Moving is always a lot of work. All the planning, shopping for materials, organization, packing, and labeling—not to mention the actual moving—can really become a big, burdensome project. Add triple-digit temperatures to the mix, and you’ve got the makings of a truly miserable experience.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of reasons why moving in the summer, even in Arizona, can make sense. Schedules are a little less busy, time off is a little easier to get, and housing markets are usually more active. So if a move in the Arizona summer is inevitable, what can you do to make it bearable?
We’ve got a few do’s and don’ts for you to remember as you face your big Arizona move. Above all, stay positive—you can do it!
DON’T go it alone.
Trying to move without any sort of help will get really overwhelming, really fast. If professional movers are in the budget, great! Hire them. If not, ask for help from friends, neighbors, and family. Chances are, they’ll be more than happy to help you. Make sure you show your gratitude in whatever way you can, including following our next tip.
DO keep your movers hydrated.
Whether its yourself, your family and friends, or professional movers, it’s absolutely essential that anyone helping you move stays well hydrated. Those high temperatures and the dry air can make you dehydrated really quickly. Provide your movers with plenty of water or sports drinks to help them stay cool (and happy).
DON’T move at the hottest time of the day.
If it can be avoided at all, don’t move in the middle of the day. Your movers will be absolutely miserable. In fact, the morning is the coolest time of the day, so the earlier you can start, the better. If you must, push moving back into the evening; the heat will still be there, but at least you won’t have the sun beating down on you.
DO have the a/c on at both locations.
Central air conditioning is really the only thing that makes summers in Arizona even remotely bearable. Make sure your power is not scheduled to turn off at your current home until after your move, and if possible, have it turned on at your new home a day before your move. This will ensure that both locations are nice and cool for your movers.
DON’T do it all in one day.
Moving is almost always a bigger job than you anticipate. It really helps to break it up over a couple days, especially if you’re trying to avoid being outdoors in the heat (which you should be). Pack boxes days ahead of time, starting with things you don’t use very often, and get as much done as you can before your movers even show up.
DO stay organized.
The more organized you are, the easier the job will be, for everyone. Take some time before you even start packing to come up with some sort of easy to understand organization system that will make the whole process run smoothly from start to finish. One tip: instead of labeling your boxes based on contents, label them with the room they’ll need to be in at your new home. This will allow your movers to know where to take everything, instead of you having to read all the boxes and run traffic control as the moving truck in unloaded. Think the process through, and you’ll come up with something that will work for you!
Hopefully, these tips will make your Arizona summer move just a little more bearable. Stay cool!
One more tip? Use a professional storage facility to store any items you don’t need right away, or that you don’t have room for at your new home. With multiple locations around the Valley, Arizona Storage Centers offer secure, convenient storage for your belongings that will make any move or transition easier for you and your family. Contact Arizona Storage Centers at 480-386-6022 today to find a location near you, or drop by to start your lease today!
