Moving and Relocation

Before moving away from your old house, there are a number of things to remember in order to ensure a seamless transition from your old home to your new home.

• Change your address:
  • Provide your forwarding address to your old post office
  • Contact your credit cards and charge accounts
  • Notify your subscriptions several weeks in advance
  • Send a notice to friends and relatives
• Find a new bank:
  • Transfer funds, arrange check cashing in your new city
  • Arrange credit references
• Notify your insurance company:
  • Your new location may affect coverage for life, health, auto and fire
• Contact new utility companies:
  • Gas, electric, water, phone, fuel, garbage
  • Get refunds on any deposits made
• Contact or cancel any delivery services:
  • Laundry, newspaper, etc.
• Find new medical and dental providers, and prescriptions:
  • Ask your doctor and dentist for referrals; transfer needed prescriptions, eyeglasses, x-rays; obtain birth records, medical records, etc.
• Prepare your pets:
  • Ask about regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc.

And Don’t Forget To:

• Empty freezer
• Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator, placing charcoal inside to dispel odors
• Have appliances serviced for moving
• Remember your TV antenna or cable
• Clean rugs and clothing before moving and have them wrapped for moving
• Check with your moving company about insurance coverage, packing and unpacking labor, arrival day times, various shipping papers, method and payment
• Plan for special needs of infants or pets

On Moving Day:

• Carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover the cost of moving services and expenses until you make banking connections in your new city
• Carry jewelry and important documents with you; or use registered mail
• Plan for transporting pets
• Pack an overnight bag since you may be unable to locate toiletries and necessities on the first night in your new home
• Let someone know the route and travel schedule, including overnight stops, and use them as a message center
• Double check closets, drawers and shelves to make sure they are empty
• Leave all old keys the new owner may need with the real estate agent

At Your New Address:

• Obtain certified check or cashiers check necessary for closing real estate transaction
• Check on service for phone, gas, electricity, etc.
• Check pilot lights on stove, water heater and furnace
• Have all appliances checked
• Ask mail carrier for mail being held for your arrival
• Get to DMV as soon as convenient to have license changed and car registered; cars usually need to be registered within 5 days if moving out of state
• Visit city offices and register for voting
• Register family in new place of worship
• Register children in school
• Arrange for medical services, such as doctors, dentists, veterinarian, etc.