If your relocation is for a job transfer, it is pretty straightforward. Probably not a whole lot of choice, or perhaps you decided to take the transfer. But in any case things are likely pretty well defined and timing may be decided for you. This can make some of your decisions easier.

So why else do people decide to relocate? And what about you? Here are some of my reasons and those of past  and current clients:

• family - wanting to be near other family members (grandkids, parents, children)
• downsizing - the kids are gone and it's time to move to a smaller home with less responsibility
• health - need to be in a drier or warmer climate
• weather - desire to get away from your particular weather (mine was to escape winter!)
• returning back to roots - back to where you grew up
• friends - you moved away and miss your friends and want to return
• cost of living - you want to move to a less expensive (or, rarely, more costly) locale
• living a dream - your have always wanted to live in a particular place (I wanted to be in Southern California)
• retirement - time to settle in a different area, perhaps one catering to retirees (e.g., Florida)
• sports interest - golfing, sailing, skiing, etc.
• schools
• new job - better pay, more challenge, better suited to interests, etc.

So why are YOU thinking about it?

A relocation, especially to a very different part of the country, represents a significant change - a move from the familiar to the unfamiliar, and loss of close contact with neighbors, close friends and maybe family.

But why not turn this into an adventure and make the most of your move, especially if you are driving to your destination?

•  
• Plan your trip so that you have time to visit friends or family along the way - they'll love seeing you and hearing about your trip and your new home (what a pleasant way to save on your hotel bills - maybe you can buy or fix dinner!)
• Make sure you take a digital camera to record whatever appeals to you along the way - we took photos of interesting sites in every state we drove through (I think it was 13) on the way from Boston to California, including the first glimpse of our new home when we walked in. You can then upload them to the Internet (Snapfish or Kodak, for example) and share all your photos with your friends, neighbors and family, plus enjoy them yourself. 
• You might also take a bunch of photos of the new house, inside and out, so that others can see your new home and "welcome" you. Take some pics right away, and then update the photo gallery on-line as you make improvements.
• If you have the time, I suggest also planning to visit some of the tourist sites along the way. It helps to break up the trip, and you might not find your way back to those areas again. We stopped at the Grand Canyon (worth every minute of the 3 hour round-trip extra drive north), Santa Fe (again, out of the way but spent the night and had great food and wonderful shopping - we will go back!!), and the wine country in Temecula, CA (took a wine tour).
• For food along the way, consider options that are not the typical - farmer's markets, neat little cafés along the road or unique restaurants - we ate at the Road Kill Café in Seligman, Arizona...the food was decent, not stellar, but what a great photo op that was, plus the old jail and similar buildings next door!

I mentioned this before but it's worth bring up again. We used AAA to plan our trip across the country. Not only did they provide the maps showing us the complete route, but also gave us guide books for every state. This was great for planning side trips, looking for restaurants, and determining where to stay since we had 2 cats and pet-friendly hotels are noted.

Here are a few thoughts on packing stuff yourself, form someone who has done it at least 12 times!

1. One thing to keep in mind - this can save you a fair amount of money with the movers, since they will charge you for packing. So do what you can yourself. But see #2!!

2. Things that YOU pack will likely NOT be covered under the liability insurance provided by the carrier. Make sure you pack WELL, and do not pack things that are better covered under the insurance.

3. Most movers will provide the appropriate boxes and wrapping paper to you in advance (they may deliver to your door). You will be charged for these just as you are for all moving supplies the movers use in their packing. Be sure to ask for all you need and more - they will take back what is not used and you will not be charged for that. Other great sources of boxes include some liquor stores, copy paper boxes from work (great for magazines and books). NOTE - one of the relocation services I provide is to provide recycled moving boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper to my clients (I have tons from my moves and from recycling boxes from my clients who have moved) for FREE. I drop them off and pick them up so if you are in my local area here in San Diego, let me know.

4. Packing stuff early is GREAT for helping to sell your home. You have to move anyway, so why not get all the clutter out of the closets, off the shelves, out from under the beds, out of the garage, etc. The more you can pack away the better your home will look. While it is not the same as staging, if you can de-personalize your home it will show better to buyers and they will be able to think about living there themselves, as opposed to getting distracted by all your personal photos.

5. Label ALL the boxes carefully and thoroughly. We make big blank labels on the computer with information such as ROOM, FLOOR, CONTENTS, etc. Then we tape a blank form on each box and fill in the information as we go. It's amazing how you can forget what is in a particular box, and inevitably you will get to your new home and HAVE to find a particular item before all the unpacking is done, but won't know where to look.

6. Put the labels on the END of the boxes so when they are stacked you can see the labels (putting the label on top defeats the purpose). MARK FRAGILE BOXES on multiple sides using a dark magic marker or similar pen. BTW the boxes you pack will be marked by the mover as PBO (packed by owner) in their inventory.

7. Be generous in use of wrapping paper and bubble wrap. Newspaper is OK but it gets ink all over everything so I advise against it, especially on your glassware and dishes.

8. Pack your paintings or other artwork in the special boxes provided by the mover or let them pack them (again, a liability issue). When packing painting in bubble wrap, it is smart to put several sheets of packing paper (NOT NEWSPAPER) directly on the painting if not under glass before wrapping in bubble wrap - this is important especially if moving in warmer months where moisture can gather under the bubble wrap, which you DON'T want to get on the oil painting itself. Check with the mover on what expensive items should be noted (e.g., they will likely want a list on the day of packing, e.g., items valued at $1500 or more, for insurance purposes).

9. Check on what items CANNOT be packed and moved (e.g., hazardous items such as paints, gasoline, certain cleaning products). also check about plants - moving to some states will prohibit bringing in agricultural products from other states (e.g., California). other states will require the movers to check gardening equipment and outdoor furniture for Gypsy moths, larvae, etc. before packing.

10. Pack a special box for each family member that you carry yourself - toiletries, TP, tissues, bandaids, shampoo, medicines, special toys for kids - and at least one for the kitchen (coffee maker perhaps, coffee and filters, can opener, bottle opener, wine opener for the celebratory bottle when you arrive, and other things you expect you will need right away). Pack pet supplies (food, dishes, leashes) in a separate box and carry with you too. Stuff you forget you can buy when you arrive if the movers are going to be late arriving.