Moving may be the most stressful thing one can do, so naturally I've picked the craziest time of year to do it. Genius. To help keep my sanity, I've been relying heavily on my master to-do list. I broke it down week-by-week for the final month before my move in order to not only accomplish it all, but do it within the time frame that makes sense. Wanna see my list?
Week One
• Give written 30-day notice to the landlord.
• Schedule movers/book a Uhaul. 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).
• Clean out closets/purge belongings. Never move more stuff than is necessary; get rid of excess now.
• Decide what furniture will work in the new place; for everything else, list on Craigslist or offer to friends.
• Get boxes and packing materials. You can always buy 'em, but I've found the Craigslist free section to be the best source of packing materials; after you've moved you can pass them on.
Week Two
• Start packing. Begin with non-essentials (out-of-season clothes, rarely-used kitchen equipment) and work up to necessities as you get closer to moving day.
• Start taking down art and photos from the wall and patch the holes with a dab of spackle.
• Stop grocery shopping — learn to embrace the makeshift meal and start cleaning out the freezer.
• Change your address with your all financial institutions, credit card providers and insurance.
• Go to USPS to choose a date to begin forwarding your mail (it costs $1).
• Send a mass email to your contacts with your new mailing address.
Week Three
• Cancel or forward utilities: gas, water, electricity, garbage, cable/internet, phone and cell phone. Remember to collect any refunds from prorated service or deposits.
• Cancel or transfer your subscriptions: newspapers, magazines or Netflix.
• If you have plants to move, stop watering them now so they're not heavy and dripping on moving day.
• Pack, pack, pack.
Week Four
• 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 for a shower, and your phone charger.
• 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 he can return your deposit.
• Do a final walk-through/inspection with your landlord and finally, return the keys.
As for me, I'm beginning week four, so I'm rounding the final stretch. Moving is tough, but it helps immensely to have a plan so it's not so overwhelming. Now it's your turn: what have I forgotten to list that I'll be kicking myself about later? Help!
(Image: Shutterstock)
Must-See Small Cool Homes: Week Two
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How To Make Perfect Bacon in the Oven
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
Don't forget for the Essentials Box: tools, such as screwdrivers, hammers, scissors and/or box cutters.
I don't know, Jennifer? It sounds like you've got it all covered! Love the idea of the "essentials box". Much better than the digging. You sound like an excellent taskmaster. :)
Happy moving!!
Be sure to add "New Shower Curtain/Rings" to the Essentials box.
And toilet paper and paper towels too!
@KN14606: And for that matter, regular towels for when you take the shower!
Hand soap and paper towels or hand towels! Moving is dirty work, and I hate not being able to wash hands when I take a lunch break!
We moved last year on 12/26. SO thankful to be staying put this year. Happy moving!
2 Months Notice is standard and required by law here in Ontario (unless you have some special arrangement), so I have a 2 month checklist for moving that I break out when the time comes.
Very useful. I'm going through the same thing EXCEPT that I'm still pending approval of the new apartment so I'm not sure about move in date. If I'm not approved for this apartment I'm basically screwed!
I already did a quick clean up of my closet and gave a lot of stuff away. I should start going through the other things but it's difficult to pack with the fingers crossed.
I think all of use could do a purge of stuff before moving or, not moving. Looking around my place I see lots of "stuff" that, frankly, I could easily do without. Moving really focuses your attention on those things. After seeing the abodes shown on AT and especially the Small Cool Contest, I see can do more with less.
First thing to go, my candle collection/obsession. If my place ever burned down (not from my candles, hopefully), I can rest assured that the neighborhood will smell wonderful.
I have moved 10 in 10 yrs including 3 international moves....having a checklist is key. So is keeping out a pad of paper & when anything crosses your mind to address -- jot it down immediately!
After so many moves...your list is how mine evolved..perfect...the shower curtain and rings are esssential! I eventually caught onto that one..at least a new liner, all you can manage at the end of that day..or next achy morning.;)
Such a great list! Definitely book marking. Thanks for sharing!
Add some energy bars to your essentials box (and handbag if applicable). In a previous move, I had to postpone eating because the moving van was blocking my car inside the garage, with my packed lunch in the trunk, when the movers took their lunch break. I'd already unpacked my nonperishable "emergency food" - but with my can opener and flatware also in my car, I had no way to eat that, either.
And don't forget to check ALL the drawers and cabinets during week four, including the ones you think are empty. I used to manage apartments and a lot of things got left behind by tenants who simply forgot to check.
I just moved this past Saturday - and only had a week beforehand to pack up and prepare. Most valuable lessons from my bug out:
Tape screws to things you take apart, and then mark the tape according to step numbers for when you put things back together.
Command Strips are your friend. Multi-purpose cleaner and rags are your best friend.
Label EVERYTHING.
I color coded rooms using post-it notes and got made fun of for it - but the move was so much easier without people asking every twenty seconds "Where would you like this?".
All this aside, I really don't recommend a week for a moving timeline. It was way stressful.
Thanks