h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

For the record: I am talking about voluntary or at least semi-voluntary moves (new job-place), not a forced move like after ethnic cleansings (ethiopia-eritrea, ex-yogoslavia, east-timor) or other sad absurdities that keep happening.
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GENERAL MOTTO for moving: LET THINGS GO.

GENERAL STUFF TO HAVE:
- Boxes, loads of Boxes
- Markers
- adhesive strips, kilometres of them.

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1.) How to best cope with stress and sadness concerning the move

Moving always means changing. People can fear changes. No matter how far the move is, a new ambiente will bring new feelings. In order to cope with sadness the basic trick is to concentrate on what is to come and not what is going to be left behind.

The IMHO only way to deal stress is aknowledging that it is temporary.


2.) How to decide what things to throw away/leave behind

Not having many things, or just having the basic useful things is the best policy in the first place if there is the danger of many movings. But who knows when this is going to happen... People collect strangest things, and people keep strangest things, partly because they bring memories and makes them remember their long-gone lovers... A move is a perfect pretext to change this attitude, and to get rid of all the stuff. (Believe me, I've done it - It hurts in the beginning, but afterwards... After all it's basically just paraphernalia consuming space in the basement, nothing else - I stipulated a maximum of one box for that kind of stuff... It's sort of the 'best-of'-my past box. It's in the basement still packed and sealed -- And it's probably comming with me on the next move)

3.) Things you can plan well in advance of the move

If the move is not a sudden one, there is basically only one thing to decide: What to take and what not.

Furniture, books and electronic paraphernalia take the most space and are the bulkiest and heaviest part. Deciding if these things are going to be kept is crucial (For anyone looking for a reason: It is a good pretext to change styles or to get a new stereo and reduces drastically the amount of stuff to load).

Checkout if the place where you are moving TO is easily accessible with a leather-sofa on the backpack. This helps to take decisions.

If there is the possibility, move in the summer.

4.) How best to pack delicates/breakables

a - Delicates and expensive like chinese ming-dynaty-vases are best left unpacked... The reason: If you see a brown paper-wrap in the corner of the room where all the other stuff is piling to be transported, you will not automatically associate it with your beloved vase. People tend to get sloppy when they are not constantly being reminded that the stuff is fragile. Take out insurance, if it is to valuable... insured stuff rarely breaks.

b - Delicates and high personal value: see above except for the insurance part

c - Delicates and not valuable: Plastic aircushions (I don't know what they're called in english) the ones with the bubbles we all like to play with are cheap and very effective. Do not throw them away after the move!

5.) How to keep an effective inventory

Boxes, many boxes. Markers, lots of markers. Write it down on every single box. If you are moving by yourself, it's OK to know what is in which box - you will not have to fear things being stolen.

If that would be a problem (moving with the help of the neighbours bestfriend's butcher's son, that has been out of jail for 2 weeks after having massacred a whole family while helping out on a move) Then it is probably best to be pedantic.

Moving companies usually do a complete inventory (I saw things on the list I never thought I had... And my swiss-army-knife I finally found it on the list)

6.) What to pack/unpack first/last

First step: If there is the danger of things being delayed, pack a SOS-Pack: Clothings, sleepingbags, a small camping kitchen - this sometimes proves useful)

First things to pack: books, clothes, crockery, matress(es)
Last things to pack: Cupboards, shelves, beds (and the stereo if the move is being done by yourself - you will need music)

First things to unpack: (The stereo if you are moving by yourself) Matress and clothing (just in case everything else delays, you will want to sleep and have new underwear) After the vital systems are established, proceed to unpack the shelves cupboards and other furniture.
Last things to unpack: The rest that goes into the shelves and cupboards.

7.) How to load the van if you're doing it yourself

Loading a van is reallife-tetris. There is probably not a perfect way of doing this. Always be aware that things can tilt and slip forward and backward). The best thing is to have enough time to come and go many times. Do not overfill the van.

8.) How to deal with heavy pieces of furniture

The obvious method: Get rid of them.
If there is the desire to keep them: Find good and strong friends.

There is no cheap-trick to circumvent *that*.


9.) How to get along with brand new neighbours

Neighbours are always curious (they will never admit), but they will not want to know hidden details of your life (at least not in the first week)... At first they will be interested if you will bother them. I.e. if you are a musician, have teenage children, a huge dog or if you take care of the lawn.

At first they will be suspicious (we all are). To defuse that initial situation a grill-party or if you want to keep a safe distance an invitation for a coffe or a tea is the best thing to do. You are probably also curious about the neighbourhood... That is probably the best way to get to know it.

As for the time after that... That's everyone's personal cup of tea.


10.) How to deal with the kids during a move

I was a kid when we moved for the first time . I was very sad because I had to leave all my friends. The stuff, the car the kitchen and my room didn't matter to me. My father kept assuring me that we were not moving that far after all, and he kept telling me that old story about visiting each other and writing letters... For that moment I believed that - afterwards - of course - I wrote one or two letters, made new friends, and forgot all that was before. Children have this ability to let go.

Keeping kids busy is probably the best way to keep them from disturbing in the packing/loading part of the move.

11.) And any other things that you can possibly think of

Sorry I can't right now.

These were my suggestions. Hope some of it is useful.

HELL