Moving to Brooklyn Soon? Here’s Your Official Move In Checklist

Starting a life in Brooklyn is a huge milestone. This young, white-collar borough attracts many new people, new businesses and new opportunities on a regular basis. That’s why there’s so much to do that you might be feeling stressed out about how to get through the move without missing anything important. What can you do to ensure that you are as prepared as possible?

You can create the ultimate checklist!

Moving into a new place is always stressful, and organizational tools can help to get things in line. By having a checklist to handle the major details of the move, you can feel more at ease with the process and ensure that you don’t forget anything major.

Check out this standard move-in checklist for those moving to Brooklyn. While your specific situation might require additional items, this is a great place to start when organizing your move.

Photo by Matthew LeJune on Unsplash

Two Months Before The Move

These are the things that you should do well before you actually need to move. Doing these things will help the actual moving process to be easier as you approach the big day. Space these tasks out in the weeks leading up to the move so that you are not as stressed.

• Donate or sell any belongings that you do not want to bring with you.
• Make a categorized list of what you plan to move with you; this will help down the line.
• Plan the layout of your future apartment, so you know how to pack things and where to unpack things.
• Decide what type of moving company you want to work with and how much you are willing to pay; start budgeting for this cost; book the movers well in advance.
• Take time off of work for the move.

One Month Before The Move

As you get closer to the move-in date, your priority should shift to packing, labeling, and processing documents needed for the move.

• Finish donating everything that you don’t want to bring with you.
• Create labels and a spreadsheet to organize the belongings for your more.
• Start packing nonessential items that can stay in boxes until the actual move.
• Let banks, work, post offices, and other essential locations know your new address and when it takes effect.
• Pack valuables separately and plan to move them yourself, especially if you only have limited mover insurance.
• Plan any touch ups you might need to do on your current home if renting.

Two Weeks Before The Move

The day is getting closer! It’s time to get serious about moving. This is likely to be the most stressful time as the day gets closer and the task list gets longer. Stay focused, and it will all be okay.

• Clean and do any necessary repairs to your current apartment, if applicable. 
• Connect with the movers to ensure everything is still lined up for the day of the move.
• Back up your computer and any other electronics before the move.
• Limit food items that you buy and try to begin cleaning out food items; consider making food in bulk for the next two weeks.
• Pack up more items, leaving out just enough essentials to get through the move.
• Plan pet and child care for the day of the move so that it will be less stressful.

One Week Before The Move

Almost there! It’s crunch week; here’s what you should be focused on.

• Refill medicines and transfer prescriptions to a new pharmacy, if applicable.
• Clean out your refrigerator, donating any excess food.
• Finish packing; keep aside an essential bag for 2-3 days so you can be comfortable your first few nights in the new place.
• Call utility companies to make sure you will have everything set up when you arrive in your new place.

Days Before The Move

This is the end of the line; wrap up these things now:

• Finish tossing any food that is left.
• Finish cleaning up anything that might have gotten messy while packing.
• Print floor plans for yourself and the movers if they know where to put things.
• Take photos of your current apartment before leaving for good and of the new apartment before moving in. Check for bugs or other major issues.

Moving Day

It’s time. Here’s what you’ll be focused on during the big day:

• Pass keys off to the old landlord, if applicable.
• Keep track of your item inventory list as things are packed up.
• Triple-check every room to ensure nothing is left behind.
• At the new location, confirm that everything on your inventory list has been unloaded.
• Direct movers to play large pieces, such as furniture, in the correct locations so you don’t have to move them yourself later on.
• Set up your bed so you have somewhere to sleep.
• Grab your essentials bag so you are comfortable tonight.

That’s it! From here, you’ll be working on making things truly feel like home, but the hardest part is over. Welcome home!