Check Major Appliances
If you moved major appliances, such as a stove, dishwasher, washer, or dryer, check to make sure all appliances and electronics are working to ensure nothing was damaged during the move. This is particularly true if the mover prepared your appliances for the move. Your insurance policy may have a limited time in which to make a claim. Since these are big-ticket items, you should make sure they’re all working.
Check All Boxes and Furniture
Make sure you check all the boxes and furniture to make sure nothing was damaged during the move. You should also make sure everything arrived, and nothing was lost. You can do this by conducting a home inventory. Again, if you find your stuff was damaged at all, contact the mover and your insurance company to submit a claim. It’s important to do this immediately upon moving in, or the insurance company may not reimburse you.
Get Your Utilities Set Up
Before you can check your electronics, make sure all your services are up and running. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your new place, late at night, and the lights don’t work.
Collect Receipts
Make sure you keep all receipts and documentation related to your move in one file and keep the file in a safe, secure place. Make sure you have your Bill of Lading and payment receipt. You may be able to claim your move on your next tax return, and you’ll need all the necessary receipts to make your claim.
Find a Good School and Register Your Kids
While finding a good school is something that can be done before you move, if you didn’t have the time or you moved to a new city far from your old home, you may need to research schools once you arrive in your new home. The sooner you can register your children, the sooner they can establish a routine making it easier it will be for them to settle in.
Register Your Vehicle
If you’ve moved states, provinces, or countries, register your car and get a new driver’s license, tags, or plates for your vehicles. Check your local DMV for more information.
Register to Vote
Again, if you’ve moved cities, it’s important to make sure you’re on the voter’s registration for your local area. You should also make sure you’ve updated all important files and documents with your new address.
Get Connected to Your New Neighborhood
Buy a subscription to the local newspaper or community magazine. This will quickly get you up to speed on what’s happening in your neighborhood.
Make Sure You’re Getting Your Mail
Check with the post office or your old residence to make sure your mail is being forwarded and that you’ve registered your new address. Also, check to make sure you’ve let everyone know who needs to know about your move.
Find New Services and Professionals
If you’re moving to a new city or state, you’ll need to find new professionals, such as a new doctor, dentist, and vet. While this task can be put off for a bit, you’ll be glad you know who to call when emergency hits.
Create an Emergency Contact List
Whenever you move to a new city or town, it is best to take the time to create an emergency contact list of all the local information you’ll need should something happen.
Contact Insurance Companies
You’ll need new insurance, including household, auto, and health. Find out if you’re currently covered or if you need to create new policies with a new company. This is important to check especially if you’re moving to a new state or province.
Get a Library Card
Get one for each member of the family. Once you have a library card, you can consider yourself at home.
