Top Tips on Moving to Be Closer to a Relative in Need

Sept 13, 2022 By Sharon Wagner

More and more Americans moved to be closer to aging relatives during the pandemic. While much of this was due to nostalgia, loneliness, and boredom, there are also many practical reasons to pack up and move back home. Number one of these is when your parents or even grandparents need a helping hand, and you can no longer provide for their needs as a remote caregiver.

Today, we offer a few tips on how to make the move as seamless as possible along with a few tips on deciding if it’s you that should move or them.

Get organized

Getting organized is the key to all successful moves. Aristotle Organizing can help you declutter so that you are not needlessly packing things you do not need or cannot use in your new home. The last thing you want when you’re trying to focus on moving and taking care of a loved one is to have to deal with clothes that no longer fit or that collection of coffee mugs that you don’t use.

Decide if you’re going to move your business

If you are a business owner, think carefully about the move. If you decide that you will move your business along with you, make sure that all of your inventory is labeled carefully. You also need to start planning as soon as you know that you’re going to move, look for movers with a great reputation, and have an avenue to work remotely, if needed.

Carefully review your moving company

To follow up on our last tip, you’ll also want to make sure that you get multiple quotes from different moving companies. Be cautious about anyone that offers a price over the phone, but don’t be shy about asking for deals or discounts if you move during the week or schedule in advance. Check each potential relocation service’s reviews, and look for red flags, such as multiple complaints about broken items or missed deadlines.

Rent a storage unit if you do not plan to buy immediately.

If your move happens in a hurry, you may not have time to go through the home purchase process. If this is the case, you may need to rent a home or apartment that is smaller than you’re used to. For this, rent a storage unit,which you can expect to pay around $163 per month in the New York City/Manhattan area. This will also help you stay organized once you do find your forever home.

Pay attention to your loved one’s health, and decide if you are making the right choice.

Sometimes, moving closer to be more hands-on is not enough. According to Senior Safety Advice, there are a few warning signs that your parents should not live alone, even if you are close by. These include frequent injuries caused by falls, a dirty home, neglected hygiene, and bills being paid late. In this case, it might make more sense to move your parent closer to you into an assisted living center. This way, they will have access to 24/7 care. If your parent owns their home, PropertyShark notes they can expect to get around $979 per square foot, so, depending on size, and selling price, their profits may be enough to cover their future living expenses.

Ultimately, the best first step to take before any move is to get organized so that you know what you have and what you need. Your organizational efforts should also extend to moving your business, researching moving companies, and looking for storage units. Finally, make sure that your loved one is healthy enough to continue living alone with support. If not, it might be time to help them make a move closer to you.

Brennan Reid founded Aristotle Organizing to help people just like you make the most of their homes.