Moving Tips

Here is a useful guide of tips and resources for your moving experience.

Packing Tips

Finding Boxes

There are many places to get free or inexpensive boxes:

  • Grocery stores, liquor stores, or large discount stores
  • Neighbors and friends who have just moved
  • Your workplace
  • Truck rental companies that sell sturdy boxes, new and used.

Packing Materials
If you need packing material, try these common items:

  • Linens and towels
  • Newspapers, blank newsprint, tissue paper
  • Bubble wrap or plastic and paper bag

How to Pack
When you pack, do one room at a time, and remember the following:

  • Reinforce the bottom of boxes with tape
  • Wrap fragile items individually and pack with padding in between
  • Tape plastic bags with the hardware for furniture or lamps to each item
  • Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in large boxes
  • Put all lamp shades together in one box

What to Pack
It's best not to move canned foods (they're heavy and expensive to move), perishable foods (they will spoil), old magazines or flamable materials (motor oil, gas from your grill, paints and solvents).

Right now you could be housing dangerous products. Leftover cleaning chemicals, pesticides, automotive fluids, batteries and paint pose a threat to human health and the environment if disposed of improperly. Call 1-800-CLEANUP to learn about where you can dispose of household hazardous waste.

Stay Connected

Phone
At least a week before you move, call your local phone company to get your new number(s). Then call your long distance phone company to ensure uninterrupted service for your long distance calling plans, reward programs, etc.

Cable
When you have your cable service disconnected at your old address, arrange to have the control box picked up to avoid charges. Call your new service to have your cable hooked up at your new home on the day you move in.

Services and Utilities
We'll provide you with the information to setup your new electricity account before your move.

When transferring utilities have your account number, new address, and a driver's license or social security number ready for identification. Have service turned off at your old address the day after you move out, and request that any deposits be returned.

Cancel (or transfer, if appropriate) newspaper delivery at your old address.

Getting Mail

Change of Address
Getting a change of address for your mail involves only 3 easy steps:

  • To ensure timely mail forwarding, pick up a Change of Address Form (PS 3575) 30 days prior to your move.
  • The post office will send your household an official Address Confirmation letter with information about your new neighborhood and valuable coupons to help you get settled!
  • Be sure to let everyone know you're moving by using Address Change Notification cards (PS 3576) available at your local post office.

What Gets Forwarded

  • First-Class, Priority, and Express Mail: All forwarded for 12 months at no charge.
  • Periodicals: (Newspapers, and Magazines), forwarded for 60 days at no charge.
  • Standard Mail (A): (Circulars, books, catalogs, and advertising mail under 16 ounces.), not forwarded unless requested by the mailer.
  • Standard mail (B): (Packages weighing 16 ounces or more), forwarded locally for 12 months at no charge. You pay forwarding charges if you move outside the local area.

Visit the US Postal Service's MoversGuide.com for additional information.