17 Quick Tips for a Successful Move in 2023

Happy New Year! After the confetti has fallen and the champagne has been poured, it could be time to consider a fresh start in 2023. For many, this means moving to a new home – and possibly, a new city as well. From packing strategies to finding the best schools, here are 17 quick tips for having a successful move in the new year.

Tip #1: Pick a mid-week, mid-month moving date, between the months of September and April. To save money and time on your next move, consider selecting a move date during this time frame. Demand is typically lowest during the mid-week and mid-month days. Therefore, your costs will likely be lower as well.

Tip #2: Hire a licensed and insured moving company. To ensure that you’re hiring a reputable mover, choose from Moving.com’s large network of licensed and insured professional moving companies. Take a look at our list of reputable movers in our Moving Company Directory .

Tip #3: Double-check your lease for specifics on how to break it. If you’re renting, don’t forget to notify your landlord as soon as possible, so that you can tie up loose ends and possibly secure a replacement (or a sublet) to save money.

Tip #4: Calculate the exact number of moving boxes you’ll need with Moving.com’s packing calculator. Before you start looking for cardboard boxes, it’s best to figure out just how many of those boxes are required for your specific move. Our accurate, easy-to-use Packing Calculator estimates the quantity of boxes and supplies needed to box up your home.

Tip #5: Plan and advertise your garage sale strategically. Planning a garage sale is a great way to get rid of all your junk – and make a few quick bucks as well. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! When hosting a garage sale, make sure to post flyers and let your neighbors know about the event well in advance. To find more tips on planning a garage sale, check here .

Tip #6: Notify your utility company about the move a month in advance. The sooner you let your utility companies know about the move, the easier the process of transferring your electricity and cable bills to your new home will be. It’s also a good idea to schedule a time for the cable guy to come to your new house and get everything up and running. You’ll want to make sure you still have access to cable, electricity and other necessities in your old home up until the move-out date. For more information, check out our Moving Utilities Center .

Tip #7: Keep your donation receipts from Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill. If you’re donating items to any of these organizations, make sure to keep your proof of donation receipts. Come tax season, you should be able to deduct a portion of the value of these donations against your income tax. Also, in many cases, your local Salvation Army , Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill will pick up your clunkier pieces free-of-charge. Just schedule the pick-up ahead of time.

Tip #8: Use Moving.com’s Moving Cost Calculator to find a moving company that fits your budget. Simply select the size of your move, the ideal move date and the packing services needed. Upon analyzing this information, Moving.com will then calculate a fair moving estimate from professional movers.

Tip #9: Keep important documents handy . When packing your things, make sure to keep important documents (birth certificates, passports, tax documents, etc) in a separate, clearly labeled box.

Tip #10: Save money on moving boxes by using Moving.com’s Box Center. To save a few Benjamins on boxes and supplies, head to our Box Center for coupons and discounts from UBoxes.com and UsedCardboardBoxes.com.

Tip #11: Pack non-essentials first and essential items last. As you begin the packing process, make sure to box up non-essentials (items you won’t be needing a month before the move) first. A few days before the move, you’ll also need to pack a separate suitcase or box with the belongings you’ll need on moving day and the immediate days after.

Tip #12: Notify USPS of your change in address two to three weeks prior to your move. Don’t forget to forward your mail! A few weeks prior to the move, simply go to USPS.com and choose the date you wish to begin forwarding your snail mail. When changing your address, you can also choose coupons for home improvement stores, such as Home Depot or Lowes.

Tip #13: Before cleaning out your pantry, check to see if your moving company is partnered with Move for Hunger. The organization partners with movers to pick up non-perishable food items leftover in people’s pantries and takes them to the closest food bank. If your moving company isn’t partnered with Move for Hunger, I recommend boxing up leftover canned goods and bringing them yourself.

Tip #14: Plan your move with a customizable Moving Planner Checklist. To ensure your moving day goes off without a hitch, it’s best to plan ahead with Moving.com’s handy Moving Planner . The checklist features a personal tasks list, email reminders and coupons to help you organize and prepare as efficiently as possible.

Tip #15: If moving with babies or pets, enlist a sitter to watch them. Save your sanity and hire help when moving with a young child or pet. With lots of open doors, heavy boxes and dangerous equipment around, it’s best to keep your baby and pet away from the commotion of the day.

Tip #16: Have a technician come to your new house to perform a home energy audit. While it may cost you money upfront, it could save you hundreds of dollars in heating and AC bills later down the road. The audit on your new home will help identify any hot or cold air leaks, and will determine whether you need to improve the home’s insulation, ductwork or furnace.

Tip #17: Find top-rated schools in your new neighborhood by using Moving.com’s School Ratings tool. Moving with school-age children? To find GreatSchools ratings and other information about the schools in your new area, enter your location information into our School Ratings tool.

Good luck and happy moving in 2023!