#relocationgoals Archives - Smooth Transitions

For many of our clients, there is a lot of anticipation for the first day/week in their new home. Much like the first day of school, there are a lot of unknowns. From the building itself, to the staff and residents, this can be a huge change from living alone at home, or in an apartment. We have discovered some ways to help ease this transition, and make it less anxiety provoking.

The first thing would be to schedule to spend time in the community prior to moving in. A lot of communities will host you and your family for lunch and dinner, as a way to showcase their menu, amenities, and community. During these visits, make sure to take a tour to get an overall feel of the layout and key places. When you have secured a room, make sure to travel around the community, going to and from your new apartment. Take note of how to get to the dining room, laundry facilities, parking, and front desk.

In addition to attending a meal, try to attend a happy hour, or other community events. It is a great way to interact with current residents, and feel more comfortable upon move in. Invite your friends and family to attend as well. It is nice to have a familiar face in the crowd.

Start compiling a list of important numbers and facts about the community. One important number is maintenance. They will most likely help with setting up of your TV, cable, and Internet on move-in day. In addition, they will be the go-to for anything in your apartment that requires attention. Another number is the front desk. This person will be able to guide you in the right direction and answer many of your questions relating to meals, schedules, events, etc. If you have medications, the nursing number will be helpful for any questions you may have.

Lastly, be kind to yourself! No matter the preparation, there will be a period of adjustment. Know that there will be things you need to learn, and get used to, and over time you will get increasingly comfortable. Make sure to bring pictures, artwork, and furniture from your home that makes you happy, and makes your new place feel like home.

It’s that time of year again! With many of our clients in the ‘Sandwich Generation,’ caring for their aging parents while supporting their own children, we thought this co-authored piece by one of our partners would be helpful..enjoy!

With the winding down of summer, many parents and students are preparing to move back to college. Whether that means traveling an hour or two away, or halfway across the country, this involves some advanced planning. The first piece of legwork to be done is to confirm what will already be provided at the chosen housing. It is important not to take too much in what can be tight quarters.

Next, is the strategic packing of the car/truck. The first items to be loaded should be essentials; those absolute ‘musts’ that cannot be purchased or shipped at a later time. One suggestion is to purchase boxes with handles, which can easily be carried upstairs. If there is a plan to store items in totes under a bed, or in the closet, pack the totes with extra, storage items. This will avoid unnecessary unpacking. If space is tight, think about the next holiday or trip home, and plan to pick up heavy sweaters and coats during this break. When packing clothes, avoid bulky suitcases, and instead use clean garbage bags as garment bags. They can be used again, and will easily lie on top of the other packed items in the car. Lastly, plan to pack a small tool kit, and cleaning supplies LAST. This will come out of the car first, and be easily accessible for cleaning and repairs prior to moving items in.

Day of logistics – check the school’s website and move-in information about where to pick up keys, and park the car. Once unpacking, avoid making the bed first. The bed can be a great place to unpack items, but could get dirty, so plan to make this last, after everything is unpacked.

If you are moving out of state, and this requires taking a plane, plan to ship items ahead of time. Also, plan to utilize national stores such as Bed Bath Beyond, Target, etc. where you can buy in one state, and pick up in another, to avoid long lines.

Another option is to use a long-distance mover. Several agencies have created alternatives to the traditional long-distance moves, and provide options such as full service containers, and more!

The Student Storage Program

Since 2014, Armbruster Moving & Storage has provided moving services to Case Western Reserve students as part of the ‘Student Storage Program.’ CWRU has roughly 80% of their undergraduate students living in college-owned housing. These numbers coupled with the location creates congested streets during move-out and move-in periods for students. Instead of parents having to rent a van or truck, we provide curbside pick-up of student’s belongings. The items are inventoried and stored in our warehouse during the summer, and delivered back out when students arrive in the fall.

Whether you DIY or hire a professional mover, we wish you the best of luck and safe travels this coming fall!