Last year, 75% of Americans who moved had regrets. 19% of those people regret their move because it was too much of a hassle, but it doesn't have to be!
When moving to a senior living community in Kansas City, MO, you should be excited about your new adventure. After all, communities are where you get to spend your golden years!
This ultimate packing guide is designed to help make moving less of a hassle.
When moving to a senior living community in Kansas City, there are essentials you'll need to take with you. While most of your stuff may be in moving boxes, have a bag with items you will need on the day of the move.
If you can't get everything unpacked in one day, you'll have your essential bag of items like:
You may choose to hold sentimental items with you during your Kansas City relocation, especially if you choose to hire movers. You won't want something like an important piece of jewelry getting lost during the journey.
One of the best senior living tips is to downsize before you move in. There's a good chance that you will be living in a smaller apartment than where you are moving from.
Even if you don't move into a smaller dwelling, downsizing might be a good idea. 20% of Americans who moved in 2023 regret doing so because they didn't get rid of enough stuff.
When you pack, start by decluttering and getting rid of things you no longer use or need. If you have too much stuff that you don't want to part with, consider getting an offsite storage unit.
Visit your new living space to help you with your packing checklist. When you see the floor plan in person, you'll have a better idea of what will fit. Measure the new space to be exact in your predictions.
These are some of the furniture items you might try to fit in your new home:
Although there are activities to do in a senior living community, entertainment items are great during downtime. These items can keep you connected:
In addition to technology, keep some other forms of entertainment around the house. Books, cards, and puzzles are essentials for some people.
If you have a hobby, such as knitting or painting, pack your supplies so that you can still enjoy the hobby in your new living environment. You can also purchase new supplies after you move to avoid packing too much stuff.
Most of the time, you may opt to wear casual and comfortable clothes. Consider the clothes you wear every day and have plenty of them to stick in your new closet.
If you have too many items of clothing, you can put them away in a storage unit until you need them.
During the summer, there's no reason to have your winter coats sitting in your closet, especially in Kansas City where the weather never gets severely cold.
Once winter hits, you can refill your closet with warmer items and put summer items in storage.
Doing so is a great idea for people who don't want to throw out any clothing but may not have room for all of it. If your closet space at your new home is much smaller than you're used to, consider clothing storage options, such as:
If most of your clothing is in bad shape, consider going shopping for some new basics.
Decorations might be some of the most important things to pack during a move.
93% of respondents in a 2023 U.S. News & World Report agreed that aging in place was an important goal. The survey asked 2,000 adults over 55 what aging in place meant to them.
From the overwhelming response, we can infer that many people would prefer to age in their homes rather than make a bold move so late in life. However, it isn't in the cards for everyone.
The great thing about decorations is that they can turn a living space into a home again. If you are struggling with the idea of moving out of your home, bring all of your favorite pictures and decorations to fill the space.
It's not always about the apartment but the things you bring with you to make it feel like home.
While pictures are the most common options, you can add charm to your apartment with things like:
Many senior living communities offer amenities like maintenance and cleaning. Addington Place of Shoal Creek specifically offers 24-hour emergency maintenance and weekly housekeeping.
However, it's a good idea to have your own cleaning supplies for quick cleaning. You might even prefer to clean yourself and do your own laundry. These are some items you should keep around the house:
If you are bringing along a pet with you, don't forget to add their supplies to the list as well!
While there are senior community essentials you won't want to live without, there are some packing items you may need to avoid. Think twice before keeping these items:
To limit the items you take even more, consider storing or getting rid of collectible items. If you want some extra money in your pocket, it could be a good idea to try to sell some collectibles.
Moving to a senior living community in Kansas City should be as stress-free as possible. This moving guide can help you prepare for your move and start a packing checklist.
Our retirement community in Kansas City, Addington Place of Shoal Creek, is a community you can make feel like home. We offer premium services and amenities to our residents to ensure comfort and happiness.
We are renowned for exceptional care and commitment to creating a home-like environment. Want to take a tour of your new home? Contact us today to get started.