The Ultimate Guide to Moving in Puget Sound

Moving to the Puget Sound area is an exciting transition that offers you a chance to live in a beautiful location with a diverse urban lifestyle. The Puget Sound region has lush green scapes, picturesque waterfronts, and unique geography. With thriving cities such as Bellevue, Kirkland, Seattle, Renton, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, and Auburn, there’s something for everyone who moves into the area.

While moving can be exciting, it can also be stressful, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what you need to know about moving to the Seattle area, how to prepare for your move, and how to hire the best Puget Sound moving company.

How to Find the Ideal Place to Move

As you may have noticed, there are plenty of beautiful and accessible areas to move to in the Puget Sound region. So, how do you know which one is right for you? First, start by making a list of your priorities. Ask yourself questions like:

  • What neighborhoods offer a reasonable commute to my job?
  • What qualities are important to me? Am I interested in a quiet neighborhood or one with nightlife?
  • Do I want to live on the east or west side?
  • What activities am I interested in?
  • What area is in my budget?

Once you have considered what city and neighborhood are best for you, begin researching neighborhoods that will fit your needs. In many cases, friends, family, local neighborhood social media groups, or real estate agents can help narrow down your search. Asking a Puget Sound moving company, such as Access Gentle Moving, can also give you insight into what certain neighborhoods are like.

Planning and Moving Tips

Orchestrating a perfect move involves some extensive planning. Creating a schedule to follow will help you stay organized and motivated as the moving date approaches. Here are some tips for creating a moving schedule:

  • Six to eight weeks before: Gather moving supplies, such as containers, boxes, packing peanuts, and anything else you might need. Begin the search for a moving company by asking friends and family for referrals. Contact Puget Sound moving companies to receive estimates for your move.
  • One month before: Begin decluttering everything in your home and getting rid of things you might not need anymore, including in your garage. In the long run, this will save you time and space from having to pack, load, and unpack unnecessary things.
  • Several weeks before: Start packing infrequently used items, such as holiday decorations, books, seasonal clothing, and more. This will give you a head start on the packing process and help you feel more motivated.
  • Two weeks before: Pack the remainder of your belongings, including kitchen items, bedroom, and bathroom items. Label each box clearly to know where to put it in your new space.
  • One week before: Finish packing the remainder of your items and label the items you’ll need to open first in your new space. Consider packing a suitcase full of overnight items to find necessities as soon as you arrive at your destination.

When is the Best Time of Year to Move to Seattle?

It’s no secret that Seattle is well-known for its rainy weather. Seattle receives an average rainfall of around 38 inches! With so much rain, many people wonder when’s the best time to plan a move. If you can pick a time of year to move in the Puget Sound area, moving during the summer is your best bet. This is because most of the precipitation arrives in the winter months, with the wettest months being November and December. No matter the time of year, our movers in Washington State will get you to your next destination safely and without a fuss.

Reliable Packing Tips for a Smooth Transition

Packing can be challenging, especially if you haven’t done it before. However, with a few tips and tricks, you’ll have a successful move. Here are some of our favorite tips:

  • Pack heavy items on the bottom: Putting your heavier items on the bottom of the boxes will ensure that they won’t get smashed. Utilize packing paper, towels, or bubble wrap to protect items and fill up empty spaces in each box so things don’t shift around.
  • Use suitcases and bags: It can be hard to know how to pack clothing. Try packing clothing and other soft linen items in duffel bags, suitcases, reusable grocery bags, or garbage bags. This can help you save on packing space.
  • Disassemble furniture: Taking apart tables, bed frames, and shelves makes transporting them more accessible and prevents damage to walls and door frames. Place all bolts, screws, and assembly tools in labeled plastic bags and tape them to the furniture frame for easy assembly at your destination.
  • Take inventory: Creating a detailed inventory of your packed items, such as a simple list or a digital record with photos, will help you keep track of what you have and ensure nothing is lost or left behind. If anything gets damaged during the move, it can also be helpful for insurance purposes.

If packing sounds daunting, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Access Gentle Moving is a full-service moving company that provides fast and efficient packing services.

Maximizing Temporary Storage Solutions

Sometimes, you may have to move in stages or work on downsizing your belongings. This is when temporary storage solutions come in handy. To determine what type of storage solution you’ll need, assess the capacity of the items you need to store. Ask yourself, how long will I need to store these items?

Next, determine the right type of temporary storage. Portable storage containers, storage units, and even rental trucks can be helpful when temporarily storing items. Portable storage containers are ideal for a solution delivered and stored right outside your home. Storage units are perfect for longer-term storage in various sizes. At Access Gentle Moving, we offer state-of-the-art storage facilities that include climate-controlled units, a safer way to store items. Moving trucks are ideal if you want to take your time loading items because you can slowly load the truck as you pack up boxes.

Unpacking and Settling into Your New Space

Once you have arrived at your destination in the Seattle area, continue the moving process by unpacking the most needed items first. Prioritize rooms with essential areas such as the bathroom, kitchen, and entertainment equipment. Make your unpacking more manageable by setting a goal to unpack a certain number of boxes daily. Contact utility and internet companies to set up services to help yourself get comfortable in your new space.

Why Should You Choose Gentle Access Moving?

For over 30 years, Access Gentle Moving has been helping corporations and families relocate around the Seattle area. We offer residential moving services, commercial moving services, packing services, piano moving services, safe moving services, junk removal, and more. We’ve helped thousands of residential clients move to their new homes, and we want to help you. Our Puget Sound moving team uses cutting-edge technology and modern equipment to help relocate your items safely and efficiently so you can get back to your everyday life. Contact us today for a free moving estimate!