There is no denying the fact that winter is a magical time. Even if you were not lucky enough to live in a state that sees a lot of snowfall, you still have Christmas and all of its decorations to look forward to. But, in some other situations, the winter weather conditions are less than ideal. If moving during the winter months is in your plans, then you need to rethink your decision. A winter move is much more stressful than a spring move, for example. However, when looked from another aspect, a winter relocation can be beneficial. Today, US Moving Experts break down this process and give you useful tips on how to survive it!
A winter move is usually cheaper
Unless you decide for your moving date to fall around some big holiday, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving, a winter move will actually be cheaper than the summer move. This is due to the fact that summer is the peak season for moving, as opposed to winter. Since there is not a lot of interest in moving in the winter months, moving companies will usually lower their prices. They might also be more willing to negotiate the price, as they don’t want to go without business for too long.
Besides, low interest in moving means that you will have many companies to choose from, which can’t exactly be said for a summer move. A lot of choice means you will be able to choose among many moving services and the prices they come with, so you will have no trouble making the best decision for yourself.
The challenges of moving during the winter and how to overcome them
We can’t lie to you and tell you that you will have absolutely no troubles while moving and that everything will go smoothly. A more realistic picture is that you will face a lot of obstacles on your way to your new home. However, if you are careful and you follow our tips, no obstacle will be too big for you. The following pieces of advice will make your move less stressful and help you prepare for your winter move.
Beware of the weather
Winter months can come with a lot of unwanted weather conditions. Blizzards and snowstorms are an integral part of every winter (at least in some parts of the country) so keeping a close eye on the weather forecast is a must! In case there is a large storm with wind and sub-zero temperatures coming your way, you might want to reschedule your move. Luckily, since you are moving during the winter, where companies’ schedules are not busy, you will be able to lock in another date. So, watch out for extreme winter weather conditions in the weeks leading up to your relocation. Nobody wants to be stuck in a moving truck during a blizzard.
Make sure your home is ready for the move
While snow is good for the kids to play in, it is more than a disturbance when you are moving. It doesn’t matter whether you have entrusted movers for the task, or you are moving DIY, loading your possessions in a vehicle demands a clear path. So, on your moving date, set your alarm extra early, as you have a lot of work to do before your movers park their moving truck in front of your house.
- Ice can be a dangerous enemy. Make sure your porch, stairs, and driveway are ice free. In case you spot some icy patches, defrost them before your movers arrive.
- If you are moving during the winter, you will be dealing with a lot of snow. But, snow makes moving difficult, which is why you need to shovel away any snow that might prevent your movers from doing their job.
- The path between your door and the moving truck must be completely free and easy to access, so make sure you take care of that.
Since this will be a demanding job, perhaps you can include your friends and family. One of the ways to make your relocation fun is by including the people close to you and letting them help you in your time of need. Time flies by when you are in good company, and the same goes for a winter move.
Wear warm clothes
Winter months can also be detrimental for your health. In case you don’t dress appropriately, you might catch a cold or pneumonia. In extreme instances, winter can cause frostbites, but unless you live in Alaska or a similarly cold place, you should be safe.
So, on your moving day, make sure you wear a scarf and gloves. Winter boots and a warm jacket are a must, that goes without saying. Also, it would be best if you could wear woolen sweaters. They will help you stay warm no matter the temperature. In case you don’t have these winter essentials in your closet, wait no more. Go shopping and make sure you are well-prepared for your moving day.
Take good care of your movers
Your movers are the ones helping you survive your winter move. So, it goes without saying that you should do your part, and make sure their needs are met, as well. While moving, they will do all the hard work. So, they will certainly appreciate a hot meal or a nice and soothing beverage. After the move is done, if you are satisfied with their services, don’t forget to give them a tip. They deserve it for helping you move!
As you can see, no one can tell you whether moving during the winter is smart or not. All we can do is give you some tips on how to survive it, which we did. Good luck, and we hope you will be in your new and warm home soon enough!
