[gabriola]

I would also support doing EVERYTHING you possibly can in the new place BEFORE moving in. This includes deep cleaning, repairs, painting....washing light diffusing glass on light fixtures, cleaning eaves....all of those annoying but necessary things. Then, I would move in to the new house with the basics for each member of the family members. This would include all clothes worn in the last year, for kids...this would be different, all toiletries and towels that are required for 1 week plus extra for laundry day, bedroom furniture, sheets, living room furniture, Kitchen essentials: pots and pans, dishes, mixing bowls, cutlery.....

While you are living with only the essentials you will become aware of other things you "need" or use that are missing...keep a list and bring those on a future trip. Give everything else careful consideration. Do you love it? Yes, Then bring it but display or use it. Be ruthless with the kids toys and donate/throw out what you can. If there are items that you are on the fence about then box it and put it away in the new house to review at a future date. If you have no need to look in the box then donate it after 6 months or a year.

You are being given a huge gift here to get organized and simplify. I am sooooo jealous. I would highly recommend that you live minimally in the new place for as long as possible to help you make the move lighter and easier.....Keeping in mind that you are joining two households....so I would choose the best item from one of the households and donate or sell the other.....This may also make you some money to put toward house renos, painting or purchases.