Fall in Kentucky means cooler mornings, changing leaves, football weekends and, for some, a new address. If you’re planning a move in Lexington this October, the season can actually be a great time to do it.
The summer rush has started to slow down, temperatures are more comfortable and there’s still time to get settled before the holidays arrive. But fall moves come with a few things you’ll want to plan for, too.
Here’s how to make your October move a little easier.
Take Advantage of the Cooler Weather
Anyone who has carried a couch down a flight of stairs in July knows Kentucky heat can make moving day feel a lot longer.
One of the biggest perks of a fall move is the cooler weather. Moving.com’s guide to choosing a moving season notes that fall typically brings milder temperatures and reduced competition compared with peak summer moving season.
That can make October a comfortable time to move, whether you’re relocating across Lexington or heading somewhere new.
Of course, Kentucky weather can change quickly. Check the forecast as moving day gets closer and have a plan for rain, wet leaves or a sudden temperature drop.
Start Earlier in the Day
The days are getting shorter in October, which means you have less daylight to work with than you would during a summer move.
An earlier start gives you more time to load, travel and unload before it gets dark. It can also give you some breathing room if your move takes longer than expected.
If you’re hiring professional movers, talk through timing beforehand so everyone knows the plan for moving day.
Keep an Eye on Leaves and Wet Walkways
Those fall leaves look great until they’re covering the walkway between your front door and the moving truck.
Wet leaves can become slippery, especially when people are carrying furniture and heavy boxes. Before your movers arrive, clear leaves and debris from sidewalks, stairs, porches and other high-traffic areas.
If rain is in the forecast, keep old towels or floor coverings nearby to help protect the floors in both your old and new home.
Pack a Fall Moving-Day Essentials Box
Your essentials box should contain the things you don’t want buried somewhere in the back of the moving truck.
For an October move, think beyond your phone charger and toothbrush. Keep a sweatshirt or jacket, an extra pair of socks, towels, basic cleaning supplies and anything else you might need if the weather changes throughout the day.
Moving.com’s fall moving checklist also recommends keeping cold-weather gear accessible rather than packing it away with items you won’t see until later.
Future you will appreciate not having to open six boxes to find a hoodie.
Declutter Before Holiday Season
Moving is already one of the best excuses to finally go through the things you’ve been meaning to sort, and an October move gives you an extra reason.
The holidays aren’t far away. Instead of moving things you no longer use into your new home, take some time to donate, sell or toss them before packing.
Start with closets, seasonal decorations, the garage and storage areas. The fewer things you bring, the less you have to pack, move and unpack.
It also means your new home can feel a little more settled before holiday decorations and everything else that comes with the end of the year start making their way out.
Don’t Forget the Little Things Before You Leave
Between packing boxes and figuring out where the couch is going, some of the administrative parts of moving can get pushed to the bottom of the list.
Schedule your utility transfers, update important accounts and make sure your mail knows where to find you. The USPS change-of-address service can help you forward eligible mail to your new address while you work through updating your information everywhere else.
It’s much easier to take care of these things before moving day than to realize two weeks later that something important is still going to your old address.
Give Yourself Time to Settle In
One of the best parts about moving in October is what comes after it.
You have a little time to unpack, organize and make the new place feel like home before Thanksgiving, Christmas and the rest of the holiday season arrive.
Start with the rooms you use most, get the essentials unpacked and don’t feel like every box needs to disappear on day one. Moving is a process.
And if you’d rather spend less of that process carrying furniture and more of it getting settled, Two Dudes Moving can help make your Lexington move a whole lot easier.
Whether you’re moving across town, into your first place or starting a new chapter somewhere else, get in touch with Two Dudes Moving to start planning your move.