Moving to a new city is an exciting yet challenging experience. It requires careful planning to ensure that the transition goes as smoothly as possible.
Whether you’re relocating for work, family or a fresh start, preparing in advance can make the process stress-free. In this guide, we’ll help you organize your move, choose the right movers and manage everything efficiently.
This will help you avoid last-minute panic and enjoy your new home sooner.
1. Start Planning Well in Advance
The first step to a smooth move is giving yourself enough time to plan everything properly. Moving is not something you can leave until the last minute. There are many details to sort out, from choosing a moving company in Chicago to packing all your belongings.
Create a Moving Timeline
Having a clear timeline ensures you stay on top of all your tasks:
- Eight weeks before the move: Begin sorting through your items to decide what to keep and what to get rid of.
- Six weeks before the move: Start collecting packing materials like boxes and tape.
- Four weeks before the move: Reach out to a long distance moving company for quotes and finalize your choice.
- Two weeks before the move: Pack non-essential items like books and extra clothing.
- One week before the move: Pack up your essentials and prepare for moving day.
2. Declutter Before You Start Packing
One of the easiest ways to simplify your move is by decluttering. Moving to a new city is the perfect opportunity to get rid of items you no longer need or use.
Decluttering can also save you money, as movers typically charge based on the weight or volume of your belongings.
How to Declutter
- Tackle one room at a time: Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to declutter the entire house in one go.
- Separate items into piles: Create piles for items you plan to keep, donate or throw away. If you haven’t used something in a year, consider letting it go.
- Sell or donate: Host a yard sale or donate usable items to charity. Fewer items to pack means a faster, cheaper move.
3. Choose the Right Moving Company
One of the most important decisions you’ll make during this process is selecting the right long distance moving company.
Choosing a reliable mover ensures that your belongings arrive safely and on time. If you are moving out of Chicago, it’s essential to find cross country movers in Chicago who specialize in long-distance moves.
Tips for Choosing Movers
- Get recommendations: Ask friends or family for suggestions if they’ve moved recently.
- Check online reviews: Look for feedback on local movers to see if their services meet your needs.
- Compare quotes: Reach out to multiple moving companies for quotes and compare their rates and services.
- Verify licenses & insurance: Ensure that the moving company in Chicago is licensed and insured which protects you in case anything goes wrong during the move.
4. Pack Smart & Label Everything
Packing can be one of the most time-consuming parts of moving but with the right strategy you can simplify the process. The key is to stay organized and label everything properly.
Packing Tips
- Pack room by room: Keep items from each room together in their own boxes. This will make unpacking much easier once you arrive in your new city.
- Label boxes clearly: Be sure to label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will help your movers place them in the correct rooms.
- Use color-coded labels: Assign a different color to each room. For example, use red for the kitchen, blue for the living room and green for the bedroom.
- Pack a “first-day” box: Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents and chargers in one easy-to-access box for your first day in your new home.
5. Notify Important Parties about Your Move
It’s crucial to inform all necessary parties about your move. Updating your address and transferring services ahead of time will prevent interruptions and confusion after you move.
Who to Notify
- Post office: Set up mail forwarding to ensure your mail is redirected to your new address.
- Utility companies: Schedule the disconnection of services at your old home and arrange for utilities to be connected at your new one.
- Banks & credit cards: Update your address with your bank, credit card companies and any other financial institutions.
- Healthcare providers: If you’re moving to a new city you may need to find new doctors or dentists and transfer your medical records.
6. Make Travel Plans for Moving Day
Once your belongings are packed and ready to go, it’s time to figure out how you’ll get to your new city. Will you be driving, flying or taking public transportation? Be sure to plan this out ahead of time especially if you’re moving with pets or children.
Transporting Your Car
If you’re moving across the country and don’t want to drive long distances consider having your car shipped by a cross country movers service.
Many long distance moving companies offer vehicle transportation options, making it easier for you to travel by plane or other means without the hassle of a long road trip.
7. Preparing for Moving Day
Moving day itself can be hectic but staying organized will help things run smoothly. You’ll want to make sure everything is packed, labeled and ready to go before the movers arrive.
Moving Day Checklist
- Confirm with the movers: Call the moving company a day before your move to confirm the time, address and any last-minute instructions.
- Prepare a moving day kit: Keep snacks, water and some basic tools handy in case you need them during the move.
- Do a final walkthrough: Before the movers leave with your belongings, do a last check of your old home to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.
- Keep important items with you: Personal documents, medications and valuables should travel with you, not in the moving truck.
8. Settling into Your New City
Once you’ve arrived in your new city, it’s time to settle in. Start by unpacking the essentials first such as your kitchen, bathroom and bedroom items.
Getting these key areas set up will help you feel more at home right away.
Explore Your New Surroundings
- Get to know the neighborhood: Take some time to explore your new neighborhood and find local stores, services and places of interest.
- Meet the neighbors: Introduce yourself to your new neighbors and start building connections in your new community.
- Update any remaining services: Be sure to update your address with online services like shopping accounts and streaming subscriptions.
