There are so many things to think about when you’re moving. Unfortunately, worrying about something important falling through the cracks only adds to the stress you are already experiencing.
Along with packing, donating, cleaning and disassembling everything in your home, you must ensure that your new place is set up for moving in. On top of that, you want the peace of mind from knowing that you haven’t left anything personal behind — or that the new tenants won’t have access to something of yours long after you’re gone.
One important task that you won’t want to skip is to transfer or cancel all of the services, subscriptions and recurring orders you currently have in place. While that list will be unique for every household, this comprehensive checklist can help you handle these changes to ease the moving process.
1. Utilities
Depending on where you are moving, you will need to transfer utility services, such as electricity, gas, water and trash pickup, from your current address to your new one, or cancel existing accounts. You’ll also need to set up services at your new home. Experts recommend turning them on at the new place the day before you move in and leaving them on at your current place until the day after you move out.
2. Recurring Payments On Your Home
If you are a renter and have automated payments set up, cancel them before you move. You might also need to set up payments for your new place. This also goes for monthly mortgage payments and any condo association or homeowner association fees you have automated for your convenience.
3. Phone
If you have a landline telephone, you’ll want to transfer or cancel it before moving. For mobile service, you will need to update your address for billing and emergency services, as well as your E911 address (Enhanced 911 ties your address to your phone call in case of an emergency). Your service provider can help with both.
4. Cable And Internet
You will need to cancel and transfer your cable or satellite and internet services. Moving is also the perfect time to add over-the-air TV to your entertainment lineup; simply buy an antenna and start receiving free broadcasts at your new address. This short quiz will help you figure out which antenna is best for you. Depending on your needs and location, there are many affordable options for indoor, outdoor and attic antennas. Tablo even offers a range of DVRs for over-the-air TV, giving you the freedom to watch your favorite shows and movies on your time.
How To Start Watching Over-The-Air TV
Ready to make a fresh start in your new home with free over-the-air TV? Here are our top picks for the equipment you’ll need:
If you live in an urban area or nearby suburb:
Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse Amplified TV Antenna
$64.99 from Amazon
This highly-rated indoor antenna is designed to receive frequencies 50+ miles away from broadcast towers. It easily grips to smooth surfaces like walls or windows for optimal placement to pick up as many channels as possible.
Recommended antenna if you live in a far suburb or rural area:
Antennas Direct ClearStream 4V TV Antenna
$130.20 from Amazon
This powerful antenna has a range of 70+ miles and can be installed inside, outside or in the attic. It has UHF and VHF multi-directional elements designed to deliver reception in remote areas.
Pair your antenna with an OTA DVR to record your favorite shows
You can use record, pause, rewind and fast forward functions with an OTA DVR device. Here are the products we recommend:
- Tablo DUAL 128GB Over-the-Air [OTA] DVR: Record up to 80 HD hours and stream up to two free broadcast channels from your HDTV antenna simultaneously.
- Tablo QUAD 1TB Over-the-Air [OTA] DVR: Record up to 700 hours and stream up to four free broadcast channels from their over-the-air HDTV antenna simultaneously.
If you have an external hard drive sitting at home collecting dust, consider these options as cheaper alternatives. Simply connect your antenna and portable hard drive to these Tablo DVR devices and you’re ready to go.
- Tablo DUAL Lite: Equipped with built-in Wifi, it lets you position the antenna and DVR for the best signal reception.
- Tablo QUAD: Record up to four OTA channels simultaneously. This model connects to your router rather than your TV, giving you the option to stream live TV to any device.
If you need to purchase a portable hard drive, we recommend USB-connected portable hard drives (USB 2.0 or 3.0, 1 TB to 8 TB in size). These are the ones we recommend: WD 1TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive and the WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive.
5. Mailing Address
File a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service online or at the Post Office. You can make the change up to 90 days in advance. It’s best to allow up to two weeks for the transition.
6. Homeowner’s Or Renter’s Insurance
Contact your insurance agent to cancel or transfer the insurance protecting your home and belongings. Make sure you have new coverage before the current one is canceled.
7. Homeowner’s Association
If you are moving out of an HOA community, contact the association and complete any documentation required. You may also need to settle any unpaid balances at this time.
8. Voter Registration
You’ll need to update or change your voter registration if you move within your state. If you are moving to another state, you’ll have to register to vote in that new state.
9. Magazine And Newspaper Subscriptions
Most publications make it possible to change your address or cancel services online. However, you may need to make a phone call or submit a form through the mail for some. Check the subscription information in the magazine or paper if you are unsure.
10. Landscaping, House Cleaning And Pest Control
If you have regular visits established with cleaning, gardening, pest control or other services, let them know that you are moving as soon as possible. Canceling the service can prevent any confusion later.
11. Recurring Orders Or Subscription Boxes
Stop or transfer subscription deliveries of products or recurring orders, such as Amazon’s Subscribe & Save service.
12. Prescriptions
Contact your pharmacy or mail order prescription service if you have medication delivered to your home. Provide two to four weeks’ notice to ensure you receive your prescriptions at your new address on time.
13. Credit Cards And Bank Accounts
Contact your bank or credit card company to update your billing address for any accounts or credit cards you hold. Along with ensuring you receive statements and bills, this can help prevent fraud alerts if you move a significant distance away.
14. Driver’s License, Auto Insurance And Vehicle Registration
You’ll need to contact the motor vehicle division near your new residence to find out how to change your address for your vehicle and license. Get in touch with your insurance company to update your address with them.
15. Gym Membership
Contact your gym and update your membership if you want to transfer to a fitness facility near your new home. You may be able to cancel your membership if you move more than 25 miles from the current facility and there is not another one nearby.
Knowing you have these items checked off your list will ease your mind as you prepare to move. Taking care of them ahead of time can also save you from substantial headaches down the road.
