Move like a pro: Use this checklist for your out-of-state move

Relocating is an exciting adventure, but let’s be honest: Moving sucks. This checklist should help you make it as easy as possible along the way.

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It’s easy to let some things fall through the cracks or simply forget everything there is to do before leaving town permanently. This handy list should have you covered.

What to do before your big move

1. Visit your new city and make sure it’s a place you’ll be able to call home.
2. Get out of your current lease or decide to rent or sell your home.
3. Give your current employer proper notice of your leave.
4. Start packing up your current home and all your belongings.
5. Decide if you want to hire a moving company or do it yourself.
6. Determine how you want to transport your pets and vehicles.
7. Find a new neighborhood and home to buy or rent in your new city.

Wrap things up right before leaving town

1. Notify utilities of a shutoff date, and provide a forwarding address to all utility companies.
2. Pay all your current outstanding utility bills.
3. Notify your local post office of a forwarding address for your mail, and notify family, friends, banks, your cell phone company and any other place from which you consistently receive mail.
4. Throw yourself a good-bye party to say adios to your friends and family and hit the road.

Things to do when you get there

1. After finding your new home, set up all utilities in your name.
2. Research new doctors, a dentist, child care and all other necessary services in your new city. Be sure to transfer all your medical records.
3. Register your vehicles (if you’ve moved out of state) and obtain a new driver’s license with your new address.
4. Throw yourself a housewarming party.

How to meet new people

Now that you’re in a new place, you’ll want to network with like-minded professionals but also meet your neighbors and make new friends. Here is how to meet new people:

1. Get set up on a “blind friend date.” If someone on Twitter or Facebook knows someone in your new city, ask them to introduce you.
2. Join a gym and attend group exercise classes.
3. Join a book club or other organization that interests you. Meetup that lists local events in almost every city around the world, and it’s free to join.
4. Sit at the bar at a local restaurant. It’s easy to talk to those sitting around you because it’s a casual environment where you’re sitting right next to each other.

Print it

You can find a print-friendly version of this checklist, here.

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