Ever wondered about what to carry and what not when moving and relocating to another city? Well, if yes, then you are not alone. Most of us remain confused about what to carry and what not to while relocating. And, I completely get it because unless you have a prior experience of relocating, it is often difficult to pick and choose things that you must carry.
And this confusion increases all the more if you have been living in your old home for a long time and have got attached to literally everything in that home. But you know what you need to control your emotions and think practically while making your packing list for the move.
Because moving things could cost you dearly, and if you carry all the useless ones, it will simply be a waste of your time, energy and money. So, it is important to sort items wisely and move only the household items that are absolutely important, usable and necessary.
To help you out prepare the packing list for your next upcoming move, I am happy to share the list of essential things to carry when moving to another city. Some of the items featured in this packing list are very obvious ones, which no one forgets to carry generally. But there are many other items that are important and therefore you can’t afford to miss out. So, you may refer to this checklist while sorting and packing items for the next upcoming move.
The whole procedure of moving to another city is a complicated one and is also strenuous. Of course, hiring locally available professional moving service helps a lot in getting things packed and transported. But, when it is about sorting items, it is something which you have to handle on your own. The movers and packers will pack and move what you ask them to move, they can’t do the sorting.
And therefore, if you need help preparing the packing list for moving and relocating to another city, then continue reading this post, as we discuss about the essential goods worth packing and carrying when moving to another city.
Packing list of things to carry when moving to another city
The usability of any item varies from individual to individual but there are some items which majority of people finds useful and valuable. Today’s packing list of things to carry when moving to another city is based on this basic principle. So, let’s get to make the packing list with all the essential things worth taking while relocating.
Keys – Well, most of us usually do not forget to carry the keys but I have heard about a lot of cases where people have misplaced them. See, obviously, the last days before the final relocation is quite hectic so one may lose them when in a hurry. So, make sure you pack them safely because you may actually end up in real trouble without them.
Essential documents– Next in the list of essential things to carry when moving to another city is the essential documents. Be it your birth certificate, your academic documents, your professional documents, your passport, your bank related documents, cards etc., you cannot just afford to miss them, so do keep them safely while relocating.
First aid box– It is always important to keep a first aid box with you while relocating. See, you may have decided to buy new stuffs after the relocation but it is not right to take risk while travelling, and therefore you must carry a first aid box with you on the day of the journey.
You never know what happens on the road and there is no guarantee you will find a doctor right away but if you have first aid box, at least you can try get some quick relief. So, yes, do carry the antiseptics, bandage, common medicines, thermometers etc. with you.
Prescribed medicines– Apart from the common medicines that you are carrying as a part of your first aid box, it is important that you do not forget to carry all the prescribed medicines that you have been taking for a long time. In fact, it is better to carry extra packets of them so that you can survive the initial few days or months without a doctor in the new place.
It is equally important that you carry the prescriptions and previous test reports because it is important to show them when you visit a new doctor in the new city.
Clothes– No one forgets to carry clothes but it is important that you take only the ones that are in good shape and still fits you. Discard all the damaged and the ill fitted ones. And, yes, carry lot of underwear so that you do not have to rush to shop them in the initial days after the relocation. Moreover, it is unhygienic to repeat them on consecutive days so undergarments must be carried in sufficient numbers.
Shoes and socks– Carry 2-3 extra pairs of shoes and socks when relocating. It is not that you cannot survive without the extra pairs but it is not advisable to take just one pair as well. This is because if all of sudden your shoes or socks tear while relocating or just before you are about to start then having just one pair will become a problem. But, if you have an extra pair with you, then that will come to your rescue. So, please do not do this mistake of throwing all your other pairs and keeping just one which you want to wear on the day of the journey, because it will lead to unnecessary tension and delay.
Chargers– Chargers are next in the list of the essential items to carry when moving to another city. Many use different chargers to charge their mobiles or laptops but many times, that damages the gadgets so it is important to carry the right ones with you.
Batteries– You will obviously be carrying various goods that run on batteries so if you carry spare batteries, it will be of great help to you in emergency situations. You will not have to rush to the shop right away.
Toiletries– If your old set of toiletries is in good shape, then there is no need to buy a new set right away. Carry your old set with you. These include your toothpaste, shampoo, creams, toothbrush, soaps etc.
Basic cooking and serving utensils– You will be using most of these items on a regular basis so it is advisable that you carry them to your new home if they are in good shape. See, even if you buy something after relocation, it is not possible to buy all of the important cooking and serving utensils like frying pan, knife, fork, spatula, cups, bowls, dishes etc., all at a time so carry the ones which are still useful.
Basic cleaning supplies– There are many who do not carry these and prefer buying new ones after relocating. But, I feel if you have your old set, then you can carry them. It will actually help you survive the first few days otherwise you will literally have to rush to the market right after the relocation as most of these stuffs are required on a regular basis. So, carry the detergent, multipurpose cleaner, rags, broom, glass cleaner etc. with you.
Foods– It is important to carry some snacks, easy to make meal staples, instant tea or coffee bags with you because these will help you to survive the initial hours after relocation. If you do not carry them then either you will have to cook yourself or you will have to search for a restaurant to eat. After relocation, there is always an urgency to eat something and rush to take some rest, so in such a situation both cooking and investing time in finding restaurant to eat may add up to more stress. Even if you go for home delivery, you cannot just eat the restaurant stuffs for long. It can take a toll on your health so it is better to avoid that.
Moreover, if you have pets and little kids with you, then you will have to take separate foods for them so why not take some for yourself as well.
Ornaments– If you have a huge collection of ornaments and most of them are expensive, then you must carry them with you. Most of these are priceless and holds a special position in our hearts so better not to discard them. If any of these items are damaged and you do not use it then you may discard that but if something is in good condition then do carry it.
Cash– Although most of the time we use cards but carrying cash is mandatory. There are many places where cash transactions are only allowed so do carry some cash with you. These will help you prevent a situation where you will have to run here and there frantically searching for an ATM.
Musical instruments– If you are into music and own your favorite musical instruments then you can carry them to your new home. Be it your guitar, or your tabla or violin, these are priceless and so you can carry them if they are in good shape and if you use them still.
Important gadgets– Carry the important gadgets with you. The most important ones like mobile, phones, laptops, wristwatches etc. should not be missed.
Miscellaneous– There are some other stuffs that you may carry and they are:
- Torches
- Scissors
- Duct tapes
- A portable alarm clock
- Matches
- Candles
- Hammers
- Screwdrivers
- Pliers
Well, these pretty much sums up my list of essential things to carry when moving to another city. But, if you are still confused regarding how to sort items then I can help you with that as well. Keep reading.
How to sort items before packing?
What you want to carry to your new home in the new city is a personal choice. But, there are some general items that need to be carried. Like for example, important documents, keys, mobile, laptop and other basic essentials but there are some other items that may be avoided or may be carried depending on their importance, their presence condition, their usefulness etc.
Here’s how you can sort out items:
- The items that you use on a regular basis can be carried to your new home. You may even leave them behind and buy new ones after relocation, but if the old one is in a condition and if you can use it for more months or years, I think it is worth carrying that.
- Next, you should consider how important the item is to you. If it holds a special place in your life, no matter how it is, you can carry it to your new space. This is because here more than the usefulness of the item, what is more important to consider is how memorable the item is in your life. Like for example, if someone special has gifted you something or if you have a saree or any garment which you wore on your wedding day or some particular item that has been passed on to you through generations etc. All of these are irreplaceable so if you value them do not even think twice before carrying them.
- Unless the item is special to you, get rid of all the damaged and useless ones. I think it will be better to buy something new and more updated rather than holding on to something that is in a dilapidated condition.
- I always suggest to keep the rare and antique stuffs they have with them because no matter how money you want to invest in buying that exact similar one, you may not actually find it in the market. So, it is better to carry the antique pieces.
- Last but not the least, it is advisable that you carry items as per the cost of living of the new city where you are about to relocate. Well, by this what I mean to say is that, if you see that the market is quite reasonable in the new city, then you may actually not carry some of your stuffs and instead buy new ones at reasonable rates. This will not only help you get a new one at low costs but will lower your packing and overall relocation cost as well. Obviously, the lesser the items, the lesser will be the costs. In fact, you may also sell the old ones and make some money out of that. So, yeah, research a little about the cost of living of that new city and accordingly take the decisions.
Over to you
Deciding what to carry and what not to while relocating is often confusing. But, if you are able to fix that then half of your packing load will be reduced. But, sorting items is not easy for many. But it’s not that hard when you know how to pick or leave an item when relocating.
And the rule I follow is pretty simple. And that is, I always select the item based on its importance, usefulness and the present condition of the item. If it’s is important, useful and in usable condition, then I will carry it.
However, there is a basic list of essential things that everyone must carry when moving to another city and these items are already featured in the packing list we made today.
But, you can obviously make changes to this packing list as per your need and preference. But if you want to stay organized right from the beginning, then the above packing list should come handy for your next upcoming move.
What else do you think one should carry when relocating to another city?
Share your favorite packing list by commenting below!
Happy packing and moving!
