There are two ways you can look at moving: a stressful hassle or an exciting opportunity to make a fresh start.
The good news is, you have countless resources at your fingertips to help make moving easier, more affordable and even more enjoyable than ever - before, during and after, once it's finally time to settle in.
Here are some of our favorite resources to help you get your move on:
Find a new place
On the scale of moving stressors, finding a new place tops the list. But lucky for all of us, the days of scouring newspapers or driving around trying to spot fresh "for rent" signs are over — there are plenty of apps that will help you find and apply for a new place in a few clicks.
If you're looking in one of our nation's hottest markets for a house, condo, apartment or room, try Zumper. And if your budget is smaller or preference is to live with a roommate, try Roomi, which includes a background check function. (Always a good idea, said everyone's mom, always.)
Get organized
One of the biggest sources of stress during a move is disorganization. Even the neatest people can get into a chaotic whirl of clutter when emptying drawers, closets, garages, desks and other storage spaces.
So start making those lists and checking them twice with all you need to do to get organized. For to-do lists in general, we appreciate the ability to share and assign tasks to partners or roommates with Wunderlist. If you're a big Google fan, then Google Keep is a brilliant, cloud-based app that syncs all your devices, keeping lists and notes updated in real-time.
Finally, you can take your moving organization to the next level by photographing and documenting all of your belongings with Sortly, which walks you through creating a visual inventory list that you can even tag with QR codes so once your boxes arrive, you easily know what's in each box.
Movers 2.0
Hiring a moving company is convenient, but it can cost you a small fortune… even for those simple across-town moves. If you don't want to pay for a full service mover, there are alternatives. For example, Truxx makes moving über-simple by connecting you with trusted drivers who've undergone criminal and DMV background checks and who own a van, truck or trailer ready to transport your stuff to your new pad. Simply download the free app, enter the job details, and Truxx pairs you with a driver. You can opt for help with load and unload, or you can choose to do it yourself for less. Either way, Truxx saves you time, money and hassles on moving day.
Settle in for success
Once you've made the move, it's time to get your new life in order. If you need help unpacking, hanging pictures and mirrors, or generally fixing up your new place, get help from a certified "tasker" on TaskRabbit.
And while you're at fixing things up, isn't it time you started building your credit with the largest monthly payment you make — rent? RentTrack ensures you get credit for your on-time rent payments at the three top credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion and Equifax - and also allows you to schedule regular online monthly payments so you can just "set it and forget it."
Finally, get to know more about your new neighborhood, from safety and security information to the best coffee shops, bars and restaurants and other local essentials with the Nextdoor app. Nextdoor only allows access only to people who really live in your neighborhood, so your interactions on the platform are with those who know your 'hood best.
Contrary to popular belief, moving doesn't have to be stressful. With a little help, settling into your new place will be a snap.
