Moving home? These top sites can make life easier

Moving home, as we all know, is one of the most stressful things you will ever do in your life. But it doesn't have to be as bad as all that. Not with these invaluable sites at your disposal anyway…

Upmystreet.com describes itself as 'the real life guide to your neighbourhood and is a useful site if you've just moved to an area or are thinking of moving. Just enter your postcode or town where you're moving, or have just moved to and information on the local shops and services, schools, childcare, public transport, property prices and crime figures come up.

Why use it? It can confirm such things as whether the dustmen are efficient, the buses run regularly and you're chances of being stabbed on your way back from work. Always handy.

Moveme.com has thought of everything to make the moving home process go as smoothly as possible. You can find local suppliers and get quotes, set up home services like gas and electricity, tell everyone you are moving, update all of your insurance policies, get free online mortgage quotes and plan everything with the online Move Planner.

Why use it? It saves time (that would have been spent waiting in phone queues) and money (which may have been spent on a tariff that you didn't know could be found cheaper elsewhere).

Anyvan.com can save you a lot of money when it comes to moving all your furniture and boxes from one place to another. Winner of our Website of the Year Award 2010, the site works by connecting customers needing goods moved with transport providers looking for extra work on routes they are already travelling on. Simply post your shipment and wait for the best bid to roll in.

Why use it? Because it's green (in that it utilises space in otherwise empty vans driving round the country), because it saves money (up to hundreds of pounds!) and because it's a clever idea (because it really is).

Accessselfstorage.com
is one of the UK's leading storage operators with storage units across England. In addition to its comprehensive storage solutions, it has everything you need for a house move with moving boxes that are extremely strong and ideal for stacking and carrying. If you're storing furniture and boxes temporarily while you wait to move in somewhere, it also offers free use of trolleys, lifts, car parking and the expertise of staff, who'll help you pick the right unit size and make the most of your space.

Why use it? Because it's good value and efficient and takes (some) of the hassle out of packing up the house.

Reallymoving.com provides users with quotes for removals companies, conveyancing solicitors, house surveys or Energy Performance Certificates - all vital, but often expensive, costs when moving house. Its partners can also provide quotes for international moves and commercial relocations.

Why use it? Because it can help you get the best price on services relating to moving home. Once you've filled out the form, all quotes are emailed to you instantly, making it all pretty hassle-free.

UKvillages.co.uk is a bit like Upmystreet.com. It works by entering your postcode whereupon information relating to the local area will pop up. You can find out everything from the weather forecast in that particular area to details of local estate agents, schools pubs, accommodation and photos of the most expensive and cheapest streets. There are also listings of the local groups and societies.

Why use it? Although the site isn't as aesthetically pleasing as Upmystreet.com, the database does cover 31,000 cities, suburbs, towns and villages and it's gratifying to see that less salubrious locales such as Hackney or Peckham are given the same treatment as quaint picture-postcard country villages such as Stow-on-the-Wold.

Emily Jenkinson

3 February 2010