For many, moving homes or apartments is a stressful, disorganized experience. The excitement of a new place is overshadowed by the thought of packing, changing your address, coordinating the move, and many other moving-related tasks.
To help you stay on track and have a more organized move, we’ve created the ultimate moving checklist. By breaking down the big move into smaller tasks you’ll feel excited and prepared when the day finally arrives!
Two Months Away
If you have the luxury of knowing 2 months in advance that you’ll be moving, here’s where to begin.
- Sort and declutter each room in your apartment. Decide which items you don’t want anymore and either donate them or throw them away. There’s no reason you should move to a new place with items you don’t want.
- If you want to hire a moving company start your research now. Get an estimate in writing from each company, and make sure it has a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) number on it. Note that some companies are not qualified to move unusual or expensive items such as guns, pianos, fine art, or safes. You may need to hire a specialty company depending on what you own.
- If you have children, notify their school of your move and arrange for their records to be sent to their new school.
- If you’re keeping your current job make sure you request time off to move apartments. Don’t try to do everything in one weekend!
Six Weeks Away
The six-week mark is where things should start to pick up. If you’re moving out of town plan to spend some quality time with friends and family. You should also start organizing your belongings, begin packing, and complete some more ‘admin’ type tasks.
- Purchase boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and other packing supplies
- Use up any items you don’t want to move, such as food, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, etc.
- Label your moving boxes according to which room the items belong in
- Make an inventory sheet of all your valuables so you don’t lose track of items. If you’re hiring movers you should also make a private list of which boxes contain valuable items.
- Begin packing away items you don’t use on a daily basis such as décor, seasonal clothing, jewelry, and serving dishes.
- Take pictures of your electronics before unplugging them. This will help you remember what cord goes with what device when you’re reconnecting everything.
- Address any minor repairs in your apartment so you can get your security deposit back.
- If you have to ship your car clean it out so nothing can get stolen.
- Measure doorways, stairways, and elevators to make sure all your furniture will fit. If you can’t do so yourself ask your new property manager if they could take the measurements for you.
One Month Away
In one month you’ll be unpacking in your new apartment. Until then, keep checking things off this list and packing a little bit each day.
- Confirm parking options for your moving truck – you may need a permit for moving day. If you’re planning a DIY move, you’ll want to look into the cost of renting a moving truck.
- Pack any valuables such as jewelry and important files into a box that you’ll personally bring to your new apartment.
- File a change of address at usps.gov so you still receive mail at your new home.
- Change your address with your bank, credit card companies, and subscriptions, your employer’s HR department, insurance, and utility companies.
- Have your medical record sent to any new health-care providers.
- Update your voter registration
- Transfer your cable and internet plan to your new apartment and schedule your installation appointment.
- If you have a pet, get ID tags made with your new address.
Two Weeks Away
The big day is almost here! At this point, you’ve checked a lot of the list but there’s still more to do.
- Return borrowed items to friends and family
- Forward your mail
- Notify friends and family of your new address
- Transfer your renter’s insurance to your new home
- If you’re moving far remember to transfer your membership at the gym, yoga studio, or other fitness facilities
- Update your driver’s license
- Transfer your prescriptions to a new pharmacy
- Start packing everything in your apartment into their respective boxes.
- Pack a suitcase with enough clothes for a few days.
The Week Of
If you’ve followed the checklist up until this point you should be in good shape! All that’s left is to tie up loose ends and check that everything is ready to go.
- Donate unopened food to a local food pantry
- Cancel or redirect any scheduled deliveries
- Do a final walkthrough to make sure you packed everything. Check the back of closets and top shelves.
- Pack an essentials box with everything you’ll need during the first 24 hours in your new home.
- Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time.
Once you arrive at your new apartment in Saratoga Springs
Moving day is here! Once you arrive at your new apartment it’s time to start unpacking. Since you’ve organized your boxes by room this task should go relatively quickly. Start with your bathroom and bedroom so you’re ready for a good night’s sleep. After all, you deserve it!
- Sign your lease
- Walk through your apartment and make note of any preexisting damage. Notify the property manager within 24 hrs.
- Go grocery shopping
- Explore your new neighborhood – local shops, supermarkets, libraries, cafés, grocery stores, parks, and restaurants.
- Relax – you deserve it!
If you’re looking to move to the Capital Region but haven’t found a place yet, take some time to explore our Saratoga properties! Our communities are modern, pet-friendly, and in the heart of the historic city! You’ll quickly fall in love with the Spa City and the exciting entertainment, shopping, and nightlife it has to offer. When you’re ready to make the move let us know and we’ll be happy to assist in any way we can!