Moving Short Distance: Tips & Tricks

Moving Short Distance: Tips & Tricks

Whether you’re relocating just a few minutes down the road or several hours away from your current home, it’s a significant adjustment in your life. Packing up and loading trucks are necessary steps in both scenarios, although if you’re moving locally, you might have more flexibility to manage your move at your own pace.

Regardless of your specific plans, you’re bound to encounter challenges and unexpected hurdles along the way. However, these tips for local moving from Miracle Movers can assist you in ensuring a smooth transition.

1. Get Prepared With a To-Do List

Moving over short distances requires more than just packing everything and leaving. Besides the physical aspect of moving, you need to remember tasks such as:

  • Cancelling and re-registering your utilities.
  • Legally changing your address.
  • Updating your driver’s license, insurance, credit cards, and other IDs.

Even the most organized individuals can overlook things due to stress. Since moving can be quite challenging, having a to-do list helps manage the stress and ensures that essential tasks are completed. This way, when you reach your new home, you can focus on unpacking and settling in without worrying about overlooking anything important.

2. Get Moving Boxes

Acquiring boxes is frequently an unforeseen and underestimated expense when moving. However, with some planning, you can avoid this cost by obtaining free moving boxes from various sources. Here are some ways you might secure free or low-cost storage containers:

  • Request boxes from family, friends, and neighbors, particularly if they’ve recently moved.
  • Utilize social media to communicate your need for boxes.
  • Inquire at local stores and restaurants to see if they’re willing to provide their surplus boxes.
  • Check your workplace for any recent deliveries that may include usable boxes.
  • Reach out to Miracle Movers to inquire about our packaging options.

3. Downsize the Things You Don’t Need

The optimal time to downsize is during your short-distance move. Since you’re already sorting through all your possessions while packing, it’s an ideal opportunity to eliminate items you no longer use. When you encounter something you’re uncertain about keeping, consider these questions:

  • When was the last time you used it?
  • How frequently do you require it?
  • Do you have a specific future use for it?
  • Does it bring you joy or serve a practical purpose?

These questions can guide you in determining whether to keep, donate, sell, or discard the item. If your belongings are in good condition, you might even profit by selling them through an online marketplace. Moreover, having fewer possessions to move reduces the workload associated with the move!

4. Measure Your New Home

When determining what to bring and what to leave or donate, take into account the dimensions of your new living space. Before finalizing any decisions, take precise measurements of the rooms in your new home to ensure you have adequate space for all your belongings. This comprehensive approach also allows you to assess whether you possess enough furniture and decor to furnish every room in your new residence.

5. Start the Packing Process Early

Once you confirm your move, begin with small steps. Identify and pack up the rooms you use the least, keeping only the essentials accessible. Organize your bedrooms to facilitate quick and efficient moving when the time arrives. Pack non-perishable items, such as canned goods, that you won’t need for a while.

Even for short-distance moves, starting the packing process early provides you with time to acclimate to this transition in your life. By doing so, you’ll feel rested and prepared on moving day, avoiding the need to stay up late the night before packing.

6. Leave Your Clothes on the Hangers

When packing your belongings for the upcoming move, it’s essential to streamline the process for when you reach your destination. For instance, when transferring your clothing from one closet to another, there’s no need to fold everything only to rehang it later.

You can utilize garment bags or even trash bags to transport the majority of your clothes. If opting for trash bags, group together five to ten hangers, cover the clothing with the bag, and secure the handles over the top of the hangers. Additionally, consider investing in wardrobe boxes, which function as portable closets, for added convenience.

7. Make Sure to Label Correctly

As you fill one box after another, it quickly becomes challenging to distinguish them, and soon your mug collection might blend in with a box of dog toys. After sealing each container, take a moment to label it with a permanent marker on at least two sides, indicating the contents.

Be as specific as possible so that you can easily locate items later, even if you believe you’ll remember where everything is. Your future self will appreciate your attention to detail. This labeling system will streamline the unpacking process in your new home, allowing you to place items directly in the appropriate room and unpack more efficiently.

8. Pack an Essential To-Go Bag

Upon moving into your new residence, there will likely be a period of a few days during which you may struggle to locate items while unpacking and reorganizing, despite having labeled boxes. Therefore, as you pack up the remaining items, set aside everyday toiletries and a few outfits in an essentials bag.

Prepare one essentials bag for each person involved in the move to ensure that everyone has access to their most crucial belongings while unpacking. This ensures convenience as you work through the rest of the boxes and facilitates a smoother transition into your new home.

9. Ask for Help From Family or Friends

Your family, friends and loved ones want to see you succeed. They’re excited for you to take this next step in your life, and they likely want to do everything they can to help you see it through. Asking them to assist you with moving will speed up the process, and since you’re only moving a short distance, they don’t have to factor in much travel time or costs.

When those close to you help you move some of the large and awkward furniture and boxes, moving can suddenly become more of an adventure full of sweat, smiles and satisfaction.

10. Hire a Moving Company


What’s often considered the most challenging aspect of moving? For many, it’s the physical exertion involved in lifting heavy furniture or carrying boxes of books and pots. It’s a laborious and time-consuming task, and most would prefer to have it all safely inside and ready to unpack.

When you require assistance with transporting your belongings, a professional moving company like Miracle Movers can take care of it for you. We’ve assisted individuals across the United States with both long- and short-distance moves. We approach every project with the care and professionalism needed to ensure the safe delivery of your possessions to your new property.

Contact Miracle Movers Moving for Your Next Move

When relocating over short distances, you may require assistance in transporting your possessions. At Miracle Movers, we are here to assist you. Our team of experienced movers can transport your belongings across the street or across the country without hesitation.

For additional tips on local moving or to schedule our services for your upcoming relocation, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (385) 526-2633 or reach out to us online.