Moving Alone Guide
Every year, millions of people pack up their belongings and move to a new home. Some move for exciting new job opportunities. Others leave to be closer to friends, family, and loved ones. And some move simply for a change of scenery, craving adventure in a new city, state, or even country!
No matter why you’re making the change, moving to a new home is a massive undertaking — especially if you’re doing it on your own. At North American Van Lines, we strive to make the moving process as stress-free as can be.
If you’re getting ready for a relocation, make sure to put our decades of expertise to use. Our Moving Alone Guide tells you everything you need to know for a smooth and successful transition.
Moving to a New State Alone
If you’re moving to a new state alone, start planning early. Everything from your clothing to your car to your prized possessions needs to be accounted for. With so much to move (and a million other things to do), it’s easy to become stressed or overwhelmed by it all. North American Van Lines can make your move much easier.
With over 500 agents located across the United States and Canada, the North American team is ready to help you with your long-distance move — no matter where you’re from or where you’re going.
Moving to a New City Alone
Switching cities can be daunting, but we can take some of the stress out of moving to another city alone. Our team of professional moving experts can pack your belongings for you and unpack them in your new place, so you can focus on other items on your to-do list (or just take a break).
Or, if you want to do the packing yourself, we offer a great selection of top-quality moving supplies and packing materials!
Moving Across the Country Alone
North American Van Lines is your most-trusted source for cross-country moving. We’ll work with you to make moving across the country alone as easy as possible. Our relocation specialists will handle all the logistics to ensure you enjoy peace of mind throughout the moving process. We even offer long- and short-term storage services should you need to send anything ahead.
If you’re moving out of the country, we can help with that, too! Our experts can help you pack, transport, and store your belongings for a solo international move.
Services We Offer
North American Van Lines is proud to offer premier moving services throughout the U.S. and Canada, including:
- Packing services: Sit back and relax while we pack up your home, or let us handle the heavy or fragile items for you.
- Moving supplies: Want to DIY your move? We have a wide range of boxes, tape, packing peanuts, and more.
- Loading, moving, and unloading: Our drivers will get your belongings to your new home quickly and professionally. We’ll even unload and unpack for you, so you can start enjoying your new space right away.
- Auto transport: Moving your vehicle can be challenging during a long-distance move. Our auto transport services ensure your car gets to your new home safely.
- Storage: If you need to store your things for a while, we’ll set you up with a secure, climate-controlled storage option that suits your budget.
- Installation and assembly: Moving alone and not sure how to set up your appliances? Don’t worry. We can help you install or reassemble furniture, appliances, and other household essentials.
No matter how far your move takes you, North American Van Lines can help you feel right at home.
Tips and Tricks
After over 90 years in the industry, north American knows the ins and outs of moving. Here are a few of our favorite tips for moving across town, to another state or across the country alone:
Make a Plan
Plan your relocation in advance. Will you have friends help you pack and unpack, or will you need professional movers? When do you want to start the moving process? Our moving checklists can help you plan all your tasks before moving day.
Budget for Your Move
Once you’ve paired down your belongings, it’s time to prepare your bank account. Moving can be expensive, depending on distance, time of year, and the services you use. It’s important to budget appropriately so you aren’t caught off-guard by “sticker shock.”
North American Van Lines makes budgeting easier with our estimated relocation cost calculator. This free tool examines factors like:
- Distance
- Load size (how big your home is)
- Moving date
- Job complexity (do you have fragile items, items that need custom boxes, etc.)
The calculator will provide an estimated total cost, allowing you to set aside enough to complete your relocation without worry.
Go Through Belongings & Donate
When moving alone, eliminate as much clutter as possible. This will help minimize the time spent packing and unpacking while allowing you a fresh start in your new home.
Go room by room and decide what to keep and what to part with. Separate items by whether they can be sold, donated, or thrown away.
Storage Unit?
A storage unit can help you avoid a lot of headaches during a move. Whether you need to store items your new place can’t accommodate or hold your belongings until your move-in date, it’s best to decide whether you’ll need a storage unit early in the moving process.
North American Van Lines’ relocation experts can help you find a storage option that meets your needs and fits your budget. We’ll help you keep your items safe and secure until you’re ready for them.
Get Moving Supplies
Ok, you’ve made a plan, set a budget, downsized your stuff and found a storage unit. Now, it’s time for the biggest part of moving: packing!
Quality is key when packing for a move. Old boxes from home deliveries may be damaged or worn down, putting the items inside them — your prized possessions — at risk. North American Van Lines offers top-quality moving supplies like standard boxes, dish packs, mattress covers, and other packing supplies to ensure you have everything you need.
Label Your Boxes
This one may seem obvious, but you’ll be glad you remembered! In the hustle and bustle of moving, items can become jumbled and lost in boxes that all look identical. Always take a few moments to label your boxes clearly with the items inside, or at least the room where they belong.
Labeling your boxes as you pack makes moving into your new home much easier. You can take labeled boxes directly to the kitchen, bedroom, or wherever they need to go, speeding up the unpacking process so you can start feeling at home ASAP.
Call North American Van Lines
Finally, here’s our #1 tip for moving on your own: call us! North American Van Lines has over 90 years of moving experience and over 500 local agents throughout the U.S. and Canada. We’re confident we can make your solo move a hassle-free experience.
Contact us today to learn more about our moving services and see how we can help you settle into your new home — wherever that may be.
