When we think about temporary relocations, the image that most often comes to mind is a college student living in a dorm for the school year and returning home for the holidays. However, there are many other reasons why people move to transient housing. For instance, I am renovating my home, so I must move out for a few months so the contractors can complete the work. Sometimes people live in transient housing while they wait for a new home to be built, or they get short-term job assignments in another city.

Whatever the reason, temporary relocations are two moves in a short period of time. It can be very stressful. In this post, I’ll provide some insights to help you successfully navigate this challenging experience.

Find Temporary Housing

You’ll need to find somewhere to live during your temporary relocation. There are several options available, each with advantages and disadvantages.

Extended-Stay Hotels

These hotels offer suites that include a kitchenette, a living area and bedrooms as well as laundry facilities in the building. Since they are fully furnished, they are a great option if you’re moving to a new city (or country) and waiting for your furniture to arrive. The suites are often small and might be a challenge for a family with children, but having access to a pool and gym might offset the tight living arrangements. While it’s advantageous that you don’t have to sign a lease or have a fixed move-out date, the big drawback is the cost. Extended-stay hotels can be more expensive than other options.

Furnished Homes

Like extended-stay hotels, a furnished home comes with everything you need for day-to-day living for your family. You will likely have to sign a lease or rental agreement requiring two months’ notice to vacate the unit. You may need to pay an additional month’s rent when you’re ready to move to your new permanent home. However, if you will be in your temporary home for more than a few weeks and your household goods are in storage, a furnished home could be the best option for your family.

Unfurnished Homes

Moving all or part of your household goods to an unfurnished home is a great option for people in a temporary home for more than a few months. It takes some extra coordinating when you are packing your belongings. First, you identify what you do not need to move to your temporary home, then pack and store it. Then, you move everything else to your temporary home. Alternatively, you could store all your household goods and rent furniture. However, that can be expensive over the long term.

Other Housing Options

Some people stay in their vacation homes during a temporary relocation. It is a wonderful option if they can manage when the season changes. For example, the chalet might not be adequate for winter living, and the road might become inaccessible when cold, wet weather arrives.

Moving in with family or friends might appear to be a good (i.e., cost-effective) idea, but relationships might suffer, especially if your move-out date is continually pushed farther into the future by building or shipping delays. If staying with family/friends is your only option due to budget constraints, consider staying in a reasonably priced hotel occasionally to give your hosts some privacy.

Tips for Navigating Temporary Relocations

Of course, where you live in the short term will depend on many things, such as why and how far away you are moving, how much of your household goods you can take to your temporary home and your budget. Regardless of where you choose to live, here are a few things you should consider when navigating temporary relocations.

The Admin Work

Before relocating, talk to your insurance company. You’ll need to ensure you have adequate coverage for the old, new, and temporary residences. You might also need to update your car insurance – especially if you’ll be parking at a hotel or other shared parking lot.

If your temporary move is due to a renovation (like me), you will still have access to your home. However, if you don’t, visit your local post office and arrange for mail forwarding. Check our address change checklist to ensure you update everything.

Pack Strategically

Ideally, create a household inventory. Note the items you will put into storage and what you will take with you. Consider the weather and seasonal changes choosing your clothing and personal items. Make sure you take valuables and vital paperwork with you, or consider renting a safety deposit box at a local bank to store your valuables (especially if contractors are renovating your home).

Clearly label and inventory all the boxes and furniture going into storage. If you need something during your temporary relocation, you can find it easily. For security reasons, you may only want to put rooms and numbers on the boxes (e.g., Main Bedroom #3) and then listing the box’s contents in a notebook. It’s helpful if you take photos of your storage unit and make a floor plan so you know where to find each bin or group of boxes.

Stay Organized

One of the more challenging aspects of navigating temporary relocations is staying organized. You have stuff here, there, and everywhere – and the more stuff you have, the harder it is to keep track of. It helps to declutter before moving, and having an inventory of your household goods is also useful. Remember to update your inventory when you transfer items in and out of storage.

Try and keep to your regular daily routines to ensure family stability. Establish a drop-zone in the entry area to keep on top of mail, bills, and other paperwork. Designate homework and play areas for children. Regularly declutter your temporary home so you can move out quickly when your new (or newly renovated) home is ready.

Go Easy on Yourself and Your Family

Remember, moving is stressful, so go easy on yourself and your family members (two- and four-legged). Children and pets may become angry, scared, aggressive, or sad. While you want to maintain discipline, you can also indulge in special treats and extra snuggle time.

Finally, if navigating a temporary relocation seems too overwhelming, contact the Out of Chaos team. We’ve helped hundreds of clients with our stress-free move management services. We can help you too. Contact us today for a free estimate.

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