Documents: If renting your new home, try to obtain
a current
credit report to give to potential landlords. If
purchasing a home, be sure to check on your credit report to make sure there are
no errors!
Moving: Look into getting moving and/or storage
insurance to cover your items during the move.
Using a Mover: Use Yahoo! Real
Estate to get estimates from moving companies. Try to
shop around as much as possible to get the best rate.
Self Move: Use Yahoo! Real
Estate to choose a rental truck to use. Be sure to
reserve it well in advance since reservations fill up quickly at certain times
of the year.
Pets: Check on possible quarantine and/or
vaccination requirements for your pet, especially if you are moving out of state
or overseas.
Kids: If you have small children, be sure to
research child care options in your new
area.
Kids: Asses the quality of school districts in
your new area. Use Yahoo! Real Estate to compare
schools.
Overseas: Make sure your passport is current and
valid. If you don't have one, be sure to get one well in
advance.
Overseas: Contact the consulate for the country
you are moving to to insure that you have all proper paperwork prepared and
available.
Overseas: Obtain a visa if you will need one. You
can talk to a consulate about the steps necessary to obtain one.
7 Weeks before
Move
Moving: Make a Moving File to store receipts,
records, and important papers related to your move.
Using a Mover: Get in touch with a moving company
and set a date for the move. Fill out any necessary paperwork, and be sure to
get moving insurance if you need it.
Packing: Begin removing unwanted or unneeded items
from your attic, garage, basement, or storage. Plan to donate these or sell them
on Yahoo! Classifieds.
Packing: Check to make sure you have returned all
borrowed items including video rentals and library books.
Packing: Gather important documents (birth
certificates, immunization records, insurance documents, etc…) and place them in
a briefcase, strongbox, or other secure place to insure that they do not get
misplaced during the move.
Overseas: Research the customs and laws of the
country you are moving to. If you haven't been there, try to visit before you
move.
6 Weeks before
Move
Documents: Update your car registration and
driver's license with your state's motor vehicle department. You may also need
to notify your auto insurance.
Packing: Make item donations. Remember to collect
receipts for tax purposes.
Packing: Sell your old and unwanted stuff on
Yahoo!
Classifieds or hold a garage sale before you
pack.
Services: Notify your dentist and doctor of your
move and ask for referrals. Be sure your insurance covers the doctor/dentist in
your new area.
Services: Forward or cancel any monthly services,
subscriptions or memberships.
Pets: Make sure you have transportation
arrangements for your pet. Buy a carrier on Yahoo! Shopping.
Pets: Notify your veterinarian of your move.
Obtain any records for your pet, and ask for a referral.
Kids: Select a school for your children and
arrange to transfer immunization records and transcripts. Try to visit the
school before deciding if this is possible.
Overseas: Research the financial situation your
new country. Open a new bank account and change your currency if
necessary.
5 Weeks before
Move
Moving: Make reservations for a room at a local
motel for the night before moving day. This is the best way to make sure you can
get a good night's rest and a shower while all your things are packed up. Use
Yahoo!
Travel to make reservations online!
Documents: Contact utilities to cancel or transfer
accounts.
Overseas: Research driving laws in your new
country. You may need to apply for a foreign driving permit.
Overseas: Make sure you have current vaccination
records. Make sure you receive recommended vaccinations for the country you will
be moving to.
Overseas: Research insurance options in your new
country. Your US insurance may or may not be valid after you move and you may
need to buy new insurance in your new
country.
4 Weeks before
Move
Documents: Fill out an official change of address
with the USPS.
Documents: Notify all important business and
personal contacts of your new address. Fill out changes of address for creditors
and magazine subscriptions.
Documents: Leave a forwarding address with the
next tenants of your home if possible.
Self Move: Buy boxes and packing
materials.
3 Weeks before
Move
Packing: Start packing. Begin with rooms of the
house you don't use as much and finish with the kitchen. Choose a room of the
house to serve as a temporary storage area for packed boxes. Check out our
How
to Pack section for tips on how to pack like a
professional!
Packing: Check into storage options for those
items you cannot move immediately and may need to store
temporarily.
Packing: Make an inventory of important and/or
expensive items in your home as you pack. Try to take photographs of these items
if possible. You may need this inventory for insurance purposes in case items
get lost or damaged in the move.
Kids: Start involving your kids in the move. Make
it exciting by having your kids pack some of their own things, and letting them
figure out new layouts for their rooms.
Kids: If you have young children, arrange for a
babysitter on moving day. You can concentrate on the move knowing your kids are
watched and safely out of the way.
2 Weeks before
Move
Moving: If you live in a highrise apartment, be
sure to reserve an elevator for the day of your move.
Services: Close any local bank accounts and open
new ones in your new location. Try to get checks printed with your new address
as soon as possible.
Packing: Drain gas from any gas powered equipment
before you pack it up. Try to make disposal arrangements for any oil, gas, or
other hazardous substances you will not be able to move, use, or throw
away.
1 Week before
Move
Services: Service your car, especially if you're
traveling to your new place by car. See Yahoo! Autos for tools, services, and
advice.
Packing: Make backup copies of important files on
your computer before packing it up.
Packing: Have a party to use up perishible food
items, beverages, and alcohol. Donate food items you don't consume to a shelter
or food bank.
Moving: Confirm any travel plans or reservations
you may have made for moving day (flights, hotel, rental cars,
etc).
Using a Mover: Confirm arrangements with your
moving company.
