Moving is a big endeavor for anyone, but when you’re a senior who’s looking to downsize and relocate to a new home, that endeavor can seem even more challenging. Consolidating your belongings, lifting and transporting heavy furniture, and preparing for life in a new place can certainly feel overwhelming at times, but you should know it doesn’t have to be. 

At Ace Moving & Warehousing, we’ve provided senior moving services for Rochester residents for more than 60 years. We understand the relocation process can be emotional and stressful, but we also know how to help you conduct a smooth and successful move.

Below, we’re sharing some of our best senior moving tips to help make your upcoming relocation as simple as possible.

Begin Planning Six Months in Advance

Anyone who’s planning a relocation can benefit from giving themselves plenty of time to plan. That’s especially true if you live with mobility issues, chronic pain, or other health problems. Planning and executing a relocation is a lot of work even when you have several months to get everything done, so the more time you give yourself, the better.

If you’re planning on hiring a professional moving company for help, you’ll want to hire your movers about three months in advance of your move date. That means you’ll need to start researching and vetting companies about five to six months in advance.

If you’re planning a move during the summer season, it’s important to understand that many moving companies typically book out months in advance for June, July, and August. Since most relocations occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day, you’ll want to grab a spot on the movers’ schedule as early as possible to ensure you get the dates you want.

Hire an Experienced Senior Moving Company

As an older adult, it may not be safe or healthy for you to engage in the intense physical exertion involved in the average relocation. Moving heavy furniture, transporting appliances, and packing up an entire home full of stuff can be incredibly taxing and very time consuming. As such, in the interest of safety, you’ll want to find a professional moving company that can handle the labor for you. 

Professional movers and packers who specialize in senior moving services have the training and experience to securely pack and safely deliver your belongings to your new home. If you don’t want to risk injury, physical or mental burnout, or damage to your precious things, working with a high-quality moving company is the best way to conduct a low-stress relocation. 

Check out what you need to know to hire a reputable moving company.

Create a Moving Timeline

Having a week-by-week checklist for your move will help you make sure you’re on track throughout each phase of the relocation process. You’ll want to start your timeline about eight weeks before the date you plan to move. Once you settle on a senior moving company, you’ll have a better idea of what your timeline should look like.

Not sure how to create a relocation timeline? Check out Atlas Van Lines’ moving timeline and checklist for several helpful tips. 

Keep Square Footage in Mind

If you’ve lived in the same home for many years, you’ve probably accumulated a fair amount of stuff that you may not be able to move to your new home. To determine what will fit in your new abode, it’s a good idea to either visit the place and take measurements (if it’s not too far away) or get a floor plan so you can gauge what to bring and what to get rid of.

If you won’t be able to fit larger furniture pieces or decor because you’re downsizing, consider selling them. Having a yard sale or listing your items on an online marketplace will allow you to make a little cash before you move, and you can put those proceeds toward new furnishings.

Organize and Downsize Your Belongings

For many seniors, organizing and downsizing belongings is the most time-intensive part of the relocation process. To avoid excessive stress or burnout, give yourself plenty of time to complete this step. You may also want to wrangle family members or friends who can assist you with these tasks as having a few helpers will make things much easier.

Consider Renting a Storage Unit

If you’re a snowbird or have family in the Rochester area, you may want to rent a climate-controlled storage unit before you move. If you have several items you’re not ready to part with but that won’t fit in your new home, climate control is key. This type of specialty storage will allow you to keep your things secure without the risk of temperature- or moisture-related damage.

If you’ve never put anything in long-term storage before, check out what you need to know before renting a storage unit.

Looking for a Senior Moving Company in Rochester?

Whether you’re moving within Minnesota or relocating to another state entirely, our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing can help your upcoming relocation go as smoothly as possible. Since 1958, we’ve proudly served the moving needs of Rochester residents, and our specialized senior moving services are designed specifically for older adults.

To learn more about how we can help you or get an estimate for your move, feel free to give us a call today at 507-288-3341 or request a fast quote online, and we’ll get in touch!