Checklist to Organize Your NYC Move

Moving, whether across town or across country, is a hectic time and benefits from having a checklist to organize your move in the NYC area. From looking for a new home to negotiating a sale or lease contract to packing and unpacking, there are many priorities to juggle, along with the emotions and anxiety that can accompany leaving your old  home and settling into a new one. You’re not alone – one out of every five families moves each year. They survive the upheaval, and so can you.

The key to making a move run smoothly is to organize your NYC move – both physically and mentally. Packing is easier if you begin with sorting through your belongings to pare down your possessions, donating or getting rid of items you no longer need. This process not only leaves you with fewer items to pack and move, but the emotional decluttering can help to put you in the right frame of mind to make a fresh start in your new home.

There seem to be a million details that crop up before a move. Use this checklist (adding and removing items as appropriate) to organize your NYC move as it will help you remember what needs to be done.

Banking – If you’re leaving the NYC area, close accounts if they are not transferable and establish new accounts at your new location. Be sure your old bank has your new address.

Insurance – Notify your agent of your new address and discuss how your insurance needs may change with your move. For instance, you may need less coverage if you’re downsizing; more if you’re moving to a larger home and will be purchasing more furniture.

Utilities – Establish cut-off dates and give your forwarding address to all utilities and services including telephone, cable TV, electricity, gas, water and garbage removal. Arrange for utilities to be started in your new home so everything will be working when you arrive.

Medical Records – Obtain records from your doctors, dentist, optometrist, and veterinarian if you’re moving out of NYC. If you’ve already selected new health care providers, make arrangements to have your records sent directly to them.

Delivery Services – Discontinue home delivery of newspapers, milk or diapers.

Recycling – There are probably lots of items you don’t want to move, from partially filled cans of paint to old appliances. Find out about restrictions relating to the disposal of these items and consider donating or recycling them.

Change of Address – Fill out a forwarding address form at the post office or make the change online. Also pick up a stack of change-of-address forms to send to the following:

• Family and friends
• Magazines (give them four to six weeks notice)
• Credit card companies
• Pension funds and investment firms
• Professionals such as your lawyer, accountant and realtor
• The IRS, Social Security office and government or military pension offices
• Your workplace, children’s schools and your alma mater
• National associations or clubs
• The voter registration office and motor vehicle bureau

A Few More Tips

Organizing your move also means keeping careful records and receipts of all NYC moving expenses since you may be able to reduce your adjusted gross income (on your income tax return) if your move is work-related. Certain conditions must be met in order to take the deduction so contact the IRS or your accountant for details.

Use up as much food as possible in the weeks before you leave. Give what you don’t use to a food bank or friends. Consider giving plants to friends or neighbors – they don’t transport well.

On moving day, carry the following items with you:

• Telephone number of the moving company
• Cash or traveler’s checks
• Papers related to the sale of your home
• Your insurance policies and agent’s phone number
• Your current phone book
• Medications
• Enough clothing to get by for a few days if the movers are late
• Jewelry
• Important personal records and documents
• A box of any items of great personal value to you that are virtually irreplaceable (e.g., a photo album)
• Back-up copies of computer files
• Key computer cables so that your computer can be quickly set up
• Sheets and towels for the first night in your new home
• Personal hygiene items (e.g., toothpaste, soap, razor)