Moving to a new home can be a difficult and stressful time. Whether you are moving across the country or just down the street, it’s important to plan well and stay organized to make your transition a success. Moving out of state can take a bit more time and effort to plan. The distance itself can make it difficult to take care of many details so you should start early.
Moving your whole home and family involves many details beyond just packing up your boxes. If you have children you will need to investigate schools and neighborhood activities. For parents, it’s important to get to know your new state and neighborhood and take care of any details before you move like changing your driver’s license and finding employment.
To help you we have listed a moving timeline of the things that you should be doing each week, like hiring a moving company like the pros at movewithrainbow.com, as you get closer to your big move out of state.
8 Weeks Prior To Move
- Hire professional movers. It’s important to make sure that your reservation is booked well in advance. Talk to your movers about your anticipated schedule and go through the logistics of getting all of your items to your new home.
- Make your own travel arrangements. Decide whether you are going to have your items shipped and fly you and your family to your new state. Or, will you drive alongside your movers?
- Give your notice of moving to your landlord or property management company if you are moving out of a rented apartment or house.
- Explore your new neighborhood and town by visiting the local websites, using online tools like Google Maps or Street Advisor.
- Honestly? Think about starting to pack now. People always think they’ll have more time, and most of them will be scrambling the night before or the morning of still frantically cramming their remaining possessions into whatever bin or bag they have at hand.
6 Weeks Prior To Move
- Schedule any final doctors, vet or dentist appointments before you leave
- Create a moving budget that includes all transportation costs, gas, food and lodgings that you will be paying for during your relocation.
- Take a detailed inventory including lists and photos of all of your belongings as a reference for yourself and your moving company.
- Start purging your household items and get rid of or donate anything that you won’t need to take with you. It costs more to move items that you really don’t need anymore so it’s best to leave them behind.
4 Weeks Prior To Move
- Make address changes to any subscriptions and arrange to have your mail forwarded.
- Start collecting moving boxes and supplies.
- Change your address on your car insurance and arrange to have your license and plates updated.
2 Weeks Prior To Move
- Organize all of your important records and documents including birth certificates, pet vaccination papers, new home information and your moving company contract.
- Transfer your renters or home insurance.
- Set up all utilities connections at your new home to be turned on before you arrive.
1 Week Prior To Move
- Transfer all prescriptions.
- Defrost your freezer and try to use up food in your cupboards and fridge.
- Pre-register your children in their new school.
- Create an “essentials” box or bag that will travel with you apart from your shipped items.
- Start packing up room by room of non-essential items.
Moving out of state can be as exciting as it is stressful. It may seem overwhelming if you leave all of the details and planning too late. Make a schedule based on these moving tips to help you stay on track and move you forward to your new home.It’s a good idea to obtain moving quotes well ahead of time so that you can prepare accordingly.
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