The Bay Area is one of California’s most popular relocation spots. Nestled in the middle edge of the western coast, the region rocks an array of breathtaking sceneries, globally diverse culture, amazing food, lucrative opportunities, and precious historic sites. Like most people, it comes as no surprise if you want to make the Bay Area your home. Guaranteed, there’s plenty of good stuff that awaits you there.

But before you hit the road, knowing what you’re getting into is crucial. To ensure a seamless experience, be sure to digest every trustworthy tip in this Bay Area hassle-free moving guide.

Research on the Area & Neighborhood

The San Francisco Bay Area is a large territory, encompassing the counties of Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Sta. Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco. Except for Napa and Sta. Clara, the other counties have long shorelines. As a result, the temperature in the area is lower than the national average of 52 degrees F. However, the Bay Area has large landlocked areas, making it unique.

The Bay Area is also notorious for being the hardest place to find housing. Chances are the neighborhood you’ll come across is already crowded. So if you decide to move, give yourself ample time to look for a place that won’t break your budget and also avoid the trouble. According to some mortgage experts, many places in the Bay Area have insanely high prices, making them the most expensive cities in the US. While San Francisco is a huge lure to many, Napa, Vallejo in Solano County, Palo Alto, and Los Gatos are also decent choices to live in the Bay Area.

Hire a Reliable Moving Company

A move is not complete without a moving company. While it is tempting to do the move yourself, having professional help is advantageous. You can protect your valuables better because they have better insurance coverage than a private vehicle. You also get help for loading and unloading your bulky or fragile furniture. Lastly, getting a moving company lets you focus on the more important things before, during, and after the move.

Pro tip: don’t rely on a single company. Get quotes from multiple Alameda-area moving companies to compare their price and services. After a quick rundown, decide on which one fits your needs and budget.

Organize a Moving Binder

Keep a moving folder with the moving contracts, emergency contacts while in transit, and other important documents about the move. Other documents that should go into the binder are your contract in the new house, utility company numbers, contractor bids, medical records, school records, and financial documents.

Print a moving checklist and put it in the most convenient location in your moving binder. If you have the floor plan for your new place, include it in the organizer, along with fabric swatches for curtains, etc.

Special Considerations

Not every move is ideal. Some moves have more hassle than others, especially if you have one of these situations.

Pregnant Women and Kids

Expect frequent bathroom breaks when moving with a pregnant woman or kids.

• Get everyone well-hydrated and stock up on healthy snacks that won’t induce thirst to minimize unnecessary bathroom breaks.
• Pack an overnight bag with all their needs for a day – change of clothes, medicines, wet wipes, water, snacks, and toys.

Elderly and Ill Patients

The Bay Area is an excellent place to relocate the elderly and ill persons because it has some of the best elderly care facilities and hospitals. However, you need extra measures to make the move hassle-free.

• Inform the moving company beforehand if you have medical equipment to move.
• Coordinate with the new medical team about your estimated arrival date, especially if they’re moving into a facility upon arrival.
• Keep medicine and other small medical equipment in your overnight bag for easier access.
• If you need an ambulance, be sure to book one weeks before the move.

Pets and Plants

Pets may also cause hassle during the move if you don’t know how to handle them.

• Your pet should not go into the moving van but should be in the car with you in an appropriate carrier.
• Ask the agent at the new place if they allow pets. If not, you can choose to have your pets adopted or find a different place where they’re allowed.
• Contact your vet to get a recommendation in the new neighborhood.

It is best to donate or give your plant to a friend to avoid the hassle of moving it long-distance If you can’t, inform the mover about the plant to designate a place to accommodate the plants.

• Pack the plants in a cardboard box, with the top cut off to allow the plant to breathe.
• Get a fruit crate to hold the smaller plants to avoid damage during transit.
• Wrap the pots with rags or newspaper to prevent them from breaking.

Get the Right Help

Even if it’s tempting to pack your things, getting help for packing them minimizes the hassle of the move. Consider labor-only service, or you can get a full-service move from your moving company. If that’s out of the question, it’s not a bad idea to ask friends to come over and help. Just be sure to order pizza!

No move will ever be completely hassle-free, but you can avoid the trouble and anticipate the move better if you know what to do. Need help finding a good neighborhood? Here’s a housing guide you should check out. Cheers!