Two Months Before Moving Day

·          Arrange for moving help.

·          Research your new neighborhood.

·          List all individuals and organizations you need to notify about your move.  

·          Change your address online directly with the post office at

·         Schedule appointments to see your medical professionals.                Back To Top

Five to Six Weeks Before Moving Day

·         Notify your family and other contacts of your new address. 

·         Have your medical records forwarded.  

·         Start gathering unneeded items to donate, recycle or throw away.  Hold a moving/garage sale.  

·          Start using foods that cannot be moved.

·          Donate nonperishable items to a local community food bank.

·          Arrange for special transportation of your pets.

·          Make any travel plans necessary for your move (maps and directions to your new home).

·         Check to see if you need any moving permits.  Dispose items that cannot be moved, such as flammable liquids.  In order to move flammable or hazardous materials, permission must be granted from the Federal Highway Administration (800-688-9889).  Back To Top

Three to Four Weeks  

·         Hold your moving/garage sale.

·         Stock up on boxes, packing material, etc. for your move.

·         Connect utilities at your new home.  Disconnect the day after you leave and connect the day before you arrive.

·         Arrange special transportation for plants, and any fragile or valuable items.

·         Empty a room, garage or a large closet to store packed items.

·         Apply for new memberships at clubs and other organizations in your new neighborhood.

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Two Weeks Before  

·         Make sure your car is ready to go on moving day and have it serviced prior to your moving day.

·         Coordinate donation/disposal of anything not sold at your moving/garage sale.

·         Find local satellite providers and sign-up for service.

·         Transfer prescriptions and have an adequate supply of medications on hand.

·         Return any borrowed items.                        Back To Top

One Week Before Moving Day 

·         Check and close any bank accounts or safe-deposit boxes.

·         Start packing and take inventory of your belongings as you pack.

·         Confirm travel reservations.  

·         Clean lawn mower and gardening tools & drain gas and oil from power equipment.  Disconnect any spark plugs.                Back To Top

Two to Three Days Before Moving Day

·         Make sure friends and businesses can find you at your new e-mail address.

·         Disconnect and prepare major appliances for your move.

·         All packing should be done or nearly completed.  Pack a box of items that will be needed first at the new home e.g., toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, bed linens etc.

·         If applicable, have your landlord/superintendent look at your place to determine if some or all of the cleaning deposit can be refunded.

·         Obtain cash or travelers checks for the trip if necessary.  Make sure you have cash to tip professional movers if applicable.

·         Do a thorough cleaning, including emptying and cleaning trashcans and other household wastebaskets.

·         Gather cleaning supplies you will need to clean the home after the boxes and furniture have been moved.         Back To Top

Moving Day

·         Leave a telephone number and forwarding address with a neighbor, in case of emergency.

·         Make sure all lights and any remaining appliances are turned off.  

·         Perform one last cleaning, once the house is empty.  Take out all garbage and arrange to have it picked up.  

·         Check your belongings carefully and note on the inventory any damaged items.  

·         Before departing your home, walk through the entire house and make sure everything has been packed.  Check the attic, crawl space and other areas for any stored items.

·         Supervise unloading and unpacking if using professional movers.  

·         Spend time settling in your kids.            Back To Top

After Moving

·          Learn about your new neighborhood. 

·          Visit the local library or store.

·          Locate your the nearest local post office (www.usps.com).        

·          List short-term and long-term improvements for your new home.        Back To Top