Pre-Move Planning

Make your move as easy and efficient as possible with step-by-step advice and helpful resources from pros. 

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All Pre-Move Planning

  • Mayflower representative talking to a Mayflower mover.

    Moving Without the Guilt

    Why Mayflower means more pizza and less stress.

  • A Mayflower mover loading a moving box into a moving truck

    Health, Distance and Stress: Solid Reasons for a Full-Service, Cross-Country Job Relocation

    Moving for a job? Our new study shows why full-service moving is good for your back, your friendships and possibly even your career.

  • A Mayflower mover loading a bicycle into the moving truck

    From “Pivot” to Pizza: How Awkward Items are Driving People to the Pros 

    When moving, is it finally time to let the pros deal with the heavy stuff? Our survey may surprise you.

  • Mayflower moving boxes

    The End of Guilt Trips: Turning Moving Bribes into Rewards

    Our latest study shows moving is no longer about calling in favors from friends and family. With Mayflower, you can skip the heavy lifting and create memories with the people who matter most.

  • 2 Mayflower movers moving boxes out of a customer home

    No More Pizza Bribes — Just Good Vibes (and a Seamless, Full-Service Move)

    Gone are the days of bribing friends and loved ones with a slice to help you move. Our new study shows a full-service move — and celebration — is where it’s at.

  • A woman clearing out a closet - Decluttering tips - Mayflower

    Use the “Move-Out-Method” of Organizing (Even Before You Move)

    Check out six steps for decluttering you can use for any space, any time.

  • a happy couple sitting in front of an rv - Moving to RV community - Mayflower

    Moving to an RV Community: Is Downsizing Right for You?

    Want to snowbird and rent your home? Or to live in an RV community year-round? From short or long-term storage of vehicle transport, here’s how Mayflower can help.

  • Old couple packing for moving - Moving elderly parents - Mayflower

    Essential Checklist for Relocating Elderly Parents

    Moving elderly parents or loved ones into a new home can be a stressful process. Learn the tips and tricks for a successful move from America’s most trusted mover.

  • Mayflower movers packing boxes - Professional movers or DIY - Mayflower

    Professional Movers vs. DIY Moving: Definitions, Pros and Cons

    Discover the key differences between hiring professional movers and handling a move yourself. Explore the pros and cons of each option to find what suits you best.

  • Mayflower mover packing a box - Choose the best full service moving company - Mayflower

    A Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Full-Service Moving Companies

    Use our comprehensive guide to choose the best full-service moving companies. Learn essential tips on features, pricing and services for a stress-free move.

  • A retired couple walking - Top cities for retirees - Mayflower

    How to Choose the Best City or State for Retirement: What You Need to Know

    What makes a city or state ideal for retirees? Discover the top 6 factors to consider when choosing a retirement city.

  • A couple looking at their house - Goodbye to your home - Mayflower

    A Love Letter to Your Former Home

    It may be hard to say goodbye to your former home. We have some advice on making peace and starting fresh.

  • A woman packing books - What to keep and toss when moving - Mayflower

    What Should Move With You — and What Shouldn’t

    Moving cross country? See our tips for what to take with you — and what to leave behind.

  • Cleaning your home before moving - Mayflower

    Cleaning Your Home Before Moving: Six Helpful Tips

    Check out six tips for leaving your home in “move-in” condition.

  • A man fixing a house - Mayflower

    Considerations Before Moving to a Fixer-upper

    Check out our tips to determine whether a fixer-upper is a good move for you.

  • A couple packing their moving boxes - Mayflower

    Secrets to Surviving a Move

    Check out our helpful hints for not only surviving but thriving during your move.

  • Moving for school district - Kid and his parent with moving boxes - Mayflower

    Moving for the School District: How to Find the Right School for Your Kids  

    Finding the right school for your kid is as important as Finding Home itself. Check out these tips for making a good match.

  • a woman planning a move on her computer - Manage your move - Mayflower

    How to Manage — Not Micromanage — Your Move

    When it comes to moving, there’s a difference between managing and micromanaging. Try our tips for dialing down the stress and trusting the process.

  • Active senior living - Mayflower

    Is a 55+ Community a Good Fit for You?

    Learn more about some of the pros and cons of living in an active adult community.

  • Moving with a budget - A woman calculating moving costs - Mayflower

    Keep Your Move on Budget

    See out tips and tricks for planning and pulling off a budget-friendly long-distance move.

  • realtor and a couple at an open house

    Why Attending Open Houses Is Important

    Are open houses obsolete? Here are four reasons why an in-person visit still matters.

  • a couple moving boxes

    Helpful Tips for First-Time Homebuyers 

    First time home buyer? Check out our tips for navigating successfully through this milestone event.

  • Practical Tips When Downsizing for a Move

    Looking to downsize or moving to a smaller home? Access practical tips and expert advice on the best ways to downsize for your move with Mayflower.

  • Moving with cats

    Essential Tips for Moving with Your Cat

    Moving is stressful for people and pets. Get tips on how to help Whiskers, your feline friend, make the move in peace.

  • moving as a teenager

    What It’s Like to Move as a Teenager  

    Are you a teen on the move — or their parent? Get an insider’s POV on what it’s like from a 16-year-old who’s moved coast-to-coast three different times.

  • Mayflower moving truck

    Moving Etiquette

    How do you move without driving the neighbors crazy? Check out our move etiquette tips.

  • charities with pickup services

    Charities With Free Pickup Services 

    Check out our list of charities that provide free pickup services – and how to get your items ready.

  • unpacking with kids

    Tips for Helping Kids Adjust After a Move

    Although you’ve packed up the house, loaded the moving truck and settled into your new home, helping your kids adjust to the change can take time.

  • clean kitchen stove

    Home Maintenance Tasks to Do Before You Move

    The best welcome you can give your home’s new owners is a space they’ll feel comfortable in from day one.

  • moving in with roommate

    Why Having a Roommate May Make Sense in Times of Inflation

    Our latest Finding Home Campaign revealed that affordable housing (40%) and inflation (33%) are among the strongest influences impacting move decisions.

  • moving someone else's items

    Tips for Moving Someone’s Else’s Things

    There are any number of reasons―both positive and negative―why you might be taking charge of a move on someone else’s behalf.

  • Cleaning fridge

    Tips for Tackling a Fridge Clean-Out – and Move-Out

    Discover some top tips and tricks for getting your refrigerator ready for moving day. 

  • farewell party

    Make the Most of Your Farewells When You Move

    One of the more bittersweet aspects of the journey toward finding your new home is bidding adieu to the old one.

  • Family walking in the wood

    Tips for Moving Into a Blended Family

    Getting a blended family to “blend” can be a challenge. Here are six tips for making a smooth transition.

  • A woman working and packing

    How to Move Without Any Help

    Going it alone can be tough, especially when it involves moving. See our tips for organizing, planning and coping with moves of all sizes and types.

  • Man moving boxes in living room

    Tips for Getting Through a Move During a Breakup or Divorce 

    Moving out and moving on? Check out six tips for moving during a breakup.

  • Multigenerational Family

    What to Consider About Multigenerational Housing

    Considering bringing your extended family together under one roof? Check out our tips and insights for making the move to a multigenerational home.

  • moving a boat

    8 Tips and Trick for Moving a Smaller Boat 

    Moving a small boat yourself?

  • space or place

    What Matters in a Move

    Sometimes you move for the place (hello, sunshine!) Other times, it’s the space. Here’s how to weigh what’s important — and why.

  • 9 Tips for Moving When it Snows

    Wherever you land, be sure to bundle up and be ready — there are some important things you can do to simplify your move when it snows on moving day. 

  • Finding the Silver Lining When You Move Out of Necessity 

    Relocation depression: It’s a real thing and you’re not alone if you’re experiencing it.

  • couple on a counch

    Renters: You’re Moving Out, But Are You Moving “Up”?

    A full 64% of the respondents to the Mayflower 2022 Finding Home Study agree that finding the perfect home is a life goal.

  • “Dream Home” or “Home for Now”? Either Way, It’s Okay

    It’s October 2022. It’s no secret the world of homebuying and renting is askew.

  • moving-with-plants

    Moving with Plants: A Survival Guide

    Plants can be tricky to move – for starters, they’re living, breathing things. As such, they require extra care.

  • 2 Mayflower movers move boxes into a truck - Mayflower

    How a Move Works

    How does a move “happen”? Our expert gives you an overview of all the steps involved.

  • How Much Does It Cost to Move Out of State?

    Planning an out of state move can be stressful. Learn the math from Mayflower on the costs of moving out of state.

  • 5 Ways to Maintain Good Mental Health During a Move

    Moving doesn’t have to be a stress test! Here are five simple tips to bring the pressure down and lift your spirits up.

  • two movers carrying a box and rolling a dolly up stairs and into a home - Mayflower®

    How Much Do Movers Cost? Plan Your Move on Budget

    Hire a professional mover or move yourself? Check out these tips. Then decide.

  • Pack a car for a move

    How to Pack Your Car for a Cross-Country Move

    Often, a long-distance move involves a road trip — here’s what you need to keep comfortable and safe when traveling from point A to point B.

  • In Honor of Earth Day — and Every Day — Minimize Food Waste When You Move

    Food waste is a significant contributor to climate change worldwide. Join us in fighting food insecurity and minimizing food waste with Move For Hunger.

Recent State Guides

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  • A retired couple walking - Top cities for retirees - Mayflower

    How to Choose the Best City or State for Retirement: What You Need to Know

    What makes a city or state ideal for retirees? Discover the top 6 factors to consider when choosing a retirement city.

  • A mother walking with her kid - Best states to raise a family - Mayflower

    Tips for a Smooth Transition: Settling Into Your New Home State 

    Check out our tips for moving to a new state without creating a state of confusion.

  • A mother walking with her kid - Best states to raise a family - Mayflower

    Best States to Raise a Family

    When making a move with family, there’s an important mix of factors to consider. See what states are trending for families in 2024.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina Brims with Amenities Even Californians Can Love

    In 2023, cost of living and a better way of life are leading many to Find Home in a new and inspiring state — North Carolina.

Recent City Guides

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  • Beautiful shot of Louisville in the evening

    Moving to Louisville, Kentucky in 2025? What to Know First

    Learn about living costs, job market, neighborhoods and unique experiences in Bourbon City. Mayflower is here to help you explore and move to Louisville.

  • Louisiana State Capitol Building in Downtown Baton Rouge

    Moving to Baton Rouge, LA: Everything You Need to Know About Life in the Capital City

    Considering a move to Baton Rouge? Uncover the real-life vibe of Louisiana’s capital — costs, jobs, culture, food and what to expect day-to-day!

  • Downtown Lafayette

    10 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Lafayette, Louisiana

    Low living costs, diversified job market, rich culture and food scenes, friendly communities. Dive into 10 must-know facts about Lafayette, LA.

  • Baltimore Aerial - Moving to Baltimore - Mayflower

    Moving to Baltimore, MD: Charm, Costs, Jobs and City Life

    Thinking of moving to Baltimore? Discover affordable living, diverse neighborhoods, local culture, job opportunities and what makes Charm City shine.

What It's Like Guides

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  • Golden Gate Bridge - Life in San Francisco - Mayflower

    What Living in San Francisco Is Like: Beyond the Guidebooks

    From beautiful landscapes to great eats, there’s lots to love about San Francisco. Here’s what living there is really like.

  • Living in Boston- Mayflower

    Boston Bound? Here’s the Scoop on Living in Beantown

    Discover the allure — and drawbacks — of living in Boston before calling it home.

  • Living in Delaware - Mayflower

    What It’s Like to Live in Delaware: An Insider’s Perspective

    Small but mighty, Delaware is a state like no other. Learn all about what life there is like before taking the plunge.

  • Living in Houston - Mayflower

    The Truth About Calling Houston Home

    Life in Houston is so much more than the sum of its parts. See if a move to H-Town is right for you.

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