Preparing for a long distance move can be an arduous and expensive proposition for many people. However, with a little bit of preliminary research and planning, your own long distance move can end up going remarkably smoothly, and should cost only a modest amount. Before doing anything else, you should first determine exactly what kind of realistic budget you can afford for your move. This will determine just about every other aspect of your long distance move in some way.

Once you have the budget figured out, determine what the most cost effective moving options are. Generally, the cheapest way to go about a long distance move is to rent a truck, pack it yourself, and drive all the way to your new destination. However, if your budget allows for a little extra breathing room, you might want to consider other alternatives, such as portable storage containers. Portable storage containers can be great for a long distance move, since they are simply giant, lockable shipping containers that you fill yourself, and then call a professional company to transport to your ultimate destination. Many people in the midst of a long distance move have found portable storage containers to be a great compromise of DIY and professional help.

Once you have determined which moving methods and vendors suit your budget, check third party review sites and consumer protection sites in order to see how reliable the vendors in question are. Nothing can make a move a disaster more quickly than a lousy vendor, so be sure the reputations of whomever you deal with are absolutely stellar. Once you have retained your vendor of choice, make a schedule of moving related tasks that you must complete before the day you actually complete your long distance move. Stick to that schedule, and you should be good to go!