The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Moving in New Orleans

Just like any residential move in any state or city, there’s a lot that goes into calling a new place home in New Orleans. From finding your perfect space nestled in your ideal neighborhood to arranging the logistics and actually making the jump, moving in the Big Easy may be big — but it isn’t always so easy.

Despite popular belief, however, moving doesn’t have to go hand-in-hand with blood, sweat, and tears, even if your relocation calls for hauling your moving truck from Uptown to Mid City during peak rush hour.

With expert moving tips and tricks from a professional team of New Orleans movers, you can minimize the dread and maximize the excitement of creating your new beginning in the city.

Tips for Moving in New Orleans

Set a budget

It’s no secret relocating can get pretty expensive, especially if it’s a cross-country move. According to U.S News & World Report, the average cost of a local move with the help of professional movers is $1,250, while that of a long-distance move is about $4,890. Between the move-in deposits and installation fees for setting up your utilities, you can easily burn a hole in your wallet before you even start to enjoy your new space.

With a budget, you’ll have help determining how much you can afford to spend on local moving services while also factoring in the other necessities, like the cost of storage units and packing supplies. That way, you can save as much as possible and still cover your most basic grounds to ensure an efficient move.

Create a moving checklist

Like most big changes in life, a move calls for more than just a loose idea of the way things will go. Whether it’s pen-to-paper scribbles or a digital list in your phone’s Notes app, you need a checklist of all the moving-related tasks to get done and, ideally, when you’ll get them done.

Some of the items you’ll want to prioritize on your moving checklist include:

  • Ordering any necessary packing materials, including moving boxes and tape
  • Packing up your old space in sections
  • Getting your old space ready for move-out
  • Contacting utility companies for service set-up and shut-off
  • Finding the right moving company

As you go, be sure to cross out every item you complete on your moving checklist to help track your progress. Once your moving date finally arrives, your completed checklist will have you set up for a time-efficient move with little to no surprises.

Pack your items the smart way

Most, if not all, of us, have borne the brunt of a dreadful moving situation before — throwing items in unlabeled boxes last minute, sealing off the essentials too early, or stuffing the backseat of the car with loose items like lamps and pillows until it’s at its absolute maximum capacity.

But although chaos may be a residential move’s long-time plus-one, that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a hectic packing experience.

Start by packing essential items in a bag you can have on hand for easy access during your move. These include:

  • Basic toiletries
  • Change of clothes
  • Chargers
  • Medications
  • Important documents

Next, pack similar, non-essential items together based on use or room, and don’t forget to label your boxes to simplify unpacking. You can also use a color code system to ensure organization.

As you go about packing up your place, don’t be afraid to say goodbye to some items you no longer use to help free up space. As Forbes puts it, “Moving is the perfect time to declutter,” and it saves you the time and headache of transporting those items from your closet shelf that collect more dust bunnies than fingerprints.

Get help from New Orleans movers

No matter if it’s a kitchen chair or a baby grand piano, moving your home’s items takes hard work, and without help from New Orleans local movers, it can also take many long and tiresome days.

Fortunately, professionally trained moving companies make settling into your new space as seamless as possible, offering anything from moving truck loading and transporting to (un)packing services and home organizing.

When you hire a moving service to support you during your New Orleans move, you’ll benefit from more:

  • Reliability
  • Peace of mind
  • Efficiency
  • Time and energy savings
  • Item safety

In addition to ensuring a smoother move-in day, your moving professionals will also take over your home’s inventory process to verify that all your belongings make it to your next space on time.

Your Expert Mover in New Orleans

Whether you’re making an in-state or out-of-state move to New Orleans, LA or its surrounding parishes, proper planning and execution make the difference between a successful move and one that has you recovering for days after.

At Lee Moving & Storage, Inc., we’re a leading relocation company helping you with your residential or commercial move, both in New Orleans and beyond national and international borders. With 70 years of experience in the moving industry, we’re well-prepared to take on your next move and create a stress-free experience for your next chapter in life.

Contact us today to request a free quote for your moving services in the Crescent City.