I have So Much Stuff – How do I Prepare for a Move?
According to the news and our realtor partners, houses that are priced right in the Denver metro area are selling within the first couple of weeks (in some cases, the day they are listed). If you have decided that you done with the stresses and responsibilities of home ownership, tired of dealing with snow shoveling, paying high electric and gas bills, and the difficulties of not be able to get out for groceries or to meet friends for fun time, then it is time to prepare for a move.
Before you call movers, however, there are so many decisions that you should be focused on. Take time to research communities, apartments or senior living neighborhoods and make your decision only after visiting and looking at different apartment models, trying their meals if that is an option, and talking to current residents. Denver has many wonderful retirement communities to fit all different life styles and life needs if that is your goal.
Once you decide where to move, take the reduced size into consideration when making decisions. For example, your current house may have 2000 square feet of living space and lots of storage. Most apartments will be half that size (or likely less) and have little or no storage. You will need to decide whether you will cook meals or eat your meals in the community dining room. Will you have or need a car? Will you need a garage, and how close is the parking to your apartment?
For a smooth, successful move, don’t skip these important steps!
Measure. You will want to get a floor plan for your new apartment and measure furniture pieces you want to take so you only move what will fit. Keep in mind if you use a walker to leave at a minimum 24Ó to flow around furniture.
Downsize. Go through every room, closet, drawer, nook and cranny in your house. That way you keep the items that are most important to you, but purge all the clutter collected over many years. Sorting through all of your collected possessions can take weeks. Ask family for help or…
Call a Senior Move Manager for assistance. SMMs are experts at de-cluttering and space planning and assisting with your move.
While sorting through your lifelong collections may be tedious and decision making can be difficult, we can guarantee your transition will go much smoother. Your new home will be comfortable, not cluttered or unsightly. Senior Move Managers will help you sort, find resources to dispose of your lifetime of treasures, and coordinate your move with professional movers. SMMs will pack, manage the complications of move day, and unpack and set up your new home, including hanging pictures. They are willing to do whatever you need assistance with.
We encourage people to start this entire process while you are the one deciding when and where to move and what to take with you. Moving can be difficult, but doesn’t have to be if you use a professional move manager.
Communities tell us that clients moved in by a SMM are not as exhausted or stressed as those who do it themselves or with family. Their boxes are unpacked and all belongings put away in a day or two, while others are still unpacking themselves for weeks after they move. We find our clients are ready to jump into community life quicker and get involved in fun activities faster.
In addition, with the SMM’s help and resources, those same clients got their homes cleared out, on the market and sold quicker than those who tried to do it themselves (or expect their busy kids or grandkids to do it for them).
Senior Move Managers are in business because they have a passion to be able to help their clients over moving hurdles for a smoother transition to their next chapter in life.
Betty White and Jeanine Plumhoff are Senior Move Managers that have owned Smooth Transitions Denver since 2007 and have moved hundreds of people. Call us for a free, one hour consultation at 303-674-0250. Let us help you plan the next chapter in your life!
