March 3, 2025
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Buying a home is a huge milestone, but what happens when it doesn’t feel like the dream you imagined? If you’re experiencing homebuyer’s remorse...
Whether you’re moving to an apartment across town or a house across the country, there’s a lot to think about as you’re preparing to move out. Planning ahead and sticking to a timeline will make your move as seamless as possible. Stay stress-free with these tips so you can look forward to your next move in life and not dread the move to get there.
Wondering how to plan a cross-country move or when to start packing for a move? We’ll answer these questions and more —keep reading!
Look at your calendar and designate time for packing to help keep you on track. If you’re moving far away, be sure to plan time with friends and family in the area for goodbyes.
Get quotes from a few different companies to compare pricing. Use your discretion—your budget may not allow the highest cost but be wary of low-ball offers that might indicate low-quality service. Look at reviews and make sure the professional movers you hire are legitimate.
If you’re moving out of an apartment, don’t get stuck with fees or paying an extra month’s rent for late notice—check your contract and take care of it asap. This will affect your move-in date too, so the earlier you know the better.
If you’re in a house, this is a major step in the moving process. Find a good realtor who will guide you through the process of listing and preparing your home. Timing is everything so start forming a plan as early as possible.
Leaving your current job? Be sure to give at least two weeks’ notice. Allow a week or two (or more if you can swing it) between your last day and moving day—you’ll appreciate the extra time and energy you’ll have to devote to packing and preparing.
Do you have kiddos changing school districts? Make sure everything is squared away, like transfer documents from their soon-to-be former school or enrollment at their future school.
If you’re changing doctors, it’s a good idea to get copies of your family’s medical records for the new physicians.
Gather those medical records, transfer paperwork, birth certificates, financial documents, lease agreements, etc., and organize them neatly into a file folder. Keep in a safe but accessible place.
Start the process of closing out water, electricity, AC/heating, internet, etc., services at your current place and get everything squared away for your new place. You don’t want to get to your new home to find the water is turned off.
Go ahead and check this off your list. You will be able to set the date you want the postal service to start forwarding your mail.
They’ll need the change of address, plus it’s good to give them a heads up of large moving expenses.
Contact insurance companies for your home and car in case any policies need to be adjusted or transferred.
Most companies can set up a window of time for pickup so you’ll need to be fairly flexible and have everything ready. For a cross-country move, that window may even be a few days.
Plan what items are going with the moving truck and what will be coming with you if your move date is different (it will be for a long-distance move).
If you’re moving cross-country and have a long drive ahead of you, take your car in for a checkup to be safe.
Sometimes it’s easier and more cost-effective to sell your furniture instead of hauling it to a new home. Buying high-quality second-hand furniture or renting furniture from places like CORT Furniture Outlet, are great options for an easy move-out and even easier move-in when you get to your new home. Check out our inventory online and schedule pick up or delivery—easy. Looking into this ahead of time can help prevent furniture delivery delays but have a backup plan (like air mattresses) just in case. Consider CORT for home decor, too.
Sort through your things and decide what is worth coming with you to your new place. The less stuff you have, the fewer the boxes, and the less expensive the bill from the moving company.
Donate or sell clothes, appliances, and other items you no longer use that are in good condition. Throw away what can’t be salvaged.
After purging what you can, you’ll have a better idea of the number of boxes, amount of bubble wrap, and other materials you’ll need. There are places to score free boxes, like from friends, your workplace, grocery stores, or liquor stores — just be sure the boxes are sturdy. For a cross-country move especially, it’s best to buy special boxes for items like glassware, lamps, artwork, and TV.
Box up off-season clothes, books, picture frames, holiday decorations, etc. It may seem like overkill to start packing this early, but packing will take much longer than you think (trust us).
Decide what fridge and pantry items are worth taking — if any — and set them aside. Plan meals for the next few weeks to use up what you can and minimize waste. You’ll probably want to resort to takeout and meals out (at restaurants or friends’ houses) the last few days before the move so you can finish packing up the kitchen.
Ask good friends or family members for help on moving day. Plan to provide lunch or dinner for them as a thank you.
Moving isn’t just stressful for humans—it can cause your pets to experience anxiety, too. Arrange for dogs or cats to stay at a friend’s place when the moving truck comes. This will ensure they don’t make an escape and save them from the anxiety of strange people in their home and all the chaos of loading the truck. Also plan how you’re getting your pets to your new home.
Continue working your way through the most non-essential items first. Plan what you will use in the next couple of weeks and start boxing up the rest.
Make a list of what everyone will need for the first few days at the new place, i.e. a few outfits, toiletries, laptops, and chargers. Set those items aside to pack separately in suitcases.
Start packing jewelry and accessories, clothes and shoes. Box up games and toys, art and office supplies, sports and hobby equipment, decor. Start packing plates, bowls, glasses, serveware, appliances, and other kitchenware you can do without in the next couple of weeks—this will take the most time, as you’ll need to take the most care with fragile items.
Purchase disposable plates, cups, utensils, napkins, etc., so you can start packing up your kitchen.
Don’t end up on the floor—think ahead and have pillows, bedding or sleeping bags, and an air mattress (or air mattresses) handy for the last couple of nights without beds.
At this point, you’ll have a good idea of how many boxes they’ll be transporting and they may be able to narrow down the window.
Make sure you have everything on the essentials checklist set aside with boxes or bags ready to be packed at the last minute.
Box up the last of your clothes and shoes, electronics, kitchen items, toiletries, bedding, linens, and any other miscellaneous items that haven’t made it into a box.
Confirm expectations with your apartment complex or realtor. Vacuum, dust, mop, scrub, and patch holes, if needed. If it’s too much for you to handle on your own, schedule a cleaning company to do it.
It doesn’t hurt to double-check!
Discard any leftover food or supplies you’re not taking with you and wipe down the interior.
Mark what is going on with the moving truck and everything going with you—this will help you keep track of all your belongings and avoid mishaps.
Pack up your essentials in the designated moving box.
Pack any food or drinks you’re taking with you in a cooler.
Coordinate with professional movers and unprofessional movers (aka friends and family) to make sure everything is loaded carefully. You should label boxes of fragile items as such, but it doesn’t hurt to point them out, too.
Before heading to your next home (and adventure), walk through the entirety of your house. Keep an eye out and ensure you don’t leave anything behind.
Check out these helpful tips to pack your belongings so they reach their destination safe and sound.
Planning on tossing a few items? Want to upgrade your couch once you reach your new destination? Keep your move on track by purchasing new and gently used furniture and decor from CORT Furniture Outlet. With price tags at up to 70% off original prices and same-day pickup, you’re sure to find stylish, durable items to complete your home.
