+ Moving Checklist
+ 8 WEEKS TO GO 7 WEEKS TO GO
6 WEEKS TO GO
Moving Checklist
Give written 2-month notice to the landlord. Schedule movers/book a truck. Do this well in advance, especially if you're moving at the end of a month (the most popular time to move and when they'll most likely be booked up). You might want to get quotes and compare estimates before signing a contract. Set up “outboxes” for clothes and items to donate Start cleaning out clothes closet and coat closet - clothes, shoes, bags, coats. Never move more stuff than is necessary; get rid of excess now.
5 WEEKS TO GO Clean out kitchen, pantry, laundry closet - get rid of anything that isn’t worth making the move. Go to the Post Office to choose a date to begin forwarding your mail (it costs $1). Send a mass email to your contacts with your new mailing address.
4 WEEKS TO GO
3 WEEKS TO GO
2 WEEKS TO GO
1 WEEK TO GO
Decide what furniture will work in the new place; for everything else, list on Craigslist, offer to friends, or giveaway. Go to Staples for all your packing supplies - boxes in different sizes, tape, scissors, box cutters, bubble wrap, foam sheets for dishware, eco-friendly packing peanuts, labels, markers, more tape, plastic wrap, baggies, furniture bags, moving blankets, even more tape. Change your address with your all financial institutions, credit card providers and insurance. Cancel or transfer your subscriptions: newspapers, magazines or Netflix. Cancel or forward utilities: gas, water, electricity, garbage, cable/internet, phone and cell phone. Remember to collect any refunds from prorated service or deposits. Clear a room or area to set up boxes Start packing up non-essentials - out-of-season clothes, rarely-used kitchen equipment, guest room, holiday decor, books. Start taking down art and photos from the wall and patch the holes with a dab of spackle. Do one final grocery shop - learn to embrace the makeshift meal and start cleaning out the freezer. Drop off any donation furniture and boxes – some organizations can also schedule a pickup if you have a lot of donations or large items. Set aside the clothes and kitchen items you know you (and everyone else in your household) need for the next two weeks. Pack, pack, pack! This part takes the longest, so dive right in. If you have plants to move, stop watering them now so they're not heavy and dripping on moving day.
Pack an essentials box with everything you'll need for the first night in your new home: sheets so you can make the bed, a few plates, cups and silverware, basic toiletries and a towel for a shower, your phone charger, paper towels and toilet paper, hand soap, box cutters. We recommend sticking some granola bars or other snacks in there to limit moving-day crankiness. Hire professional cleaners or schedule a block of time to thoroughly clean the empty apartment. Leave a written copy of your forwarding address with your landlord so s/he can return your deposit. Check every single drawer and closet, just in case. Do a final walk-through/inspection with your landlord and finally, return the keys.
6 WEEKS TO GO
Moving Checklist
Give written 2-month notice to the landlord. Schedule movers/book a truck. Do this well in advance, especially if you're moving at the end of a month (the most popular time to move and when they'll most likely be booked up). You might want to get quotes and compare estimates before signing a contract. Set up “outboxes” for clothes and items to donate Start cleaning out clothes closet and coat closet - clothes, shoes, bags, coats. Never move more stuff than is necessary; get rid of excess now.
5 WEEKS TO GO Clean out kitchen, pantry, laundry closet - get rid of anything that isn’t worth making the move. Go to the Post Office to choose a date to begin forwarding your mail (it costs $1). Send a mass email to your contacts with your new mailing address.
4 WEEKS TO GO
3 WEEKS TO GO
2 WEEKS TO GO
1 WEEK TO GO
Decide what furniture will work in the new place; for everything else, list on Craigslist, offer to friends, or giveaway. Go to Staples for all your packing supplies - boxes in different sizes, tape, scissors, box cutters, bubble wrap, foam sheets for dishware, eco-friendly packing peanuts, labels, markers, more tape, plastic wrap, baggies, furniture bags, moving blankets, even more tape. Change your address with your all financial institutions, credit card providers and insurance. Cancel or transfer your subscriptions: newspapers, magazines or Netflix. Cancel or forward utilities: gas, water, electricity, garbage, cable/internet, phone and cell phone. Remember to collect any refunds from prorated service or deposits. Clear a room or area to set up boxes Start packing up non-essentials - out-of-season clothes, rarely-used kitchen equipment, guest room, holiday decor, books. Start taking down art and photos from the wall and patch the holes with a dab of spackle. Do one final grocery shop - learn to embrace the makeshift meal and start cleaning out the freezer. Drop off any donation furniture and boxes – some organizations can also schedule a pickup if you have a lot of donations or large items. Set aside the clothes and kitchen items you know you (and everyone else in your household) need for the next two weeks. Pack, pack, pack! This part takes the longest, so dive right in. If you have plants to move, stop watering them now so they're not heavy and dripping on moving day.
Pack an essentials box with everything you'll need for the first night in your new home: sheets so you can make the bed, a few plates, cups and silverware, basic toiletries and a towel for a shower, your phone charger, paper towels and toilet paper, hand soap, box cutters. We recommend sticking some granola bars or other snacks in there to limit moving-day crankiness. Hire professional cleaners or schedule a block of time to thoroughly clean the empty apartment. Leave a written copy of your forwarding address with your landlord so s/he can return your deposit. Check every single drawer and closet, just in case. Do a final walk-through/inspection with your landlord and finally, return the keys.
