Making the move to Ipoh

If you've ever done a move before, you will know it involves a lot of headache. If you were single, it would be much easier but with kids and a terracehouse full of 8 years of living, memories and stuff bought over the years, it can be quite a herculean task. And I was left to deal with the move mostly on my own as hubby was too busy working. Oh and in the middle of that I also had to resign from my job and wrap up my work in the office.

Movers - they cost a lot of money! And I was not prepared to pay RM3k to move my stuff although it would be a lot more convenient. I contacted Continential and Crown relocaters, whose services I ultimately did not use. In the end, we just rented a 10-tonne truck that came with the driver and his 3 assistants - that cost me RM1,200.

We also consulted for suitable dates to do the move. You know, us being Chinese and all.

With money saved meant my maid and I became packers. It took us about 5 weeks of daily packing to get our stuff taped into boxes. In between I had to ensure my little girl was entertained, otherwise she would be climbing into the boxes or trying to help us. Clothes that we would use upon arrival in Ipoh went into suitcases, as did the kids' toys, books and stationery. Each packed box was numbered and labelled with its contents, and also entered into my master list. My master list also contained all the other to-dos: get my son enrolled into his new school in Ipoh, disconnect phone/electricity/water, pay any outstanding bills, update new address for all our accounts/ friends, get standby supplies of medicines etc.

Needless to say, I lost weight during the process. Come December 2008, we emptied our house onto the truck, walked around the house with mixed emotions and drove off to our new life in Ipoh. I recall it was rainy that day, which only added to my melancholy.

Moving from KL to Ipoh

First came the long, long discussions about when and whether to move the family to Ipoh when my hubby was transferred from KL to Ipoh. It was a big decision for me. I was born and raised in the Klang Valley. I worked full time in the Valley and I enjoyed my job. All my friends were in KL and my kids enjoyed being looked after by my parents when I was at work. So, what would you do?

Immediate considerations for me were - I would have to resign, become a stay home Mom, become a single income family, I would not have my parents close by to run to whenever I felt like it, I would have no friends in Ipoh and I would have to learn a whole new town (albeit a smaller one). The kids would have to adjust too. Argh! It was ok for my hubby as he is an Ipoh boy and his family were in Ipoh. I would be the outsider.

Many of my friends said that they would never relocate from the Klang Valley but would instead ask their husbands to commute instead. But my hubby said he did not want the family to be split into two so the ultimate decision was to relocate the family. My friends said I was good to sacrifice so much to do so. Thus, began a new chapter in my married life.