Moving Guide from East London to Kent: Self Storage Units, Moving Services, and More

There is no doubt that London is filled with excellent opportunities. As a city that never sleeps, there is always something to do, things to see, and people to meet.

I have visited London regularly since I was a young child and then worked there for quite a few years in my 20s. However I’m happy to just visit now as a tourist and have found that a couple of days in London every once in a while is plenty of time to explore this amazing city.

If you are in a similar position and would prefer to just visit London but not live there, I can highly recommend living in Kent. Known as ‘The Garden of England,’ Kent borders London in the north-west and is filled with picturesque views and slow life that you can’t get in the busy city. You can spend your weekends visiting the many castles peppered through the county or stopping breath-taking sights like the White Cliffs of Dover and the South Foreland Lighthouse. If you like the sound of that, here is a moving guide to help you transition from East London to Kent. 

Planning Your Move

Before you even begin to pack your belongings, you need to have a plan. Think about the different elements that need to come together to have an efficient and affordable move.

Budget

You might think that having a fixed budget will limit your move, but in a way, having one can free you. When you know how much you are working with, you can quickly go through your list of moving services. You can gauge how much, or how little, of your belongings, you can bring with you and effectively make your moving plan. 

When you create your budget, consider the expenses you are bound to have in your new place. You should be able to cover moving services, storage facilities, packing material, and any additional service that can help you on your moving day. 

You can look up the standard rates online or talk to family and friends who made a similar move. Even having a rough estimate can do wonders. 

Logistics

When you have your budget in mind, you need to figure out all the nitty-gritty details. Who’s going to help you move? When are you going to move? How are you going to move? You also need to factor in finding a new flat and a job in Kent while you are at it. Planning the flow makes sure you don’t miss out on anything important. 

Generally, it’s best to start figuring out these things a month or three before your relocation. It gives you plenty of leeway, so you aren’t pressed for time. 

Rent A Storage Unit In London

If you have a house or flat in London that you are looking to sell, you’ll want potential buyers to see the best version of the space. Not everyone can picture living in it when it is cluttered and messy. You can help their imagination along by decluttering your space and properly staging it for open houses.

Since your move to Kent is dependent on the sale, you can look for self storage facilities in East London to help keep your excess belongings. After all, you have a better chance of selling the house, when you can highlight how spacious it is. And the sooner you sell the place, the faster you can settle down in Kent. 

Hiring Moving Services

While you are in your planning stage, take the time to decide how you will transfer your belongings. You have several options with varying difficulty and cost. Figure out which one works out for you.

Solo

Even if you don’t have a van or truck, you can always make the move yourself. You can rent a vehicle and block out your day to transfer all of your items. Affordability? 10/10. You get to control every element, so you are sure to stay on budget. Ease? 2/10. Juggling all of your tasks can take a toll on you. You may have to deal with a bad back and sore muscles.

Man and Van

A Man and Van service directly take care of the tough work. From carrying boxes to driving your belongings, you can leave the work to your small team. Affordability? 8/10. Prices vary depending on what you need. You have to remember that you are paying an hourly rate, and labour will always be expensive. Ease? 6/10. They only handle specific tasks, but they take care of the most troublesome ones on the list.

Removals Company

A removals company is reserved for more intense moves. They can take over all your relocation tasks from packing, transporting, and organising your belongings. They tend to have a large team and an even bigger lorry to help you. Affordability? 4/10. Removals companies are notoriously expensive, especially if you want the complete service. Ease? 10/10. It is a completely hands-off experience. They can handle all the redundant tasks for you.

When it comes to hiring the right service, remember to stick to your budget and work with companies that tick off all your boxes. 

Packing Your Belongings

Once you know how much you can take with you on your move, it is time to pack. Do it weeks ahead of your move and be very strategic about it. 

Declutter

The first step is always to declutter your belongings. Separate the trash from the treasure and be very thorough. Remember that everything that goes into the box is something you are paying out of pocket.

Non-essential items

Once you have decided what you will keep from what you are going to donate/sell – it’s time to start packing. It is best to pack your non-essential items first. You can start with a couple of big-ticket pieces and set them aside. If you are taking multiple trips to Kent, you can start transferring these items first.

Daily items

When the non-essential items are out of the way, pack the items you use in your day to day life. Kitchenware, towels, clothes, and tech are some of the few you might want to pack later in your move. You might want to do this 3 days before your relocation.

Carry on

Always keep your must-haves with you at all times. You need to have a backpack or suitcase filled with items you need, from toiletries and clothes to your pet’s favourite toy and dish. Having a carry on is your contingency plan. If you don’t think you can unpack your items immediately, you can always wait it out a couple of days. 

Remember, when it comes to packing, you need to have an itemised list on hand. You need to know how many boxes you’re transporting and what goes on each box. 

Moving from London to Kent is such a big step, but remember that it isn’t too far away! You can always take the train to visit the city now and then. When you follow these steps, you are sure to have an excellent relocation!