Moving to Volusia County: Your First-Week Home Essentials
I help people land in coastal Volusia all the time — Port Orange, New Smyrna, Daytona, Ormond — and the move itself is where most of the stress lives. The keys are in your hand, the truck's in the driveway, and suddenly you can't find a box cutter or a working light. So here's the short list of gear I'd tell any new neighbor to have ready before moving day, not during it.
Heads up: some links below are affiliate links — if you buy through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only point to gear I'd actually tell a neighbor to buy.
Boxes, tape, and protecting your stuff
Buy the boxes as a kit — it's cheaper than piecing it together and you won't run short mid-pack.
- U-Haul apartment moving kit (boxes + supplies) — a ready-made set that covers a 1–2 bedroom move without a second store run.
- Scotch heavy-duty packing tape — the cheap insurance against a box bottom letting go on the stairs.
- Bryco Goods packing paper — ink-free newsprint for dishes and glass — better than newspaper, no smudges.
Moving heavy things without throwing your back out
Florida heat plus furniture is how people hurt themselves on move day. These do the lifting for you.
- Super Sliders furniture sliders — slide a loaded dresser across tile or carpet solo — saves floors and backs.
- Shoulder Dolly moving straps — two-person lifting harness that puts the weight on your legs, not your spine.
- WORKPRO retractable utility knife — you'll reach for it 50 times opening boxes — keep it in your pocket.
The first-night box
Whatever else is in the truck, pack one box you can live out of the first night before everything's unpacked.
- VOSSER queen air mattress with built-in pump — for the night the bed frame is still in pieces — inflates in a couple minutes.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start packing for a move?
Start with non-essentials 3–4 weeks out and pack a little each day. The last-minute scramble is what leads to broken items and lost boxes. Label every box by room as you go.
Do I need professional movers in Volusia County?
For a local move with help, a truck rental and the right straps often does it. For long-distance, stairs, or heavy/antique pieces, pros are worth it. Happy to recommend movers I've seen do good work for clients.
What's the one thing people forget on move day?
A first-night box and a box cutter. Everything's packed, and then you can't open anything or find a toothbrush. Set both aside before the truck is loaded.
Keep going
- New Florida homeowner starter kit
- Coastal Florida humidity & mold defense
- Smart-home upgrades for a Florida home
- Storm & power-outage backup for a Florida home
- Florida lawn & yard starter kit
- Home staging on a budget: sell for more
- Hurricane prep checklist for your coastal Volusia home