Just picture this… the boxes are sealed. The movers are booked. You basically did way more decluttering than you ever thought you’d do. You’ve said a dramatic goodbye to your neighbors and even treated yourself to one final overpriced smoothie from the place down the street. But somehow, things still feel… chaotic. Well, that’s normal. Why? Packing your things isn’t quite the same as being ready to move.
Surprised?
Unfortunately there’s a whole hidden list of to-dos that tend to sneak up once the truck pulls away. It’s just something that, sadly, a lot of people don’t realize until it’s too late (or almost too late).
The Address Avalanche
Your mail doesn’t magically follow you. If you haven’t updated your address with your bank, your doctor, your Amazon account, your streaming subscriptions, your gym, your phone provider… honestly, this list could just go on and on. You won’t want to deal with any confused delivery drivers, right? While it’s a pain, changing your address promptly will save you from missed bills or awkward calls about “important” documents somehow ended up with your old landlord.
Also, remove your previous address from your Google autofill, which will save you from any issues when ordering items online.
You’ll Forget What isn’t Physically in Front of You
Everyone gets hyper-focused on what they can see. But what about all the accounts tied to your home? There are subscriptions like newspaper and magazine deliveries, monthly water deliveries, pest control, or those random filter replacement services that still exist. These come automatically, so you might not initially think about them (sort if like how people forget about auto renewals on their online subscriptions).
Cancel what you won’t need and transfer the rest. It’s an annoying admin task, but it’s better than paying for things your old neighbors are now enjoying free!
Cleaning isn’t Optional
Even if your lease doesn’t scream “MUST CLEAN EVERYTHING,” not doing it is just asking for problems. That means tackling weird spots like under the stove or behind the toilet. And no, just running a mop over the floor doesn’t count. If your energy’s already spent and you’re over the moving process entirely, this is where you throw money at the problem.
Even if you don’t rent, but you own the house you’re selling, there are usually still agreements that the house needs to be completely clean (“broom clean condition” in realtor-speak). Sure, maybe you lack the time and energy, but even so, there’s still the expectation, so you could easily look into Sparkly Maid, or any local maid service to help you out. If there isn’t a good cleaning, expect a nasty domino effect before or after the entire move-out process.
Your New Place Doesn’t Know You Yet
Packing’s exhausting, but don’t forget to get to know your new neighborhood, too. For example, you should scope out where the nearest coffee shop is. Figure out how long it takes to get to work. Find out which side of the street has parking on Mondays. Overall, tackling these little details will help you settle in faster and avoid showing up late, tired, and caffeine-deprived on your first day post-move!
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Susan Said… WHAT?! is your guide to a life filled with style. From must-have fashion and accessories, to gorgeous gardens, stunning interiors, plus the latest for posh weddings and events. Susan Conforte McNeill is an author, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the literacy organization Success Won’t Wait! Susan Said…WHAT?! was named one of the Top 50 Beauty Blogs in the World by RebateZone.