Alright. You’ve just spent hours upon hours packing up your belongings and moving into a new place.
Now what?
This ultimate after moving checklist includes everything you need to do once you reach your new home.
Let’s dive right in!
This post may contain affiliate links where, at no additional cost to you, I may receive a commission if you use them. I only recommend products I use, trust, and adore. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.
Free Project Planner
I highly recommend you turn your moving process into a project by following the project planning process.
This will help you stay organized, stay motivated, and avoid overwhelm throughout the moving process.
To make this simple, quick, and painless, be sure to snag this free project planner and checklist…
Move-In Essentials
Sure, you’re probably all stocked up on moving essentials (your new home is probably overflowing with cardboard right about now). However, have you thought about move-IN essentials?
- Essential Cleaning Supplies: You’ll want to make sure you have the essential cleaning supplies on hand during the move-in process. This includes microfiber clothes, a broom and dustpan, cleaning brushes, bleach wipes, toilet brush, glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, and wood cleaner.
- Closet and Drawer Organizers: Moving into a new space might require some extra organization. Snag some handy closet and drawer organizers to make this process simple and painless.
- LED Light Bulbs: One of my favorite ways to save money on utilities is by swapping out every light bulb (even in-ceiling lights in apartments) with LED bulbs. Move-in is the perfect time to do this.
- Smart Thermostat: Speaking of saving money on utilities, a smart thermostat is another amazing way to cut your electricity bill. You’ll save the most money using a smart thermostat if you set it up as soon as you move in. As an added bonus, smart thermostats are easy to use, super convenient, and truly make your life more comfortable.
- New Home Thank You Cards: Sending a quick thank you note in the mail to friends and family is a great way to not only show your gratitude but also give out your new address! These cute thank you cards are perfect for moving!
The Ultimate Moving In Checklist
Ready to begin settling into your new home?
Fantastic! Let’s take a look at everything you might want to consider adding to your new to-do list…
Moving Day
- Let the movers do their thing: If you opted for movers, be sure to stay out of their way. At the end of the day, don’t forget to tip them!
- Drop off your old keys: Don’t forget to give the new owners (or your landlord) the keys to your old home.
- Drive to your new home: Pack up the family and drive to your new home.
- Pick up your new keys and sign any required paperwork: Once at your new home, be sure to grab the keys and finish any required paperwork. For renters, this might include a pre-move-in inspection.
- Clean your new home before you move in: Now is the perfect time to clean your new home. Scrub, bleach, mop, sweep, and dust every surface before you move in.
- Empty your moving truck: If you have time on moving day, transfer all of your belongings from your moving truck into your new home.
- Unpack your Open First Box: Ensure you have the bare essentials at the ready by unpacking your Open First Box first thing.
- Complete your move-in checklist: Reference your move-in checklist and complete anything else required for moving day.
Tip: As you unload your items, be sure to place them in the correct room. This will make unpacking so much easier. Color-coded moving labels make this SO EASY.
Related: The Ultimate Moving Out Checklist
One Day After Moving In
- Finish emptying your moving truck: If you didn’t have time on moving day, be sure to finish completely emptying your moving truck.
- Return moving truck rental: If you used a moving truck rental, be sure to return it and complete any related paperwork.
- Go grocery shopping: Save money by grocery shopping ASAP. Be sure to plan easy meals, you’ll be busy these next few weeks. Here is my ultimate guide to meal planning and prepping to help you out.
- Arrange your furniture: Spend some time deciding where you want your furniture to go before you begin unpacking.
- Begin unpacking your boxes: Aim to have at least 20% of your boxes unpacked. Focus on the important rooms, like the kitchen, bathroom, and some bedroom items.
- Ensure utilities, trash, internet, and cable services are in order: Before moving, you should have set up all of your new services (check out my pre-moving checklist here). However, sometimes things can get mixed up. As soon as you can, be sure to check on each of your utilities to ensure they are up and running and set up for autopayment. If you need to make an installation appointment, make it now!
- Set up your appliances: Get your washer, dryer, fridge, freezer, oven, etc. all up and running as soon as you can. This way, when you need them, they are ready to go.
- Pet-proof and child-proof your new home: Check your window screens, tie up cords, and clean up any broken glass or items.
Tip: Save your first utility bills! This will help in any residency-related process such as obtaining a library card or driver’s license.
Related: An Ultimate Guide to Meal Planning and Prepping
One to Three Days After Moving In
- Unpack your boxes: Continue unpacking your belongings. Aim to have 50% of your items unpacked.
- Meet your neighbors: Introduce yourself to your neighbors. If they aren’t home, leave a note at their door with your number.
- Meal prep: Fill your freezer and fridge with yummy, home-cooked meals by completing a quick meal-prepping session.
- Change the locks: If you moved into a new home, be sure to switch out your locks, entry codes, and any other security details. This will ensure you are the only one with access to your home.
- Replace the fire extinguisher: You never know when you’ll need your fire extinguisher. Be sure it is in working order ASAP. Here is the First Alert top-selling fire extinguisher on Amazon if you’re in need of a new one.
- Replace the batteries and test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Make sure all of your alarms are in working order.
- Slowly introduce your pets: The ASPCA recommends you keep your pets in a quiet room and slowly introduce them into the rest of the house. Be sure to check out their website for full details.
One Week After Moving In
- Finish unpacking your boxes: Push yourself to have everything unpacked by the end of the first 7-days. This will help you get more comfortable in your new space.
- Donate your moving materials: Post your moving boxes and supplies on an online marketplace for free. We used Craigslist, they were gone within the hour.
- Install a home security system: Secure your new home with a security system.
- Clean and declutter: After the moving madness begins to calm down, take some time to clean up your space one more time. Focus on the carpets and floors.
- Send thank you letters: Write up and send thank you letters to friends and family members who helped you on your moving journey. This is also a great way for them to have a hard copy of your new mailing address! Looking for a card? These moving thank you notes are just too cute to pass up.
- Change your address: Change your address with all important parties. Reference the list below for an idea of who might need your new address.
- Shop for and/or file a claim for any damaged items: Take inventory of anything that was lost or damaged during your move and make a plan to have it replaced. If you have moving insurance or hired movers, don’t forget to file a claim.
- Register your vehicles and get a new license: Check your new local DMV’s website and begin the process of registering your vehicle and getting a new license if needed.
- Open a new bank account: If you closed your bank account at your previous location, open a new bank account near your home.
Two Weeks After Moving In
- Create a new cleaning routine: Make clutter-free living easy by creating a simplified cleaning routine for your new space – here’s how.
- Sign up for a new library card: Head to your new local library and sign up for a library card. Many libraries offer free tickets to local museums, new release movies, free streaming services, free state park passes, and so many more amazing benefits.
- Find new health care providers: Schedule a “New Patient” appointment with any health care providers you require, such as family doctors, eye doctors, dentists, and pharmacies.
- Request health care record transfers: As soon as you schedule an appointment with your new health care providers, request for your medical records to be moved. This includes moving prescriptions to your new pharmacy.
- Begin organizing your spaces: Go through your closets, cupboards, and other storage areas and take your time to organize them. You might need some closet or drawer organizers to help you out.
- Collect moving documentation and receipts: Print off and collect all of your moving expenses and put them in one location. You’ll thank yourself come tax time!
Related: How to Create a Realistic Cleaning Routine for Any Space
One Month After Moving In
- Make copies of your new key: It’s always good to have a spare key on hand. Also, be sure to make additional copies for trusted family members or anyone else who might need access to your home (like pet sitters).
- Create an emergency number list: Take a few moments to make a list of local emergency numbers. Be sure to include the local police, fire department, hospital, poison control, veterinarian, and other important numbers.
- Locate utility shut-offs: On your emergency number list, create a list of utility shut-off locations. This includes water, gas, and electricity shut-offs.
- Explore your new neighborhood: Take a walk around the neighborhood, explore downtown, check out a local coffee shop, visit the library, and check out other local hotspots.
My Favorite Moving Tip: How to Avoid Changing Your Address 100-Gazillion Times
One of the most tedious tasks of moving is changing your address.
You have to change it with your bank, employer, lenders, family members, friends, online accounts, streaming services, and about a gazillion other parties.
But, what if you didn’t have to?
What if there was a service you could use where you kept one mailing address forever? A real, physical address that was not associated with your home (hello security!), removed all junk mail, and more.
Well, I have good news for you.
As citizens of the 21st century, we have this amazing service we can utilize that does just that. It’s called a Smart Virtual Mailbox.
So, what is a Smart Virtual Mailbox and how does it work?
With a Smart Virtual Mailbox, you are assigned a non-PO Box physical address located at a trusted third-party facility. Once your mail arrives, it is sorted (with junk mail removed), scanned, uploaded to your online account (unopened), then forwarded to your home address.
This means that, every time you move, you only have to change your address in one location: on your smart virtual mailbox account.
Why a Smart Virtual Mailbox?
You’re probably thinking “I could just get a PO Box at the local post office.” And, you’re totally right.
However, a Smart Virtual Mailbox is WAY more convenient, cost-effective, safe, and professional. In fact, a Smart Virtual Mailbox has a TON of great benefits including:
- Protect yourself and your family by enjoying a mailing address unrelated to your place of residence
- Never waste time with pointless trips to the post office
- Enjoy checking your mailbox virtually from the comfort of your own home
- Save money with a cheaper mailbox alternative (depending on which option you go with)
- Never have to change your address (even if you move to a different state)
- Never get junk mail… ever (it’s all sorted out for you)
The Best Part? You Can Try a Virtual Mailbox for FREE!
So, how do you get a Smart Virtual Mailbox? And try it for FREE?
I personally use US Global Mail. And, you know what? I’m absolutely obsessed.
I’ve been using them for a while now, and I honestly can’t believe I was wasting my time with a PO Box for so long…
Anyways, you can try US Global Mail by heading over to their sign-up website here, and be sure to use code SARAH-L5LP33UO.HO to get your first month for FREE!
Sign Up for a Smart Virtual Mailbox with US Global Mail for FREE using Code: SARAH-L5LP33UO.HO
Places to Change Your Address When You Move
Speaking of mail, here is a list of parties you may need to change your address with:
- Postal Serice (Here is a link for the USPS Mail Forwarding Service)
- Current or Previous Universities
- Previous Employers
- Current Employers
- Utility Companies
- Security Company
- Insurance Companies
- Bank
- Lenders (like student loan portals)
- Department of Licensing and/or Department of Motor Vehicles (license, car registration, voter registration, passport)
- Professional Licensing Boards
- The IRS (here’s how)
- Tax Preparation Services
- Investment Accounts
- Social Security and Other Accounts (such as retirement, disability, etc.)
- Newspaper and/or Magazine Subscriptions
- Online Accounts (like Amazon, Paypal, etc.)
- Streaming Services
- Any Automatic Payments and Subscription Services
- Apps (such as Google Maps, Uber, and smart apps)
- Medical Offices and Services (doctor, dentist, eye doctor, pharmacy, etc.)
- Professional Memberships
- Resume
- Social Media Profiles (town name, if you prefer to have it listed)
- Family Members
- Friends
Further Reading
Looking for more moving-related content? Check out these great blog posts:
- The Ultimate Moving Out Checklist
- An Ultimate Guide to Meal Planning and Prepping
- How to Create a New, Realistic Cleaning Routine
- 24 Amazing Stress Management Techniques to Try This Week
And… that’s a wrap!
I truly hope you found this moving-in checklist useful and I wish you the best of luck at your new home!
Comments are closed.