The Art of Happy Moving: How to Declutter, Pack, and Start Over While Maintaining Your Sanity and Finding Happiness – Practical Strategies for Professionals, Families, and Retirees

by Ali Wenzke

A comprehensive, upbeat guide to help you survive the moving process from start to finish, filled with fresh strategies and checklists for timing and supplies, choosing which items to toss and which to keep, determining the best place to live, saying farewell and looking forward to hello.

Moving is a major life change—time consuming, expensive, often overwhelming, and sometimes scary. But it doesn’t have to be! Instead of looking at it as a burdensome chore, consider it a new adventure.

Ali Wenzke and her husband moved ten times in eleven years, living in seven states across the U.S. She created her popular blog, The Art of Happy Moving, to help others build a happier life before, during, and after a move. Infused with her infectious optimistic spirit, The Art of Happy Moving builds on her blog, offering step-by-step guidance, much-needed comfort, practical information, and welcome advice on every step of the process, including:


How to stage your home for prospective buyers
How to choose your next neighborhood
How to discard your belongings and organize your packing
How to say goodbye to your friends
How to make the transition easier for your kids
How to decorate your new home
How to build a new community
And so much more.
Ali shares invaluable personal anecdotes from her many moves, and packs each chapter with a wealth of information and ingenious tips (Did you know that if you have an extra-large welcome mat at the entrance of your home, it’s more likely to sell?). Ali also includes checklists for packing and staging, and agendas for the big moving day.

Whether you’re a relocating professional, newly married, a family with kids and pets, or a retiree looking to downsize, The Art of Happy Moving will help you discover ways to help make your transition an easier one—and be even happier than you were before.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Reference, Adult, Personal Development, Parenting

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2019

About the author

Ali Wenzke is the creator of the blog The Art of Happy Moving. After a decade of numerous moves, she is now happily settled in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, three children, and a secret stash of chocolate chip cookies. She doesn't plan on moving any time soon. THE ART OF HAPPY MOVING is her first book.

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Listened to the audiobook then sought out a physical copy for the checklists and reference materials.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - this book seems a bit dated now, due to what we've all gone through the last few years. Many of the suggestions for living life in your new space just don't work anymore, people don't want to be touched & it's hard to smile at everyone if you're masking. Still, the actual moving checklists, advice & planning tip were quite good. Recommend to any who have a move coming up

[Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The average American moves 11.7 times in a lifetime..." As a military brat, I've moved a lot more than this and sometimes several times in a single year. And Ali is right, every time you move can be an opportunity to start all over again... and thank goodness for that. I remember one time as a kid that I didn't even care if I made friends since I knew I'd just be moving again soon. On top of all of this, except for moving from apartment to apartment at an obnoxious rate within the same city for years, moving to NYC was the first (and only) move I've done on my own. I did not make a Pros and Cons list, I didn't research the city properly. I just knew I wanted to be in a bustling city that was extremely diverse, so once I secured a job, I was OUT. I truly wish I had a book like this or advice from Ali before I had made any moves. **disclaimer - I have absolutely no regrets moving here but it would've probably been better to have done it more responsibly. 😉

I'm not sure about the starting to declutter with your books *ahem* haha, but the advice Ali gives is fantastic and the best part is that this book is actually fun to read. Most self-help or informational books are a bit of a bore for me. I will absolutely be utilizing this in the future because I know I still have many moves ahead of me. There are plenty of checklists that help. Ali's experiences with moving a ton herself definitely shows throughout this book. Honestly, if you're moving and need some direction on how to keep yourself organized, I highly recommend this book. If you move a lot and think you have it all down... well, I suggest you maybe take a look at this anyways as you may find some tidbits you didn't know before. Also, there's a great blueberry muffin recipe in here I'm definitely going to try!

Thank you William Morrow for this copy.

[Pauline Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this audiobook as a giveaway the author provided. Unfortunately it's taken me two years to get to this one, due to blowing off some dust bunnies in the shed and cranking up the old faithful CD machine.
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Although this is an audiobook, Ali does talk about diagrams and such like that you can physically do in the paperback version.
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On average in America you move 11 or 12 times ... that's quite a number of times. Ali suggests and gives her expertise help on something that you would think is easy, but isn't, the CD was loaded with common sense observations that we tend to over look when buying a house.

There were 4 disks in the CD case, (with mine an additional bonus of the PDF) Ali mentions decluttering before moving, and even you aren't moving this was so facinating to listen to and some very useful hints that I will be putting into practice. There was quite alot on pets and travel and how to plan shifting with them. How to set up rooms, once you have arrived. How to greet people in a new town and carry on with a conversation when you are making new friends. Alot of thought has been put into this CD.
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Rating The Art Of Happy Moving 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Recommended genre - self help - non fiction - life skills - audiobook

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading Wenzke's book, not just about moving but about choosing a happy path in life and making that life a reality. Wenzke's book offers tons of practical advice on moving but it also reminds you to be gentle with yourself, thoughtful with your decisions, and most importantly to laugh along the way! Wenzke's happy-go-lucky voice cheers you on throughout the pages, reminds you of all the little things you don't want to forget, and makes you feel like you have a friend even when you may feel like moving is a lonely process.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, somewhat helpful for me. It focuses a lot on faraway moves, so a big chunk of the book did not really apply to me, as I am moving within the same city. But I found the moving with kids section helpful, as well as the moving checklists.

Please note that it is USA centric, so if you live elsewhere some of the information may be different.

Overall, this provides a good set of guidelines and a lot of commonsense if you are already an organized person.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Art of Happy Moving, Wenzke says that every time you move can be an opportunity to start all over again... I say hallelujah to that, because who doesn’t love a fresh start? ⁣

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is The Best book I’ve read this year (it’s number 40ish) I’m a book lover and this book is BEAUTIFUL, funny and super helpful. I listened to it first, and the narrator is a gem. Super energetic and positive and drew me in. The checklists are thorough and fantastic for someone feeling super overwhelmed with the idea of a move after living in the same place for over 10 years and with 2 elementary age children (who LOVE all the things. Everything sparks joy for them). I find Ali to have amazing ideas that are very manageable (like, why didn’t I think to do that??) After I finished the audio, I went on social media to stalk her pages and ordered my own hard copy for reference. It arrived today and exceeded my expectations (which were high). I couldn’t know about the amazing diagrams and charts and fun patterned pages from the audiobook. I feel like this is a great book for anyone considering a move but also for people who are evaluating their lives and who they are and what they want out of life.

[Kimberly Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting it, but I felt so connected while reading this book. The narrator's voice is light, relatable, and funny at times, which pulled me right in. Then, of course, it's filled with recommendations, how to's, and check lists- everything you need but might not think of when it comes to moving and decluttering. I have always hated moving and get easily overwhelmed by decluttering, but this book helps both seem manageable.

[Natalie Herr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful guide for moving that includes more than just the standard moving checklist. 👍

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Happy Moving: How to Declutter, Pack, and Start Over While Maintaining Your Sanity and Finding Happiness by Ali Wenzke (2019)
xiv-273-page (287) Kindle Ebook

Genre: Nonfiction, Moving, Decluttering, Packing, Humor, Travel, Parenting

Featuring: Table of Contents, Introduction, STEP 1: CHANGE YOUR MINDSET, STEP 2: SET GOALS, STEP 3: SIMPLIFY THE LOGISTICS, STEP 4: PREPARE YOUR FAMILY FOR THE MOVE, STEP 5: FOCUS ON BUILDING A COMMUNITY, Quizzes, Checklist, Games, Fill-Ins, Charts, Steps, Skip a Chapter or Two If This Doesn't Apply to You, Is Moving the Right Call for You? Life Check - Pros & Cons List, Top 5 Priorities Checklist, Self-Evaluation Quiz, Gratitude Journal, Graphics, How to Evaluate a City Before Moving There, Epigraphs, Sample Itinerary, Visit, The Community, The Job, Schools, Housing, Exercises, Common Mistakes Made by First-Time Home Buyers, Lessons, DOs BEFORE BUYING A HOUSE, How to Sell Your House Without Killing Anyone First, Quick Fixes to Improve Curb Appeal for That Drive-By Shopper, The Secret to Happy Moving: Get Rid of Everything You Own, How to Start to Declutter, Self-Evaluation Quiz, Donation Value Guide, Donation Toy Store, Building Your Child’s Resilience—She’ll Thank You Later, 5 Ways to Help Your Child Through a Move, “Just Tell Me What to Do!” Week-by-Week Moving Checklist in the Appendix, Moving Folder, Change of Address Notification Checklist in Appendix, Last-Minute Items, Moving Day Survival Kit, Need Immediately Box, Happy Moving with Your Pet, Safety Tips When Moving with Pets, Moving With Pets Matching Game, Your Moving Bucket List, Road Trip Wish List, Saying Goodbye, Road Tripping, Moving Day Survival Tips, What Makes Your Home Happy?, Creating a Happy Home with Special Nooks and Places to Entertain Friends, Breaking Old Habits and Forming New Good Ones, Where Can You Meet New Friends?, 5 Ways to Make Friends Faster, Body Language and Small Talk: Tips for Attracting New Friends, SNEAK, Helping Your Kid Make New Friends, Embracing Your Town, The Happily Ever After Checklist, You’ve Got This, Appendix - Moving Checklist, Change of Address Notification Checklist, Moving Resolutions, Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Mover, Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Realtor, Moving Day Survival Kit, Moving Day Survival Kit For Kids, Moving Day Survival Kit For Pets, Need Immediately Box(es), Items You Will Probably Keep With You In The Vehicle, Donation Value Guide, Dream Home Wish List, Create Your Happy Home Room by Room, Blueberry Muffin Recipe, Index

Rating as a movie: PG-13 for parenting secrets

Songs for the soundtrack: Lady Gaga, Will Smith

Books and Authors mentioned: Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan, Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed, It's A Wonderful Life by Philip Van Doren Stern [based on] The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern, SeinLanguage by Jerry Seinfeld, A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz [based on Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz], Inferno by Dante Alighieri (Dante's Inferno), The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking, The Funny Thing Is... by Ellen DeGeneres, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo, Civil Procedure: Theory and Practice by Allan R. Stein and Linda J. Silberman, Choose Your Own Adventure Series, Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne, An Abundance of Katherines by John Green, The Magnolia Story by Chip Gaines, Joanna Gaines, and Mark Dagostino, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz aka The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum (Lyman Frank Baum) - Oz #1, Making Habits, Breaking Habits: Why We Do Things, Why We Don't, and How to Make Any Change Stick by Jeremy Dean, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Bossypants by Tina Fey, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss, Roman Holiday by Dalton Trumbo, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington by Sidney Buchman and Myles Connolly [based on] "The Gentleman from Montana" by Lewis R. Foster (unpub. story), What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey

Memorable Quotes: Of course, Happy Moving doesn’t mean you’ll skip and whistle as you pack your boxes. Happy Moving means remembering to laugh because, sometimes, that’s all you can do. It means maximizing the highs and minimizing the lows. Most important, Happy Moving means finding ways to be better off after the move than you were before.

Moving means you get to create unforgettable memories, and it also means you get the chance to start over so you can live an even happier life. According to happiness researchers and psychologists, 50 percent of our happiness is genetic.* So, worst case scenario, you were born 50 percent grumpy. I can work with that. Another 10 percent of our happiness comes from our life circumstances, and since you’re reading this book, your life circumstances might be a bit stressful at the moment. I can help you out. Moving logistics, packing and decluttering, making sure your favorite pet doesn’t get lost . . . we’ll cover it all, a little at a time. The final 40 percent of the happiness pie is how you look at the world—your attitude and your personal outlook, and how they influence your actions. This is where we’ll work on the happily-ever-after part, something that’ll stick around long after your move. I’ll guide you through what researchers say you need to be happier and what things don’t matter that much. We’ll focus on ways to be happier at home and outside the home. We’ll talk about how to make friends and get connected to your community, because social relations are important. It’s hard to be happy without at least one good one. I’ll give you tips and strategies for how to build your community when you start from scratch.

I’ll share my simple checklists and creative ideas for how to pack, declutter, and organize. If you want inspirational and/or head-scratcher stories about what not to do, I have those, too. For the detail-oriented, Type A, worry-a-holic types, don’t worry—you’re in good company. I tucked in some epic to-do lists just for you in the appendix. And if you’re not? That’s okay. I’ll cover the basics throughout the book.

Also, despite what your kids may tell you, you are not ruining their lives. Just so you know.

Some of you may need to buy or sell your house before you move. If a real estate transaction is in your future, then carry on to the next chapter. If not, skip ahead to chapter 5, where you’ll learn the first secret to Happy Moving: get rid of everything you own.

Rent. There, I said it. Unless you know a city well and are extremely confident about finding or liking a new job, you should rent. Renting gives you the opportunity to check out neighborhoods, settle into your work space, and get a feel for the local area. Your idea of the dream neighborhood might be different after a few months in town. Also, renting protects you from having to sell a house if your job doesn’t work out for some reason.

A bigger home doesn’t correlate to a higher level of happiness, but having a better community almost universally does. Focus on finding the right neighborhood first and then choose your house or apartment.

Use light bulbs with 800 to 1,000 lumens for staging purposes.

Remove items that remind buyers of housework

For us, the book category is a tough one. My husband and I both love to read and must force ourselves to ask if we really need to keep everything. Not every single book I own brings me the same level of happiness. Civil Procedure: Theory and Practice, for one, doesn’t make me smile . . . even a little. Yet, for some reason, I lugged it across the country more than once, long after I finished law school. It did finally occur to me that I’d never, ever revisit the rules of civil procedure for a few good laughs or for old times’ sake. So, we sold this and other textbooks and donated the rest. We pocketed some cash and shaved easy pounds off the moving load.

To make decluttering a fun and entertaining family event, you may want to try out my Toy Store Method. Every year my family celebrates Donation Weekend on the weekend after Halloween, so I have plenty of bribes candy incentives for the kids. I clear off the basement floor and gather every toy we own from around the house. Then I separate the toys into categories so that the basement looks like an official toy store: dolls, puzzles, board games, trucks, doll houses, imaginary play setups, stuffed animals, and Legos.

My kids, Victoria, Joseph, and Charlotte, each receive a different-colored pad of sticky notes. The toy store doors open (my arm lifts) and the kids race to “buy” everything they want. To buy a toy, they slap a sticky note on it. At first my kids buy everything, and they place a note on every Star Wars Lego or mosaic set they see. Soon (thankfully) they begin to lose steam. The sticky notes don’t fly as fast and their attention fades. By the end, piles of toys remain untouched. You’ve had a good run, Elmo, but there’s another kid waiting to love you. My kids sometimes get “donator’s regret” as I like to call it, so I set aside the “purchased” toys and invite the kids back for another round. Then everyone sleeps on it, and I do a final closeout sale the next morning so everyone has enough time to think about it overnight. There always seems to be one item that a kid decides she can’t live without, which is fine. The next morning, she puts a sticker on the toy and it moves back into the keeper pile. The reason the kids love Donation Weekend is that we make it fun and silly. Trumpets blare for the grand opening, the closing ritual is done with a British accent (because everyone knows that’s fancier), and there might be a pile of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups by the register. Plus, reframing the question has been key in helping the kids feel good about donating their toys or books. We don’t ask our kids: “What do you want to get rid of?” We do ask them: “What do you want to keep?”

If you’re worried about how the move will impact your kids, continue to the next chapter. If you’re not moving with kids, but you’d like a quick rundown of what you need to do before you move, jump over to chapter 7.

Moving can be exciting, but it’s also a time of loss—both for those who are leaving and for those left behind. It’s natural to feel sorrow. As much as we want to cheer up our kids, we also need to give them the time and space to mourn.

Moving is like having a baby: your memories of the pain somehow get erased so that you wind up doing it again.

Ask your pet to fill out a dream home wish list. If she’s uncooperative, help her out.

“Don’t criticize, compare, or complain.” When Cindy moved from Los Angeles to Austin she complained about everything. She criticized the pace of life in Austin, the hairstylists, and the dining options. Cindy compared every woman she met to the friends she left back at home, thinking none of them matched up in the sophistication department. Cindy says, “It’s the worst thing I ever did. I know people thought I was such a witch.”*

If you move from New York to anywhere else, don’t complain about the lack of entertainment options or how you could never eat a bagel outside of the City. It doesn’t matter if you’re right. Yes, your old city may excel in one area that your new city does not. All that your neighbors will hear is criticism of their city and their homes.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🏠🧸📒🗂📦🏘

My thoughts: Wow! Once I started, I couldn't put it down. I even said to heck with notes, which is why I'm writing a review 45 minutes before midnight for a book I finished before 3 PM. I have read several declutter to move books, really good ones, but this one takes the crown. I'm going to buy copies to give going-away presents for my military friends in the future. This book has me excited.

Recommend to others: A thousand times yes, this is the most simple yet detailed well-rounded book on moving. If I could only read one moving book, it would be this one.

[E. Mellyberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't move a lot when I was young, definitely not as many as Ali did, but I can relate to the stress and the cost of moving. I didn't make any list when I moved (wish I did). I didn't have the positive and merry atitude before, during, and after the move (nobody taught me. Where were you, Ali, when I needed you the most?😂).
This book talked about all that, and since Ali wrote it from her own personal experiences, her advice came out warm and genuine. Seriously, it's like having your BFF whisper to you all the good advice when you read the book. Total fun!

[Amy Jayasuriya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was super informative and had some out of the box tips and ideas I hadn't thought of. It was thorough. I laughed when I read 'beware, they will ask for a puppy'...but no. lie. They asked for a dog in the exact conversation. I couldn't believe it.

[Natalie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and organized, as well as humorous and fun. Definitly makes the idea of moving less stressful.

[Annika Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of really good advice

[Chey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mostly geared to families moving cities, but I thought the checklists seemed helpful.

[Stacy Atherton Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was such a cute book that touches on just about anything you could think of needing to plan for when you move. Ali is funny, and there are adorable illustrations to go along with the material. I even gave some of her suggestions to a social media friend who had recently moved, but I also plan to use this book myself for my recent move.

[BookTrib.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving is a universally dreaded endeavor that most people will have to experience at some point in their lives. Luckily, blogger Ali Wenzke is familiar with the ups and downs associated with moving and has adapted her blog posts into a guidebook, The Art of Happy Moving (William Morrow).

Having moved ten times in eleven years with her husband and three children, Wenzke has experienced it all. She first takes readers step by step through the process of moving from one place to another with ease. She offers a unique perspective on the topic as she is someone who has been there herself and learned from her own past mistakes.

Wenzke describes a few important aspects of moving that many tend to assume they don’t need to do and brush past, like shadowing your new hometown and actively trying to make new friends.

As Wenzke tells readers about the art of happy moving she incorporates personal stories that mirror the topic at hand. This adds a level of comfort for readers as they can see they are not alone, and positions Wenzke as an authority on the topics she is covering. In fact, many of her most helpful tips come from lessons she learned and things she wishes she had known beforehand.

There is a part of the book where Wenzke tells a different kind of story. She talks about one occasion in which she and her family realized that they had made a mistake in moving altogether.

Read the rest of the review: https://booktrib.com/2019/02/move-ove...

[Ramona Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't plan on moving any time soon (thank goodness), but I will keep this book on hand for when I do, even if it's many years from now. Ali calls on her experiences moving 10 times in 13 years, to guide readers in a clear straightforward way through the entire moving process. Her writing style is casual and honest: She knows moving sucks! She's also positive, funny, and realistic. This isn't only about your move, it's about all aspects of your life, and your family.

The book is packed full of checklists and other resources to help you stay organized and not forget anything. There are chapters specifically addressing parenting through a move, and how to help your children adjust to a new home and make friends.

Even people who aren't currently planning a move will find useful advice in here for evaluating their current lifestyle and home environment. My favorite thing in the book is her Happily Ever After Checklist, 20 short reminders of what is necessary for a well rounded happy life.

[Laura Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only a part of this book is relevant to me right now, as we've already bought the house, moved only a mile away from our apartment we were in before we bought a house, and don't have kids. But the parts about setting up your new home are very relevant and some of the tips are really great. I've moved a number of times in my life, but this is the most mindful I've ever been moving, and this book aligns with that. I also definitely see some of the parts that aren't relevant to me right now being very much so in the future, so I will be keeping this book on my shelf. Details like humorous footnotes and lists that you can use in the book or transfer into a notebook if you want to keep the book for future moves give it an edge over other similar books. It's nice that it's easy to read and simple without being overly simplified, so it's not overwhelming but is actually helpful. I recommend this book, for sure.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not going to be as helpful on the tedium of 'how and what to pack', but Wenzke goes into things that others ignore, like talking to your children about moving and weaving yourself into your community once you arrive in your new location. More for long distance moves than in the same city as well, but still worth a look. The checklists and guides at the back are also worth it!

[Courtney Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and informative! The author breaks down a daunting topic and makes it approachable, providing tools and tips to a get it done right. The perfect gift for anyone contemplating a move!

[Auroch · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0/5 A light and quick read, 'The Art of Happy Moving' breaks what may feel like gargantuan tasks into digestible pieces. From advice on how to plan packing your things time-wise to detailed check lists, there's a lot of useful information if you're thinking about or planning a move. There's even a section on ideas you can use to decorate or make the most of a new space. I also liked the emphasis on how to transition emotionally to a new place, such as using the move to explore new hobbies, local events/places, and ensure you and your family are adjusting socially. My only critique would be that this final section (and the book overall) is heavily skewed towards families with children. That said, even as a single person not planning on moving soon, I found a lot of the advice about making the most of where you live helpful in appreciating where I live now.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up because I was searching the decluttering subject heading at my local library and it would have been SO helpful to have read this 2 years ago when I did a cross country move - making new friends is hard ya'll.

Anyway, I loved that Wenzke covers the gamut here from buying/selling houses, packing and moving, setting up a new space, getting the kids on board, so much helpful social interaction tips (seriously, I need someone to break down human behavior for me cause I still suck at it) and, unless you are very unusual, everybody needs to move at least a couple times in their lives. The aesthetic and tone are approachable and practical, with little quizzes and fill out bits get you to think about what might work best for you. She even points out where you can skip ahead if a section is not applicable to you (no kids, no pets, not buying, wtv)

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would make a wonderful gift for any couple or individual who is planning on moving in the near future or a great purchase for yourself if you have a move coming up. It has practical advice on how to do everything from looking for the ideal city to packing to making arrangements for your pets on the day of a move. Ali talks with an honesty that is refreshing and you feel like she is your friend talking to you through the pages. Easy to read in one or two sittings if you are in a hurry but also separated into sections so you could read the information on an as-needed basis. Great check lists and quizzes too.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Happy Moving was a happy accident of a find for me. I picked it up as we’re looking at a potential move soon and I wanted to make our next move more positive than our last. Then, I get a few pages in to the book and realize it’s a book written in response to the authors own move to Knoxville which was my last stressful move. I even wrote Ali to thank her for helping me not feel so crazy about my stresses regarding life in Knoxville and she replied. We’ve moved a number of times and not everything in this book is new to me but I really appreciated her point of view, checklists, quizzes and advice in general. It was a fun, easy read and helpful so I’d definitely recommend it!

[Chirine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, inspiring, and seriously funny! This book is a must read to anyone contemplating a move. It’s full of tips and useful ideas about what to do and what to avoid — from staging home, classifying priorities, talking to children, preparing pets etc... all offered in a positive, upbeat, even hilarious format to alleviate the stress associated with moving, packing, and transitioning in general. This book is delightful.

[Kara LeNoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the fact that this book is about moving-one of the worst things to do-this book was a delight to read! It was very engaging; I felt like I was having a conversation with the author herself! I also appreciated the step by step breakdown of how to organize a move, and I plan to utilize her checklists in the months ahead as we prepare for our move. Highly recommend this book for anyone moving or thinking about moving!

[Rachel Beider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book while traveling to a town in another state that my husband and I were considering moving to. I am SOOO glad that I did - I learned a ton right away: everything from choosing the city (hint: rent first!) and all about not falling in love with the house, but with the deal (we were about to make a HUGE mistake). This book saved us years of overpaying for something that wasn't a sure path to happiness. It probably saved our marriage. THANK YOU ALI!!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely worth reading. Wish I had read when we moved when I was in middle school. I have no plans to move, but this book contains a lot of practical information about being social. Even for a 50+ year old.

The audiobook is very well done; a bit less than 5 hours and worth the time.

Wow. Authors first book. Nicely done! I think with her insight to social cues, she could do a great novel.