The 2024 Moving Checklist: Key Insights for Anyone Relocating to a New Area

If you have decided to relocate to a new city, there may be many reasons as to why you might be doing so - it can be that you may be getting married, getting a new job, or even just needing a fresh start.

That being said, when you move you’re taking on an arduous and costly venture. To make this relocation a worthwhile effort, we have put together some insights to help make your move as seamless as possible.

Purchasing a Home: Important Considerations

Purchasing a new home is not at all a simple task. Not only is there a lot of legal paperwork to consider, you need to make sure that your home is a perfect match for you. Before you sign off on your purchase, you need to research the area your home will be based in, and comfortably you will be able to live.

Commuting Ease:

One of the aspects that you need to check is if the city you are relocating to makes commuting to your new job and amenities easy. Having a shorter route to amenities, like supermarkets, hospitals, schools, and gums will make general living easier, and help you save money - as you won't need to factor in gas and e-hailing costs to get where you need to go.

Assess Risk factors:

There is no place on Earth that is entirely risk-free, however, by having a risk assessment done for the area you plan to live in you will be able to discern the cost of living, natural disaster risk, crime statistics, and unemployment rates. These factors will help you gauge the chance of anything bad happening and how long it will take you to get back on your feet. For example, if you are taking a leap and moving from Michigan and relocating to a city that is unknown to you, like Sarasota in Florida - while a desirable area to live in, a risk assessment can help alert you to the fact that it is a hotspot for hurricanes and storms - which you need to prepare for.

Get Insurance:

One of the ways to help you cover all your bases and prevent any misfortune from befalling you is by getting adequate insurance coverage. Look for insurance providers that will give coverage for damage to personal property, disaster insurance, and other circumstances.

Moving Alone vs With Others:

When you decide to relocate to a new city, you are either making the journey on your own or with others. If you are moving alone, it can be a daunting task, but you only have to look out for yourself in the long run.

However, if you’re moving with others -  be it a partner, family, or friends - need to make sacrifices, accommodations, and compromises for the others so that everyone is happy. Factors like making contributions and dividing space will also come into play. Also, there is a huge difference between having a communal home and a roommate as opposed to moving in with your partner and with other members of your family.

Keeping An Eye on Costs:

Relocating to a new city is a costly venture, not only do you have to consider actually buying a home, but you sometimes have to keep in mind transfer and legal fees as well as homeowners association fees.

You also need to take into consideration the cost of hiring movers and obtaining packing materials for the move. For the latter, you can seek quotations from different service providers that are both cost-effective and provide excellent services.

Checklist & Timeline:

Before you start packing, it would be extremely helpful to create a timeline in which you plan to move, as well as a checklist of things you need to do. It will make the moving process a lot less stressful for you.

Your moving timeline should include the date your current lease ends; when your new home is available; if your new home requires renovations before moving in; when you need to start packing; and when the belongings need to move by.

The checklist needs to be created when you are packing and needs to include all of your belongings so you can refer to it when unpacking in your new home.

Inventory & Packing:

Your checklist is basically your personal inventory, and it should note where you keep your important documents, the furniture you are taking with you, important and sentimental belongings that you have, as well as electronics and safes you are taking along. Make note of all your other belongings too.

 When you're packing, you will need boxes in different sizes, rolls of bubble wrap for delicate belongings, duct tape to seal the boxes, labels and markers, mothballs, vacuum-sealable bags for your clothes, and stretch wrap for your furniture - so they stay in place during the move.

Finding the Right Mover for you:

There are plenty of movers who can help you transport your belongings from your old home to your new one, but there are certain factors that you need to take into account.

You need to be aware of their mover’s cost and fees, whether they require more than one trip to courier your things, and whether they can travel the distance you need to go. You also need to make sure they will be available on the dates you require.

 Check out customer service reviews and ratings online to see if you are making the right choices.

Temporary Hold-ups:

If the house is not ready yet and is considered to be inhabitable for a short period of time, but your previous lease is up, you will be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

When this occurs there are a few contingencies you need to prepare for. You will need to look for a temporary place to stay in the interim. There are motels, hotels, and bed and breakfast options that are viable to use.

Storage Options:

In addition to needing somewhere to stay during any delays, you will also need to consider hiring out a few storage units to keep your belongings safe until you can move them into your home. Look for storage facilities near where you will be living. Research a few of them, and see what they offer including the size of the units and how much it would cost for you to use multiple units at once.

If you have family in the new area where you will be living, ask them if you can rent out space from them as you are stuck in a pinch.

Your Excess Belongings:

When you are relocating to a new city, especially with someone else, you may need to downsize your belongings. It will be an easier load to courier and it will cost you less.

When you’re packing, keep aside things you don't want or need anymore. From this pile, you can donate some of the items to organizations in need, have a garage sale with the items, or list them online. By selling your excess, the money you earn can go towards your moving expenses.

The Bottom Line:

Moving is a time-consuming and arduous process. By creating a timeline and checklist, you will be able to discern how to relocate to a new area, with little stress and without expending too much money. Additionally, it will help you keep track of all your belongings and reduce any troubles in a new area.