You can also file utility bills with the U.S. You can forward mail that is addressed to you old home to the Postal Service. You can also see if you have forgotten to update your bank account or other important accounts by the yellow USPS sticker on the forwarded mail. According to the Postal Service, 36 million permanent and temporary addresses were changed. You can change your address at the Postal Service in person or online. Important mail is not left unopened, even if you are only staying for a few months.

You won’t have the option to hire a local moving company if you are using professionals to move you to another state or country. Johnson states that national moving companies can coordinate nyc moving interstate moves because they have larger operations. Local companies could even be agents for or affiliates of larger van lines like North American Van Lines, Atlas Van Lines, and Mayflower.

Take the time to look through your closets, shelves, garage, and basement before you begin packing. This will help you decide what you don’t want to bring with you to your new place. You can reduce the clutter, cost and number of items you need to pack. You can hold a garage sale or post your items online for free. Or, you can donate them to Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Toys and shoes that are worn or damaged should be thrown out.

Once you have booked professional help or rented vehicles, go through the moving day to make sure there are no last-minute issues. For example, if you don’t plan to have your storage container by 11 a.m., then ask friends and movers not to come load it. Double-check to see if there are any additional steps, such as reserving a loading dock in your apartment or applying for a no parking zone with the city to allow the truck to fit. Sam Shoen, U-Box program manager at U-Haul wrote via email that “some cities require a permit for a container to be placed directly on the ground.” However, U-Box containers delivered via our specially designed U-Box trailers are legal to be parked in any available parking space.

Keep the unpacking process in your mind as you pack your belongings for a move. You can avoid disorganized piles of stuff in your new home by packing one room at time. You can unpack clothes from your closet at once. The same goes for kitchen tools and utensils meant to be stored in the shed or garage. Although you may be tempted by packing hacks such as using T-shirts to pack dishes and packing paper to protect them, packing paper is usually more compact and will allow for a faster unpacking.

Keep the original box to increase the likelihood that your state of the art TV will arrive at your destination safely. The packaging materials used by the manufacturer are designed to transport TVs, computers screens and similar items safely. Although a large box with molded foam and a lot of weight may be difficult to store in a basement or closet, it will prove useful if you are constantly moving.