I've Moved 35 Times. Here Are 5 Things I've Learned

After 35 moves in my lifetime, I consider myself a bit of a moving expert. When I was a kid, my family moved around a lot thanks to my parents' military service and then living in a series of rental houses after they were discharged. As an adult, I've just kept moving, and logged almost 5,000 miles of moves between school and jobs in my old career (museums and remote work don't really mix).

I'm hoping to buy a house next year and settle in for at least a few years, but since I've got all this wisdom to share, here are a few of my best moving insights.

1. Join a national (or online) bank

When I got my first paid museum job, I relocated 1,000 miles from the East Coast to the South, and the bank I was with at the time had no locations anywhere near where I moved. So I decided to join a big national bank so I would be assured of having a bank branch anywhere life might take me. This proved to be a good decision, and I highly recommend it if you move frequently and want one less thing to worry about.

These days, you could even join an online-only bank and get the same result. If your bank exists only on the internet, you won't have to worry about being near a branch location. And many of the best online banks have partnerships with ATMs everywhere, should you need quick access to cash.

2. Find the nearest grocery store ASAP

This is really more of a concern if you're moving to a new town; if you're moving within the same area, you'll already know the lay of the land. If you have the opportunity to get to know your new area before moving, make sure you find out where the grocery store is sooner rather than later. And while you're at it, pop inside and get a few basics to stock your new fridge and pantry, if possible. Think bottled water, granola bars, and perhaps milk for the coffee you'll be wanting on the first morning in your new home.

3. Movers are worth the cost

I've only been able to afford movers twice as an adult, but after using them for my last move, I hope to be able to get professional help for future moves. Why? They made the whole process so much easier.

Yes, I still had to do all the packing (you may be able to hire full-service movers who will also pack for you, but I would rather take care of this task myself) and unpacking, and coordinate moving day, and handle all the other moving tasks that can add up to one giant headache.

But I didn't have to move full boxes from the second floor of the house I moved out of, load them onto a truck, drive them 130 miles through the mountains on winding country roads in pouring rain (my last move entailed this), and then carry those boxes up the stairs to my second-floor apartment. I paid about $1,500 for movers, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. The more hassle you can save yourself during a move, the happier you'll be.

4. Budget and put aside more money than you think you'll need

I highly recommend having an honest look at your finances ahead of moving, and making a real budget. Decide what expenses you'll need to cover, which could include:

• Movers, if you want to hire them (and you already know I recommend it)
• Boxes, tape, and other supplies
• A truck or van rental
• Professional cleaning or cleaning supplies, if you're going to clean your old or new home yourself while moving in/out

Then, once you've got your total, add $500 more to it. Moving always costs more than you expect it to, and if you have some lead time before your move and can scrounge up the extra cash, you'll be able to avoid using your credit card if it turns out you need to buy more boxes than you originally figured, or purchase smoke detectors for your new home the day you move in.

5. Make sure you can use the shower right away

Let's end this with a sillier moving lesson. Moving (even with movers to do most of the heavy lifting) is exhausting, and you will absolutely end up sweaty, tired, and desperate for a hot shower once the truck is unloaded and returned and you're sitting in your new home, surrounded by boxes of all your worldly possessions.

To that end, I highly recommend setting up a bathroom first, before any other room. Put up your shower curtain, ensure you have clean towels easily accessible, and don't forget to pack your toiletries along with the clothes you'll need for the first few days in an easy-to-find place (I recommend using your suitcase for this). That way, you can easily wash off the stress of moving day. Your future self will thank you.

Moving can be a pain, but if you can hire movers, expand your budget, and join a bank that has locations everywhere (or is purely internet-based), it'll go more smoothly for you. When you're settled into your new home (and everything is unpacked!), you'll be glad you approached moving day strategically.