Still can’t get over that new house feeling? Savour it all you can! It’s there when you wake up in the morning, there when you come home from work and when go to bed.

And although that new house feeling is great, there might still be something missing: a new home feeling.

Making your house feel like a home is the best way to feel comfortable, settled and content in your new abode. So, how can we do this?

Here, the experts at New Zealand Movers tell us 5 ways to make your new house feel like a home.

1. Hang art

You don’t have to have a degree in art to be able to appreciate it and hang it in your home. Hanging art is one way to bring out your personal style, turning any house into a home with your specific flair and taste. And there are other benefits too; research suggests that simply looking at art can reduce stress levels and make you happy.

2. Put up photos

Photos of family and friends are a big part of making a house feel like a home. This way, we’re reminded of all the people who have meaning in our life, which is especially important if we’re living in a different city or country to some our loved ones.

3. Plants

Houseplants can lift the atmosphere of any house, making it feel like your home. Not only do we get so much joy out of nurturing our plants and seeing them grow, but studies also show that being surrounded by nature helps us maintain a positive mood. From fiddle trees to cacti, there are plenty of houseplants to suit your level of plant care.

4. Take all of your furniture

There’s a common theme in making your house feel like a home, and that’s the feeling of familiarity. So, it’s a no-brainer that furniture is going to play a big role in this, since it fills up 90% of your home! Transporting all your furniture from your current home to your new home and it will certainly allow you to feel more comfortable in it.

5. Candles

Is there anything more comforting than a few nice candles? They represent optimism and hope, they make your home feel cosy, and they smell great too!

Making your new house feel like a home is easy when you hire New Zealand Movers. New Zealand Movers are one of the country’s most experienced and trusted furniture movers, with 41 years of experience in the industry. New Zealand Movers can help you get settled in your brand new home, whether you’re on the North Island, South Island, or somewhere across the globe. Grab a quote from the friendly team today!

Free QuoteFree Quote

Relocating to a new country is one of the most exciting times of your life. New opportunities are arising everywhere; from new jobs, to new friends, to new schools for your children.

But moving internationally requires some careful thought. Many people wished they’d known some key pieces of information before moving, and that’s why the team at New Zealand Movers are here to help. They outline their top relocation tips which are informed by their 40+ years’ experience in international moving.

Be prepared

Give yourself at least six months of time for research and preparing before your international moving date. Some moves require even more time due to complicated visa applications and other barriers. Starting early allows you to move with confidence, booking in your preferred international mover as soon as possible.

Research, research, research

Research is your top priority when relocating to another country. Some of the most important research you need to do before moving includes:

• How to obtain visas and other work permits
• Your preferred neighbourhood based on your situation and preferences e.g. single, couple, family, etc.
• Location of good schools for kids
• Laws and customs which differ from New Zealand
• Effectiveness of public transport, or ease of obtaining a local driver’s license
• How to apply for a bank account
• How to use the medical system

Make physical copies of all important documents

Don’t count on digitised copies of important documents being accepted in other parts of the world; New Zealand is quite modernised but, depending on your new country, it may not be the same story. Always make hard copies of important documents like work permits, birth certificates, vaccination status, etc.

Moving furniture and belongings

Moving furniture and belongings is one of the most important aspects of relocating internationally. Moving to a different country can present a challenge in your ability to feel comfortable and familiar, and having your belongings from the beginning can aid this immensely. Talk to the team at New Zealand Movers about their services in moving furniture internationally.

Address language barriers

Language barriers may present a challenge when moving to another part of the globe. Though you may not need to become fluent in the native language of your new country, it’s advisable to learn the basics so that you can better assimilate with the culture.

And don’t forget to choose an excellent international relocation service like New Zealand Movers! New Zealand Movers have 41 years of experience in moving furniture for Kiwis living abroad. From Australia, the UK, Asia to Africa, North America to Europe, New Zealand Movers offer the best quality and best value international moving service in the country. We take the stress out of international moving by providing full-service moves, including everything from packing to storage facilities. Grab a quote from the team at New Zealand Movers and make your international move an easy one.

When you find a service provider that you really like and trust, you often stick with them for as long as possible. Whether it’s your favourite hairdresser, your local mechanic or your regular handyman, we look for services that we can trust and would be happy to use time and time again.

But very few of us move houses as frequently as getting a haircut or getting the car serviced, which makes it harder to build rapport with a trustworthy, reputable furniture moving company.

So, what’s the best way to skip the trial-and-error phase and go straight to a great-quality, trusted furniture moving company? Here, the experts at New Zealand Movers outline some of their top tips:

Read reviews and testimonials

Reviews and testimonials are such an important part of finding a trusted furniture moving company. Like with any service, reviews allow you to gain insight from previous customers and observe their experience with the company and can help you choose a reliable service provider.

The New Zealand Movers website has many positive testimonials from recent customers who highlight affordable quotes, excellent customer service and quality moving staff.

Assess their experience

Find a moving company with years of experience in the industry. The older and more experienced the moving company, the more reputable and trustworthy they’ll generally be. Seasoned moving companies are more likely to invest in things like customer service – which is imperative should you have any inquiries about the move or have issues to resolve. The last thing you want is to choose an inexperienced moving team that doesn’t have the resources and facilities to quickly and effectively communicate with customers.

Obtaining a great-value quote

A trusted moving company should be providing great-value quotes. When we say ‘value’, we mean fair quotes for an excellent service – not just the cheapest quote going around. Often, you’ll find that suspiciously cheap quotes by unprofessional moving companies are made possible by cutting several corners, like insurance. That brings us to our next point!

Make sure they offer insurance

Always make sure your movers offer a range of comprehensive insurance options. When moving there is always an element of risk. New Zealand Movers offer a range of insurance options to choose from to ensure your effects are covered throughout the transit should the unlikely happen.

New Zealand Movers are one of the country’s most experienced and trusted furniture movers, with 41 years of experience in the industry. Offering premium moving experiences at quality prices, New Zealand Movers have thousands of happy customers who’ll reflect the stress-free moving services we provide. Whether you’re moving across the street or across the world, New Zealand Movers can help you get settled in your new home. Get a quote today.

Consider yourself the financial planner of the house? Intent on moving furniture on a budget? Being money savvy and saving cash where you can is a smart idea and you’ll be delighted to hear that there are a few ways you cut costs (without cutting corners) when it comes to moving houses.

So, how can we move furniture on a budget while still getting a reliable, effective service? Here, the team at New Zealand Movers explains the ins and outs of moving houses on a budget.

Moving furniture on a budget – DOs ✅

As the team at New Zealand Movers knows, there are loads of ways you can save money when moving furniture. These include:

• Making an inventory

Make an inventory of all the furniture you’re bringing with you in the move. Then, make a list of things you’re not bringing. This way, you’ll only bring what you need, which may save you space in the moving truck or container, meaning your professional movers will get the job done in a shorter space of time (which saves you money!).

• Selling items you’re not bringing

You can sell unwanted items on online marketplaces and make a little extra cash to put towards your moving budget. Even if you’re just selling small items for low prices, you’ll be surprised how quickly the money can add up, bolstering your moving budget.

• Choosing a professional team with great-value quotes

Choose moving company who is known for their reliable moving services and great-value quotes. The last thing you want to do when moving furniture on a budget is to go with a suspiciously cheap and unreliable moving team which ends up costing you more money due to unprofessional staff, longer moving times, poor equipment and transport, and lack of insurance.

Moving furniture on a budget – DON’Ts ❌

Here are some pitfalls which some people sadly fall for when moving furniture on a budget:

• Attempting to rent your own van and move furniture yourself

Moving furniture yourself isn’t recommended. For one, there are specific techniques that professional movers use to make the process safe and efficient. Trying to move heavy items on your own can be dangerous, and securing them in a moving van is also unsafe unless you have the right equipment and knowledge of moving and stowing techniques.

• Hiring unprofessional movers

There are also unprofessional movers on platforms like online marketplaces. These people are often uninsured and claim to be able to move your furniture at a cheaper rate. But the risk of going with an uninsured mover with unprofessional equipment is greater than the reward: think about the cost of replacing expensive furniture should something get damaged!

New Zealand Movers have 41 years of experience in moving furniture on a budget. We take the stress out of your relocation by providing full-service moves, including everything from packing to storage facilities. Grab a quote from the team at New Zealand Movers and make your move an easy one.

Are you getting ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime and move internationally? Whether you’re moving for work, for a partner or simply for a change of scenery, you’re not alone! Over 750,000 Kiwis happily live abroad.

But how challenging is it to get settled in a new country? And what are some of the steps you can take to ensure you’re comfortable in your new international home?

Part of that answer lies in moving your belongings safely, reliably, and effectively to your new country of residence. Here, we’ll explain how to move furniture internationally, walking you through the different steps:

Find a home first

Once you’ve secure your visas and have the green light to move, it’s time to find your dream home. Whether you’re renting or buying a home, it’s important you secure somewhere to live before you start planning on moving your furniture – mainly because you won’t exactly know the configuration of your new home before you’ve locked it in.

Visualise your home

Once this is complete, you can start envisioning the layout of your home. Using the dimensions listed in the floorplan, you can work out how much furniture will fit in your home, giving you a better idea of what furniture to take, what not to take, and what you’ll need to acquire once you’re settled in.

Make a list of furniture you’re bringing

Now, write a list of all the furniture you’re bringing internationally. Also make several other lists for items in your inventory, like clothes, kitchen appliances, utensils, equipment, etc., so that you can keep track of what needs moving, ensuring you’re bringing everything you need.

Consult a professional team of international movers

Here’s where the international move starts to feel real! The excitement sets in when you choose a professional team of international movers. You’ll discuss the game-plan with your international moving team, locking in dates and locations and receiving a total quote.

How to choose an international moving team:

• Experience: have they moved furniture to the country you’re moving to? How many times?
• Reputation: do they have excellent reviews and testimonials?
• Customer service: does their team come across as friendly, proactive and helpful?
• Quote: are they providing a great-value service?
• Insurance: are they licensed and ensured to move furniture overseas?

New Zealand Movers have 41 years of experience in moving furniture overseas for Kiwis relocating abroad. From Australia, the UK and Asia to Africa, North America to Europe, New Zealand Movers offer the best quality and best value international moving service in the country. We take the stress out of international moving by providing full-service moves, including everything from packing to storage facilities. Grab a quote from the team at New Zealand Movers and make your international move an easy one.

With beautiful neighbourhoods, a bustling city centre and amazing restaurants and cafes, there truly is something different about the Victorian capital of Melbourne. It’s said to be the most European-feeling city of Australia, probably thanks to its ease of getting around, mix of family and student life, and foodie culture.

So, before you’re drinking a famous Melbourne coffee on your way to work, what are some of the other reasons to move to Melbourne? Here, NZ Movers explain some top reasons why Kiwis are jumping the ditch over to Melbourne.

1. Most liveable city in the world

Melbourne has consistently ranked as the most liveable city in Australia in The Economist’s yearly report, and from 2015 to 2017, it was ranked the most liveable city in the world. This is because of its safety, cleanliness, eco-friendliness and affordability. So, if that’s not a reason to move to Melbourne, we don’t know what is!

2. Better job opportunities, and more of them

The Victorian capital also has an excellent range of job opportunities with high-paying roles. Finance and insurance are two of Melbourne’s biggest sectors, while education, transport, and creative and digital industries are also in high demand. Melbourne often attracts young professionals from nearby cities Adelaide and Canberra due to more job prospects.

3. A mix of family-oriented and young professional neighbourhoods

You’ll find an unbeatable mix of neighbourhoods in Melbourne. From family-oriented suburbs like Moonee Ponds and Essendon, to hip and trendy suburbs popular with students and young professionals like St Kilda and Fitzroy, to high-potential investment areas like Coburg and Preston, Melbourne has something for everyone.

4. Education is of exceptional quality

Melburnians enjoy an exceptionally high level of education across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Public high schools like Suzanne Cory High School in Werribee and Nossal High School in Berwick are considered some of the best in Australia, along with private schools like Melbourne Grammar School and Oakleigh Grammar. Tertiary institutions include University of Melbourne, Monash University and RMIT University Melbourne which are all considered among the top universities in the country.

5. Entertainment

Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city, and it’s one of Australia’s cultural hubs. In winter, catch a host of AFL games at Australia’s largest sporting arena, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and in summer you can enjoy seeing the world’s best tennis players compete at the Rod Laver Arena for the Australian Open.

The arts are taken seriously in Melbourne too, with a huge local live music and arts scene, as well as the Melbourne Museum, Immigration Museum and Scienceworks – not to mention Melbourne’s world-famous graffiti and coffee culture.

New Zealand Movers are here to help your family move to Melbourne. They’re a highly-rated team of professionals in overseas relocations, and have over 40 years’ experience in moving Kiwis to Australia. Get in touch with New Zealand Movers and start your journey to Melbourne today.

Free QuoteFree Quote

It can be hard to leave behind a great neighbourhood where you were close with your neighbours. But in saying that, moving to a different suburb gives you the opportunity to make new friends that could last a lifetime.

So, how do we do it? If you’re getting back into the game of making friends in your new neighbourhood, New Zealand Movers have got you covered. Here are some of our greatest tips on making new friends when you’ve moved to a different neighbourhood:

Introduce yourself

In recent years, we’ve seen a slight fading away of new neighbours introducing themselves in the neighbourhood – and this is a sad thing! Going up and knocking on the door of your closest neighbours should be done as soon as possible. That way, you break the ice quickly and are on friendly terms from the start. Putting it off is never a good idea: you’ll get to that awkward limbo period where you’ve seen each other but haven’t said hello yet, and neither are sure how to make the next move!

Have a chat

You’re likely to see your neighbours in the first few days of moving in. Maybe you’re going for a walk and they’re in their garden, or you’re leaving the house for work at the same time as each other. The best way to make new friends in your neighbourhood is to put yourself out there and simply have a chat. Kiwis are known right across the world for being some of the most friendly people around – let’s keep up that reputation!

Invite your neighbours around for dinner

There’s nothing better than inviting the neighbours round for a low-key bite, like a barbie. Enjoying good food and drinks together is one of the best ways to make connections with your neighbours, and score hospitality points.

Doggy dates

Almost a third of Kiwi households have a dog, and if you’re part of that percentage, it opens you up to meeting other neighbours with pets. Setting up a doggy play date with your neighbours is a great way to connect with each other, letting your dogs break the ice for you!

Neighbourhood social media groups

And if none of the other more conventional ways of making friends with new neighbours are working, you’ve always got the neighbourhood social media groups. These are awesome places to get to know people in the area, put faces to names, and ask questions about the neighbourhood. Someone might lead you to your new favourite coffee shop on a coffee date together.

Moving to a new place is easy with New Zealand Movers. They’re one of New Zealand’s best-rated moving companies, offering premium moving experiences at quality prices. Whether you’re moving across the street or across the world, call New Zealand Movers to get settled in your brand new home.