Packing Tips for Moving to a Warmer Climate

The Advantages of Moving to a Warmer Climate

When daydreaming about places with nicer weather, you probably picture perfect, sunny days filled with fun outside activities, cocktails, barbecues by the pool, gardens, and laughter. You’re not wrong, but there are other advantages to consider that make cross-country moving worth it.

There Are Countless Health Benefits

Have you ever considered what happens to your body when you move to a warmer climate and why is it healthier to live in a warmer state? The answer is that sunshine improves your vitamin D levels. There have been numerous studies directly tying this essential “sunshine vitamin” to positive effects on cholesterol, the immune system, blood pressure, and so on.

This vitamin also helps boost your mood, so it’s no wonder people are always happier in sunny weather. Believe it or not, almost half of the national population suffers from Vitamin D deficiency. That being said, if you’ve ever wondered, will moving to a warmer climate make me happier? Or does moving to a warmer climate help depression? The answer is – yes, it really does. It’s been scientifically proven that vitamin D alleviates depression. So rest assured that the depression after relocating would hit you a lot harder if you were relocating to cold climates.

Neverending Outdoor Activities

One of the best perks is that you’ll never have to experience the moment where you don’t feel like getting out of the house because it’s too cold outside. You will be able to spend as much time outside as you want. Outdoor activities will make the whole process of making friends in a new city go by a lot smoother.

Go sightseeing, throw a barbecue and get to know your neighbors, and meet new people. Exercising outside is also a great way to make acquaintances, and it betters your physical and mental health. So going jogging or cycling, or even going for a walk, will boost your mood.

Lower Costs of Living During Winter

If you do decide to embark on this journey, prepare for the feeling of opening your first utility bill during the cold winter months. Some describe it as a feeling of pure joy. Don’t worry, the missing zeros aren’t a mistake. The lower utility bill is the result of not having to pay for heating. And it only gets better if you’re wise enough to choose a place with a mild climate year-round. In that case, you won’t have to pay for heating during winter or air conditioning during summer.

Your Pets Will Be Happier as Well

If you were planning on relocating with pets, just think about how much fun they will have playing outside. Especially if you’re relocating from an apartment to a house with a backyard, your pets can play in the sun all day long. It’s a great form of exercise that will help them live longer. The same rules apply if you’re relocating with kids. Every kid’s dream is to play outside for as long as possible, and constantly having nice weather can make that happen.

Living in a Warmer Climate Also Has Its Downsides

It might sound like it, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There are downsides to everything in life, and all sunny days are no exception. Here are some of the main disadvantages you will face:

• More insects – Areas with warm weather throughout the year attract more bugs,
• It gets too hot and humid in the summer months,
• Stronger pollen allergies,
• Missing cooler temperatures,
• A higher risk of a natural disaster such as a hurricane.

A drastic change in temperatures will take some time to get used to, so if you want some advice on how to cool down during hot days, watch this video:

Figure Out Which State You Want to Move To

If you have your mind set on making this move happen, you’ll have to decide where to live. The obvious choice for most people who want sunny days throughout the year is to move to California or Florida. While those might be the best warm climate places to live, if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find many more. People often overlook warm weather states such as Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana, which have wonderful weather all year round.

Things to Consider Before Relocating to Another State

Besides checking the weather on your phone, there are still things you have to think of. Relocating to another state is a big change, and you have to do some research. Once you find your dream city, you should know what the best neighborhoods are, what the crime rates are like, and the demographics. The fact that it’s often sunny shouldn’t be the city’s selling point. Be sure that the location is going to be a good fit.

Unless you’re relocating for a job, you should also check out what the job market is like and if there is demand for your line of work. The smart thing would be to find a job before you move. Also, think about the difference in living expenses. The same salary can’t afford you the same quality of life in different states and cities.

Relocating to Los Angeles is far more expensive than relocating to Phoenix because the cost of living in Los Angeles is a lot higher than the cost of living in Phoenix. You can find out how big of a difference in living expenses is between the two places on Numbeo.

How to Pack for Warm Conditions?

Whether you pack by yourself or you hire packing services, it’s still a lot of work to transfer everything you own to a new place. Think of packing for a warm destination as if you’re packing for a holiday, but in this case, it’s a really long vacation. It can get a bit complicated, so we’ve got you covered with a few packing tips to help you pack easily.

Decluttering Will Make Your Packing Easier

Everybody knows that any efficient packing starts with a process of decluttering. Decluttering is a mandatory step to take before you start shoving everything you own into boxes. You have to figure out what to keep and what items to get rid of when relocating. The best way to go about decluttering is to create categories: keep, toss, sell, and donate. You can sell stuff online or organize a garage sale and earn some money back. Be brutal and get rid of as much stuff as you possibly can. The more stuff you get rid of, the cheaper your move will be and the easier it will be to pack.

Think about things you no longer need due to the temperature change you will be facing. You don’t really need that heating blanket anymore, do you? That puffer jacket will take up room in your future closet since you don’t even go skiing, and the most you will need once you arrive in your future hometown is a light jacket or a trenchcoat. So get rid of your winter stuff. You don’t have any use for them anymore.

Create a Packing Checklist

The easiest way to pack for a move is to write a checklist of things you want to bring along with you. Even more important than figuring out what to pack is what not to pack for your move. No decluttering process is perfect, so there will be stuff you don’t need even after the garage sale. Keep reminding yourself it’s okay to leave some things behind. The easier way to create a packing checklist is to go room by room and see what you want to take with you. A good tip is to also write a checklist for things you will have to buy once you arrive at your new home.

Buy Specific Summertime Items Once you Get Settled In

When relocating to a place with drastically different temperatures, it’s only logical that you will have to buy some items in order to adapt. Just be sure not to get them prior to the move since they will only be taking up space in your suitcase. Get them once you settle into your new home, and have them listed on your to-buy list. Here are a few things you will probably have to get:

• Sandals and flip-flops – your boots era is finally over,
• Sunscreen – you have to protect your skin, and not just if you’re prone to burning easily,
• Sunglasses – it’s not just an accessory, use them to protect your eyes from the harsh sun,
• Bug spray and a mosquito net – Get every bug repellent you can think of.

Prepare to Enjoy the Warm Sunshine After Your Relocation

After successfully packing up your belongings, all that’s left for you to do is to say goodbye to your closest friends and family and wait for movers. Don’t forget to be excited and start the countdown till your move to a sunshine-only destination.