How do you cope when you have to move house a lot?

[HuntersMum]

Hi there, so my husband is in a job where we get moved once every 2-3yrs. We have been at our recent post for just over a year and been in 2 houses, looking for the 3rd at the moment. Is there anyone out there who moves around a lot that may have advice for me. I am so sick of packing everything up, unpacking only to have to pack it up in 6mths time.

[CitrusRain]

Yep. I feel you. 4 moves in 5 years here. I don't really have packing tips because we get people to do it for us but make sure you leave a few essential items out (pretend you're going camping with the bare essentials) and put them in a box marked "survival kit" to be loaded last and unloaded first. As far as making new friends and starting your life over and over again, i have found local playgroups, cafes, libraries and yoga lessons to be the best places to make friends. Also, make sure you make a point of meeting your new neighbours because they usually have great advice on where to shop, local events etc and some of mine have turned out to be some of my best friends. It'll also make you feel more secure in your new home. Good luck with the move! If you have any questions feel free to ask and if I think of anything else important I'll post it

[KnockKnockPenny]

I have no tips sorry but can feel your pain. I'm up to move 13 in 4 years :-/ and we are looking to move in a couple months again. Unfortunately it doesn't get any easier :-(

[Eko]

I've moved 24 times in the last 15 years. I feel your pain.

The best thing I've found to do is minimizing 'junk'. If I find a box that has been sitting around not being unpacked for a month, I go through it and if there's nothing in there that I've looked for in the 4 weeks I throw it away.

It can seem a bit brutal, but the less stuff you have to move, the easier things are.
Sadly, moving every few years can really take a toll. But at the end of the day, I use it as a good spring-junk-clean excuse and try to remember that every box of things I haven't used in that month is a box of clutter that I'm getting rid of .

[CitrusRain]

I've moved 24 times in the last 15 years. I feel your pain.

The best thing I've found to do is minimizing 'junk'. If I find a box that has been sitting around not being unpacked for a month, I go through it and if there's nothing in there that I've looked for in the 4 weeks I throw it away.

It can seem a bit brutal, but the less stuff you have to move, the easier things are.
Sadly, moving every few years can really take a toll. But at the end of the day, I use it as a good spring-junk-clean excuse and try to remember that every box of things I haven't used in that month is a box of clutter that I'm getting rid of .

Absolutely this! It is horrible and time consuming unpacking junk. Once our removalists wrapped up a woolworths receipt in newspaper and carefully packed it into a box. I kid you not!

[Rose&Aurelia]

We are a defence family so move regularly.

I agree with the PP about a survival box or boxes. Clothes for a week, basic cutlery and crockery, favourite toys/books/DVDs for kids and important papers ie passports birth and marriage certs.

This way when you get to a new place you can function and set up licences/rego etc.

Pack stuff away that you won't need in the next few years but don't want to get rid off. Ie baby clothes outgrown/ sentimental Items. Label well with what's in it and write non essential and storage.

Mark boxes with bright colours red for kitchen, blue kids bedrooms, pink your bedroom etc. That way it's clear where the boxes go. Then place coloured sheets on the doors to make it easier for the movers or you.

Also if you pack a cupboard the way you like it then it's easier to unpack and put away.

Hope this helps.

[BorrisWombatWife]

I have a Po box and just get it redirected with each move, that way I dont have to worry if I forget to change an address. We put a large (A4) number on each door and have the removalist put that number on each box as it is packed then the number is put on the door at new place. If you can have the furniture brought in before boxes it is easier to set up & unload boxes. Have ensemble beds so there quick to unpack & cannot loose bolts like on a frame. I agree with the minimize junk rule and a survival kit, don't forget toilet paper.

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[share a book]

I don't know how I would cope! My parents built their house before I was born, and when I left there I was in different rentals before we moved in here, but we have been here nearly 7 years now. No more moves for a while either.

[HuntersMum]

Thanks guys. It looks like paying someone to pack is the key here. But i am in the midst of decluttering so hopefully this will help too. Thanks again everyone