When you face a stressful task, the best way to focus is to play some songs along. This could be anything, from studying math for an exam or packing your stuff for moving to a new house. We present to you our list of the top five songs on moving, to help liven up your home shifting.

1. Hit the Road Jack

This rhythm and blues song has been around since the fifties and sung by many artists. The reason it got prominence is because of the legendary Ray Charles. His recorded version of 1961 is considered among the top 500 greatest songs of all times. It is still getting multiple cultural references, notably in the recent super-hit film Deadpool.

2. Moving On

This power ballad by the band Asking Alexandria was the last single made by the band, before their lead vocalist left. It was released in 2014 and is the band’s most successful song. The video shows the band moving on tours and according to the members, “…hope this video gives you all a little bit of a look into our world”.

3. I’m Moving On

Many legends, including The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan have given their voice to this song. However, it is the 1950 version by Hank Snow, for which is the best remembered. For twenty-one weeks, it stayed on the Billboard country top spot, and paved a path for Mr. Snows multiple later hits.

4. Moving

This pop song hit was released in 1999 by the band Supergrass. This moving single earned them a nomination for the Brit Award for British Single. Featured in the UK top ten, this is a commentary on the band itself, moving about. This song is also the last of the band to be a part of any top ten list.

5. We Gotta Get out of This Place

The classic rock song band The Animals recorded this song. Released in 1965, this is another moving related song to feature on the 500 greatest songs of all times. As a part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this song had a deep impact in the sixties zeitgeist.

Nothing beats the stress of packing and moving like some good background music. Choose your pick, increase the volume and smile as you pack. Hope you have a stress free shifting.

There is a large variation between moving within the same city, or local shifting, and going for an inter-city move. The stress, expense, effort and time are different for both. Here are the top 5 differences between the two types of packing and moving –

1. Lower cost for local shifting

Well, let us start with the obvious. An inter-city move of items over long distances, possibly in different states will be costlier than local shifting. The former includes transport costs, taxes etc. It is the most formidable reason for people not move to a new city. They usually overcome this only on getting married or getting a really good job.

2. Single day affair versus a fortnight’s wait

Local shifting is a single day work. You pack things early, move to your new home and start unpacking. It is rare for things to spill over the next day. An inter-city move is usually a process which takes around fifteen days. The time may vary depending on how far or how remote a city you are moving to.

3. Good planning for inter-city move

An inter-city move requires good planning to estimate when your items will arrive. This will tell you how long you will have to live in a new place without them. It is not practical to buy new stuff for only a few days while your belongings are in transit. Thus, you need to plan how to live in a makeshift arrangement till then. A local shifting on the other hand may not need this at all.

4. Your stress level for your belongings

Although packing and moving is a stressful activity by itself, the difference is vast here. For an inter-city move, your items are out of your sight after they are loaded on the vehicle. The next you see them is at point of unloading. For the days in between, you are constantly stressed about their safety and condition. All you can rely on, is the vehicle tracking provided by your packer and mover. During a local shifting, however, you can drive along the vehicle carrying your items.

5. Getting additional help

If you need help in setting up your new eco-system, it is easier when moving within the same city. This includes asking friends to help set you up or getting hired help for initial chores at your new home. In a different city, you may not have friends and the area is unknown for you to find local help.

We understand packing and moving to a different place is difficult work, whether it is the same city or otherwise. We hope you have a stress-free shifting experience in both cases.

When you decide to pack and move in to a new home, there are many things going at once. Too many variables and too many things to keep track of, biggest of all being selection of your new home. Whether buying or renting, you need to confirm that you are selecting a good house. To keep you on top, we have a 7-point checklist so you don’t get the short end of the stick.

1. Check for seepage before you pack and move in

You don’t want the first rain in your new home to dampen your walls and spirit. Check the ceiling corners and rooms with plumbing. These include the bathrooms and kitchen. See if these areas have damp spots or indication of seeping previously.

2. How is the electrical?

With so many funny ads of electrical appliances on the television, you surely know how important this is. See if your prospective home has M.C.B.s and the electrical outlets are in proper condition. Hanging wires, broken or loose sockets need to be fixed before you pack and move in.

3. Worthwhile Neighborhood

More than a simple good or bad neighborhood question, this point has more to do with your eco-system. This includes commute options, entertainment venues etc. If there is someone elderly in the family, you need hospital in your vicinity. If you have kids, you need schools nearby before deciding to pack and move in.

4. Water Availability

Often overlooked, water shortage is common even in the poshest of areas. It is irritating to not have such a basic facility. The simplest way to check this before you pack and move in is to ask your potential neighbors about it.

5. Electricity Backup

Let’s be honest, power failure is a common problem in most parts of the country. The alternate is to have a gen-set or inverter facility. In case your prospective home is in a society, clarify on the details of the backup they provide, on hours and supported load.

6. Maintenance of the area

Even the best neighborhood cannot work if there is no maintenance. A simple inspection of the area will show if there are garbage removal services available. The condition of the community parks etc. will reveal how frequently the cleaning, painting and repairing is done.

7. Confirm there is no litigation

The last and most important point to check, especially if you are buying. You must doubly ensure that the house you are going to pack and move in is not a part of any legal dispute. Even with good laws, you should not leave this to chance. Confirm that the paperwork and documentation are proper.

The house you are going to call home for the future is a big part of your decision process. Before shifting, follow this checklist and you can pack and move in with a smile.

Once you complete packing and moving to a new house, you try to make the place your own. Customizing your new home to your liking goes beyond just putting your belongings all over. There should be an additional touch somewhere for your friends to ascribe the place to you. This is where DIY projects for new home can make a big impact. Here are 5 projects you can undertake. They are simple and make a good impression –

1 In-House Gardening

With the apartment culture across, in-house gardens are the most popular DIY projects for new home. With multiple options available easily, you are spoilt for choice. Material like seeds, soil and pots are easily available in almost all residential areas. You can create a theme – go for sweet smelling flowers only, a different one for different room. Alternately, you can opt for an herb garden, similar to the NBC serial Hannibal, for your kitchen use.

2 Paint Coffee Mugs or Crockery Sets

If you think that DIY projects for new home involve a lot of skill set, relax. This is the simplest one and ideal for beginners. Just take a felt-tip pen and start sketching on a blank coffee mug. Use acrylic paint if you feel comfortable. As you build up confidence, go for a full tea set or your ceramic plates. Remember, after the hectic work of packing and moving, an ideal way to wind down is with coffee, preferably in a mug you have painted.

3 Be a Self-Handyman

If you feel the need to do something macho in your DIY projects for new home, try being a handyman yourself. There are always repairs to do at your new home, despite your best checks before packing and moving in. There are always leaking faucets and defunct sockets. Get a list of pending works, buy the necessary plugs, washers etc. from the local hardware store and get to it. Nothing is more satisfactory than fixing your new home yourself.

4 Decorate the Bedroom Wall

Choose a wall in a room of your choice, whether the living or the bedroom and go bonkers with paint. Nothing says it is your home more than an entire wall covered with your artistic impressions. You don’t have to be a professional artist. The key to make this work is confidence. The more positively you do it, the better the outcome will be.

5 Create a Small Furniture

It is amazing how creative your mind becomes when given old wooden crates, a few metal bars, hooks and rope. With no preconceived notion in mind, just faced with these items can bring the best designer out of most people. From hangers to ottomans to side tables, the outcome is surprisingly, always chic and stable. Give it a try, you will surprise yourself.

There is a difference between living in a house or calling it your home. Home is where you live happily, and an ideal way to bring out this happiness is via DIY projects for new home. Start making your house your home.

The exhausting nature of shifting homes often leaves one hunting for quick tips and tricks to make it simpler. Here is our list of the most proven tips for packing and moving. These are simple to follow and have a great impact in making it a stress-free experience.

01. Make a Day-wise To Do List

Listing out your moving details is always the first step. Remember, the sooner you get down to do this, the easier it will be for you. It is recommended to do this at least 4 weeks before the move. It doesn’t have to be perfect and you can keep revising it.

02. Toiletries, Important Papers and Jewelry move with You

This is one of the best tips for packing and moving. Whatever the case be, these three item categories cannot be left to anyone else. Before the day of the move, make sure you pack them and keep them with you.

03. Sell Your Old Clutter

If you have unused things lying about in the house, sell them before you move. With online sale being so easy nowadays, these will sell fast without effort. You will lower your total volume and cover a part of your moving cost.

04. Using Handy-man Services for Specialized Electronics

This is another of the awesome, but overlooked tips for packing and moving. If you have items like home theater, R.O. water purifier or similar complex electronic items, you will need specialized help. These items cannot be plugged off and boxed. Ask the respective brands to provide help.

05. Do Your Research on Packers and Movers

When opting for professional help, research is indispensable. With everyone claiming to be the best at what they do, you will have to get down to brass tacks. For example, ask about their use of packing material like bubble wrap and carton quality.

06. Get a Transit Insurance

Just like you buy insurance for your car, transit insurance is an added security. It does not mean that something will necessarily go wrong, but will stop your wallet from hurting if anything does happen. Always go for it.

07. Pending Bills and Services Disconnection

Before you move out, make sure you pay your water and electricity bills. Also remember to disconnect internet and cooking gas services.

08. Change Address and Ensure Amenities at New Home

You don’t want to start at your new place half ready. Before moving in, make sure all the services which you disconnected from your old home are ready at your new place.

09. Attention to Breakables

Even if you hire professionals, it is your crockery, mirror and your fragile showpieces. You must pay special attention to their packing. If they are all packed into a reasonably small box, better carry them in your car.

10. Categorize Items and Label Boxes

When the move starts, make sure you have a marker pen in hand. As soon as any carton gets packed, mark it with your name, box number and which room it will go in. It will make your life a lot easier when unpacking.

We hope that when you decide to shift homes, you get to use these tips for packing and moving. They are sure to make this complex job a simple affair for you.

After living in one place for a long period, items tend to accumulate in the home slowly and steadily. When it is time to shift to a new home, you may end up wondering how did you acquire so much paraphernalia. Once you decide that efficiently packing and moving is the way to go, you will have to see which article goes with you and which gets sold off. Here are some helpful guidelines to get you started –

Value

Low value items include those things which are low cost and hold low worth for you. These include items stowed in the attic or storeroom. The reason they are still in your home is chiefly because they may come in handy ‘someday’. Efficiently packing and moving requires these items to be sold off. It is safe to assume that if they have not been used till now, they won’t be used in your new home.

Volume

Efficiently packing and moving essentially means traveling light. Items which take up a lot of space should be sold before the move. These consist of old bike and rickety furniture. Sofa sets do not come under this category, but old plastic chairs, deck furniture and folding beds do. If your bike is an essential mode of transportation for you, then you may have to do bit of analysis. Is carrying an old bike worth the effort and money? Would it be easier to sell it and buy a second-hand bike at your new location?

Replace-ability

Items which can be replaced easily by a local convenience store should definitely be sold. These are items like shoe racks, baskets, buckets etc. which can be effortlessly sold off to household help. Buying them at your new location is equally easy since they are neither price-heavy nor difficult to bring in.

Sentimental Value

This is a very subjective and touchy point. Items with sentimental values can be low value, high volume and replaceable, all at the same time. But if they mean a lot to you, there is no question that they have to move with you. Ensure you have them properly packed for the move.

Deciding to sell your things after having them in your house for a long time will take effort. It is not easy to look at the items you have bought and simply put them up for sale. However, when you are moving to a new home, it is best to get it done, and done properly. The reason to sell your old stuff goes beyond just efficiently packing and moving. After selling them off, you can enter your new home without old clutter and with a truly fresh start.

The most tiring aspect of shifting home is the time it takes for the packing and moving of your goods. Even if you do get professional packers and movers, the job is time taking. There are some finer points which should be remembered as shifting home is an infrequent activity. We list out these points to make sure there are no delays at the time of your move –

Coordinating with Your Society

There are few regulations which must be observed if you are living in a gated community or a society. Some of these rules relate to permission of commercial vehicle entry in the premises. Other rules define the hours during which activities such as vehicle entry, premise parking etc. can be done. Remember to inform your society at least a day before the move. It will ensure that there are no coordination problems or permit issues at the time of the actual packing and moving.

Getting a Correct Estimate

Taking an estimate from your packing and moving partner involves more than just pricing. Do ask them about the approximate volume of your household goods and the estimated time it will take for them to complete the packing. This will give you a fair idea of when you will be done with the entire activity.

Packing and Moving the Valuables

Pre-packing your valuable items is a fantastic idea. You may wonder why should you get involved when you have already hired a professional service.  The reason is simple – when it comes to jewelry and other valuables, it is best to keep matters in your own hands. Have them packed and kept aside so you don’t have to worry about their safety during the actual move.

Availing Handy-Man Services

Even the best packing and moving companies may not employ specialist services. These include dismantling split-ACs or ceiling mounted TVs or any similar installed electronic items. If you feel you may need a handy-man for your home, consult with the respective electronic company to understand the best way to go about it. Alternately, ask your packer and mover if they can provide such services in advance.

The reason you need to take care of these points is to avoid the Murphy’s law. You must have heard about it – If there is a small chance that anything will go wrong, it definitely will. The better prepared you will be on the day of your move, the more efficiently and quickly things will move. Ensure you are prepared on the aforementioned points and Mr. Murphy and his law will stay away.

You have selected the new place you will move to. Your new home is awesome in many ways. You have taken care of the important things and looked at the finer details as well. But as you rightly guessed, winter is coming. What do you need to focus on for the cold season? What nitty-gritty needs to be addressed if you are shifting in winter? Here is what you have to look at –

Inspect the Woodwork for Warping

Let’s face it, horror movies have shown you time and again that wood creaks at night. With the mercury dipping, the difference in temperature is going to warp the wood. Apart from creaking, it makes the lock latching and closing difficult. In extreme cases, you may have to put your shoulder to close a door. Either get a handyman or apply some wood oil yourself.

Shifting in Winter? Where are the blankets?

You can’t enjoy the cold season or your favorite show without being wrapped up. If you are shifting in winter, make sure your blankets and jackets are among the first to be unpacked. There are few joys better than reading a good book or watching a great series while covered in your blanket. Make sure it is out of the cartons and with you.

Check the Windows and External Doors

You may have inspected the doors and windows of your new home for security, but have you checked them against cold? Gaps between the frames and doors can let in gushes of chilly air. Without a proper scrutiny, shifting in winter may render your heating methods useless. If nothing else comes to mind, try packing these gaps with strips of wood.

Watch out for Strays

Winter is coming and it is tough on the strays – both animals and humans. They will try to find any place for protection. Unless you are planning to open-up your home for their convenience, you will have to keep a watch. This vigil may not be needed if you are living in a gated community. Otherwise, look out for sheds and corners in your immediate vicinity.

Every season brings a new flavor with itself. Enjoying the softer aspect of the season feels good, but preparing against the harsher part is equally important. Do take care of your new home against the cold and it will keep you warm and cozy in turn. Enjoy shifting in winter.

Once you are done shifting in your new place, you start looking around to create a sense of familiarity. As the famous sitcom Cheers stated, your home is where everybody knows your name. This starts with your next-door neighbors. You try to meet them, introduce yourself and create a bond. In course, you can categorize your neighbors in different groups. Here are 5 types of neighbors you meet when moving into your new home.

The Couple Next Door

They are eponymous with the phrase ‘next door’. You will always remain at a nod-and-smile basis with them. You may talk only a few times after the first introduction but they add a friendly touch to your environment. Their real value in your life is the home-feeling they provide after you are done shifting in your new place.

The Grumpy

You may think that these may form most of your neighbors. This may only be partially true, as unknown faces around you are simply aloof. Grumpies are the ones who meet your hello with a cold shoulder. They are generally irritated at everything and interacting with them will spoil your mood. Ignore them because moving into your new home does not mean being friends with the ill-disposed.

The Good Neighbor

These are a relatively rare breed. Not that others are not nice, but these neighbors will actively help you in moving into your new home. It can be something small like telling you all the nearby eateries to a larger gesture, like helping you unpack. Make sure to invite them to dinner and reciprocate their good manners. They may become your new best friends.

The Creep

This type is a definite red flag and is universally avoided for a reason. The creeps will offer help like a good neighbor, but you will start noticing things that will slowly raise your warning signals. They may know more about your new place than you do, without actually being there. They ogle at everyone and are trying to be too friendly. You can’t put your finger on it, but you know something is off. After shifting in your new place, avoiding them becomes the first item on your to-do list.

The Off Timers

This is a broader group encompassing your neighbors who are visible at off hours for different reasons. You recognize them only because they are regularly seen at these times. This includes early morning joggers, night shift workers or simply, late-night party freaks. Bonding with them may be difficult because of the time disconnect, but they are integral to your new neighborhood.

A new home is a new environment, whether in the same city or different. New neighbors will form a part of this, no matter how much you keep to yourself. So, do take out time and meet with them. They will make moving into your new home entertaining.

Of the myriad films produced by the Indian Film Industry, a good number focus on the protagonist moving in a new home or move to a new city. The incidents that happen thereafter form a major part of the plot. Though most of these plots are dramatized heavily to add emphasis, they can be related to easily and are extremely enjoyable. Here is a list of our favorite top six movies on moving –

2 States

Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt portray a young couple in this story. They meet in college and eventually fall in love. The problem arises because of they are from Delhi and Chennai respectively. Despite their cultural differences, Arjun decides to woo her parents by moving from Delhi to Chennai.

Wake Up Sid

The movie revolves around Ranbir Kapoor, who plays the role of a spoilt, rich brat. He moves out from his home and learns the importance of self-dependence. All this happens after he meets Konkana Sen, who has recently moved from Kolkata to Mumbai.

Dostana

This tale shows bachelors Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham, who pretend to be a couple for moving in a desirable apartment. Hilarity ensues when they end up falling for their landlord’s daughter but must maintain their cover.

City Lights

This remake of a BAFTA winning movie is a sobering drama. It depicts a poor family who decide to move to Mumbai for a better life. Their disillusionment and what difficulties they face thereafter makes the story poignant.

Dedh Ishqiya

A hilarious, rustic comedy about conmen relatives Arshad Warsi and Nasiruddin Shah. They plan on moving in to an old town to rob a rich widow. Tables turn on them when other interested parties and the target herself decides to rob them.

Delhi 6

Abhishek Bachchan is forced to move to Delhi and try to blend into a completely different life. Unaccustomed to the community culture, his understanding of the human nature is thoroughly shaken. The people around him mold him into a different and better person.

A life-changing move to a different place brings out the undercurrent emotions to the surface openly. These movies beautifully depict this fact with the stories they tell – funny or sad. However, we ensure that whenever you decide to move to a new home, there is no drama involved. Let us know which other movies should make this list and have a fun filled day!