Great advice from MetalMan. We planned our getaway for about 10 years before doing so, only the exact location was in question until a year before.
We either sold or gave away almost everything except two bedroom sets. Snow blower, riding mower, lawn tools, dining room set, living room set, deck furniture, etc etc etc, all GONE. Either family or friends got some deals.
Made a couple round trips by renting a van, to bring personal items, guns (being very very careful in NJ and MD), etc.
We left all else up north in storage, rented a furnished apt, contracted to have a new house built which took about 8 months, called the mover to deliver what we had in storage,
543 miles away, DONE.
To add, at closing for my old house, my neighbor who was also my realtor said “I’ve never seen you so relaxed”. We took the check, went to the bank, deposited it, had some lunch, hopped on I95 South and drove to our new home state, smiling all the way.