Moving signals new beginnings, but it can feel extremely stressful to close one chapter of your life and begin another. From scheduling a moving company and getting your security deposit back (you can read our tips on how to avoid move-out fees), to measuring your new apartment for furniture and unpacking, moving requires a lot of hard work, but the experience doesn’t need to become overwhelming. To help your transition between apartments go more smoothly, we created the ultimate moving checklist for before, during, and after your move.
Once your stuff arrives at the new place, learn how to unpack your essentials in only one day!
The Ultimate Moving Checklist
1. Buy Packing Supplies
You can’t start packing without boxes to load your belongings. Unfortunately, new boxes get expensive fast when purchased at your local U-Haul. To reduce those costs, check with your nearest hardware or grocery store to see if they have any extra boxes laying around. Or, check local apps, like Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace, to see if any neighbors have boxes they no longer need. If you need boxes ASAP, office supply and hardware stores usually sell new cardboard boxes as well. Also, buy sturdy packing tape so that your boxes won’t spill out on the way to your new place.
Consider whether or not you’ll need additional supplies, such as bubble wrap, newspaper, or moving blankets. Short moves might not require these items, but if you’re moving across the country with fragile items, you’ll need them.
2. Declutter Your Life
When you live in one place for a long time, things you don’t need accumulate. Moving is a great time to Kon Mari your belongings and lighten your load. Take this time to sort through non-essentials, clean out that “junk” drawer, and purge the items that no longer serve you.
Donating your discarded belongings to local secondhand stores gives your items a new life.
3. Pack Items You Don’t Use Frequently
The first items to pack are the ones you rarely use. This method allows you to start packing as soon as possible, which will save you tons of time on move-out day. So, that bread maker you haven’t touched in over a year and that souvenir statue that sits on the shelf as decoration should go into a box first. If your move takes place in summer, pack up your winter clothes and so on. Figure out your basic necessities, then pack everything else.
4. Label Boxes
Make unpacking easier on yourself by labeling the front of each box. This step is easy to forget, but will save you tons of time. You’ll know exactly where each item is and can unpack accordingly. Plus, if you need to use something during move-out day, you won’t have to open and search every box to find it.
5. Forward Your Mail
Don’t miss out on any important mail by forgetting to update your address ASAP. It’s actually a lot easier than you’d think. Just go over to USPS.com, enter your information, and pay a $1 verification fee. You’ll start receiving any mail sent to your old address in about 7-10 days.
Pro tip: This feature expires after 6 months, so update your mailing address on all platforms within that time frame.
6. Transfer Utilities
Make a day out of transferring your important services, such as electric, cable, and WiFi. You’ll save yourself late fees and future stress by setting a date and getting it done because sitting in an apartment without WiFi sounds like a modern day horror movie.
7. Schedule Movers, or at Least a Truck
You need guaranteed transportation no matter what. Whether you decide to carry all of the boxes and furniture yourself or hire movers, book a truck with enough space to load up your belongings. Even if you own an SUV or a pickup, you will still need assistance with larger items. If you can swing it, hiring movers from the start will save you a lot of headache and muscle pain.
If you need recommendations for friendly, professional, and efficient movers, we love Bellhop. Just like AptAmigo, Bellhop frees you from the usual burdens of moving and provides flexible service options to fit almost any moving need. Get 10% off your next Bellhop move with our code Amigo10.
8. Plan for Your Pets
Moving out is stressful enough, you don’t want to worry about pets adding to the chaos. Plus, pets can become especially anxious and nervous during a move. So, consider leaving them with a friend or at doggy daycare during the move to save your critters from the stress.
9. Finish Packing
In the weeks and days before moving out, pack each room, focusing on least used to most used items, saving your absolute essentials for a suitcase the day of. Do NOT wait until the week of your move to start, or your transition will become anything but smooth, but DO increase the amount you pack each day as the days progress.
10. Measure Your New Apartment
Bring a tape measure with you and measure before you unpack. This way you’ll know where everything fits and can unpack accordingly. Each apartment’s floor plan varies, and moving things once they’re unpacked is not as easy as it sounds.
Pro tip: Measuring your place is especially important when buying furniture. Our favorite trick is to measure and tape the dimensions of the couch/desk/table on the floor to see if it will look too big or fit just right.
11. Host a Move-in Party
Moving with only two hands is hard work. Buy some beer and wine, pair it with some snacks, and invite your friends over. It’s a great way to catch up, while also getting help with particularly heavy items. When you’re done, unpack the party games and have a little move-in party.
What to Do After You Complete the Ultimate Moving Checklist
To spruce up your new place and get your creativity flowing, check out our mini-interview series. In this series, we interview distinguished interior designers to get their tips on decorating and design hacks.
Let AptAmigo Find Your New Apartment for You
From searching for an apartment to finding movers, relocating can be stressful. So, in 2015, we set out to create a service that would change the way people find apartments. We created AptAmigo, the first VIP apartment locating experience, and made it completely free to clients. Learn more about how it works and get in touch with your own personal apartment expert.
Related to the Ultimate Moving Checklist: How to Get Approved for an Apartment
* The original version of this article was first published on November 21, 2019.
