From a Mum’s Perspective: The Best Apartment Hunting and Moving With Kids Tips
Relocating with children is always a challenge. It’s essential to minimize stress for all parties involved during the transition. Additionally, addressing the specific needs of the children throughout the moving process is crucial.
You don’t want to regret the decision or disrupt your family’s life more than necessary. Here are some great tips for apartment hunting and moving with kids that every mom should know.
Consult the Experts
It’s tedious, draining, and it takes longer to find a suitable apartment in an ideal location that’s also affordable. This is especially true if you’re doing it with kids in tow. Working with a reputable apartment finder or real estate agent can make the process easier.
UMoveFree helps you find apartments for rent in your ideal location without leaving your house or having to deal with pushy salespeople. You can quickly compare different offerings, schedule visits, and even apply for apartments online.
Get the Kids Involved
You might think it’s best to keep the kids out of the apartment hunting process, but that’s not always the case. If you involve them in the decision-making, they’ll be more likely to feel at home in the new place.
It also helps to take their needs into account. Essentials such as nearby schools, parks, and playgrounds should be on your list. Other considerations are safety, security, and whether the apartment is pet-friendly. Are their pediatricians and dentists in the area?
Start Packing Early
Packing up your entire home is daunting. It’s best to start as early as possible, so you’re not rushed and stressed out when the time comes to move. To make the process more manageable, hire a babysitter for a few hours each day and use that time to pack.
Pack a few boxes each week leading up to the move. Alternatively, hire movers to do everything for you. This will cost more, but it’s worth it if you’re short on time or energy. You’ll also better protect and preserve your belongings.
Label Everything
Labeling boxes is vital as you’ll quickly find what you need and unpack in an organized manner. Label all the kids’ belongings easily to discover their favorite toys, clothes, and books. You can also use color-coded labels to make unpacking even more manageable.
For example, use blue for bathroom items, green for kitchen items, and yellow for the kids’ bedroom. The effort enables you and the movers put everything in its rightful place. Most importantly, pack the most critical things, including the items you’ll use on the first day, in a separate box labeled “open first.”
Be Flexible
Things will inevitably go wrong, and you must be prepared for anything. For example, your movers might not show up on time, or the elevator might be out of service when trying to move heavy furniture. The key is to stay calm and go with the flow. Keep your sense of humor, and remember that the move will eventually be over.
Make sure the kids are comfortable, well-fed, and have plenty to keep them occupied. You can also schedule the move when they’re out of school so they don’t miss any classes.
Don’t Do It Alone
Moving is a lot of work, and it’s even more complicated when trying to do it yourself. Ask family and friends to help you, whether watching the kids for a few hours so you can pack or helping you move furniture on moving day.
You can hire a babysitter or pet sitter to help out before, during, and after the move. As you realize, the more time and planning you put in, the smoother the process will be.
