Lesson 1: Moving Checklist

Moving To-Do List
This is a checklist that I have used for my last two military moves.  I do not expect it to include all of your needs, but I hope it is a good starting point! I will decode all acronyms at the bottom, for my civilian friends.

Dates assume a move at the start of April

9-12 weeks (January)

• Look for new housing
• Get on waiting list for base housing
• Get letters of recommendation
• Turn in letter of resignation
• Research churches in new area
• Research jobs in new area
• Research utility companies in new area.  Collect contact info and place in moving folder (see below).
• Create a moving folder:
• Copies of important documents, such as social security cards, passports, birth certificates, marriage license, car titles, etc.
• All paperwork from TMO and the moving company
• All moving-related receipts (put a small manila envelope inside folder for these)

8 Weeks until the Big Move! (1^st week of Feb)

• Make a list of everyone who will need new mailing address. (bills, bank, cc, etc.) Print and place in moving folder.
• Reserve lodging at TLF/VOQ in current and future location for a few days before and after move date.
• Arrange for pets to board or for pet-friendly lodging while looking for housing
• Reserve boarding for pets for moving day and the day(s) after movers come, but before traveling.
• Reserve a moving vehicle, either professional or do-it-yourself.
• Draw a floor plan of your new house (if known J).  This will help you decide what furniture you'll take with you and what you need to sell or give away.

6-7 Weeks until the Big Move! (middle of Feb)

• Inventory all of your possessions and determine what can be sold and what can be given away.
• Video/take pictures of kitchen, garage, & furniture.
• Get copies of your medical, dental, vet, and optical records.
• Create method for tracking moving expenses (put into moving folder)
• Make final haircut, nails, etc. appointments

4-5 Weeks until the Big Move! (end of Feb, start of March)

• If needed, arrange for storage.
• Tell landlord about move in writing.
• Plan a going-away gathering.
• Gather contact information for close local friends.
• Tune-up cars, get oil change.
• Change your address with the post office, credit cards, magazines, etc. This can often be done online.
• Clean or repair any furniture, curtains, appliances, holes in walls, etc. that need it.
• Set up a moving budget & save accordingly (Truck, moving supplies, food, pet boarding, hotels)

3 Weeks until the Big Move! (mid-march)

• Get moving supplies: Boxes (plan on WAY more than you think you'll need), furniture pads, dolly, packing tape, bubble wrap (for breakables such as mirrors and vases), labels, crumpled newspaper, scissors, utility knife, markers, plastic zipper bags for linens.
• Determine travel arrangements for family- who will drive what
• Begin packing items you won't need right away. Be sure to not "over pack" a box so that it's too heavy to lift or may not stay together.
• Cancel services and utilities at your current location, and a start date at your new location. Services could include newspapers, home security, garbage collection, cable TV, lawn or snow removal, cleaning services. Utilities you'll need to contact include local and long distance telephone, electrical, gas / fuel oil, and water / sewer.

2 Weeks before the Move! (late march)

• Empty safety deposit box.

• Make special arrangements to move your pets (smaller snake cage, in our case) and notify your veterinarian.
• Have measurements available for any large, fragile items (snake cage) so the moving company can build a crate.

• Get haircut, pedicure, etc. from current stylists

Your Moving Week! (early April)

• Take down wall décor & curtains. Pictures with class can be packed in flattened cardboard boxes with paper and/or bubble-wrap for padding.
• Pack linens in plastic zipper-bags
• Set aside items for DITY
• Set aside items for movers that are to be handled with extra care.
• Cancel any unneeded VOQ reservations
• Transfer all medical prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new town.
• If needed, arrange for a babysitter/petsitter.
• Return borrowed or rented items, such as library books and videotapes. (get back loaned items, too)
• Clean your current home and don't forget the oven and defrosting your freezer.
• If using a professional mover, they'll pack your items for you. If moving yourself, finish packing.

• Set aside valuables, important papers, etc. for you to take with you so you can find them quickly. Don't put them in a box, especially those you may need for your closing.
• Pack a small bag with toiletries, medications, and a few days of clothing.
• Pack a "handy items box" for your first night and day in your new home. It should include: scissors, utility knives, cups, paper plates and towels, toilet paper, snacks and portable beverages, soap, pens and paper, tape, bath towels, trash bags, toiletries, sponge and shelf liner, cleaning supplies, screwdrivers, and box openers. You may want to pack linens in a separate box or bag so that they are handy and clean (not covered in leaked soap) upon arrival.
• Get cash for the move.
• Make a list of daily-used items that need to be moved ourselves.  Put in moving folder.
• Remove batteries from items that will be packed in boxes by movers.  They sometimes throw away ticking boxes.
• Buy refreshments for moving crew to eat during day.
• Weigh moving vehicles empty
• Do last laundry
• Unhook washer & dryer, pack needed materials together to hook back up.
• Document that electronics work, if movers will be moving them.

Your Moving Day!

• If moving yourself, pick up the truck early.
• Set out original-packaging boxes for movers to use & clearly mark them.
• Label rooms (inside & out) (otherwise movers will continually ask you or mis-label)
• Label closets (i.e.: husband's name, wife's name, hall, linen)
• Number and make a list of every box and its contents so you can find things easily. This also helps for inventory purposes, should you ever need it for insurance. (DITY items only, you won’t be able to keep up w/ movers)
• Check your old house to make sure you've turned off water and no leave-behind appliances are running.
• Inspect basement, attic and garage. Lock windows and doors.
• Make reservations for dinner for moving crew.

After arrival on new base:

• Sign up for Tri-care in that region.
• Update car & renter’s insurance & print new proof for each vehicle
• Check in with base housing.
• Board pets, if needed.
• Set up utilities, if needed.
• Open new safe deposit box.
• Sign up for new dental care plan, as required.
• Send new address information to friends & family
• Visit churches & find one to stick with
• Buy needed household items ( Fence,   Carpet,   Clothesline?)

• Set up new budget, in accordance with new location

1.  TMO: I don't remember what it stands for, but it is the office that organizes our move.
2. TLF/VOQ: Temporary living facilty/Visiting Officers Quarters.  Basically, the on-base hotel.
3. DITY: Do-it-yourself move.  Military members have the option of moving some or all of their household goods instead of having professional movers do it for them. The incentive for this is that we get paid most of what the movers would get paid, plus we have our stuff available whenever we need it. 
4. Tri-Care: This is the military health insurance company.