My husband and I are planning on moving to Burnaby, BC this July from Saskatchewan in hopes that he will be able to go to the Art Institute for Game Design. We are only 20 years old and I have never been so far from home before and I'm not sure what our first steps should be to plan a big move like this. Any suggestions?
By heather-harte from Regina, Saskatchewan
We moved 6 times in the first 5 years we were married. These are tricks I learned. First of all, take with you in a trash bag all you need to make the bed, everything, including pillows. Include a set of bath towels. When you arrive, make the bed first! Label every container on the end and side or top or all three. Label boxes, etc. also by the room they belong in. Pack one box with one set of plates, glasses, tableware, and basic cooking pots and pans. Keep it simple. This will get you in and settled. Same with clothes, pack by a days worth, not his and hers, or all of a type, but what you will need for a day. You can unpack as needed and will have everything you need, no hunting and moving is very stressful. Good luck.
My suggestion if you are moving the contents of an apartment, get rid of everything you do not really really want to keep. The less you move, the less stress there will be. Label every bag and box. Do not forget to change your address. Make a list of everyone including all bills and call them with the new information, address and phone number, or pay the outrageous amount of money that Canada Post wants.
First question: Has he applied and been accepted to the Art Institute? If not, do that first before you take such a big step as moving to another province only on hopes. I am assuming you don't know anyone there. Get in touch with the Burnaby Chamber of Commerce and get some info about the town. You could also see what the job market is like there and maybe apply for jobs just in case he doesn't get in at the Art Institute.
My suggestions are, for what they are worth. Pack, like one said, for easy unpacking of daily needs, not everything of one type in one big box or bag. Beyond that, and trimming down to the necessities, remember this, home is wherever you and your husband are, and if you think that way, and stay relaxed about the move, it will not be a "big deal". I do speak from experience. I was a United States Air Force wife, and our moves were done by us, for the most part, along with the first few children we had.
It's a big step, but can be divided up, first, do you know Burnaby at all? I Googled it and see that it is large and on the outskirts of Vancouver, so, lots or rental housing. You need to pick an affordable and safe neighborhood and look there to find an apartment. Near the Games Institute is good (if he's been admitted and you know what the fees {inc. books/media supplies}. Leases for the year may start right before school starts.
The challenge of moving a household can be streamlined with a good plan. This page is about moving tips and tricks.
This page is about tips for organizing your move. Moving can be very stressful. Being organized will not only help speed up packing, it will also help when it comes time to unpack.
This is a page about packing for a move. Moving is a big job and packing is a large part of the process. Packing properly will help your move go as smoothly as possible.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
You are all so creative and great on this website. I am wanting to know if anyone has suggestions on how to prepare for a home move.
I'm really stressing right now. My husband and I got married and moved to GA in Aug 2005. We are having to move for the 5th time in under 5 years.
