Your Relocation Moving Checklist

Moving can be daunting, but relocating to an urban city such as Los Angeles can add complexity, as you pack your belongings, navigate around different neighborhoods, decide where to live, and find a new home. The best way to get everything done is by making a checklist. Everyone’s list will be different, but we’ve outlined some relocating tips from real estate experts to help you get started.

Plan how to move heavy or bulky items

Packing up clothing, kitchenware, and other possessions can be time-consuming but it’s really about putting everything in boxes. Furniture will be handled by your movers, but what about items that don’t fit those categories? Like bicycles, surfboards, or musical instruments? You’ll need to think about how you will move those things in advance, by buying special packing equipment, or if it’s an expensive or technical possession— like a piano — hiring a service to move it on its own.

Plan for the costs of getting there: Transportation, food, and temporary housing

Relocating to a new city or state can add expenses that you may not have if you are moving to a new house in the same town. You might have travel costs like airfare, meals, and lodging — especially if you want to scope out your new community before deciding where to settle. The good news is that you can deduct these expenses from your taxes if you are moving more than 50 miles.

Account for temporary housing

Sometimes the stars align and you sell or end the lease on one home and immediately move to a new one. However, especially if you need to move quickly for a new job, there may be a gap between your two homes. Temporary apartments like Airbnb, HomeAway, or short-term corporate housing will save you money with a kitchen and other amenities that hotels don’t offer.

Pack a bag like you are going on a short vacation

Organization is your best friend when you are planning for a big move, and part of that is packing away what you don’t immediately need, and keeping essentials with you. If you will be in a temporary house for a few days or weeks, pack one bag for each person in your family as if you were going on vacation. In that suitcase, you’ll have day-to-day necessities, like clothing, toiletries, medications, and even a favorite book or toy for children. That way, you won’t have to worry about searching for something that accidentally got packed away in storage.

Storing your stuff

If there is a gap between when you move from your old home to your new one then you’ll need to store everything while you are house hunting. Research storage options in your new city, like a self-storage unit, or a service like SmartBox, which will take your packed items and store them until your new home is ready.

Finding a relocation specialist 

Since a relocation move is a bit different than other types of moves, hiring an expert is key. Burgess is a relocation specialist and we can help you with a move to Los Angeles or anywhere else.