Moving to a new home can be a hassle but moving to a new city brings a load of additional things to take into account. Just like anything else in life, when you're prepared ahead of time and know what to expect, moving to a new city can be an uncomplicated and fun experience!

Below is our brief guide to help you have a flawless home move to a new location.

Begin With a List

The process of moving to a new city begins long before you pack your bags and head out to your new destination. Before you do anything else, start a checklist of the things you'll need to do to be ready for moving today.

As you go through your list, tick off the boxes. And definitely, don't forget to update your list as new issues come up!

Things to include on your list:

• Getting prices for a moving company and/or packing supplies.
• Planning your route or buying plane/bus/train tickets.
• Making a moving expenses budget.
• A plan for packing items you'll be taking with you.
• A plan for the items you won't be taking with you.
• Listing all the steps you'll need to take once you get to your new home.
• Items to be researched.
• Servicing your car and making sure that it's ready for the big trip.
• Names, numbers, and/or email addresses for people whom you need to inform about your move.

Change of Address

You'll need to inform the post office and local registry once you move to your new location. It's usually a good idea to have your mail forwarded for a while. You can arrange for mail forwarding on the Canada Post website.

Packing Plan

Your packing plan should be on your list, but it's a good idea to break down all the steps you'll need to take. 

This can include:

• Getting boxes and other packing materials.
• Research what you need to do to move pets and/or plants across international/province borders, if applicable.
• Sorting items to determine what you plan to keep and what you won't.
• Getting price estimates from moving companies or for renting a vehicle.

For items that you won't be taking with you, you can donate them to a charity, give them away to friends/family, or sell them. It's a really good idea to do this at least three weeks before you leave to make sure you have enough time to pack up and move what you will be taking with you. 

If you plan on moving some of your items later, you'll need to arrange for temporary storage.

Once you've sorted and disposed of everything you won't be taking with you, it's time to pack. Moving experts recommend packing one room at a time, being careful to label the box with both its intended future room as well as its contents.

Pets and Plants

Moving your pets and plants can pose special challenges. Provincial and international laws may prohibit transporting live plants across borders, so be sure to do your research. Plants can be sensitive to the rigours of moving, so in some cases, it may be better to bring seeds or cuttings. If your move will take more than 24 hours, you may need to take out your plants each evening and ensure that they get some light.

Likewise, make sure that you have a plan in place for moving your pets. If needed, visit the veterinarian and make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date and in order. If you're flying, make sure the airline knows you'll be transporting an animal, and follow all their guidelines.

Researching Your New City

The best way to eliminate stress about moving to your new city is to be very familiar with it before you even arrive.

This can include:

• Using Google's Streetview capability (via Google Maps) to "look around" your new neighbourhood.
• Find the nearest grocery stores, cafes, and restaurants.
• Planning your driving route from your current house to your new home.
• Planning a commute route to your school/job from your new home.
• Finding nearby attractions like parks, malls, libraries, and entertainment venues.
• Browsing the new city's website.
• Getting the contact information for utility companies.
• Reading blogs or Facebook groups from locals in your new city.
• Reading the local news section of your new city's newspaper.
• Look for meetups, social events, or activities in your new city.

Wind-Down Plan

Once all your boxes are loaded up, it will be time to execute your plan for leaving your old house. This includes:

• Thoroughly cleaning your old house.
• Shutting off the utilities.
• Informing your school/job of your new address.
• Informing your bank and/or credit card companies of your new address.
• Updating/closing any subscriptions to magazines, catalogues, or newspapers.
• Updating your driver's license and other identification cards to reflect your new address.
• Informing friends/family/coworkers of a new telephone number, if applicable.
• Forwarding your mail.
• Remove any remaining personal items like garden statues, door adornments, and other exterior decorations.

With a good plan in place and a checklist that's constantly updated, you'll be on top of every aspect of your move. For such an important event in your life, it's essential that you block out enough time to do research and add list items so you're always on track. With enough time and preparation, your move to a new city will be an enjoyable and stress-free experience.

Photo credits: couple in new house, woman with boxes, couple on laptop