One month prior to the move is crunch time.
Hopefully, you finished some of your packing last month. If so, you probably concentrated on your non-essential belongings, such as out-of-season apparel, your finest dinnerware, Christmas decorations, and other items you didn’t intend to use in the near future.
In case you haven’t, begin to pack up the items you use most frequently during this month, leaving just the absolute necessities until the end of the month, shortly before your move.
Your house may look disorganized, but when moving day arrives, you’ll be more than ready to load the truck.
What else should you include on your to-do list for the month?
A Pre-Move To-Do List for Adjusting to Your New Neighborhood
To ensure a stress-free and effective move, make a pre-move checklist.
- Determining the move date
The first step is to determine the best timing for the move. It’s usually a good idea to consider weather conditions, especially when moving across the country. Weather knowledge will allow you to prevent potential problems caused by storms, hurricanes, fires, and other weather-related disasters. Planning and making required adjustments will help you move safely and stress-free.
For example, if you’re moving to Tampa, you shouldn’t do so during hurricane season. Also, remember to schedule the move around your work, school, and personal commitments.
- Babysitter and pet sitter issues
When moving with young children or pets, it is best to find a babysitter or pet sitter. If this is not possible, consider a fun activity in the region that does not require your presence to be a fantastic stress reliever for you and your family.
Many regions offer daytime doggy daycare. Knowing that your pet is safe during the relocation and not chewing on potentially unsafe items will help you stay calm and collected.
- Plan your new home’s layout
Knowing where you intend to position your furniture will save the mover time and irritation from repeatedly shifting beds and sofas. Even sketching out the plan with measurements on a piece of paper and understanding where the large pieces will be placed would be beneficial on a moving day.
Sell off parts of furniture that don’t fit properly. Not everything from your previous home will fit exactly, and that’s fine. To prevent cluttering the new home, try to sell off any excess items before the move.
Plan your storage alternatives in the new location, as well as a basic summary of what objects will need to be hidden and stowed. If you have an under-the-stairs room or various cupboards or closets, figure out how many boxes of stuff you’ll need to keep to avoid clutter.
- Explore the neighborhood
Visit the neighborhood before you move. Read about it again online and note the most popular, must-see attractions. Download a map or navigation app to help you make the most of your time here.
Look for restaurants, cafes, parks, shopping malls, supermarkets, and other places you’ll visit. If you’re still looking for a school for your children, look them up online to see the facilities and speak with the staff.
If you’re a health buff, check for gyms, sports courts, spas, and other fitness and wellness centers in or near your community and visit them to see their amenities.
Whether walking, driving, or commuting, keep track of your journey and how distant or close these locations are to your home.
Exploring the neighborhood before moving can help you know the important sites and make it easy to reach or visit them when needed.
- Locate and connect with service providers
Knowing where to seek assistance during an emergency in a new location might help alleviate your concerns. It can also ensure that you receive prompt support when you need it.
Aside from investigating clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies, ask your existing healthcare providers for recommendations on facilities and medical professionals in your new community. This saves you time researching possible health practitioners and ensures you receive dependable, good care when needed.
Make sure to choose a veterinarian facility and a skilled groomer for your pet. This technique helps you maintain your animal pals healthy and provide them with the care they require, which can help them adjust to their new surroundings.
Once you’ve received recommendations from your present professionals, contact your potential vital service providers. Obtain their contact information, speak with them on the phone, or visit their facilities to determine whether you are comfortable having them as your healthcare partners and whether they match your needs.
- Notify utility companies about account changes or disconnection
Do you want power and water in your new place? Of course, you do. You might also want DSL, cable, and other services at your new home.
So, this is what you do: Make a list of the utility companies you need to contact, and then get your bills (or check your account information online). When you call, they will most likely ask for an account number, PIN, or other information you may not recall, so keep that information handy while you are on the phone.
It is usually relatively simple to switch a service off in one location and on in another. However, you may use this relocation to review your offerings. Could you save money by moving companies or selecting a different package? Do these firms currently offer any special deals? It doesn’t hurt to inquire.
The end note!
Planning ahead for the fundamentals reduces stress on the big relocation day. We recommend preparing as much as possible and hiring a reliable team of pros for the move. A thorough strategy will keep the day operating well, whether it’s a quick ten-minute journey or a cross-country adventure.
