Moving out of a home you have lived in for decades is a big life change. Whether you are moving to a smaller house, a condo, a 55+ community or closer to family, the hardest part is rarely the lifting. It is deciding what comes with you.
This is the plan we suggest to families across Central Florida. It works just as well if you are helping a parent move.
Start earlier than you think
Give yourself six to eight weeks if you can. Sorting a lifetime of belongings goes slowly because every drawer has memories in it, and that is how it should be. Rushing leads to regret and to paying to move things you will not use.
One room at a time
Start with the room you use least, like a guest room or garage, and work toward the rooms you use every day. Finishing one room completely feels much better than half-finishing five.
Let the new floor plan decide
Get the floor plan or measurements of the new home early. Measure your favorite pieces and see what actually fits. A dining table for ten will not work in a condo dining nook, but the chairs you love might. Seeing it on paper makes the decisions less personal.
Sort into four groups
- Keep: what you use, love and have room for.
- Family: heirlooms and keepsakes to offer to children and grandchildren.
- Donate or sell: good items that no longer fit your life.
- Haul away: broken, worn-out or unwanted items.
For the last group, junk removal can clear it out in one visit, so the garage does not sit full for weeks.
Handle family heirlooms fairly
Heirlooms can cause more stress than the move itself. A few ideas that help:
- Make a list or take photos of heirlooms and share them with the whole family at once.
- Set a date by which family members need to claim items and pick them up.
- Write down the story behind special pieces, so the memory moves on with the item.
- Digitize old photo albums and slides so everyone can have a copy.
Make moving day easy
Keep these with you on moving day
- Daily medications and a week's supply
- Glasses, hearing aids and chargers
- Important papers, checkbook and IDs
- Phone and charger
- A change of clothes and toiletries
- Snacks, water and anything you need to rest comfortably
Ask the crew to set up the bed first at the new home. Our hourly rate includes taking apart and putting back together standard furniture, so the bed can be ready the first night.
If packing is too much, our crew can do it for you. See packing and unpacking. Many families also have the crew unpack the kitchen and bedroom, so the new place feels like home right away.
Ask about our senior discount
We offer a senior discount (and a military discount). Just mention it when you call or text for your quote.
Helping a parent downsize?
Our 2-mover crew is $129/hr with no travel fee, and we speak English and Spanish. See what is included or request a free quote. We are happy to talk it through by phone.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should seniors start planning a downsizing move?
Six to eight weeks is a comfortable timeline. It leaves time to sort room by room, share heirlooms with family and donate or haul away what is not coming along.
Can movers pack and unpack for us?
Yes. Our crew can pack the whole home or just the hard rooms, like the kitchen, and unpack at the new place. Packing time is billed at the same hourly rate.
Do you offer a senior discount?
Yes. We offer senior and military discounts. Mention it when you call or text for your quote.