Three Tips For Moving Away Without Anyone Knowing

When people relocate to a new area, they typically let their friends, family members, and acquaintances know where they're going. Unfortunately, not everyone has this luxury. Sometimes quietly moving in secret is the only way to get out of a bad situation, such as an abusive relationship or evading a stalker. Here are a few tips to help you vanish without leaving a trace.

Choose an Opportune Time

One of the most important things you can do when attempting to relocate without anyone knowing is to choose an opportune time to do it. The best time will vary depending on why you want to essentially disappear. If you're trying to get away from an abusive mate, the best time to leave is when the person will be gone for a length of time (e.g. when the individual leaves for work).

In this situation, do not try to leave when the person is around, as abusers are at their most dangerous when their victims try to separate from them. The safest time to depart is when the person—and anyone who would tell the person of your activities—are not around.

On the other hand, if you're trying to avoid a stalker or simply just don't want people in your business, the most opportune time to leave is during a time where there is the least amount of activity (e.g. the middle of the night).

Obscure Your Actions as Much as Possible

You want to make it as difficult as possible for someone to find you. Therefore, you need to take actions that will hide or at least obfuscate what you're doing. For instance, have someone you trust register the moving rental truck in their name using their credit card.

Most moving companies will put a hold on your credit or debit card, and this information will show up on any electronic statement the person you're leaving has access to. You can always pay cash for the rental when you're done moving your things, but avoid using any form of payment that may leave a paper trail.

Other things you can do is forward your mail to a PO Box or third-party mail center, use a throwaway phone number and email account for confirmations etc, and take your stuff to a storage unit first before loading it in a moving van so the neighbors don't see the van in your driveway and inadvertently blow up you plans with their gossip. If the person has access to your personal information (e.g. SSN), avoid opening accounts in your name as the person could use this information to access those accounts and find out where you are.

Plan a Single Trip

Chances are pretty good you won't be able to make multiple trips between your new place and your old one to transfer your stuff, so plan on doing it in a single trip. This means you need to organize your helpers and resources so that you can move everything all in one go during the time available. Everyone who is going to help you relocate should show up at a set time, for example.

However, this may also mean you need to pick and choose what you want to take with you. You may have paid for the living room set but, if you can't get a vehicle big enough to transport it, you may need to cut your losses and leave it behind, for example. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to decide whether it's worth risking your safety and security to attempt to take something that may slow you down or expose where you've gone.

Moving away secretly is very challenging to do, but it is possible to achieve this goal. For more tips on moving fast or to have movers help you relocate your stuff, contact a local moving company, such as Wheaton World Wide Moving.