Checklist for Moving To a New City

If you ever moved houses before, you know how complex and stressful that task can be. If you haven’t, then, you are about to find out. Moving is a time, energy, and money-consuming process. And, because of that, you must start planning and preparing for it ahead of time. Luckily, we are here to help you. We have created the perfect checklist for moving out that can help you stay on track and not lose your mind. So, if you are in a dire need of something like that, keep on reading.

Checklist #1 – Two Months Before Moving

Two months or 60 days is the perfect amount of time in order to prepare for moving across California with ease, that is, for moving anywhere around the globe with ease. This is when you start making big decisions. Thus, here is what you need to do 2 months prior to your move:

1. Start by creating a ‘Moving’ file. This is where you will keep all the important documents regarding your move. As mentioned before, moving is a complex process and you will have a lot of paperwork to deal with. Make sure everything is safe and in one place. You can also consider making a copy of everything and placing it in a folder on Google Drive so that you can always reach it.
2. Find your new home before moving! This is important if you do not want to spend a fortune on hotels and storage units. Hire a real estate agent or go online and check various housing resources.
3. Decide whether you will have a DIY kind of a move or hire professionals. This will, of course, depend on your budget and needs.
4. If you decide to hire movers, start looking for the perfect moving agency at that same moment. Ask friends and family members for recommendations or look for companies online. Then, once you find a few options, ask each company to come to your house/apartment and give you an in-home estimate so that you can plan your budget accordingly.
5. Notify your company about your move, and start looking for a new job as soon as possible (if you still haven’t found one yet). Also, if you are moving with your children, notify their school as well and start looking for a new one.

Checklist #2 – One Month Before Moving

The moving day is approaching! So, you better have all your ducks in a row. Or, at least, make sure you are getting them there. Hopefully, by now, you have finished all the major tasks from the previous list. If you have, here is what to do next:

1. Make sure your new home is move-in ready. Do that even when buying or renting your new home to avoid being scammed. If, however, your new home is not ready, start with all the renovations as soon as possible.
2. Get the measurements and blueprints of your new home. This will help you decide which household items you can bring with you and which must be left behind as they do not fit with the rest of the home.
3. If your new home lacks some furniture pieces or kitchen appliances, for example, start shopping for them as well.
4. Donate, sell, or throw away the items you do not plan on relocating to your new home. You can also consider organizing a garage/yard sale or even sell your items on Craigslist in order to earn some extra cash.
5. Do as much of the moving-related tasks as you can. For example, gather free moving boxes from your local hardware store or stationery shop.
6. Find some moving hacks online that will help you save time and money when packing, loading, unloading, renovating, etc.
7. Transfer your utilities, get the medical and dental records, and cancel any magazine or newspaper subscriptions you may have coming to your address.
8. Research your new community.

Checklist #3 – Two Weeks Before Moving

It’s the final countdown. But, do not worry, if you did everything, or almost everything mentioned above, your work is almost done. However, this is no time for relaxing and letting your guard down. Here is what you need to do in these last two weeks:

1. Call your movers, go over the moving plan, and make sure you are all on the same page.
2. Purchase moving insurance.
3. Donate or give away any items you were not able to sell previously on your garage/yard sale or on Craigslist.
4. Go over all the documents in your ‘Moving’ file, binder, drive, and make sure everything is there. Pay special attention to medical, dental, and school records, birth certificates and passports, as well as all the financial and legal records.
5. If you are moving to a new continent, country or city, start looking for a new doctor and dentist.
6. Return books to your local library.
7. Pick up all the clothes from the dry cleaning.
8. If you are moving somewhere far-away, that is, if your move is a long-distance one, start planning the route and book a hotel room if necessary.
9. Organize a ‘Goodbye Party’. Make an effort to see all your close friends, family members, colleagues, and neighbors before moving to avoid all the chaos. Remember to exchange contact information if you haven’t already.
10. In case you opt for a rental and shared living, contact your roommate, and make sure you are on the same page.

Checklist #4 One Day Before Moving

You are only a day away from moving out and going to a new address. Congratulations! You made it. Here is what you need to do on your last day before moving out:

1. Prepare meals for the moving day and preferably for the day after as well.
2. Prepare your essentials box! This is a box that will contain all the items that have to be by your side at all times – ‘Moving’ binders and files, phones, laptops, tablets, chargers, change of clothes, food, snacks, drinks, first-aid kit, toiletries, medications, your children’s necessities, your pet’s necessities, and anything you or your family member might need during the moving day.
3. Welcome the movers.
4. Do any last-minute packing.
5. Clean your current home for the next residents.
6. Check your basement, attic, garage, storage spaces, etc. and make sure nothing is left behind.
7. Call your closest friends and family members and say goodbye one more time.
8. Take pictures of you and your old home and say goodbye to it too!