The 30/60/90-Day Moving Checklist: A Calm Path to a Big Move

A move is a project, and like any project it works best when you break it into phases. Here's what to do, and when, for a move 500+ miles away.

90 days out

1. 01Confirm the move date in writing with your employer (if applicable)
2. 02Request 3 interstate-mover quotes (USDOT number required, not optional)
3. 03Begin decluttering — one room per week
4. 04Pull current and target city school district enrollment deadlines
5. 05Open a savings sub-account labeled 'Move' and start funding it
6. 06Notify your landlord per the lease (60 days is typical; check yours)
7. 07Take photos of your current home for the security deposit return file
8. 08Research auto registration deadlines in the new state (often 30 days)
9. 09Get your kids' medical and dental records in digital form
10. 10Identify a primary care physician taking new patients in the new city

60 days out

1. 01Sign with one moving company; review the binding-estimate vs. non-binding clause
2. 02Order packing supplies or confirm what the movers will bring
3. 03Forward mail with USPS effective on your move date (do this 2 weeks out, not earlier)
4. 04Cancel local subscriptions: gym, CSA, parking permit
5. 05Schedule utility shutoff at current home for move day +1
6. 06Schedule utility setup at new home for move day -1
7. 07Reserve elevators or parking at both ends if you're in a building
8. 08Request school records transfer; some districts need 4 weeks
9. 09Update voter registration (online in most states)
10. 10Plan one farewell with people who matter — you'll regret skipping it

30 days out

1. 01Use up freezer, pantry, cleaning supplies — don't pack consumables
2. 02Confirm pet travel logistics (carriers, sedation if needed, vet records)
3. 03Update insurance: auto, renters/homeowners, health
4. 04Pull cash for moving-day tips ($50–100 per mover is standard)
5. 05Drain gas from any equipment movers won't take
6. 06Set up a 'first week' box: sheets, towels, coffee maker, basic tools
7. 07Confirm the moving truck arrival window and parking
8. 08Tell neighbors — both old and new — your move date
9. 09Print or save offline: lease, mover contract, route map, hotel reservations
10. 10Take a 2-hour walk in your old neighborhood. You'll miss it more than you expect.

Move week

• Pack a 'do not pack' box — IDs, medications, devices, chargers, kids' lovies
• Confirm everything in writing: arrival times, contact numbers, payment terms
• Inspect the empty home before handing back keys; photograph every room
• Keep moving receipts — interstate moves can be tax-deductible for active-duty military

First 30 days in the new city

1. 01Register cars and update driver's licenses
2. 02Set up new utilities permanently (sometimes you start on a temporary account)
3. 03Find a primary care doctor and schedule an intro visit
4. 04Walk your neighborhood at least once a day for the first week
5. 05Sign up for one recurring local activity — gym, choir, run club, anything
6. 06Ask three locals for their favorite restaurant — visit all three