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How to Organize Your Move: A Complete Guide

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Moving is a notoriously stressful undertaking, with seemingly endless logistics, to-dos, and boxes, but a little organization can go a long way and turn the chaos into calm productivity. In the following guide, we’ll walk you through both the big-picture strategies and small-but-mighty tips for every stage of your move so you can keep everything under control from start to finish.

Step 1: Declutter Before You Do Anything Else

A woman organizes clothing into three boxes labeled discard, donate, and keep in order from left to right

When it comes to moving, less is, well, less — less to pack, less to lift, and (probably the best part) less to pay.

So before you even think about collecting moving quotes or picking up the packing tape, take the time to declutter. Get started with the usual suspects: expired pantry items, worn-out linens, duplicate kitchen tools, and clothes that haven’t seen the light of day in years. Then you can move on to seasonal and less-used items, until finally you’re packing up everything except the things you need immediately for moving day.

Pro tips:

  • Start early — ideally a month before your move for a local move, and two months before a long-distance move.
  • Use up perishable food and open household products before Moving Day.
  • Set up simple “donate,” “sell,” and “toss” zones to stay organized as you sort.

Need a hand deciding what should stay and what should go? Our decluttering guide has your back.

Step 2: Choose Your Packing Strategy

A woman kneels in the middle of a room filled with moving boxes. She's carrying a clipboard and there's a thoughtful expression on her face.

Before you start packing, take a moment to decide how you want to go about it. Picking a strategy upfront not only makes the packing process smoother, but it will make unpacking a lot easier.

You have two main options at your disposal:

Room-by-room packing: As the name suggests, this approach involves packing up everything in a room, one room at a time. As you go along, label your boxes with the room name (e.g., “Living Room,” “Master Bed”) as well as contents (e.g., “Office—Files”). It’s simple and intuitive, and makes it easier to unpack, especially if your next home will have the same number of rooms and you want to keep the same stuff in each room.

Category-based packing: Packing your items by category (e.g., “Electronics,” “Books,” “Toiletries”) usually involves a bit more planning as well as careful labeling during the process.

 

“If you’re moving long distance, take your first steps at least eight weeks prior to your moving date. For a local move, aim to get started at least six weeks in advance.”

 

It’s ideal for moves where a simple room-by-room translation isn’t possible because you’ll be downsizing, upsizing, or reconfiguring your layout.

Whichever method you choose, just make sure to stick with it and that everyone who’s helping is on the same page.

Pro Tips:

  • Create a shared packing checklist if multiple people are helping with the packing. This way, you can avoid double work or missed items.
  • Set aside essential items for the final days in your current home and the first days in your new place. Think: toiletries, toilet paper, a few days’ worth of clothes, linens, towels, shower curtain and rod, coffee maker and coffee, mugs, pet food and dishes, medications, laptop, and charger.

For more tips, check out our guide on how to organize packing for a move.

Step 3: Label Like a Pro

a woman labels the side of a box with a permanent marker

Labeling means less stress on moving day and in the weeks that follow as you unpack your things. While it may feel like a chore in the midst of all the packing chaos, your future self will thank you for taking a moment to clearly label your boxes.

Here are three labeling styles we recommend:

  • Color-coded labels by room: Assign a color to each room and use matching labels or tape for every box.
  • Numbered boxes with a master inventory: Keep a running list, in a notebook, spreadsheet, or app, of what’s in each numbered box. This makes it easier to track down specific items if you need to find something fast, and it can come in handy for insurance purposes.
  • Short written summaries on each box: Make quick notes on labels or directly on the box specifying both the room and items in the box (e.g., “Guest Bath—Toilettries”). This one can be combined with the techniques above.

Supplies you’ll need:

  • Lots of markers
  • Pre-printed labels or washi tape
  • A notebook and pen, or a mobile-friendly app (like Sortly, Google Sheets, or Notes) for inventory tracking

Pro tips:

  • Pick a labeling style and stick to it.
  • Label all sides of your boxes, as you never know which side will be facing out in the truck or in your new home.
  • Label as you pack (don’t save it for later)

For more details on how to label boxes for your move, check out How to Color Code Boxes for Moving.

Step 4: Appoint a Moving Day Coordinator (It’s Probably You)

A woman directs movers where to put some boxes

As with anything, moving runs smoothly when someone is in charge. Chances are, that someone is you.

Some of the duties of this Moving Coordinator include:

  • Directing movers or helpers to the items that need to be loaded on the truck, and letting them know where the bathroom and water can be found
  • Making sure everything goes into the right rooms upon arrival in your new home
  • Fielding last-minute questions and resolving any issues that may come up

Pro tips:

  • Tape signs/colored labels or tape to the doors of your new home. This way, everyone will know exactly where to go without having to ask.
  • Create a moving day kit, complete with a clipboard, extra markers and packing tape, water, snacks, phone chargers, and anything else you need to keep everyone energized and everything under control.

Step 5: Unpack Systematically

A couple happily unpacks a box labeled "kitchen" in their new home

With Moving Day behind you (finally!), it’s time to settle in and unpack.

Prioritize the areas you’ll need up and running first — the bedrooms and bathrooms, the kitchen, and if you work remotely, your home office or workstation.

While you may be tempted to tear into every box, it’s best to unpack one room at a time so you don’t end up overwhelmed by the disorder of half-unpacked spaces.

While there’s less finesse needed with unpacking than with packing your stuff, there’s still an art to it, so make sure to check out our guide on How to Unpack.

Bonus Tips: Best Way to Organize a Move

Before the to-dos and the boxes start piling up, here are a few extra tips from our pros to help save you some headaches and hassles down the road.

  • Make a “moving binder” to keep your checklist, moving quotes, receipts, travel maps, and other important documents in one central place.
  • Put reminders on your calendar for key tasks during the moving process, such as transferring your utilities and arranging mail forwarding.
  • Digitize your important documents and back up all your digital files.
  • Pack essential items in clear plastic moving bins to keep them easily visible and accessible.
  • Before unplugging, take photos of complex electronic setups.
  • Keep your essentials, valuables, and important documents (like birth certificates and Social Security cards) on you during the move.

Stay Organized with HireAHelper

No matter how much you prepare, no move is perfect. But by staying organized, you can keep stress levels minimal and make the entire experience a lot less overwhelming. While it may seem like a lot of time and energy, you can rest assured that all that effort will pay off in the long run with a smoother moving experience.

 

“Create a shared packing checklist if multiple people are helping with the packing. This way, you can avoid double work or missed items.“

 

At HireAHelper, we make it easy to stay organized with our moving resources and curated hub for vetted moving help that lets you compare movers with ease. Check out our moving blog or get a fast, easy quote today to get started.

FAQs

How do I organize myself for a move?

To stay organized for a move, start planning as early as possible. If you’re moving long distance, take your first steps at least eight weeks prior to your moving date. For a local move, aim to get started at least six weeks in advance.

A detailed moving checklist will serve as your primary guide. Make sure to declutter your home before you start packing so that you have less to pack and less to move (not to mention, less to pay). Begin the process as early as you can, and make sure the first things you store in boxes are your off-season and less-used belongings.

Continue to follow the steps on your moving checklist one at a time, and you’ll be sure to stay on track.

How to pack for a move efficiently?

To pack your belongings as efficiently as possible, make sure to start the process by donating, selling, recycling, or tossing items you don’t need to bring with you. This can significantly cut down on packing time and your final moving costs.

Then pack up your home room by room and label boxes clearly with the room name and a list of boxed items.

Finally, keep essentials in their own separate box (or boxes) so that you don’t have to dig through mountains of boxes to find your laptop charger or coffee maker on Moving Day.

How long before a move should I start packing?

For a local move, it’s best to get started 4–6 weeks ahead of time. For longer-distance moves, such as out-of-state or cross-country relocations, aim to start planning 8 weeks in advance. Get started by getting rid of stuff you don’t really need or want to bring along, then begin packing non-essentials. Gradually work your way toward daily-use items as Moving Day approaches.

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How To Color-Code Boxes for Moving

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Here’s a scenario: You’ve woken up the day after moving and would love nothing more than a cup of coffee, but your kitchen is filled with half a dozen boxes, and you have no idea which one your Kurig or mugs are in. Not an ideal start to living in your new home.

If you want to avoid the nightmare of digging through mystery boxes, you need a good labeling system. That’s why more and more people are learning how to label moving boxes using a color-coding system.

In this guide, we’ll give you detailed instructions on how to color-code boxes for moving. Whether you’re relocating to a five-bedroom family home or packing up a studio apartment, this method is easy to learn and worth the effort.

Color-Coded Moving System

A color-coded moving system is a visual organization strategy that uses colors—usually on color-coded moving labels, tape, or stickers—to designate where each moving box belongs.

 

“Avoid marking the tops of boxes, as the labels will be hard to see when boxes are stacked in the moving truck.”

 

Instead of squinting at scribbled notes or opening every moving box to figure out its destination, you (and your movers) can instantly spot where things belong.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

  1. Gather your supplies
  2. Assign a color to each room or zone
  3. Use numbers for boxes in each color category
  4. Mark the boxes
  5. Create a detailed legend
  6. Inform your crew
  7. Create signs to help guide your crew
  8. Dedicate a zone for unloading or furniture building

an example of a color-coded packing key. Different colored tape is assigned a different room, such as red for the kitchen and one patterned with bicycles for the playroomHow It Works

The idea is simple: Assign a unique color to each room or zone, mark every box with that color, and use labels on the boxes and signs around your home to match each box to its destination.

For example:

  • Blue = Bathroom
  • Yellow = Kitchen
  • Green = Living Room
  • Orange = Bedroom 1

To stay even more organized, add numbers or item lists to your color-coded boxes to make them easier to identify and track.

Many professional moving crews, especially those working on large-scale or multi-day moves, use some form of color-coding boxes for moving. It helps them streamline unloading, avoid misplaced items, and keep everything efficient.

That said, not every moving company offers a color-coded moving system by default. The good news? You can create your own method to label moving boxes for a smoother move. If you’re booking through HireAHelper, you can easily communicate with the movers on our platform to let them know your setup before moving day. They’ll take it from there!

Step-by-Step: How to Color-Code Boxes for Moving

Now, let’s take a detailed look at how to create a color-coded moving system that’s efficient and easy to follow. This breakdown will help you avoid confusion, save time, and make unpacking way easier.

Step 1. Gather Your Supplies

An array of colorful masking tape rolls in a box

You’ll need the following to create a color-coded moving system:

  • Brightly colored duct tape or masking tape: It’s durable and comes in a wide range of colors.
  • Labels or large color-coded stickers: Choose stickers big enough to spot at a glance. Preprinted room labels or large blank labels you can write on work best for visibility and quick sorting.
  • Permanent markers: Use bold, quick-drying markers like Sharpies. Chisel tips are great for big, visible labels. For darker-colored tape, go with metallic or paint markers so your writing stands out.
  • Clear Packing tape: Use this to securely seal your boxes. It also works well over labels and stickers to keep them from peeling or getting smudged during the move.

Step 2. Assign a Color to Each Room or Zone

Each color should indicate a zone or room in your new home. You can use tape, stickers, markers, or all three. If you’re using tape and have more rooms in your home than there are colors in the rainbow, don’t worry. Patterned tape works well and can be found in many craft stores. Look for bold patterns that are easy to identify, like stripes or polka dots.

 

“Let your moving team know about your color-coding system ahead of your move. You could share a hard copy or photo of your legend along with any additional instructions.”

 

Washi tape is also an option and comes in hundreds of colors and patterns, but you may need to use more than one “row” of it to get the same thickness as other kinds of tape.

Step 3. Use Numbers for Boxes in Each Category

Take the color-coding process to another level by adding numbers and the contents to each box with a marker or sticker. This helps you create a detailed legend that streamlines your move and doubles as inventory.

A cardboard box has a piece of blue tape on its side labeled clearly "shower stuff"For example, if the kitchen is labeled yellow, you might number your boxes Yellow 1 through Yellow 6. Yellow 1 could contain dishes, while Yellow 2 holds pantry items. This way, you’ll know exactly what’s in each box at a glance, and it’ll be easier to notice if a box is missing during unpacking.

Step 4. Mark Your Boxes

Once you’ve assigned each room or zone a color, you can start packing and marking your boxes room by room. To clearly label each box with its designated color, add a piece of duct tape on each side, or label it with a colored marker or sticker. Avoid marking the tops of boxes, as the labels will be hard to see when boxes are stacked in the moving truck.

To stay extra organized, include a short list of contents on each box or add an additional label with item details. This helps during unpacking and makes it easier to spot missing items.

Step 5. Create a Legend for Your Movers

Create a clear legend to explain your color-coding and numbering system to your movers. If you’ve assigned numbers to boxes, be sure to include them in the legend alongside the color-codes. Place the legend in a visible spot, such as near the front door, so everyone can easily reference it on moving day. Keep it simple and easy to understand for a smooth moving process.

Here’s an example:

Color Room Boxes
Yellow Kitchen 1-6
Blue Bathroom 7-10
Green Living Room 11-19
Orange Bedroom 1 20-24

Step 6. Inform Your Crew

Let your moving team know about your color-coding system ahead of your move. You could share a hard copy or photo of your legend along with any additional instructions. Providing this information in advance helps ensure everyone is on the same page and increases efficiency. If friends and family are helping you with the move, send them a copy, too. Even better, get them to help with the packing!

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Step 7. Create Signs to Guide Your Crew

Provide coordinated signs around your home to help your movers place your belongings in the right place in your new home. For example, if you’ve assigned the kitchen the color yellow, write “kitchen” in yellow marker on a piece of paper and tape it above the kitchen door. Visual cues like this can help streamline your move by reducing confusion and speeding up the unpacking process.

Step 8. Dedicate a Zone for Unloading or Furniture Building

Assigning an unloading and furniture-building zone prevents clutter, keeps walkways clear, and speeds up assembly. It protects your space and helps everyone know where to focus their efforts. Having a dedicated area makes the move-in process safer, faster, and way more efficient.

Benefits of Using a Color-Coded Moving System

Color-coding moving boxes streamlines the move-in process by visually indicating the contents and destination of each box, leading to faster and easier unloading and organization.

Here are some of the benefits of color-coding your move:

  • Faster loading and unloading
  • Fewer misplaced boxes
  • Less confusion for everyone involved
  • Easier unpacking (you know where things are and where they go)
  • Built-in inventory system if you number your boxes
  • Less stress on moving day

It’s also a win for your moving team. Instead of constantly asking where each box belongs, they can follow your signs and focus on getting the job done.

Whether you’re moving across town or the country, learning how to color-code when moving is one of the easiest ways to take control of your move and make the whole process smoother.

Do you need help packing, too? Hire packing help through HireAHelper, and let vetted local pros take care of it for you. We can connect you with the ideal moving company that fits your needs and budget.

Why You Might Want Shrink Wrap for Your DIY Move

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When I was a mover, we always made sure we had some shrink wrap on our truck. Like tape and furniture pads, shrink wrap is an essential part of the equipment list of every moving pro, even if we don’t always use it.

So do you need shrink wrap for your DIY move? There are a bunch of reasons why you might, and plenty of situations where it would help. But while shrink wrap can be extremely useful, it isn’t always necessary for a successful move.

Let’s get into why and when we use shrink wrap so you can decide for yourself if you need it.

What Exactly Is Shrink Wrap?

two rolls of shrink wrap sitting on the ground

Shrink wrap, also known as plastic wrap or stretch wrap, is a sheet of clear, durable plastic hundreds of feet long. It comes in the same basic shape as a roll of Saran Wrap, but don’t expect to find any in your kitchen drawers. A roll of shrink wrap is about eighteen inches long and is as thick and heavy as a log.

Shrink wrap is also much thicker, stronger, and stickier than anything you’d use on your leftovers. It’s most often used to wrap large pieces of furniture and major appliances. It doesn’t come in a box like Saran Wrap, though it does sometimes come with handles or a dispenser attachment.

Why Use Shrink Wrap?

Most professional movers use shrink wrap for three reasons:

  • To keep dust and dirt off of upholstered furniture (“OS” in mover-speak)
  • To keep furniture pads in place around larger items like OS, major appliances, pianos, large TVs, and heavy tabletops
  • To keep drawers from sliding out of your dresser, the cushions on your sofa and loveseat from falling off and getting dirty, and to prevent the doors on your China hutch or armoire from swinging open and breaking right off their hinges

shrink wrap dispenser

These are the main uses of shrink, but there are many others. Wrapping a swivel office chair can help keep its moving parts from being pushed around and possibly damaged. Shrink wrapping a piece of cardboard over a furniture pad that is covering the glass of a China hutch or a curio can help avoid it shattering, and it can be used to wrap a bunch of yard tools to keep them in a tight bundle.

Years ago two of my fellow crew members, in the process of tackling a garage, wrapped up an entire plastic shelving system with everything still on the shelves. This saved about an hour of packing, and only worked out since there was nothing heavy on those shelves. I generally wouldn’t encourage the practice, but you can see how shrink can be used in some pretty unique ways.

Since shrink wrap is generally used for larger objects, when we use it, we tend to use a lot. Unfortunately, shrink wrap is not something we can reuse, so when the move is over all that shrink ends up in the trash. Please keep this in mind as you plan your own move.

When Is Shrink Wrap Unnecessary?

One main use of shrink wrap is to protect upholstered furniture, which is also known as OS in the business. If you don’t have any OS, then there’s one less reason to need shrink. If you have OS but you’re only moving a short distance, it may not be worth the bother or the expense of wrapping it.

 

“…you want to avoid rolling shrink wrap across the floor, your driveway, or the floor of your truck or container. Even one small rock can nick the surface, causing the plastic to pull apart in pieces the next time you try to use it.”

 

Another reason to use shrink is to keep furniture pads in place. Even if you’re only moving a short distance, I’d still recommend using pads for your furniture and any major appliances. Pads can also be kept in place with tape — the same kind you use when packing stuff in cardboard boxes. Tape may not be as effective as shrink, but if you only have a few items that need to be padded, buying a five-hundred-yard roll of shrink wrap may not make sense for you.

Likewise, some well-placed tape can keep dresser drawers and China hutch doors from opening and dumping out all your stuff or breaking. Just don’t put tape directly on the wood! Pad those pieces of furniture first.

In short, tape can do much of what shrink wrap does, just not quite as well. Keeping furniture pads in place is one thing, but to keep dust and dirt off your OS, you’d be much better off with shrink.

How Do You Use Shrink Wrap?

3menmovers.com

Whether you’re trying to protect your OS from dust and dirt, keep those furniture pads from slipping off your fridge, or prevent your dresser drawers from sliding out onto the floor, you’ll want to wrap that shrink tight. You’ll notice pretty quickly that shrink wrap doesn’t generally stick to your stuff; it only sticks to itself. To get that shrink-wrapped tight right from the start you’ll need to do one of the following:

  • For something with feet or short, solid legs – a sofa or a long dresser, for example – crumple up the free end of the plastic wrap and tie it around one foot or leg.
  • For an appliance or a piece of furniture with no place to tie off, have someone hold the free end of your shrink wrap flat against one surface. Trying to do this by yourself is a real pain, so ask a friend or family member!

With your shrink wrap tied or held firmly in place, you can start wrapping. You might find it easiest to hold the insides of the roll loosely with your fingers (wear gloves!)and walk backward around whatever you are wrapping. In this example let’s say it’s your sofa.

At first, the shrink wrap should not even be touching the sofa as you unroll it. Keep it off the sofa’s surface until you get past the sofa’s edge or corner. Then pull the shrink wrap tight and hook it around that corner or edge. Keep going around and around like this until your sofa is covered tightly.

If your friend is holding the shrink wrap in place, remember that since shrink wrap only sticks to itself your friend will have to hold on until you make your way all the way around and wrap some shrink over that loose end — and probably your friend’s fingers.

And that’s all it takes to wrap things in shrink!

However, keep in mind it’s possible to wrap things too tightly, or too thoroughly, so go slowly and don’t be afraid of starting over if things start to go sideways.

Our Top 5 Tips for Using Shrink Wrap

#1. Always wear work gloves.

Some shrink wrap comes with handles on the ends, making it look like a big rolling pin. But I personally find that these handles just get in the way, especially when you try to wrap the bottom edge of your upholstered sofa or heavy dresser.

It’s much easier to hold your roll of shrink wrap loosely, letting it unroll around your fingers as you go. But be careful! Don’t find out the hard way that the friction of the spinning roll of shrink wrap will burn the skin right off your bare fingers, kind of like a rope burn. Trust me, find some decent gloves.

#2. Shrink wrap can damage certain materials.

Wrapping OS and mattresses with shrink wrap generally does not cause problems because the plastic won’t adhere to the fabric. On the other hand, shrink wrap can stick to wood, vinyl, and some metals.

Over time and in extreme temperatures, shrink wrap tends to adhere to your wooden dining room chairs, your leather couch, and even the sides of your fridge. And it may never completely come off. This is especially crucial to remember if you are moving long-distance or putting your stuff into storage.

The easy solution is to first cover these items in furniture pads or thick brown paper sheets before wrapping them tightly in shrink wrap. “Tightly” is the key word here, because if it’s loose, it won’t hold those furniture pads or sheets of paper in place, and your fridge will slip right out of your hands.

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#3. Shrink wrap can lead to mold.

While shrink wrap’s primary purpose is to keep dust and dirt away, completely sealing your sofa in the stuff can backfire. If moisture gets trapped inside and has no way of escaping, you can end up with mold and mildew all over your living room set.

Here too, extended time and extreme temperatures can exacerbate the situation. Be sure to leave a few openings when you wrap your OS (and everything else) in plastic.

#4. Don’t strangle your stuff

Yes, it’s important to wrap your shrink tightly. Of course, this means putting pressure on what is being wrapped. But, if you pull that shrink too tight around your dining room chairs or your coffee table, you can snap the legs right off. This applies to any other pieces of furniture with legs, like upright pianos, sideboard tables, and the rare dining room or kitchen table with legs that don’t detach.

 

“Unfortunately, shrink wrap is not something we can reuse, so when the move is over all that shrink ends up in the trash. Please keep this in mind as you plan your own move.”

 

Similarly, I don’t advise shrink-wrapping cheap IKEA-type furniture. That bookcase you bought and put together yourself will likely collapse under the weight of plastic wrap and tension.

#5. Don’t let your shrink wrap fall or roll on the ground.

As heavy and solid as a roll of shrink wrap is, you might think the stuff is indestructible. But that weight will be its undoing if you drop it on the floor. The edge of the roll will get dented, and the next time you try to use it the plastic will get stuck in itself where that dent is, rendering the entire roll useless.

For the same reason, you also want to avoid rolling shrink wrap across the floor, your driveway, or the floor of your truck or container. Even one small rock can nick the surface, causing the plastic to pull apart in pieces the next time you try to use it.

If you’ve never used it, shrink wrap can seem like an unnecessary expense. Depending on your specific set of circumstances, you may be right! But use it once and you may just wonder why anyone would move without it.

The call is yours. Shrink wrap, while potentially pricey, can make your move easier while protecting your stuff in a way that tape simply can’t match.

The Official Break-Up Moving Checklist

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On their own, breaking up and moving are both ranked on the list of life’s top stressors. Together, especially without proper planning, they add up to a special kind of terrible.

While it will likely take more time to move on versus move out, this detailed moving checklist will at least help you with all of life’s annoying details while you’re trying to focus on a divorce, separation, or just a plain-ol’-fashioned breakup.

[See the illustrated checklist here!]

Moving Checklist: How To Move Out After a Break-Up

Step 1: Assess your separation, then make a plan

The fact that you’re even reading a moving checklist tells me you’ve already decided who’s going to split — and you’re likely the one moving out.

But before you pick up the moving boxes, it helps to think through some logistics. If you’re in the tough situation of having to move after a breakup, most people opt in to one of these game plans:

  • Plan A: Get out quick!

The problem: Unless your ex is particularly understanding or has tons of space, you’ll likely need a quick place to store your stuff while you figure things out. And sometimes… you need to get out fast. You may find it best to couch it at a friend or family member’s house while you get your bearings, save up some cash, and come up with your actual plan.

  • Plan B: Temporary new place

break up spot pieceThe problem: So you need a new “non-forever” home that isn’t depressing? If the housing market is as crazy where you live as it is everywhere else, you probably need some time to shop around for your next home (especially if you’re planning on buying). You should consider:

  • A short-term rental (think AirBnb or Vrbo)
  • Month-to-month or 3-6 month apartment lease
  • Extended-stay hotel

A temporary home is also a great option when you have kids and don’t want to pull them out of school in the middle of the year, or if you’re waiting to move long-distance and want to line up a job first. (You may or may not need to store your stuff in this situation, depending on the size of your temporary pad.)

  • Plan C: Big change 

The problem: Separation got you wanting to move to the mountains and live in a remote cabin? Maybe your breakup has put things into perspective and you’re ready for a markedly big change… or heck, maybe you’d rather move nearer to a support network instead of running into your ex at the grocery store.

This plan generally involves a long-distance move and/or storage, whether it’s to another city in your state, across the country, or across the world. (As it can take longer to realistically coordinate a relocation like this, it may be worth it to opt for Plan A, listed above, and sleep in a friend’s guestroom until you’re ready to go.)

  • Plan D: Take your time

The problem: Maybe your situation isn’t bad, but the housing market is?

Sometimes you get lucky and you can keep things civil long enough to choose your ideal next home, sort through your things, and make a direct point-A-to-point-B move without having to put anything in storage. (Hey, it happened to me!) If so, make a plan that takes advantage of this time.

Extra Special Considerations for a Break-Up Move

  • Kids: 

The goal when you’re divorcing or breaking up with kids is to keep their lives as stable as possible. If you’re arguing a lot with your ex, it may be best to move out yourself first (Plan A above) to save your kiddos stress. You may also want to take some extra time to find an ideal kid-friendly setup or a place that’s near their school.

Of course, if there’s domestic violence or a threat of abuse, it’s best to remove yourself and your children as soon as you can. Lean on friends and family for support, and gain legal representation as soon as possible.

  • Pets: 

Before you discuss splitting up your pets with your ex, take some time to reflect on whether you can truly offer your pet a fulfilling life when you’re on your own. Any decision you make should be in your pet’s best interest. By the way, I’ve known couples to work out a joint-custody agreement successfully! You may also opt to leave Buddy at home with your ex until you can snag a pet-friendly setup.

Step 2: Match your plan to its best moving option

After you know where and when you’re going next, it’s time to figure out how.

Maybe you’ve got money to burn. Maybe your breakup has left you flat on your back. Maybe you can bench press your couch in your sleep. Maybe your back goes out more than you do. Ultimately, every moving scenario is fairly different, including yours. Fortunately, there’s a moving option for whatever your budget and energy levels are.

DIY move

diy move

What it is: You’re taking the move into your own hands, from packing to unloading. This option involves renting a truck or borrowing one from a friend.

What it’s best for: Plan A, B

People who are on a budget, good old-fashioned DIYers, and/or those who need to move out quickly. (We have a checklist for that too!)

Insider tips: Moving is a lot of work, even under the best circumstances. This is the time to reach out to friends and family — especially if they’re into weightlifting. Ask them if you can borrow their truck, watch the kids on moving day, or get help with moving the heavy stuff.

Labor-only + Truck rental

Moving mattress

What it is: A hybrid between a DIY move and hiring full-service help, this solution involves renting and driving the truck yourself but hiring professionals for loading and unloading.

Who it’s best for: Plan A, B

Movers by the hour are great if you aren’t up for heavy lifting or could use a helping hand with disassembling and reassembling furniture. Need a recommendation? Make sure to check mover marketplaces with transparent reviews.

Insider tips: This option is still great for those who want to move out quickly, but it might not be as nimble as a full-on DIY move. If you hire movers, remember to mention if you have stairs or specialty items such as pianos, as packers and loaders generally charge extra for these. And don’t feel pressured to go with the fastest or cheapest option just because you’re eager to get away from your ex! Ignoring red flags isn’t great in a relationship, and it’s not great for picking moving assistance either.

moving truck prices
See real-time moving truck prices on Moving101

Portable storage moving service

college moving pod

What it is: This is when a moving company delivers one or more portable storage containers to your driveway, you load your things into the container, then the company picks up the container and delivers it to either your new home or a storage facility.

Who it’s best for: Plan B, C, D

Typically, portable storage companies like PODS or 1-800-PACK-RAT are flexible with timelines, which lets you load at your own pace. This is helpful for couples who are on decent terms and want to take some time to sort through logistics and their possessions. It’s also great for those making a big change via a long-distance move, as you don’t have to worry about driving, or necessarily even coordinating when you’ll arrive. Your stuff will just be whisked away and waiting for you, typically with monthly billing. 

And although it’s potentially pricey for a temporary new place, it can be a luxury for the heartbroken needing a short-term, temporary move that requires storage.

Insider tips: If you’re unsure where you’ll be living long-term, get two containers! One can be loaded up with the essentials and delivered to a family member’s home or a short-term rental. The other can be kept in storage until you close on a new house or find a more permanent living solution. If you need help with the heavy lifting, portable containers pair super well with hourly packing and loading assistance.

Full-service move

full service move

What it is: Get comprehensive professional help moving from start to finish. We’re talking packing, unpacking, loading, unloading — the whole shebang! You won’t have to lift a finger, except to enter your credit card information. (Did I mention this option is usually the priciest?)

Who it’s best for: Plan C, D

If you’re able, this is best if you need support in more ways than one. It’s also a great fit for people who have a lot of stuff, are moving long-distance, or just want the peace of mind that comes with a full-service provider.

Insider tips: While this option can be the most convenient, it often takes the longest, as you’ll be moving on the company’s schedule — not your own. You may want to stay with a friend until moving day, especially if you’re planning on moving long-distance or during the busy summertime months. You might be tempted given the circumstances to book the first mover you talk to, but make sure to do your due diligence when picking out a company.

Real Talk

If you’re trying to safely remove yourself from an abusive relationship, there are professionals who are dedicated to helping people in your situation.

To get started, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE, learn where your local shelters are (just in case), then click here to seek out moving companies near you who might be able to move domestic abusive victims for free.

Step #3: Self-care is vital while you pack and separate

Before you start throwing your things into boxes — and burning that little box of dating mementos — take a step back to get some operational things in place. It may take a little more work on the front end, but it’ll make the transition to your new place a lot easier.

  • If you bought something with your ex-partner, consider selling it back to them: If you don’t have it, you don’t have to pack it. If you want to cut your moving costs or move out in record time, clean out that closet, donate your things to a local charity, or, if you have time, host a garage sale (just don’t sell your ex’s stuff without permission). 
  • Save sentimentals for dead last: This is good advice for any move, but it goes double during a breakup. For untold amounts of reasons, dump sentimental stuff in a box and deal with it last.
  • Don’t get petty: Trust me, it’s best to take the high road. No arguing over knick-knacks! It’s not worth it.
  • Get ahead of having to pick up your mail: It can be easy in our digital age to forget about this step, but it’s better to take care of this now to avoid having to pick up your mail from your ex’s place after you move out.
  • Short on time? Hire professional movers by the hour. There’s a reason they’re the professionals; they can deal with all of the heavy stuff for only a couple hundred bucks, which is HUGE since you’re probably stressed out to the max.
  • Stock up on supplies: Proper moving supplies can mean all the difference between having your stuff arrive intact or in pieces. Forgo throwing things into a garbage bag and get some quality moving supplies, like boxes, packing tape, markers, and bubble wrap. Like free stuff? Here are some tips for getting free boxes.
@hireahelper Where to get FREE moving boxes! #packingboxes #cardboardboxes #cardboard #movingboxes #movingtips ♬ original sound – HireAHelper

Step #4: Move on

Just because your move is behind you doesn’t mean your ex is. Here are some tips for moving on after moving out:

  • Meet people near where you’re going: Get back into the social scene by starting close to home. This may be especially helpful if you’re not used to being alone, as you may be able to lean on your new neighbors for support with childcare or even handyman tasks if that’s not your thing.
  • Don’t sweat the small stuff with your ex: After you’ve moved, you may realize that you left behind your favorite coffee mug or that you didn’t get reimbursed for half of the last utility bill. If it’s not a make-or-break situation, let bygones be bygones. It’s time to move on.
  • Overprioritize decorating your new space: Nothing spells a fresh start like a new place does. Put extra energy into picking out curtains, new furniture, and art for the new pad. 
  • You need a new routine: This is especially true if you have kiddos or pets. Create a sense of normalcy by establishing a new pattern. Just for funsies, throw in some things you wouldn’t have been able to enjoy when you were attached — cook with gluten, watch your guilty-pleasure Netflix show, or heck, let the dog sleep in bed with you.

More of a visual learner? Screenshot or download the official break-up moving checklist™ below!

breakup moving checklist
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Illustrations by Shideh Ghandeharizadeh

21 Easy to Forget Steps When Moving to A New State

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If you’re relocating to another state, it can be tough to manage the packing, organizing, and administrative steps involved in moving, given the unknowns of your new state. 

Fortunately, you can cut down on the confusion (not to mention the time, money, and hassle) if you know what to expect ahead of time and take proactive steps. Luckily, that’s what this article is all about!

Steps To Take When Moving to Another State 

1. Decide if full-service or DIY is best for your long-distance moving services

Cost or convenience? While those are your two major options, there are a lot of ways to achieve both.

For example, if you want to leave the heavy lifting and driving to someone else, hire professional movers. Of course, this option will be more expensive. If instead you want to go the in-between route, cost-wise, you can also hire movers to just load and unload the truck for you, and then drive yourself to your new location to save a lot of cash.

Also, keep in mind that moving container companies are another option to potentially consider, especially if you’ll be in between moves for a while. With this solution, you’re in charge of packing and loading the container yourself, although you can hire professional movers to help you with the heavy stuff if you need to.

2. Research the best long-distance moving services for your specific journey

If you aren’t sure about the above, here’s another way to look at it: whether you’re hiring a moving company, driving a rental truck, or going with a shipping container, the distance you’re moving will make a big difference in your options. 

 

“If you’re making an interstate move, you’ll need to register your car with your new state’s DMV as well. Each state offers a grace period to update your registration, typically between 30 to 90 days.”

 

For example, some companies only do local moves, which usually means a distance of 100 miles or less. If you’re moving within your state but several hundred miles away (known as an “intrastate move”), you’ll need to budget for higher moving costs and find a company specializing in longer distances.

Moving across several states (known as an “interstate move”) or cross-country moving will be the most expensive option and require a company that has a national presence.

3. Budget super early when moving to another state

How much money should you save to move to another state?

The answer varies. The American Moving and Storage Association estimates that the average cost of an interstate household move is about $4,300, while the average cost of an intrastate move is about $2,300. 

Whatever the costs, make sure to set aside time to save up the money you need so you don’t end up with a lot of credit card debt once all is said and done.

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4. Ask your employer about relocation assistance

Are you moving out of state to take a new job? If so, your employer may offer out-of-state relocation assistance and help cover expenses such as moving company costs, storage, temporary housing, and more. While moving costs can add up for an employee, it’s an investment some companies are willing to make for the right talent.

To find out if this is a benefit your company offers, reach out to your Human Resources department.

5. Find out if your new place has any restrictions for pets or plants

You don’t want to run into any trouble getting your fur babies or precious plants to their new home. Some states, such as California and Hawaii, have strict rules around transporting plants and animals. Be sure to know what’s considered illegal and prepare accordingly.

Hint: You can start with your destination state’s website (look for a “.gov” in the url).

6. Consider the season you’re moving in

season moving

If you can help it, you don’t want to spend all day unloading your belongings at the height of summer in Arizona or during hurricane season in Louisiana. Research the climate for your new home and plan the move for when the weather should be mild. 

You can look up your destination on a site like Climate-Data.org, which contains a ton of data about the average monthly temperature, precipitation, and more for cities around the world.

7. If possible, visit your new hometown at least once

If you’re moving to a new city or area you’re not familiar with, it’s a good idea to spend some time in the area and check it out before pulling the trigger on a move there. You’ll want to see what the neighborhood is like, including what types of shops and restaurants are nearby, how your neighbors are, walkability, etc. 

And hey, if you can’t make a trip before the actual move, do yourself a favor and at least look around with Google Maps.

8. Consider making a fresh start in your new state

A fresh start might be exactly what you need — but it’s also scary! 

How do you move to another state and start over? First off, reframe the situation as an opportunity. The lack of familiar faces or a sense of belonging can potentially be overwhelming, but the good news is that you’re in total control. 

 

“…if you moved to another state during the year (or otherwise lived in one state and earned income in another) you might need to file more than one [tax] return.”

 

Look for social groups, sports clubs, art collectives, or other groups that align with your interests. Hit a photography meet-up. Join a run club. Go out to local establishments and introduce yourself to people. 

But remember, starting over isn’t just about meeting people. It’s also your chance to build new routines and habits. Have you always wanted to get up early and work out? Here’s your opportunity.

9. Get your packing supplies well ahead of time

Make sure you have all the necessary supplies handy for properly packing your belongings, and keep extra on hand just in case. You don’t want to have to run out in search of boxes or tape while you’re in the middle of packing. 

Also, consider any specialized supplies you may need, such as wardrobe boxes, hangers, bubble wrap, box knives, permanent markers, and dollies.

To save money on these items, see if anyone has cheap or free moving boxes on sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Nextdoor, or check with local businesses.

10. Set aside 6 to 12 hours to pack, per room

Packing will take longer than you think. If you hire professional movers to pack up and load your belongings, you can probably expect it to get done in a day. A two-bedroom home, for example, requires about six to 12 hours, assuming there’s a two-person crew.

If you’re doing your own packing, you’ll probably need much more time, though — think two to three days for the same two-bedroom. Unless you’re able to squeeze in your packing over one weekend, you might need to request time off of work to allow enough time.

11. Figure out your new place’s moving policies

Some apartment buildings and other planned communities have strict rules around moving. For example, you may not be allowed to block certain streets or driveways, or take up the elevators for too long. 

Be sure to know these policies beforehand so you can plan around them. To find out, contact your building’s property manager or head of the homeowners association. 

12. Get your utilities transferred

The last thing you want is to show up to your new place and have no water or electricity.

First, research the options available in your new city to set up a new service. Once you’ve selected the provider, it’s a good idea to get the ball rolling at least two weeks before your move. Keep in mind that for some utilities, such as electricity, the service provider may need to run a soft credit check and/or require a deposit to approve your account.

The Most Trusted Moving Checklist on the Web

The Moving Checklist: Everything You Need to Know to Move

13. Cancel or transfer any memberships

Belong to a gym or club? Many require at least one month’s notice before you cancel your membership, so be sure to get this done well before you move. If the organization has a location in the city you’re moving to, you may be able to transfer the membership instead.

14. Have your child’s school records transferred, too

If you have kids, you must notify their school of the move. Be sure that their school records, along with other important records such as health information and immunizations, get transferred to the new school. 

While you should be able to bring photocopies of these documents when you register them at their new school, you’ll eventually need to supply official, sealed copies of their transcripts, which include report cards and standardized test results. 

15. Research transferring your professional license

How do you legally move to another state? If you work as a doctor, dentist, lawyer, or other licensed professional, you may need to transfer your license or apply for a new one if you’re moving to a different state. 

The process for transferring your license will depend on your state and profession. Some states have reciprocity agreements or other arrangements to help ease the process, but you should contact your state licensing board as soon as possible to ensure you have enough time.

16. Update your driver’s license or ID within two weeks

update license

Most states require you to get a new license within two weeks of relocating. You’ll need to book an appointment with your local Department of Motor Vehicles and bring along some paperwork, including your current license, additional identification (such as your Social Security card or passport), proof of residence (such as a utility bill or W-2), and payment. 

Be sure to book your appointment in advance since slots tend to fill up quickly. You can find your local DMV office using this directory.

17. Update your vehicle registration and insurance

If you’re making an interstate move, you’ll need to register your car with your new state’s DMV as well. Each state offers a grace period to update your registration, typically between 30 to 90 days. 

Most states also require proof of insurance to register your car, so sign up for a new policy if you’re unable to remain with the same insurer (and don’t cancel your old one until you do) before registering. 

 

“…the average cost of an interstate household move is about $4,300, while the average cost of an intrastate move is about $2,300.”

 

Along with your new ID and proof of insurance, you’ll need proof of residency and your car’s title. Keep in mind that some states, including California and Georgia, charge a tax to register your vehicle that’s based on its market value. It’s especially important to plan for this added expense if you have a newer car or luxury vehicle.

18. Utilize car shipping services if necessary

If you’re not driving your own vehicle to the new location, you’ll need to have it shipped. Some moving companies will ship your car along with your belongings, but you may be able to save some money by hiring a company that specializes in shipping cars. Your vehicle’s size and condition, the distance being shipped, and the type of carrier will all factor into the price.

One of the biggest decisions to make is whether to go with open or closed transport; it’s probably better to go with a closed container if you have a newer or luxury vehicle, although the cost can be as much as 60% higher. Be sure to get several quotes before choosing a car shipping company.

19. Contact your banks and lenders

Make sure you don’t miss any important payments — let your bank, credit card company, student loan servicer, and any other financial institutions know that you’ve moved and give them your new address. You may be able to do this by simply logging into your online banking platform, or by calling the number on your card or statement. 

20. Set up mail forwarding

mail forwarded

To make sure you don’t miss any important mail in the transition, have your mail forwarded by the USPS starting a few days before your move. Don’t forget to update your new mailing address for any mail subscriptions, too.

Make sure you don’t miss any important payments — let your bank, credit card company, student loan servicer, and any other financial institutions know that you’ve moved and give them your new address. You may be able to do this by simply logging into your online banking platform, or by calling the number on your card or statement. 

21. Register to vote

Don’t forget your civic duty during your move! Check Vote.gov to find instructions for registering to vote in your new state.

22. Get a handle on taxes

Finally, one aspect of moving that you may not have considered but can impact your finances quite a bit, is the state income tax. Some have a flat tax, meaning everyone pays the same tax rate. Others have a progressive tax system, which means you pay a higher tax rate on higher amounts of income. And a handful don’t charge income tax at all.

Here’s the latest available breakdown of state tax rates as of 2020:

[table id=1 /]

 

Keep in mind that if you lived and worked in the same state all year, you only need to file one state return. However, if you moved to another state during the year (or otherwise lived in one state and earned income in another) you might need to file more than one return.

Moving to Another State: Takeaway

Is it hard to move to another state? Sure, it can be. Relocating means juggling logistics, paperwork, and settling into a new environment. But as the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” By remembering the steps above and using the right moving help, you can make your move as smooth as possible.

2023 Study: Corporate Relocation at Highest Rate Since 2017

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Key Findings

  • 593 (~9%) of America’s corporations moved headquarters since the beginning of 2022, the highest rate since 2017
  • 29% more companies moved their HQs in 2022-23 than in the previous fiscal year
  • 20% of corporate relocations happened within the same city; 31% moved to a different city within the same state
  • 62% of corporations moved to a city with a smaller population
  • According to our survey, 72% of people would be prepared to move with their employer, provided relocation costs were covered
  • Almost half (44%) of our survey respondents would be willing to follow their employer to a different state

Whether to cut costs, gain a more beneficial tax rate, or be closer to a target market, about 9% of corporations in the United States moved their headquarters within the past fiscal year — the highest percentage since 2016-17, according to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings.

States like New York and cities like Seattle are seeing corporate headquarters move away, while smaller cities outside large urban centers are becoming new homes to big companies in tech and pharmaceuticals.

Our study breaks down where companies are moving to, which states and cities they’re leaving behind, and whether workers are on board with following their employer to their new HQ location.

On the Move: Corporate Relocation Rate Highest in Seven Years

According to the most recent SEC figures, 593 (or 8.9%) of the roughly 6,700 publicly traded corporations in America moved their HQs in the past fiscal year (i.e., March 2022-March 2023).

2022-2023 had the highest rate of corporate headquarters relocation in seven years, and it’s been on the rise since it took a dip to below 7% in 2020 (likely due to the pandemic).

Comparing the absolute number of companies moving their offices year-over-year, the 593 corporations moving HQs in 2022-23 represents a 29% growth over the fewer number of companies (458) that relocated in 2021-22.

It is also the highest year-over-year bounce in a decade, besting even the post-pandemic return to activity in 2021-22. That was a banner year, where the number of corporations relocating their HQs went up by 25%.

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Top States

Florida for the Win: Which states are corporations moving to?

Not only are corporates moving in high numbers, but as many as 24% of those that moved chose to relocate their headquarters to a different state entirely. Here’s the breakdown.

Florida had 86% more corporations move their HQ there, compared to the number of companies that chose to move their head office out of Florida — the highest net gain of any state!

Texas, the state that in the last year has officially moved their welcomed Hewlett-Packard and Caterpillar Inc, among other companies, saw the second highest net gain (71%).

Two other states had notably strong showings, Arizona (+65%) and Utah (+57%), both saw very impressive growth in the number of HQs of America’s corporations they now host.

Which states are corporations leaving?

Office moving trends appear to be relatively similar to individual people’s moving trends, at least in the sense that leaving places like New York and California is a popular idea.

The state that corporations were most likely to abandon was, surprisingly, Washington, with 83% more companies leaving it than moving in. Notable departures include media company Arena Group, and Clearsign Technologies, a developer of emission control solutions.

New York (-51%) and California (-46%) aren’t far behind Washington, ranking second and third among the states that lost the most corporate HQs, respectively.

Among the companies that left New York are Philip Morris International and the financial firm Assurant, Inc. California’s noteworthy departures include the coworking space giant WeWork and clinical nutrition company Guardion Health Sciences.

Location-based Insights

  • Florida (+86%) and Texas (+71%) are the states with the greatest net gain of corporate headquarters in the past year
  • Washington (-83%) registered the highest net loss of corporate HQs since the start of 2022
  • Waltham, MA (+175%), Burlington, MA (+133%), and Spring, TX (+100%) had the most corporate move-ins, compared to the number of those moving out
  • Cambridge, MA (-40%), Seattle, WA (-37%), and San Jose, CA (-25%) are the cities with the largest net losses of corporate HQs in the past year

Top Cities

Going East: Which cities are corporations moving to? 

When it comes to specific destinations for corporates looking for a new HQ, Waltham, MA saw the highest corporate net growth across cities over the past fiscal year (+175%). (Five companies moved to this relatively small city on the outskirts of Boston, and not a single one left.)

Noteworthy new corporate residents of Waltham, MA include biotech and pharmaceutical firms such as Cogent Biosciences and CinCor Pharma.

Burlington, MA (+133%) and Spring, TX (+100%) are second and third in growth, respectively. Burlington’s newly headquartered corporations are software companies and biotech firms, while Spring, TX is where Hewlett-Packard moved their headquarters in a widely publicized move. 

Meanwhile, three cities in Florida are among the 10 with the highest net gains: Jacksonville, FL (+67%), Tampa, FL (+49%), and Miami, FL (+33%).

Which cities are corporations leaving?

Unexpectedly, the city that lost the most corporate HQs compared to the number it gained is Cambridge, MA (-40%).

This famous college town next to Boston, MA has long been a mecca for many biotech and pharma firms, which seemingly doesn’t leave room for previous industry giants. 

 

“Not only are corporates moving in high numbers, but as many as 24% of those that moved chose to relocate their headquarters to a different state entirely.”

 

Just beneath Cambridge, Seattle (-37.5%), as well as multiple cities in the Bay Area of California, lost multiple company headquarters over the past fiscal year compared to the number they gained. New York City (-13.4% ) also makes an appearance in the 12th spot.

It is worth noting that despite the net losses, dozens of companies still established their new headquartered in New York City within the past year, as well as in other net loss cities, like San Jose and San Francisco.

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Top Potential Reasons for HQ Relocations: Lower Taxes, Lower Rent

Based on our most recent moving study, Americans mostly move for new or better housing, or for a new job. But what are the main reasons behind corporate relocations?

One commonly presumed reason is the desire to cut costs, which can mean moving to areas where taxes are lower. This might explain why Florida and Nevada are seeing more corporations move in versus out. 

Of note, the Tax Foundation’s 2023 State Business Tax Climate Index measures, among other things, how burdensome state taxes are on businesses. It lists Florida and Nevada among the 10 least tax-burdened states. Meanwhile, Texas — a state without a corporate tax — is not too far behind in 12th place.

 

“Assuming moving costs are covered, over 72% of respondents in a nationally representative survey HireAHelper conducted earlier this month said they’d be ready and willing to move with their employer.”

 

Another reason for corporate relocation is that the cost of office space is too high. Looking at office rent levels across the country, most cities that registered net losses of corporate HQs (e.g., New York City and San Jose) are among the most expensive for business rental costs.

The cost of office space is a problem that’s also been exacerbated by the rise of remote work in the pandemic years. America’s biggest cities continue to struggle with high office vacancy rates, as companies remain remote, or adopt a hybrid work arrangement.

In support of this trend, our analysis of 2022-23 SEC filings showed that 62% of corporates that relocated their HQ in the past year moved to cities with smaller populations, and in turn, more affordable rental rates.

Employee Perspectives: Most Americans Willing To Move with Employer 

corporate relocation hireahelperIt’s sensible for corporations to seek better fiscal conditions for their business. But what about the employees that get caught up in corporate relocations and transfers?

We may not know what percentage of employees are forced to relocate when a corporation moves its HQ, but we do have data that suggests a significant percentage of employees would be willing to move for work.

Assuming moving costs are covered, over 72% of respondents in a nationally representative survey HireAHelper conducted earlier this month said they’d be ready and willing to move with their employer. Surprisingly enough, ~27% would be willing to move to a “nearby” state, and almost one in five (~17%) said they would consider traveling with their employer across the country.

On the whole, willingness to relocate with the employer reportedly decreases with age; Gen Y/Millennials (~78%), are more likely to move with their employer than Gen Z (~74%). 

Curiously enough, it’s actually Gen X that seems most amenable to moving to a different state on the other side of the country (~21% of Gen X respondents, compared to ~19% of Millennials and ~15% of Gen Z members.).

Having children doesn’t appear to dramatically affect the desire to follow the employer’s move, either. Over 75% of Parents would be prepared to make a move for their company, provided relocation costs were covered, which is actually more than the 69% of Non-Parents who said they were willing to move with the company they worked for.

People of Color (~78%) are more likely to consider such a move than White Americans (69%), with ~31% of people of color saying they would be prepared to move to a state in a different part of the country, compared to ~25% of white Americans.

Sources and Methodology
All the data used in this study, unless otherwise stated, were taken or derived from the public database of Financial Statement Data Sets, available on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Headquarters location was taken as the “business address” field of each company’s filing and each change in the business address of the company was counted as a move of their headquarters.
The annual HQ moving rate in a given year was calculated as the number of companies that changed address compared to the total number of companies that had filed with the SEC in that year, expressed as a percentage.
As per the disclaimer issued by the SEC regarding this data: “The Financial Statement Data Sets contain information derived from structured data filed with the Commission by individual registrants as well as Commission-generated filing identifiers. Because the data sets are derived from information provided by individual registrants, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the data sets. In addition, it is possible inaccuracies or other errors were introduced into the data sets during the process of extracting the data and compiling the data sets.“
Only companies based in the United States were included in the analysis.
Illustrations by Sean O’Brien

Here’s How the Pros Move in the Rain

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In an ideal world, rain would be respectful enough to stay away on the day of your move, especially when you’ve planned it weeks or months in advance. But until my weather machine is completed, rainy day moves remain an inevitable part of scooting around on this planet, made all the more frustrating by how impossible they can feel to plan around.

They’re so infuriating, in fact, that I’d hoped you’d never need this article at all. But now that you’re here, and likely staring down a long, aggravating day of precipitation, here’s what I’ll tell you: you’ve come to the right place. 

Everything is going to be fine. We’ve spoken to movers, collaborated with experts, and collected all the rainy day tips and tricks out there to help you positively ace your bad weather move—whether it’s taking place in a drizzle or a downpour.

What things do I need for a rainy weather move?

Since wet weather can spring up out of nowhere, we wanted to limit the list of necessary supplies to items you’d probably already have on hand:

  • Sheets of plastic: Think everything from a tarp to queen-sized mattress bags, extra-large garbage bags, or even a vinyl shower curtain
  • Extra cardboard: If you didn’t use all your boxes, you’re about to put them to good use
  • Towels: Ideally ones you don’t care about too much
  • Extra sets of hands: Not absolutely essential, but super helpful if you can rustle them up

And that’s it! 

What should I do before I try moving in the rain?

That really depends on the likelihood of rain, its intensity, and how much you’re planning to spend on your move. But across the board, here are the prep steps that will never steer you wrong:

Step 1: Pick out some sturdy footwear (not your old, extra ones)

During a rainy move, there’s a temptation to throw on that old pair of Reeboks with the worn-out soles just because you’d rather not get your Nikes wet, but do your best to resist. Look for shoes with great traction or even waterproof boots, if you have them. Your feet will thank you during those many trips up and down the slippery moving truck ramp.

Step 2: Have a second pair of shoes and a jacket on hand

You’ll likely end up spending ample time both inside and outside during your move, so having outside shoes and inside shoes helps keep your floors clean and dry over the long haul. Meanwhile, having spare outerwear becomes clutch as soon as you notice your first jacket is so soaked that you’re getting things wet just by carrying them.

Step 3: Tape cardboard to the floors inside any entryways

This step is absolutely crucial in order to prevent tracking in water—and to keep from slipping and wiping out under that family heirloom of a dresser you were carrying. It should also be one of the last things you do inside before you start moving so that everything can stay as dry as possible, for as long as possible. 

You don’t have to be too precious about it, though, because eventually, the water and the wear will lead to the cardboard’s destruction. Once they start to get soggy, swap in new dry panels, securing your cardboard pathway with an adhesive that won’t cause damage to your flooring. (Which probably means saving the duct tape for your next project.)

Step 4: Assign an “inside crew” and an “outside crew”

Assuming you’re lucky enough to have friends pitching in, divide your team into two designated crews. One stays inside to move everything between the rooms and the staging area—probably the front hall, the garage, or somewhere similar. The other crew, unfortunately, gets the short end of the stick: they work outside and haul everything between the outer door and the truck. 

 

“Please ignore the bizarre advice out there to put down sheets of plastic to protect against water and mud getting tracked in.”

 

The point of this little assembly line, of course, is to avoid tracking water throughout your home, but if you’re moving out, don’t forget about the floor of the truck, either. Your outside crew is likely to be walking all over it, leaving wet footprints where you’re about to set down all your stuff. If you have the manpower available, consider assigning one person to work solely inside the truck. 

What if I don’t have enough people?

If you’re as low on friends with unlimited patience as I am, you can tape some cardboard to the floor of the truck and keep a few old towels or blankets on hand to periodically wipe those floorboards. 

Protip: If you don’t want to find your stable of incredibly generous friends dangerously depleted the next time you need to call on them, periodically switch your inside and outside crews, and give yourself the lion’s share of outside duties. Or, if it’s just you and a buddy, work together inside to fill up your staging area, then put on your jackets and move all that stuff out onto the truck. Then head back inside, wipe your feet well and start filling up your staging area again.

How do I protect my stuff on the (rainy) day of my move?

There are a lot of ways, and it sort of depends on what you’re moving. Now that you and your pathways are all prepped, it’s time to leap into action by answering some specific questions that you might have on moving day.

Are moving blankets waterproof?

Not really, unfortunately. Moving blankets provide an essential layer of protection when it comes to bumps and thumps, but umbrellas they are not. A wet-moving blanket is just going to soak your stuff, so on a truly rainy day, plastic covers are where it’s at.

Can my wood furniture get wet?

Listen, lots of things can happen, but that doesn’t mean that they should. Wood is porous, so it’s going to take the first opportunity it gets to absorb water. If it succeeds, that will cause expansion and contraction as it wets and dries, which often leads to warping. This means that even if your wooden piece looks the same, doors or drawers might catch or stick permanently. 

Additionally, even a small amount of dampness can damage surface paint, varnish, veneer, or glue—plus, it can encourage mold growth. Repairing water-damaged wood is possible, but it’s also an intensive and often expensive process, so try to avoid the whole situation if you can.

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Should I rush so things get less wet?

No. Take breaks. We encourage them, in fact. The potential for slipping is highest when you rush, so if it starts really coming down, you can always shelter inside while you regroup. If you want to keep things moving, haul as much stuff as possible as close to the door as you can, so you can be that much closer to done by the time the rain lets up.

Or if you’ve done all you can, you can either go crazy with the plastic and get back out there, or kick back and order a pizza while you run a load of damp towels, wet jackets, and drenched socks through the dryer. You’ll be happy you did once it’s time to get back to work.

The most important tips for a rainy do-it-yourself move

Things won’t be so bad if it’s just a light drizzle. Especially if it’s a short walk from your door to the truck, you may be able to get away with just wrapping your furniture in furniture pads. And if your furniture is also shrink-wrapped, you should definitely be good to go. For boxes and random individual items like bicycles, toolboxes, guitar cases, and dumbbells, it’s helpful to have a few old (but dry and clean!) towels not being used for the floor to wipe away excess rainwater.

 

“A wet-moving blanket is just going to soak your stuff, so on a truly rainy day, plastic covers are where it’s at.”

 

Anything more than a drizzle can soak your furniture pads and cardboard boxes enough to turn everything moldy and musty. Especially if your belongings will be on the truck for any length of time. If you can get from door to truck in a few seconds without rushing, feel free to take your chances. Otherwise, get yourself some extra-large trash bags and slip them over each stack of boxes before you carry them out the door. 

Larger items like furniture will likely call for something bigger than trash bags; try to get your hands on a tarp or a couple queen-sized mattress bags, which you can double in size by slicing them open to make a single sheet of plastic.

Please ignore the bizarre advice out there to put down sheets of plastic to protect against water and mud getting tracked in. Plastic is one of the least water-absorbent materials out there, so what you’ve essentially just done is installed a Slip ‘N Slide right inside your entryway, with no guarantee that it will even protect your floors.

How to Manage a Rainy Day Move with Movers

If you have the resources and want to give yourself a treat, there’s nothing quite like leaving an inclement weather move to the professionals.

If you know you’re moving during a rainy season, for example, or are considering a move to Portland, Oregon, or another city where rain is a safe bet pretty much every day of the year, having movers wrap all your stuff can be a weight off your mind (not to mention your shoulders).

It can also be an added stressor for anyone worried about cost, last-minute changes, or straight-up cancellations, so let’s address some common mover-related questions as well.

Can movers move in the rain?

Yes! That is unless they gauge the situation as too dangerous (which is possible, depending on how much rain we’re talking about here). For the most part though, movers are well equipped to battle the elements.

It’s going to rain tomorrow—can I get last minute movers?

Almost certainly, yes! Sometimes, your best bet is labor-only help plus a truck, but hop on over to HireAHelper at the first sign of storm clouds to see what your options are. You’ll be able to scroll through a list of available companies skilled in the art of solving all manner of ridiculous moving problems—up to and including snagging some last-minute movers who know how to handle a little bit of rain.

Can I postpone my move if I’ve already hired movers?

In most cases, yes, but in this scenario, you would almost certainly want to work with your moving company to decide if it’s your best option. And I will say, if you’re working with HireAHelper, you’re sitting pretty here once again, since the cancellation policies and overall flexibility of a mover marketplace are far greater than the typical van line. (You can’t see me, but I’m sitting over here boastfully batting my lashes, and raising a glass to your dry and successful rainy day move.)

Illustrations by Victoria Tsai

Factors to Consider When Moving to a New City

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Saying sayonara to your humble abode in search of new opportunities and a change of scenery? You’re not alone—the average American moves eleven times in their lifetime. Finding a new city to live in comes with inherent challenges, but it doesn’t have to be a triathlon of how much stress you can endure. This easy-to-chew guide breaks down the factors you’ll want to consider when choosing and moving to a new city so that finding a new home will feel more like a treasure hunt than an obstacle course.

Moving: A Family Affair First


Moving away means saying tough goodbyes to the friends and relatives you’re leaving behind—something that’s hard for anyone, but especially for children. Open up a discussion with your family about moving. Allow them to ask questions, offer input about where to move, and air any grievances they have about moving. Having a conversation lessens tensions and will make everyone more comfortable with the move. 

These are the factors families find most important to consider when choosing where to move.

Schools

How do you choose the right school for your child? Many parents choose a city based on its reputation for good schools. A good education sets your kids on a path toward lifelong learning and gives them better career opportunities later in life. Before you pick a city, check out its schools, using these tips to help guide your choices.

Type of school. What kind of school do you want your kids to go to? Public schools, charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, and schools with focus programs are all options to think about. 

Consider your child’s personality. How does your child learn best? What are their social needs? Take these things into account when looking into prospective schools.

Extracurriculars. Make sure the school provides any extracurriculars your child has an interest in, be it theatre, archery, or student government. 

Look at test scores. Don’t judge a school based solely on its test scores, but do take them into consideration. You want to make sure the school is performing well academically. 

Talk to the principal. Have a chat with the principal, and ask questions to get a better idea of what the school is like. 

Look at ratings. Great Schools is an organization that rates the quality of schools based on tests, academic progress, and equity to help you pick the right school. 

Consider higher education. If your kids are older, or you’re interested in pursuing a degree, look at nearby colleges and universities as well.

Safety

America is becoming a safer country to live in—overall crime rates are about half of what they were in 1991. Still, every city has crime, although some cities are safer than others. To avoid ending up in a city or neighborhood that has a high crime rate, vet the safety of a city with these tips:

Research the crime rate. Check out the crime rates and statistics for any cities you’re considering to see how safe they are. 

Ask the locals. There’s no better resource for information on a potential city than the people who already live there. Hop on the city’s social media pages to find out more about which areas to seek out and which to avoid.

Download an app. Once you’ve moved, use an app to keep you safe while you get used to your new surroundings. Safety apps allow you to send an alert to selected contacts if you feel like you’re in danger. Some even let you track your loved ones to ensure they’re safe on their way home from work or school.

Healthcare 

Moving to a city with quality healthcare facilities provides peace of mind should you need medical attention. Living near a good hospital is especially important if you have a pre-existing condition or need a specialist. When researching which city you want to move to, look for places that have highly rated hospitals and healthcare providers that cater to your specific needs.  

Affordability and Opportunity

Moving to a city or a neighborhood you can’t afford to live in will spell disaster for your finances and your quality of life. Here’s what to consider when deciding whether it’s cost-effective to move to a particular city.

Cost of living 

Cost of living is the amount of money it takes to cover expenses like housing, food, healthcare, and taxes. Cost of living varies between states, cities, and neighborhoods so it’s important to take your budget into consideration when moving to a new city. Use a cost of living calculator to estimate the difference between how much you currently make and how much you’ll need to make in a new city to maintain the same quality of life. 

Taxes

Tax rates vary widely from state to state. Some states—Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon—don’t have sales tax for retail purchases. Others—Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming—don’t collect income tax, leaving residents with more of their paycheck each month. Consider property taxes as well, which also vary widely. Having extra cash in your wallet can improve your quality of life, so keep taxes in mind when relocating. 

Job market

Unless you’re moving for work, you’ll need to make sure you’re able to find a job once you get to your new city. If you’re moving without a job lined up, we have a few suggestions to help you find a job in your industry. 

Economic trends. Is your profession in demand in the city you want to move to, or will you need to look elsewhere? Research projected growth and unemployment rates for your industry.

Income disparities. The same job might pay more in one state than it does in another. If you’re used to making a certain amount where you currently live, make sure the city you’re moving to pays the same or more so you’re not left in the lurch.

Create a safety net. No matter how great job opportunities look in your new city, it’s always a good idea to have a little cushion when relocating. Set aside enough money to pay bills and buy food for three to five months while you get your feet on the ground.

Transportation

Commute times are on the rise, with more than 14 million Americans spending an hour or more commuting to work every day. If you’re moving to a large city or you’ll be commuting from a suburb into the city for work, consider how much time you’ll be spending getting to and fro. Are cars a necessity where you’re going, like in Los Angeles? Or will you be moving somewhere like New York City, where using public transportation is easier and less expensive than driving a car? 

Personal Preferences: What’s Important to You?

Moving to a new city is an opportunity to start over. That’s why it’s important to pick a place you love, somewhere you can see yourself thriving. Consider these questions when making your initial list of potential new homes.

Big city, small town, or something in between?

Do you prefer that small-town feel or the hustle and bustle of a major city? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Small towns are cheaper than big cities in almost every aspect, from housing and food to entertainment and gas. But bigger cities have more opportunities for dining, entertainment, and jobs—not to mention public transportation, which can save you a bundle and even make it possible to ditch your car. 

What’s your ideal climate?

Climate has a huge impact on your quality of life. If you detest the cold, head to the south. Find humidity unbearable? Go north. A city’s climate can influence your mood, so if you’re prone to seasonal depression, cross cloudy, wet climates like those of the Pacific Northwest off your list. If you’re an outdoorsy type, research cities in states like Colorado and California that have an ideal climate and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Georgia, Hawaii, and Texas have some of the most temperate climates in the US, ideal for heat-seekers who want sunny skies all year round. 

What’s there to do?

If art, music, dining, sports, culture, and entertainment are your thing, look at large metropolitan areas like Boston, New York, Denver, and San Francisco, which will have the most such opportunities. If you prefer smaller cities, choose one that’s big on culture, like Austin, TX, Savannah, GA, and Madison, WI. If you’re thinking of going rural, choose a small town close to a larger metro so that you can easily head into the city for a night out.

How to Find a Home in Your New City

Now that you know where you want to move, it’s time to find a place to live. Finding new digs before you move means you won’t have to stay in a hotel or crash on friends’ or relatives’ couches indefinitely. Here’s the best way to find a new home from afar. 

Find a realtor. Research and interview realtors to help you find your new home. Realtors know the ins and outs of the city and can give you advice on where to look for homes. Make sure your realtor is tech-savvy—you’re going to be buying a home from a distance, and you’ll want someone on your side who’s easy to get ahold of. 

Visit before the move. There’s no better way to get to know your new city and choose a new neighborhood than by visiting it. Do the preliminary research online, but once you’ve narrowed your choices down, an in-person visit will give you the opportunity to meet your realtor or leasing agent and view potential houses and apartments in person. 

Budget. Estimate the cost of living for your new city, and budget accordingly for buying a home or renting an apartment. Your realtor will be able to help you find good neighborhoods that are in your price range. Before committing to buying a home in a city you’ve never lived in before, consider renting an apartment for the first year. That way, you can really get a feel for the city’s neighborhoods and decide where you want to live before you lay down deep roots. 

Prepare For the Move: The Nuts and Bolts

You’ve settled on a city, you know where you’re going to live, and now it’s time to make it happen. Hauling yourself and all of your worldly possessions across state lines is a mighty undertaking, and there are many preparations you’ll need to attend to before you move. 

Use a dedicated notebook to keep all of your notes and lists having to do with the move. Keep a master checklist of the major tasks you need to accomplish and cross them off as you go. Staying organized will ensure everything goes smoothly and you don’t forget anything major in the months, weeks, and days leading up to your big move. These are a few of the things you’ll need to attend to:

Find a new doctor. Research your new city’s general physicians and any specialists or mental health professionals you or family members will need to see. Ask your current doctor(s) for recommendations. Once you’ve chosen your new doctors, have copies of medical records sent to them so they’re ready to see you any time after you arrive. 

Register at a new school. Most schools have online registration forms, and you can usually upload documents like birth certificate, immunization records, and transcripts.

Change your mailing address. Submit a change of address form at the post office, but don’t stop there. Banks, credit card companies, and any websites you regularly shop from will need to be updated with your new address. 

Find a vet. Don’t leave your furry friends hanging. Research and choose a veterinary clinic in your new city, and request your pet’s medical records from your current vet. Check on licensing requirements for new residents.

Transfer professional licenses. If you’re a doctor, nurse, lawyer, aesthetician, massage therapist, or in any other profession that requires a license, contact your professional organization to find out your new state’s requirements for licensing, and start the process early. 

Start downsizing and packing. It’s tempting to wait until the last minute to start packing so you don’t feel like you’re in limbo, but if you start early, you can take your time sorting through and culling your belongings, packing them properly, and staying organized during the process. An early start saves you a lot of stress later on. 

Getting There: How to Move Your Things From A to B

If you don’t have much stuff, renting a moving truck and doing it all yourself is one option for getting your belongings to your new home, but it may or may not be the most economical or practical. Depending on a range of factors, including where you’re moving from and to, renting a moving truck may be more costly than hiring a moving company, so it’s a good idea to call around and get estimates for both options before committing to being your own mover.

If you decide that you’d rather let a moving company take over the loading, driving, and unloading duties, you’ll want to do your due diligence and find a reputable company with whom you can trust all of your worldly possessions. Here are a few tips for ensuring you’re hiring the right guys.

Get referrals. Ask around to see if anyone you know has a referral for a good moving company. If you’re working with a real estate agent, they might have some suggestions for reputable movers. Go down your list, and read testimonials and online reviews by previous customers.

Make sure it’s a legit business. Only use companies that are accredited by the Better Business Bureau or that have a good rating on TrustPilot. Watch out for  companies that ask for cash up front—this isn’t a common practice among reputable moving companies and can indicate a scam that will leave you high and dry on moving day. Licensed interstate movers will have a U.S. Department of Transportation number. Request this number from the moving company you choose. If anything goes amiss during the move, you’ll need it to file a claim. 

More money doesn’t always mean better service. Call at least three long-distance moving companies and compare prices, policies, and time frames before you make a decision. Comparison shopping ensures you’ll get the services you need at the best price point.

Considerations for Moving Internationally 

The world is your oyster—live in it! Whether you’re a retiree looking to start again or a recent graduate interested in getting a taste of the world around you, living overseas is a life-changing experience that opens up a world of opportunities—literally. But living across the ocean from your friends and family is a pretty big deal, and one you should take into deep consideration before leaving the US behind. Moving internationally means missing out on the small stuff like Sunday dinner at grandma’s and meeting your friends on the whim for a drink—and possibly big things, like holidays and family weddings. But once you’ve decided to take the plunge and relocate to an exotic, foreign land, here’s how to make it happen.

Research, research, research

Anyone can move abroad—you just have to do some research first to find the right country for you. Make a list of countries you’d like to live in, then read blogs, watch online videos, and link up on social media with expats living in those countries. Talk to your friends—maybe someone has a BFF or relative living overseas they can put you in contact with who wouldn’t mind answering your questions.  

Find a job

If your job isn’t relocating you overseas and you find yourself wondering how you’ll make money in a new country, fear not — you’ve got options. Use networking sites or social media to find available jobs overseas. Working holiday visas are available in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Singapore for those who are 18 to 30 or who have a graduate or post-secondary degree. Teaching English in countries like China, Taiwan, and South Korea is a great way to make money overseas if you’ve got a bachelor’s degree.

Plan your move

International moving can get quite pricey, so unless you’re willing to drop the cash on moving everything you own, the first step to moving overseas is downsizing. Pare your belongings down to just the essentials, then decide how you want to transport your stuff. Shipping via sea freight is less expensive than using air freight, but it takes longer. If you have any questions about your new country’s laws regarding the transportation of certain items, such as vehicles or appliances, an experienced moving company can help you answer them. 

Mind the finer details

There’s a lot to keep track of when you’re moving to a new country. You’ll need to file for a visa, find a healthcare provider, and make sure you’ve got cell phone service where you’re headed. Notify your bank that you’ll be living and spending internationally, or move your money to a bank in the country you’ll be staying in. Research how to move your pets internationally. Find out whether you’ll need a new driver’s license—there are driver’s license exchange programs for certain countries and international driver’s licenses available for those countries that don’t allow an exchange. 

5 Easy-living U.S. Cities to Call Home

There are 19,495 cities in the United States. How do you choose which one you want to relocate to when there are so many choices? To get your mind whirling, here are five cool cities to move to in the U.S.

  • Austin, Texas 

Austin has it all: Ample access to outdoor activities such as hiking, bike trails, and parks, amazing food, and a thriving live music scene. Austin is the fastest growing city in both Texas and the United States. 

  • Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is 44.4% cheaper to live in than New York City while keeping all the perks—a bustling nightlife, museums and entertainment, and of course all that delicious Southern food—with better weather, to boot.

  • Colorado Springs, Colorado

The gorgeous mountain city of Colorado Springs has beautiful weather, affordable living, and it ranks #3 for the best cities to live in Colorado. It’s a short drive from Denver, which draws all kinds of major sporting and entertainment events and hosts a major international airport. 

  • Fayetteville, Arkansas

An oasis in the Ozark mountains, Fayetteville is a fitting home for those who love the outdoors. It has tons of state parks, walking trails, and playgrounds—plus, it offers stellar live music and nightlife.

  • Hilo, Hawaii 

Hilo is a small town located on Hawaii’s Big Island, known for delicious food, pure water, and clean air. If a year-round warm climate, lush forests, and the prospect of beach life are major draws for you, you can live the tropical life in Hilo while remaining in the US.

Moving to a new city offers a fresh start and exciting opportunities for personal growth and change. Everyone has their own reasons for making the jump to a new area code, and getting there doesn’t have to be a complicated affair—with some diligent research and a touch of wanderlust, you can move to any city that’s calling your name.

We Asked 12 Professional Organizers How They Made Their Moves Easier

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While moving to a new home is exciting, it is also an overwhelming task due to all the things that need to be done before, during, and after you start enjoying new adventures and experiences. Just thinking about preparing for a big move can make you feel anxious. We reached out to expert home organizers and asked them for tips to help you overcome this task.

Read on to check out our list of easy moving and packing tips.

How do you get organized before moving?

Getting organized for a move requires a project management approach. You will have extensive lists and planning to help you keep your sanity.

  • Start with developing a timeline for your move. Work backward on your timeline to include dates the movers will load the truck, packers will arrive, the time you will be off residence while packing occurs, decluttering, change of address, optional items you will sell or donate before the move, and other items coming out of storage for your move. Record this timeline in your planner.
  • Add team members to your project. This includes movers, packers, professional organizers, childcare help, and other resources. It’s much harder to do this project entirely alone. Be sure to add the cost of all these additional tasks to add to your budget.
  • Start decluttering at least THREE months in advance, if you can. You can eliminate what you don’t use or need at your new residence. This saves you money and lowers your stress.
  • Keep your move organized with labels. Have plenty of markers available to write the contents on your boxes. You can label the boxes with a room name or assign a number to the room. Your movers will appreciate knowing that they can unload in the correct room without your direction because you have labeled the rooms and boxes.
  • Remember the “last in, first out” box, and your personal needs during this move. The last in, first out box should contain all the hardware for beds and the remote controls. These are vital to your happiness during the first 24 hours in your new home. Your personal needs items include medications and stuffed animals that must be a part of your first night in your home.
  • Keep calm and carry on! It will take a little longer than you like to settle in, even with every box unpacked. Happy moves happen with a plan!

-Ellen R. Delap at Professional Organizer

How exactly do you make a schedule for moving?

Moving has been ranked as one of the three most stressful life experiences! The good news—it doesn’t have to be. I’ve been helping people with all aspects of moving for over 15 years, and my biggest tip for less stress and a smooth move is to create a moving schedule with specific dates as soon as you decide to move. 

  • Start with an old-school blank calendar. Even if your whole life is digital, there is something about seeing your key dates on paper – starting with your move date and current commitments – that gives you a realistic overview of what to do when. 
  • Search online for “move checklist“ for a general sense of the steps involved. Most will have a 6-8 week plan. The checklist I use with clients is 18 pages long to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Customize the checklist to reflect your needs and time frame. If you’re moving locally, there’s less to do; there’s more to do if you’re planning to pack and move yourself and not use movers (Pro tip: unless your move is very small, it’s worth getting a free quote from movers – hiring movers is usually money well spent.) 

  • Make appointments with folks who can help—from professional organizers to help manage your move and declutter beforehand to movers to handymen to install your TV and window treatments.
  • Block out time in your main calendar to work on your move.
  • Stick to your schedule – and adjust as necessary. Plan for the unexpected!

By creating a realistic, comprehensive moving schedule, you’ll save yourself time, money, and aggravation and will feel in control of the process. Get started!

-Lisa Zaslow at Gotham Organizers

How do you pack kitchen items?

Use small boxes when packing a kitchen and label the boxes with the room—kitchen, dining room, or pantry—and with the contents. 

Pare down your kitchen items as you pack. Get rid of any gadgets that only do one thing (avocado slicer, banana saver, lettuce knife, etc.) Movers charge by weight. If you have a set of china, crystal, or silver you haven’t used in years, get rid of that before you pay to move it! 

Use up the food and pantry items you already have and don’t buy anything in bulk for the last few months in your old house. If you come across expired foods and spices, throw those away as you pack.  

Finally, pack your kitchen in phases

Up to 2 months ahead:

Pack entertaining/party supplies or anything you know won’t need before you move. 

If you are moving far away, think ahead of time about who can use your extra food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies when you leave. Women’s shelters often take these kinds of things, even if they have been opened. 

Up to 2 weeks ahead:

Pack up everything else in the kitchen by category, leaving out the bare essentials. You want to leave enough plates and glasses, napkins, and sippy cups for your family to cook and eat for a day. Pack all but one pot and two pans, two dishtowels, etc. Think about what you’d find in a rental unit. Leave just the basics, nothing extra. 

The day before you move out:

Pack up these everyday supplies and food (if it’s a local move). Label those boxes “Kitchen—OPEN FIRST.” Once you arrive in your new kitchen, you can open those 2-3 boxes and make due until you have time to unpack fully. 

– Nonnahs at Get Organized Already

Moving far away?

Do it cheaper.

HireAHelper.com can save you up to 40%, compared to traditional interstate van lines.

Compare our long distance moving company options.

Tips for packing your clothes

My favorite tips for packing clothes begin with a plan!

Before I pull anything out of the closet, I make a list of the specialty pieces I may need for where I’m going (e.g., exercise clothes, swimsuit, ski jacket, etc.) I also note if I need multiples, like four pairs of ski socks, for four days of skiing.

Then, I make a note of how many days of clothes I’ll need, how many nights (pajamas), as well as anything else, like underclothes and belts. I’ll also look up the weather, so I know I want to take long-sleeved tops and not short sleeves. I’ll pull out however many of each item and scratch it off my list. I consider myself a “folder”, so I like to fold these items into stacks that will fit neatly into my suitcase or bag. But, if rolling works better for your wrinkle-prone pieces, please do so! Laying out the items in stacks or rolls also allows me to quickly assess whether I need a piece of luggage in a different size. Now that I’ve secured my clothes, I can snugly fit shoes, accessories, and toiletries in the space between clothes’ stacks and other pockets. 

-Amy Trager at Amy Trager

What order should you pack in?

Begin with the home areas that you use the least because you will have to live without these items from now until you have unpacked in the new space. Start with rooms you rarely use or are mainly used for storage, like guest bedrooms, rooms of children away at college, and the basement, attic, and garage. 

Consider whether you really need and want to keep the item. Keep a boxed marked “Donate” by the doorway. Any item that doesn’t make the cut for your new home should go there. As you pack, move carefully stacked, inventoried, and labeled boxes to one side so you can see your progress as items “disappear” and the boxes are filled.

Methodically move cabinet-by-cabinet, or drawer-by-drawer. However, because there may still be weeks (or more) until you move, you will now not only consider whether to move, donate or discard something, but you may need to keep it in place until much closer to moving day. 

If it’s winter, pack the summer clothes and shoes from your closets. In living or family rooms, keep the TV and sound system, but pack up the books, puzzles, photo albums, and games. In the linen closet, pack everything except one change of sheets per bed and a few extra blankets. In the kitchen for your remaining time at home, pack whatever you can live without (e.g., gadgets, small appliances you rarely use, specialty supplies, and items). In your home office, pack all of your files in bankers boxes, and pack office supplies you won’t need daily in a separate container. Box up financial files and essential documents related to the move separately to travel with you; don’t leave them with the movers.

In areas you use most often, envision what you’d pack if you were setting up a vacation cottage for just a few weeks. Only leave minimal cookware, enough supplies to prepare simple meals, and adequate silverware, plates, and glasses to serve your needs for your time away. Then, pack everything else, leaving only your imaginary vacation essentials unboxed until right before moving day!

While packing, if you find something in the “wrong” space, move it to the room that corresponds to where it will go in your new house.

Finally, the only things left to pack should be what you will need for the first few days in your new home. Use a small suitcase or duffel bag for each person’s clothes, accessories, school or work items, toiletries, and medications, plus a box of first-night essentials like chargers, toilet paper, and a new shower curtain. Keep these items and all financial records safely with you during transit.

-Julie Bestry at Julie Bestry 

moving tips

The top 3 most important factors before moving

  1. Take time to declutter before moving. Moving is an excellent opportunity to declutter since everything has to be touched anyway. Ask yourself if you use or love each item and have a place to store it in your new home. If you don’t use or don’t love it or you can’t easily store it, now’s a great time to let it go. You won’t have to pack it, move it, and unpack it.
  2. Organize your packing. If you’re packing yourself, group items that go together in a room into categories and pack them in the same boxes. That way, you can label each box with a category. (For example, a kitchen box might also have the label food storage containers.) That will make it easier to unpack in an organized fashion and, if it takes you a while to unpack, you’ll be able to find the appropriate box if you’re looking for something. If you hire movers to pack, take the time to group categories of items together before they pack so that your boxes don’t contain a hodgepodge of stuff. Try to also label your boxes for the destination room (not the origin room) so that movers can get them into the right room. 
  3. Start early. The earlier you start organizing and decluttering, the less likely you will pay to move stuff you end up donating on the other end. Starting early also cuts down on stress and makes the move calmer. You’re more likely to get the dates you want with movers if you book them early. And if you’re hiring a professional organizing company or move manager to help, the earlier they get on board, the easier everything will be.

-Janine Adams at Peace of Mind Organizing

How do you pack valuables?

It’s going to depend on what the valuables are. If you still have the original packaging for jewelry (or anything!), use that. If any of your valuables are fragile, it may be worth hiring professionals to pack them.

  • See if you can lighten your load of any physical paper you don’t need anymore. For example, if you have care instructions for valuables, can you scan them? Or, if you have a valuation and a scanned copy is enough proof, shred the physical paper.
  • You will want to keep valuables like medicines and prescriptions close and in an “Unpack First Night” box, or in your suitcase or toiletries.
  • If you can’t keep valuables close, mark the box by room instead of by content. For example, “Living Room” instead of “Antique Vase”.
  • Keep track of all your valuables with some system. Take pictures, write descriptions and values. Consider an app like Sortly to keep track of everything.
  • If you’re using a packing cube or driving yourself, invest in a disc lock, as they’re a lot harder to break.
  • Use an inexpensive tracking device like Tile or TrackR so you’ll be able to know where your items are if you’re using a truck.

– Julie Coraccio at Reawaken Your Brilliance

What do you unpack first at your new home?

Be sure to unpack the rooms that you use daily first. Necessity is always first when it comes to unpacking. Think logically about the things that you will use first; sleeping, eating, and taking a shower are the essential and first activities you’ll do in your new home.  

The bedroom: After a long day of traveling and packing, you are going to want a good night’s sleep in your own bed. Reassemble the bed frame, unpack your sheets and make up your bed along with the pillows and bedspread. The rest of your bedroom items can wait. 

Set up the bathroom. You’ll feel instantly at-home if you get yourself settled into the bathroom. Hang a shower curtain, fill the medicine cabinet, and hang your towels. 

Next can be the kitchen, or kids and pet items. 

-Betsy Fein at Clutterbusters

How many days before moving should I start packing?

If you are packing yourself, ideally you’ll start packing as soon as you know you are moving! But as far as three months will make things easier (and cheaper) for you.

People often wait until the last minute and then get overwhelmed. We recommend starting to pack non-essential items (e.g., holiday, guest room, memories, decor, etc.) and queue them up in the garage, or a less frequently used space in the home. Make sure to set aside and identify things you’ll need during the move (e.g., clothing, pet care, personal items, linens, chargers, etc.), and as the move date gets closer, start packing more and more. By the time you are a few days out, the only things left should be furniture and a few bare essentials. This gives space to deal with any issues or emergencies and reduces the overall stress of the move. Be sure to label every box with its contents and final destination!

-Liz Jenkins at A Fresh Space

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How do you move perishable food (i.e., refrigerated/frozen foods)?

Take an inventory of what you have

One month prior to your scheduled move date, create an inventory of the perishable food you have on hand throughout the house (don’t forget the refrigerator in the garage and the deep freezer in the basement).

Create a plan to shrink your inventory

Your plan for dealing with perishable food will depend on a few factors:

  • Whether your move is local vs. long distance
  • Whether you are using a moving company

It’s important to understand that there are sometimes laws that prevent movers from transporting perishable items. So whatever you plan to move will need to be transported by you. Given these limitations, your goal should focus on reducing the volume of refrigerated and frozen food you have as much as possible before moving day.

With your inventory in hand, create a meal plan for the next few weeks that incorporates the food you want to consume. When you’re a week away from your move date, reassess what you still have and determine if anything can be given away to neighbors, family, or friends.

Locate your portable coolers and make sure you have plenty of ice packs on hand if you plan to transport any perishables on move day.

Prepare food for move day

On the morning of your move, set aside whatever food you need for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that day. If you are moving locally, pack whatever food remains in your coolers with ice packs. If it’s a long-distance move, you’ll need to toss whatever perishables remain.

By planning, you can avoid wasting food (and money!) during the move process.

– Natalie Gallagher at R​efined Rooms

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Is there a packing system you recommend for a move?

Make a checklist of your items! – It is the one thing you need to prepare for a move and the best way of not forgetting anything. List all the things you need for your move, for example, purchasing boxes and tape. Include all the rooms that still need to get packed. Don’t forget to add a list of what you need to do before and after moving, like any spaces in your home that need to be repaired or painted. You won’t regret having a list!

Color code boxes and rooms – When it comes to packing systems, I am all about setting up color-coding systems for each room, such as red for the kitchen, blue for the bathroom, yellow for the bedrooms and, so on. Then when you start packing, you can tape the box with the corresponding room color. It does not have to be the entire box, but enough to see where the boxes will belong. By giving each room of your new home a designated color with tape or even a sign on the door, it makes it super easy for your movers to put boxes in those areas.

Label boxes by room and sub-section – You can keep it simple with the name of where it will go. However, I like to take it a step further. For example, for the bathroom, instead of writing just the location of where it is going to, I would write “Bathroom Shower Items” or “Bathroom Under The Sink”. This will make it easier to unpack those items in the new home.

-Shanice Bannis at City of Creative Dreams

Should you pack by room or item category?

When packing, you should go room by room. However, this is also a great opportunity to first move items that are in the wrong room to the room that they belong to. Mark each box with the room it will go to in the new space and what types of items are packed. If you don’t have the same number of rooms in the new home, consider that as you label your boxes. Unpacking is much easier the more organized you are during the packing process. 

Start by packing the rooms that don’t have as many daily use items in them. On our last move, I started with the garage. After that, the dining room and the living room. Then came the kitchen; I kept out a small number of dishes and utensils we would need before the move. I continued with the bathrooms and bedrooms in much the same way. I boxed up the items we weren’t using daily and labeled each box for where they would go in the new home and what types of things were inside. When we got to the new house, I put papers on the doors saying which room was which, so the movers knew exactly where the boxes should go. It made our move a much smoother process.

-Julianna Poplin at The Simplicity Habit 

Now you are ready for your big day! Follow these tips (and to shave off tons of time, consider hiring a professional mover) to have a way less stressful move.

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