving truck, and are very difficult to move. Moving large and heavy items will make your relocation much more expensive and much more complicated – and they may not even fit well in your new home (See also: Is it better to move furniture or buy new);
• Bathroom items – Bathroom items are easy to replace but difficult to move (many bathroom items are fragile or awkwardly shaped, some contain liquids, others are very prone to mold growth, etc.). It’s best to get rid of your old bathroom items and buy new ones after the move;
• Bedding – Fresh bedding is always nice, so it’s a good idea to use your old sheets, blankets, towels, etc. as wrapping materials and get new linen for your new home. Consider replacing your old mattresses too – they are unlikely to be in great condition anymore and they’re rather difficult to move, so it will be better to leave them behind and get new ones for your new home;
• Books – Books are very heavy, so you should only bring along your most valuable volumes and your favorite reads – there is no point in moving hundreds of books that will never be opened again. Needless to say, old magazines, posters, DVDs, CDs, comic books, children’s books, and other similar items you no longer care about should not go into your moving boxes either (See also: What to do with books when moving);
• Decorations, knick-knacks, and other miscellaneous items that don’t have much practical, financial, or sentimental value;
• Outdated and outgrown items – outdated electronics; toys, clothes, and shoes your children have outgrown; etc.
• Clothes and shoes that are not appropriate for the climatic condition in your new area – as well as clothes and shoes that don’t fit or that you don’t really like or that are out of fashion, etc. (everything you haven’t worn in over a year);
• Specialized equipment and hobby materials no one in your family is interested in anymore;
• Hazardous materials – Movers won’t load hazardous items (flammable, corrosive, or explosive items) on the moving truck for safety reasons. When moving locally you can transport such things in your own car but when moving across the country it will be too risky – or downright impossible – to do so. So, in most cases, you won’t be able to take any of your hazardous items with you when moving long distance;
• Perishable food – Long distance movers won’t move perishable food items (frozen foods, refrigerated foods, and fresh foods) as they can quickly become bad and make a huge mess in the moving truck. You will only be able to take a very little amount of food with you when moving long distance, so you should try to use up – or give away – most of your perishable food before the move. (See also: What to do with food when moving)

Good to know: Your movers won’t agree to take your pets and plants either (transporting them in a moving truck is too risky), so you will have to find another way to take your animal friends and your green beauties to your new home.

Must-read: What movers won’t move – list of non-allowable items

Now that you know what not to move long distance, you can start making your packing list (include only things that are worth moving to your new home) and preparing your items for shipping. Good luck!