Moving to a new town isn’t easy. It never has been and it never will be. Period.

But that doesn’t mean that it can’t at least be easier. Here are some helpful tips to make the moving process a little smoother and a little less painful…

Try visiting your new hometown beforehand

One of the hardest things about the moving process has nothing to do with lifting heavy boxes into a U-Haul or getting lost in an unfamiliar town. It’s the fish-out-of-water feeling that comes with suddenly plopping yourself down into an alien environment.

It helps, then, to ease yourself and your family into things. If you’re planning to settle down in Virginia, for instance, you should try to spend some time beyond just when you’re looking at Alexandria houses for sale. In the weeks leading up to the move, try taking a few day trips to your soon-to-be hometown. Drive around the neighborhood. Figure out where the nearest grocery stores and restaurants are. Most importantly, immerse yourself in the local culture.

Start packing up sooner rather than later

Whether you’re a moving newbie or an always-on-the-move wanderer, one thing is universal: packing boxes sucks. No one wants to do it, which is why most people leave it until the last minute. After all, they say, what if they need something after they’ve already packed it away?

That, of course, is just an excuse to procrastinate. Keep things you might need to be unpacked, but don’t put off boxing up everything else. Starting sooner rather than later has more benefits than you may realize. For starters, it gives you time to double and triple check things so you’re less likely to misplace or leave something behind. It also allows you to save your energy by packing a little bit at a time instead of doing it all at once. Best of all, it saves you the stress and hurry of trying to do everything last-minute.

Staying organized will save you headaches

Staying organized during a move is vital in more ways than one. Obviously, it helps to clearly label your boxes so that when you arrive you know where everything is and where it all belongs. On a related note, consider designating a separate box or two for important “first-night” essentials.

That said, organization isn’t just important for your décor, furniture, clothes, and other belongings. It’s also important for your peace of mind. Moving anywhere is a complicated task with numerous little details that are surprisingly easy to forget. Did you switch your mailing address? Do your friends and family have your new contact info? Are the utilities on at your new house? The list of questions goes on and on. Keeping a detailed list or itinerary can save you a lot of headaches and confusion.