Moving to a new city? This checklist has everything you need to plan a move

Making the decision to move to a new city—whether for a job or otherwise—is no doubt a pivotal moment in your life. You’re closing one chapter and opening another, one full of new opportunities, challenges, and adventures. The only potential buzzkill, however, is that planning a move takes a lot of work. And if you’ve never relocated for a job or moved to a new city before, you may not even know what the process will entail. 

Before you get bogged down in the to-dos, Christina Blondheim, Head of Global Accounts at Blueground, recommends taking a moment to celebrate. “Before things get busy, pause and acknowledge what you’ve achieved. This is an exciting new chapter, and it’s worth feeling proud and grateful before you dive into the logistics of the move,” she says. 

Key Takeaways

• Break your move into a timeline, starting at least 6–8 weeks out with housing, budgeting, and relocation benefits.
• Temporary furnished housing lets you explore neighborhoods before committing to a lease.
• Book movers and transportation early to avoid rush fees or limited availability.
• Handle logistics like change of address and utility transfers in the weeks before moving.
• Keep essentials like documents and medications with you, not with movers.
• After arrival, tackle follow-up tasks like updating your license and registering vehicles.

Your pre-moving checklist will be waiting for you after you pop the champagne. When you’re ready to dive in, we’ve got you covered. If you’re wondering how to move to a new city without forgetting anything important, breaking the process into a timeline can help make everything more manageable. Below, we’ve compiled a “moving to a new city checklist” to help guide you through the next steps. Here are the biggest things to consider when moving, organized from “do ASAP” to “handle after you move.”

Blueground furnished apartment in Dallas

6–8 weeks before the move (or ASAP):

Consider your housing options

Arguably, one of the most important things to consider when moving is where you’ll set down roots. You’ll want to begin researching neighborhoods, commute times to your new office, and housing options, Blondheim says. If you aren’t sure exactly where you want to put down roots, consider securing temporary furnished accommodation, such as the apartments offered by Blueground. “Whether you need a short-term landing spot while getting settled or a longer-term furnished home during a transition period, booking early typically provides the greatest selection and flexibility,” Blondheim says. Booking as early as possible is especially important during peak relocation seasons, such as summer, or in highly desirable neighborhoods, she adds.

This is especially helpful in places like New York City, where choosing a neighborhood can be daunting if you haven’t already spent time there, or where signing a lease on an apartment sight-unseen can be especially risky. “Short-term furnished housing buys you time to figure out where you actually want to live before signing a long-term lease,” says Pablo Giordano, founder of Ontrack Moving. “We see a lot of people who move straight into a 12-month lease and regret it because they didn’t know the city well enough yet.”

Blondheim recommends choosing a location that minimizes commute stress during the first few months. “Many relocating employees underestimate how valuable flexibility can be. Having a furnished apartment for 30 to 90 days often allows them to explore neighborhoods, understand commute patterns, and make a more informed long-term housing decision,” she says.

Review employer relocation support 

If your employer offers relocation benefits, you’ll want to review those policies and understand exactly what support they provide, Blondheim says. Keep in mind that these packages are often negotiable. You may be able to get your employer to cover temporary housing for 1–3 months, as well as logistical moving costs. 

Create a budget and start collecting quotes

Moving can come with a lot of unexpected expenses, from packing supplies and moving trucks to security deposits, broker’s fees, and waste disposal charges. It helps to establish a moving budget and identify any out-of-pocket expenses, Blondheim says. Reach out to several different moving and/or storage companies for quotes and compare transportation options. Referrals are often available from your employer upon request. (Don’t forget to budget for cash tips wherever applicable!)

Handle the exit of your current home

If your move requires breaking your lease or your landlord requires at least a few months’ notice before leaving, you’ll want to let them know as early as possible. Some landlords can be flexible if you help secure the next tenant or find a sublease to fill your spot. If you need to sell your house or apartment, you’ll want to start the process as soon as possible: reach out to a real estate agent, if needed, and begin prepping your house (cleaning and decluttering, getting a pre-inspection, making any repairs, etc.).

4–6 weeks before the move

Finalize housing arrangements

You’ll want to ensure you have a place to land in your new home city, whether you’re opting for a furnished apartment, a short- or long-term hotel stay, or a permanent home. Having these details finalized with a few weeks to go ensures you can pack all the necessary things for your housing option, feel prepared for your commute, and have time to coordinate storage, if needed.

Book movers, transportation, and travel

Now’s the time to lock in reservations with movers, transportation (such as rental cars or self-drive moving vans), and hotels or airlines, if needed. If you’re moving a long distance or during peak moving season (May to September), you may want to book your movers even earlier. Waiting until the last minute (less than two weeks prior to your moving date) can incur rush fees or make it tricky to find movers with availability. “Lock in your mover first, especially if you’re moving in summer when availability gets tight fast, then work backward from your move date on everything else,” says Giordano. 

Begin decluttering, donating, and selling

About a month out from your move (or even earlier), you’ll want to begin decluttering, donating, or selling items that won’t be moved, Blondheim says. (Trust, it’ll take longer than you expect.) As you sort through things, determine which belongings will be moved immediately and which may need to be stored or moved later. One common mistake people make is forgetting to measure furniture and confirm it will fit in the new home, Blondheim says. Many nonprofits also allow you to schedule a donation pickup so you don’t need to make multiple trips or move large items, like furniture, yourself. Some movers will also dispose of items or drop off donations for you at an extra charge. 

Look into logistics for kids and pets

If you’re moving with kids, start to explore school district enrollment rules and childcare options. If you’re moving with pets, look into what they’ll need in their new county or state, including license and registration, microchips, vaccines, and a potential Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Check the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service pet travel guide for info on each state’s requirements.

2–4 weeks before the move

Secure storage

At this point, you should have an idea of whether you need storage and how much space you’ll need, whether it’s staying in your current location or coming with you. If you’re taking advantage of a temporary housing option at your destination, you’ll want to store your things close to your new home area or have them secured by a company that can deliver them to you later. 

Submit change of address requests

“On the logistics side, the things that create the most headaches are the ones people remember last,” Giordano says. “Forward your mail before you move, not after. Update your address with your bank and any automatic payments before the move date so nothing lapses.” A few weeks before moving, set up mail forwarding on the USPS website, and choose the date you want to begin forwarding your mail. Keep in mind, this only impacts your mail—it doesn’t change your official address on record for the DMV, voter registration, or tax purposes. 

Arrange vehicle transport

If you need to ship your car to your new home base, now’s the time to book it. Alternatively, if you no longer need your car and you need to sell it, start looking into your options, whether you’re returning it to a dealership or selling it privately online or locally.

Begin packing non-essential items

The earlier you begin packing, the less stressful moving week will be. Start with rarely used or seasonal items, and create an inventory list as you go so you have a record of everything you’re moving or storing. Label each box with what’s inside so you can organize more easily once you arrive in your new home, or selectively move things in and out of storage. 

Don’t forget to take stock of all the food in your kitchen; use up what you can, toss what’s old or expired, and give away food you know you won’t get to before your move. Liquids, like beauty products, can also be prone to spilling and temperature fluctuations in a moving van; consider cleaning out your stash or taking important items with you rather than sending them with movers. 

1–2 weeks before the move

Confirm all reservations

Confirm that everything is in order—reservations for transportation, lodging, moving services, storage, and any other timely logistics. “And if you have specialty items (pianos, fine art, antiques) those need a conversation with your mover well before moving day because they require different equipment and crew than a standard residential move,” Giordano says.

Update insurance and utilities

If you have a current home or renters insurance policy — or need to secure one for your new place—now’s the time to make any policy changes to ensure you’re covered through your move. Contact your utility company to shut off service, if needed, or transfer service to your new home or apartment. To ensure you can show up to your new place and use the Wi-Fi, water, heating/cooling, and electricity, set up your utilities a week ahead, not the day of your move, Giordano says. (If you’re moving to a furnished apartment like Blueground, no need to worry—it will all be ready for you the moment you arrive.)

Consider medical needs

Don’t forget to transfer prescriptions, so you won’t deal with any delays in getting important medication, as well as medical records, if you’ve already located a new provider, Blondheim says. 

Pack like you mean it

Now’s the time to start packing in earnest. Keep updating your inventory list, and “take photos of valuable belongings before they are packed,” Blondheim recommends. This documentation will be valuable if anything is damaged during the move. Some renters insurance covers moving, transport, and storage, though it’ll depend on your policy. You can also buy specific moving insurance for additional peace of mind.  

Also, identify anything important that shouldn’t be loaded onto a moving truck or be placed in storage: “Prepare an essentials bag with important documents, medications, chargers, and items needed for your first week,” Blondheim says.

Moving week

Document everything

Finalize your inventory list and take photos of all moving boxes so you have a record of what was moved and can tell if anything has gone missing. Even though moving can be stressful, take this moment to get excited, too. Take pictures of the good and the bad—even the most chaotic moving memories can be fun to look back on.

Confirm lodging & arrival logistics

Confirm check-in instructions and arrival details for your accommodations. This might include key pickup, parking permits, or details of where you’re allowed to load and unload a moving truck. “If you’re staying in a Blueground apartment, the app provides a seamless, step-by-step experience to guide you from booking through move-in and beyond,” says Blondheim.

Keep important items handy 

Remember to keep important documents, medications, and electronics with you rather than placing them with movers, Blondheim says.

Act like you’re already traveling

Don’t try to maintain your everyday routines; you’ll need to pack things you wish you could keep using, like your coffee machine, hair dryer, or vacuum. Try to rely on only the things you’ll be bringing with you in your suitcase, and embrace the minimalist life for just a few days. Take advantage of takeout or disposable cutlery and dishes to get you through the last week so you can box up all kitchen items.

Prepare for your first week at work

If you’re relocating for a job, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for your new gig as well as the move itself. Pack enough work clothing to get you through the first few days or weeks, depending on your laundry situation. Once you’re in town, confirm your commute route and test it during rush hour, if possible. Locate potential lunch spots (or plan to bring your own), as well as grocery stores and coffee shops. Make sure work essentials (laptop, charger, headphones, badge, etc.) are traveling with you, not packed away for movers or storage.  

First month after arrival

Congrats, you’ve made it to your new city! The hardest part of the move may be over, but there’s a lot of “life admin” you’ll still need to do to get settled into your new home, including:

• Update auto insurance and vehicle registration requirements in the new state.
• Update your driver’s license within the first 10–90 days of establishing residency, depending on your new state’s rules.
• Update your employer’s payroll records with your new address.
• Notify subscription services and delivery providers of your address change.
• Review state income tax implications.
• Establish local banking and healthcare providers if necessary.
• Get acquainted with your new city, commute, and local amenities.

“If you’re still determining where you’d like to put down roots, use this time to explore different neighborhoods before committing to a home purchase,” Blondheim says. As you peruse different neighborhoods, make sure you drive or walk it at different times of day, Giordano says: “A neighborhood that looks great on a Saturday afternoon feels different at 7 am on a Tuesday.”

The bottom line

When you look at a checklist for planning a move or relocating for work, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Start early, try to stay organized, and take it step by step. “The most successful relocations happen when employees treat the move as a project rather than a single event,” Blondheim says. “The earlier housing, logistics, and finances are addressed, the more flexibility and confidence people have when they arrive in a new city.” With this list above, you should be able to head into your relocation with confidence and a clear plan, so you can enjoy everything your new city and lifestyle have to offer.