How to handle moving to a smaller Florida apartment?
Moving to a smaller apartment is never easy. Especially if you have lived in a house or a bigger apartment until now. We are not going to lie to you – there will be a lot of sacrifices you will have to make in order to adjust to a smaller apartment, in Florida, or anywhere else for that matter. But, do not worry, it is far from impossible. You just have to make plans, organize everything on time and really think through what is worth keeping and what can be left behind. The most important thing is not to get overly sentimental about your material things! Thus, without further ado, here are some tips and tricks on how to handle moving to a smaller Florida apartment with ease.
Get Blueprints of Your New Florida Apartment
First things first, you must get blueprints of your new Florida apartment. And why? Well, because you need to know the room layout and the right dimensions of each room. That will help you plan your relocation. By having the exact dimensions in front of you, you will know exactly how much space you will be working with. Do not forget to measure all the rooms, including all the closets, space under the bed, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and even bike storage, if of course, your Florida apartment has one. After you have measured all the rooms, compare them to your current ones. That will give an insight into how much you will have to declutter and downsize before you start packing and relocating. Moreover, having blueprints can also help you with your virtual staging too.
Create a Thorough Inventory of Your Existing Stuff
After getting blueprints and the room layouts of your new Florida apartment, it is time to really think about what will you be bringing with you, and what should be left behind. And, as you are moving to a smaller apartment, well it goes without saying that a lot of things will be left behind. So, where should you start? It would be best to start by making a thorough inventory of all the items you have in your household. Do not forget to include everything in your attic, basement, garage, storage units you have, as well as all the items inside your drawers, closets, and cabinets. Yes, there will be a lot of things on the list. And, relocating all of them will not be possible. So, consider relocating only the items that are valuable, expensive and really valuable to you. For the rest, think about donating, selling or throwing away.
Donate, Sell and Throw Away
And, now, it is time for downsizing and decluttering! That means getting rid of the items that you can do without in order to safe space at your new home. Yes, we are all dependent on our stuff. They make us feel happy and satisfied. But, the truth is, having too much stuff can also make you feel stressed out and cluttered, both physically and emotionally. That is why so many people nowadays are turning to a simpler way of lifestyle where they do not depend on their materials stuff anymore. Maybe that is the reason you are moving to a smaller Florida apartment too? If you are, you know what that means – donating, selling or throwing away. Here is how to do it:
- Donate – The best thing you can do with your stuff is to donate them. So, put all the things you no longer need and take them to a local charity. You will see that you will make somebody really happy, and thus, become happier yourself.
- Sell – Another thing to do with your household items (furniture, home accessories, clothes, shoes, etc.) is to sell them. That is a great way to earn some money as well as downsizing. And, selling is easy. You can sell your items online, organize a yard sale.
- Throw Away – But, if you have some items that are useless, damaged, broken or simply in a bad condition, you know what to do – let them hit the bin. Do not get over-sentimental over your material things. Just remember that everything material can be easily replaced.
Invest in a Storage Unit
However, if you are not ready to donate, sell, or throw away the items you have no room for in your new Florida apartment, do not worry, there is another solution. You can, for instance, place all your items in a storage unit! That proved to be a great investment for many people. Yes, in the past, it was not common to get a storage unit for personal needs. But, nowadays, anything is possible. You can get a storage unit in all shapes and sizes and place there anything you desire, for as long as you need to! Trust us, choosing the right unit that fits your needs has never been easier. Just go online, and look for some storage units close to your Florida apartment.
Hire the Right Moving Company
And if you want your move to go smoothly, well, your only option is to hire a professional moving agency. They will not help you downsize and declutter, but they sure will help you relocate to your new Florida apartment with ease. A professional moving agency’s job is to provide you with all the necessary packing materials, as well as pack and ensure all your stuff arrives safely and on time to your new address. Most moving companies have storage options too, so make sure to ask them about it. Moving out of your Florida home to a smaller one has never been easier!
Lisa Roberts is a long-time real estate expert. For the past two decades, Jack has worked for a large real estate company and he is an expert when it comes to investing in rental real estate. Currently, he lives in Brooklyn with his stay at home wife and two daughters. On the weekends, he prefers to spend time with his family, since on workdays he works long hours. Jack’s plan is to invest in rental real estate and retire early.