Leaving Manhattan: How to Plan Your Long-Distance Move

Whether it’s to find a new job or warmer weather, people are moving out of Manhattan at a greater rate than we’ve seen in years. Many of these moves are considered long-distance moves, which is a household move of 50 miles or more. Here’s are two important things you need to know about planning a long-distance move to make your address change simple and stress-free:

Give Yourself Time

A long distance move is a complicated endeavor. There are many aspects of the move to plan for, including finding a new place to live, selecting a moving company, developing a timeline, and setting your moving budget. In addition to the logistics of the household move, you’re going to need to find new schools for your kids, new health care providers, and more. This process takes time – and you still have to get moving boxes, pack your things, label all your moving boxes, and more.

Ideally, you’ll have four to six months to plan and execute your long distance move. Sometimes circumstances dictate that you’ll have to move more quickly than that. As a rule of thumb, remember, the less time you have, the more help you’re going to need. Working with a Manhattan moving company that specializes in long-distance moves can help you streamline the planning and packing process tremendously.

Make a Plan for Pets, Plants, and Kids

If it’s alive, it can’t travel in the back of a moving truck. That means your long distance moving company won’t be able to move your dog, cat, iguana, tarantula, or any other pet, nor your houseplants, nor your children. Trust us, this is definitely good news for them: the back of a moving truck is actually not the most comfortable place in the world.

It does mean that you’ll have to make plans regarding how you’ll move your pets, plants, and kids. If you’re not overly attached to your plants, consider giving them away to neighborhood friends and co-workers. Obviously, you can’t do that with the kids and animals, so look into what’s involved in having them fly or make the long road trip with you. This includes choosing children and pet-friendly accommodations along your travel route if a multi-day drive is involved.