Essential Relocation and Transition Tips: When Downsizing or Moving Between Apartments or Condos

Downsizing to an Apartment or Condo

Whether you are looking for a simpler lifestyle, your kids just left home or you are retiring and looking for more affordable housing. Moving to an apartment or condo requires some planning ahead. Below is a breakdown of some important reminders or checklists to prevent slowdowns, and have a smoother moving experience.

Summary

• Communicate with Building Management

• Secure Convenient Parking

• Moving to a Building with Stairs

• Moving to a Building with Elevator

• Move During Low Traffic Times

• Pack a First Night Bag

1.Communicate With Building Management

Discuss your moving day and time to the building management so that they can reserve an elevator for you. If you are moving to a building with no elevators, management might let you use service entrances or helpful facilities to make things easier. If they all it, stair dollies can be a helpful in getting your heavy belongings up and down the stairs. Not all property managers allow this, so communicating them ahead of time can help you prepare for any tricky situations.

2.Secure Convenient Parking

Some condos have strict security policies and it is good to be prepared for your moving day. Speak with your building management to secure parking spots during your move in order to avoid scheduling conflicts with other residents. They may be able to reserve it for the move day and provide you with any access security codes, entry fobs, or signage. Locate loading docks or truck zones that have required height limits for underground and aboveground parking.Try to pick a spot that is close to your apartment to shorten the distance between moving your belongings from the moving truck to your home. This ensures you will have a peaceful and less stressful move.

Moving with Stairs

3.Moving into or out of a Building with Stairs

Moving with no elevator can be tricky, but we have come up with some great tips to help make it easier for you.

• Make a Condo and Apartment Checklist: Moving can get hectic and it is important to stay on top of the most important, often forgettable reminders. Looking for a quick ready made checklist? You can download our Condo and Apartment Moving PDF.

• Plan 4-5 Weeks in Advance: It is important to be prepared for your moving day. Make sure to set your plan with enough time for any unexpected delays or disruptions. Start packing your belongings at least 3-2 weeks ahead of the moving day. This may also include decluttering and donating stuff you may not need anymore, to make room for your smaller home relocation.

• Walkthrough: Have a walkthrough of the building you are moving out of or into before setting a communication plan and layout to your movers.

• Hanging and Protruding Fixtures: Ensure there are no hanging or wall light fixtures that might get damaged or in the way. This may also include tight corners, and low ceilings that may get in the way while maneuvering your heavy pieces.

• Measure: Measure all the large belongings like furniture that you will be moving. Measure the height, length, and width of the furniture. Make sure to protect any pieces that may be sticking out and to keep these in mind when moving them through doorways or stairwells.

• Dissemble Large Belongings: If there are any items that are too large to fit the doorway, or stairwells, you will need to dissemble them. Make sure to attach any small screws or pieces of the furniture in a bag and place it in a safe place. Make sure to label the bag for later assembly.

• Pack in Smaller Boxes: Distribute the weight of your belongings as much as you can in smaller boxes. The goal is to move as many stuff you have quickly as possible down the flight of stairs. They are light and easy to manage in regards to weight distribution, thus making it easier and faster to move.

Movers using an elevator to transport boxes

4.Moving to a Building with an Elevator

Discuss your moving day and time to the building management so that they can reserve an elevator for you. Try to inform them 2-3 weeks in advance to insure it is available to you and your mover.

5.Move During Low Traffic Times

When possible, try to schedule a move during hours of the day where there is less foot traffic. Picking a time during the weekdays when people are going to work will need to be chosen wisely. During peak hours there will be more foot traffic in the stairwells, hallways, and elevator. Try weekends early mornings or midweek days to make it less stressful and prevent blocking your neighbours or feeling like you are in the way.

Don't get stuck in traffic for your next move. It is important to try to avoid high-traffic times, closures, construction or major local events when moving from one place to another. Try to start your move in the early morning, before the city wakes up. Avoid delays and traffic by avoiding these rush hour times: 7:00am to 10:00am and from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

6.Pack a First Night Bag

You arrived to your new home and now it may be time to unpack. Prepare a first night bag in order to have all the essentials with you in a safe and secure spot. Your night bag may include charges, a pair of clean clothes, toiletries, medications, important documents in an envelope, IDS, and emergency contacts.

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