If you are planning to move across the country, there are some things to consider before and after the whole process. One of the essential things to know is who to notify when moving. According to some research, the biggest reason why people move is that they found a new or better home. So, if you are one of them, make sure you are familiar with who to call and advise about your relocation.
Years of coronavirus pandemic recorded a growing number of relocations. 25% of Americans who relocated did it precisely because of the pandemic. If you are one of them or have any other reason to move, whether you are relocating for love or you realized all the benefits of relocating to a smaller home, you should be well-prepared and organized. Only that way, stress-free relocation is guaranteed. So, to accomplish that, don’t forget to tell everyone about the move, from family and friends to banks and other institutions. We’ll answer who should you notify when you move and provide you with the definitive checklist.
We all realize how relocation to a new state can be a challenging period of someone’s life, especially if you decide to relocate alone. However, letting everybody know that you’re changing the place needs to be done, and you shouldn’t postpone it. This task is very important in the whole process because nobody wants to deal with hassles like service laps or missed bills. It’s better to start by notifying all the important institutions and services earlier because there are a lot of companies and institutions to call or visit in person.
For every successful relocation, the key is to start on time and be as organized as possible. To achieve this, you should create a checklist with each company and service you need to call and advise about your relocation. This checklist doesn’t have to stand on its own, and you can add this part to the relocation to-do list you already made before. Creating this kind of list will not only help you not to forget something during the move, but it will also keep you on track with tasks that are already done and with those that still await you.
Among all the relocation hacks you had to learn and deciding when to start packing, being constantly updated on all the tasks that are still not done is essential. So, the best way to achieve this is to create more than one list that will help you stay organized during the relocation. This will also help you avoid the common things people forget when they move, which includes unpaid bills. Here’s a list of everyone you should contact and when you are thinking about relocating:
If you’re asking yourself what is the best way to notify of address change and how to do it efficiently and without any fuss, you can start by calling your closest people. Doing this first will give you energy for all the other things you have to do in the whole relocation process. The support you’ll get from your family and friends is the most important thing and it will help you cope with the relocation stress, as well.
No one wants to have someone else’s mail, especially because you can end up behind bars if you open mail that isn’t yours. So, if you wonder how to stop getting mail from previous residents, the answer is USPS. But, first, you need to change your address. The great thing is that USPS offers you online registration, and in no time, you’ll have your info updated. Not only is it the best way to notify change of address, but it’s also the fastest way because when you register, you’ll get the confirmation mail right away. However, if you prefer an old fashion way and you visit the Post Office in person, you’ll need around five working days to get your info updated.
No matter if it’s your first time to move or you’ve become a pro because you moved more than three times. The essential thing is to understand when and where to update your address when you move. We all realize how the whole process can be challenging, and some mistakes will probably happen. You must know that this is completely normal, and that’s why if you start in advance, every mistake and omission can be fixed. So, it’s best to contact them by phone, online, via mail, or in person at the Post Office two or three weeks before the relocation day.
After the Post Office, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the first institution you should notice about your move. No matter if you are cross country moving from a metropolis to a smaller town, you’ll have to pay your bills and taxes anyway. Start your new life on the right foot and visit your state tax agency and the IRS office. This is also a task you can accomplish from your chair because both services offer online opportunities to shift your old residence to a new one.
Why you should transfer and update all the medical records isn’t something we should discuss because we all realize why it is important. However, we often tend to forget the most important stuff since the relocation can be a chaotic process. If you are relocating with kids, make sure their medical and school records are updated and transferred correctly. And if you move with pets, keep in mind you’ll have to update their documents as well. When you deal with a pile of documents and paperwork, it is essential to have them all in one place and correctly organized. So, in this whole relocation, don’t forget to keep your important documents organized and after the move you won’t have to deal with them. Here’s a video that can help you organize your records in the best way:
When thinking about relocating on a budget, don’t forget other financial questions you should think about – banks and credit card companies. Let them understand you’re changing your current place of residence. The best way is to call their support center, but there is also a possibility to do it online.
Don’t forget to update your life insurance with your new residence. You can do it online as well, or simply call the insurance agent that will do everything for you.
Relocation doesn’t consist only of the things you have to do before, but also those after the move. However, you must contact your utility providers at least two weeks before the relocation day and be sure every service (such as gas, electricity, water, and the internet) is correctly transferred and is all working properly. You don’t want to end up after the move sitting in a dark room without water or electricity because it won’t help you adjust and feel like you are in your new home.
As mentioned above, it’s better to let everybody on your move in advance. However, there are many tasks and chores you have to do, and it’s completely normal you forget about something. You need to realize that it is not the end of the world. You’ll get everything done at some point, so you shouldn’t force yourself to do it all before the relocation day. Here are something you can do after professional cross country movers unload the boxes with your stuff:
If you hire reliable long-distance movers near you for the auto transport service, you’ll need to understand how car shipping works. But, this is not all. You’ll have to visit the DMV because the driver’s license and your car registration have to be updated as well. Make sure you set an appointment in the first week after you move because legally, you have to modify your driver’s license and car’s registration when you move to another state. So, prevent any kind of problem and make an appointment online with the specific date and time, and you’ll be done in no time.
Most magazines, newspapers, and many online retail shops have a one-click possibility to modify your address. You can also do this after the move, but don’t wait for too long because they might end up in someone else’s trash.
After dealing with all the companies and services because you are relocating to your future home, there is one big task left – finding a reliable company with all long-distance moving services. The trustworthy company can help you pack your belongings with efficient packing service and offer you a free storage unit in the beginning, for any kind of stuff you don’t know where to put. So, let the professionals take care of your relocation, and you’ll have more free moments to rest and take a deep breath because relocation can be a bit overwhelming for someone.
