Mistakes to Avoid When Moving To Chicago
Known for its fine food and unique architecture, Chicago is a must-visit city for many. Also known as the Windy City, City of the Big Shoulders or Second City, Chicago has also appeared in Cond’e Nast Traveller as one of the best cities in the continent.
Moving to Chicago or indeed to any other place of the world, or even to a new apartment can be a daunting task. This is because some people fail to plan adequately and are forced to rush during the last minute.
The last-minute rush often comes with mistakes that don’t only require a lot of time to rectify but may also be very expensive.
It is crucial to note that, just like any other undertaking, moving is a continuous process that requires step by step planning. Remember that you are moving to a new city with a different culture, people and food. It is therefore crucial that you be ready for the new changes.
In this post, we will talk about some of the mistakes that most people make while moving to Chicago. We will also share some tips on how most of these mistakes can be avoided. Read on and move to Chicago like a pro!
Mistake 1: Failing to Hire a Professional Mover
The mistake number one that most people make is thinking that they can handle the whole moving process on their own. While this may be possible, experienced Chicago movers will make life easy for you since they have been there before and know precisely what it takes for a successful move.
Here are some of the advantages of hiring a high-quality moving company:
- You get a chance to take care of other serious matters
There are many things that need to be taken care of like packing, storage, the moving itself, and more.
There are more pressing matters like getting the necessary moving documents, getting ready for a new job, getting a new school for your kids, etc.
Hiring a professional mover will give you a chance to handle all the necessary things while they take care of the actual move for you, including packaging and storage.
- Can save you money
Contrary to what most people think, hiring a moving company can actually save you money.
You are probably wondering, how can paying someone to handle something that I can help me save money?
Look at it this way; when handling the move, accidents may happen or important things may get lost. This may require you digging deeper into your pockets to repair or replace lost items. On the other hand, moving companies are skilled and experienced. Accidents are, therefore, not likely to occur. Most of the high-quality moving companies also have insurance covers in case of any unforeseen uncertainty.
When moving on your own, you might also be forced to buy extra things such boxes and as bubble wrap for protecting your items. This is an unnecessary cost since you will only use these items once during the move. On the other hand, the cost of these items is included in the total cost of the move.
- You don’t have to make multiple trips
Moving companies have multiple size trucks depending on the size of your luggage.
Mistake 2: Renting A Car
We all love the comfort of our personal cars, but renting a car immediately after landing in Chicago should be the last thing to consider. Although you might eventually need a personal car, give yourself some time.
This is because Chicago’s public transport system is one of the best in the US, and it is very convenient to move around by train or bus.
Driving around the city will drain you, and you might end up losing a lot of valuable time looking for a good parking area.
If you really must use a car, stick with rideshares and taxis. This will give you a chance to know how the Chicago transport system works.
Remember that you just got to a new city, so you still have a lot of learning to do and places to know. What is a better way of taking in a new city than having someone driving you around or renting a Divvy bike from the many stalls all over the city?
Mistake 3: Waiting Until The Last Minute To Start The Preparations
Remember how your friends ( of course, not you!) used to be the last people to submit assignments while in college or high school? This is a mistake you will want to avoid while planning a move to Chicago.
As aforementioned, Chicago is a beautiful city with thousands of people traveling here every day.
Don’t wait until the very last day to start making bookings, packing the items, looking for a moving company, etc.
If possible, initiate the moving process at least a few weeks or even months before the actual moving day. You should also start looking for a potential moving company earlier. This is because there are so many moving companies out there, and some are not as good as others. You, therefore, need to consider several factors to ensure that you get the best deal.
Preparing early in advance will also ensure that you don’t leave behind any necessary item.
Mistake 4: Failure To Declutter Your Home During Packaging
It is essential to understand what you will need for your new home. Although it is tempting to carry all the items from your old home, you will soon realize that some of the things are not necessary for your new home.
Decluttering your home will help reduce the cost of moving. The time spent packing and unpacking un-necessary items can be put into more useful use.
How do I get rid of these unnecessary items? You can easily donate them to the various charitable organizations in your area.
Mistake 5: Failing To Label Your Boxes Correctly
It is crucial that you take your time to label all the boxes correctly. If possible, take some time also to note things on a book or diary. This will ensure that you know where everything is, hence giving you an easy time while unpacking your things.
Ensure that you don’t overstuff the boxes. The boxes should contain clear labels indicating what is in them, the mode of traveling as well as which room they should go. This information will help the movers to know how to handle the boxes and where to drop them in your new home.
Other mistakes to avoid while planning a move to Chicago include failing to explore the various insurance options, failing to understand Chicago’s climatic conditions early in advance, etc.
