One of Southern California’s most recognizable and enjoyable beach cities, Santa Monica, California is an incredible place to visit or settle down. There’s bars, fine dining, casual restaurants, shopping galore, industrial spaces, office spaces, beautiful neighborhoods, and lest we forget a world famous pier and beach.

The city has many great qualities, as well as, a few lesser qualities, like congested roads, limited parking, and expensive real estate and rental prices. Two of those lesser qualities can greatly affect a move in Santa Monica, causing delays and higher final costs. That’s why this article will provide a few helpful tips, to help you work around delays and save money in alternative ways.

Tips for Moving a Home in Santa Monica

• Planning is everything, so start your preparations early and make sure that you account for all of the little things that need to be taken care of. I recommend you start planning for the move three months in advance of the day you actually want to move. That’s not to say you should start packing right then (though it wouldn't hurt to start organizing the freezer and the storage room you haven’t been into in five years), but you should start getting on-site estimates from moving companies to assess how much it will cost. You should also research any company you’re interested in using, schedule the shut off or transfer of your utilities (including cable, internet, phones if you still have a land-line, power, water, you know the modern essentials), and map out or arrange for parking for the moving truck at the pickup location and final destination. Also, plan your move for hours when traffic will be lightest, sometime between 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. is probably best because you will avoid the morning and evening rush hours. There’s a lot to take care of before a move, so make sure you give yourself enough time to do it all.

• Learn to pack, or pay the professionals, because it’s a HUGE part of the moving process. Proper packing will keep your stuff intact and undamaged throughout the course of the move, whereas improper packing will lead to replacing the flat-screen and all of your fine china. The pro’s will know what they’re doing, but if you must do it yourself, remember to fill all of the space within your boxes. Don’t over-stuff them, put heavy items on the bottom over a layer of packing material, put lighter items on top of the heavy stuff, and then fill the space between the items with packing materials. The packing materials should be packing paper, or bubble wrap for most household goods. Use ample amounts of packing materials, so that you can shake the box without the items moving. This stuff will be the padding for your items, so seriously, be generous with it. Once you've filled the box, add another layer of packing materials to the top and seal it shut. For large items, use moving blankets and shrink wrap, and be sure to disassemble any legs or parts that can catch on door frames. For furniture with drawers, always empty the drawers before moving the item. You don’t want it flying open and launching items out during the move, you could hurt the movers, or other furniture. Empty the drawers, seal them shut, then move the item. Remember, proper packing will save you money, because you won’t have to replace any damaged or destroyed items.

• Keep all of your most important items in a single box. This box should hold your wallet, birth certificate, passport, IDs, personal electronics (iPads, laptops, iPods, etc.), and anything else that you can’t afford to lose, or might need at a moment’s notice during the move. Clearly label this box, and make sure that it rides in your vehicle and stays with you throughout. If you have kids and they have a few favorite toys, try to keep those in this box too, so that you can access them during the move to keep them happy. This box (or possibly, these boxes) will save you from headaches and stress during the unpacking process, as your most important things will all be in one place.

Use these tips to have a more efficient and enjoyable moving experience. They don't require too much exertion on your part (except the packing), and come from years of industry experience.

If you need more information about the moving industry, or you’d like to confirm the licensing and insurance information of your Santa Monica moving company, then consult the website of the California Public Utilities Commission. The CPUC regulates the local moving industry, and will be able to assist you in finding a trustworthy, reputable moving company. Once you find a mover, you can focus on enjoying Santa Monica instead of worrying about the move.