How to Move In

Now that you've moved in, you can relax, but just a little. According to our moving checklist, there's still a lot to do besides unpack.

Whenever we move into a new place, the first thing I do is make note of all the things that need to be cleaned. Since it's rare that we move locally, we usually don't have a chance to do a thorough clean before our stuff arrives; instead, we have to clean around our things, which is not ideal, but does work. It just requires a little more patience.

One of the great things about moving is the chance to start over in a new place, and by using floor plans, you can create a unique space that works well for you.

With the help of some great online tools, creating that perfect new space is even easier. As I've mentioned in previous articles, we're in the process of planning our next move. And since we already know what the layout of our new home will be, I'm starting to plan where everything will fit.

If you're like me and you really don't like to unpack, then getting all that stuff out of boxes can be a nightmare; you need to create a plan to get it done or it'll never get done. You'll end up having to sort through boxes six months from now. The first rule of thumb, then, is to get organized. But how do you do that?

After our last moving adventure, I was determined to get rid of the clutter and keep our closets organized and user-friendly. The following tips have been compiled from our many moves and submitted by friends and family who have organization down to a fine science.

Moving to a new city, town, state/province or country means setting up utilities in another area where your current suppliers may not provide service. If this is the case, disconnecting and reconnecting utilities can take a bit of time and juggling to ensure that your lights, heat and other services are functioning.

One of the first things I do when moving into a new neighborhood or city is to record the emergency numbers and post them on our fridge or next to the main phone. To locate the phone numbers you can either check the Internet, or ask your phone company to deliver a phone book when they set up your service.

It's a good idea to make sure you have all your moving receipts in order. When it comes time to submit your personal taxes, you might just be able to write off all those moving expenses.

After a move, an important step in unpacking is to take a home inventory. You want to make sure that all your items made it to your new place without damage or loss.

If you purchased moving insurance, and some of your items are missing or damaged, then you need to submit a claim. Be aware that this will take time, patience and persistence to get the claim through.

If you had problems with your movers, it's a good idea to lodge a formal complaint. Not only will you ensure that the company responds to your problem, but you'll help others who are in the same situation as you.