We started 2024 by moving into a new home! My spouse and I are elated to continue living in the city of Monterey, but this time, surrounded by green space. Beyond our lovely human neighbors on a quiet cul-de-sac, we share our outdoor space with napping deer fawns, towering Monterey Pines, chirping crickets, and busy hummingbirds. It is delightful, and our gratitude runs deep.
While excitement has been our primary feeling through this process, little did we recall from our last move just how all-consuming (and stressful) it is to move. For weeks, nearly every free moment revolved around tasks related to the move. Before settling into our new home, we painted, enlisted professional help, deep-cleaned, and cleansed the space with gifted sage. As we unpacked boxes, each item seemed to demand a place: a sunlit windowsill for plants, the right wall for wedding photos, and a puzzling abundance of lamps. Some belongings didn’t fit in the new space as we’d hoped, prompting us to coordinate giveaways on our local Everything Free group. And in a delightful twist, we gifted our gently used cat towers to the very woman who moved into our former home! What a small world!
Upon reflecting on past moves and this most recent one, I realized I’ve moved 17 times in the past twenty years. Wow! My college and early adult years kept me on my feet and on both coasts and in between. I’m thrilled that we’re (nearly) settled in our new home in Monterey. We plan to be in this home for a while – and always in Monterey.
Because moving requires so much and the experience is fresh for me, I want to share some moving tips that will help you in any location, and especially Monterey. My hope is that it helps you feel prepared for your next new beginning.
How to Prepare for a Move
Four+ Weeks Ahead of the Move
When confirming your move dates, particularly for local moves, consider having 3-5 days of overlap between homes. This allows for a proper transition time. We found that having a full four days gave us time to organize and move final items.
Create a “Moving Plan” checklist with tasks. If you're tech savvy, using a live document such as Google Docs is helpful because you can share it with family members so everyone can view and make updates.
Once your move-in date is confirmed, transfer utilities online in advance, avoiding the energy-draining task of phone calls and waiting on hold. As an example, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has a page dedicated to “Start, stop or transfer service”. Within five minutes, I scheduled a service stop at our old home and a start at our new home (with overlapping dates). You can do it up to 60 days in advance of your move. I was also able to do this with CalAm Water & Comcast Xfinity. Check for internet/cable deals when you transfer services, too. I was able to get a faster internet package for a lower monthly cost.
Change your mailing address on USPS. You can submit it up to 30 days in advance of your move.
Schedule moving services. Unless you are fortunate to have a large, youthful family with endless energy to help, hire movers. We’ve gone through cross-country moves (containers & car shipping) and local moves. Hiring movers has always been worth the price.
Permits. Check with your city to see if you need a special permit for moving truck parking. We haven’t had any issues in Monterey, but it’s good to assess your situation and check parking ordinances on local government sites.
Create a “Give-Away” pile. Set aside items that are underused or won’t work in your new place to give away. Consider gifting on Everything Free groups on Facebook or donating to local charities. Decluttering simplifies the moving process and gives you a fresh start!
Create a “Sell” pile. For valuable items that you no longer need, post on Facebook Marketplace. Selling valuable items instead of donating helps fund the move – even if it just covers takeout.
Look for free moving supplies on Everything Free groups and Marketplace on Facebook. If not available, post your request on social media or ask colleagues, loved ones, even grocery stores for leftover boxes. I guarantee somewhere in those three degrees of separation, there are boxes waiting to be re-used!
Request time off from work. Even if you’re moving on a weekend, having the Friday before and/or the Monday after off from work will help your stress levels.
Considering new address announcements? Update your address book to ensure sure your contacts are accurate. I promise you won’t want to do this when you’re shoulder-deep in moving boxes in a few weeks. We keep a Google spreadsheet (a holdover from wedding planning) with everyone’s contact info. If sending a paper announcement, I like Minted.com for their recycled paper options for a lighter carbon footprint. It’s also perfectly acceptable to send an email announcement instead!
Two-Three Weeks Ahead of the Move
Live local for the last time. If this is a long-distance move, set aside time to visit your cherished local restaurants and other unique places with people you love. Before moving to Monterey, we lived in Washington, DC. We had an amazing two weeks of exploring museums and favorite restaurants with friends sprinkled in between long packing sessions. Relish these final moments!
Drop off your donation pile. And as soon as you do that, experience tells me that you’ll then end up creating a second donation pile. Lol.
Invest in storage bins. In addition to reusing moving boxes, you might choose to invest in storage bins with lids to protect some belongings from potential water damage. We purchased a few, and now they hold our tools and craft supplies.
Begin packing! Pack your books, tchotchkes, artwork, board games, throw pillows, seasonal clothing, camping gear, etc. You’re probably not hosting guests this close to your move, so pack that room up if you have one. To minimize single-use plastic packing materials, use linens and throw pillows to secure fragile items.
Label your boxes. With detail. I promise you won’t remember what’s in that box unless you write it on the side of the box. Make sure to have Sharpie markers. Some people use color-coded tape, but I recommend opting for plastic-free compostable tape that’s becoming more widely available.
Eat what’s in your home! It’s not fun to move boxes of food. I speak from experience. Plus, you have many nights of unhealthy takeout ahead of you – try to eat what’s in your pantry and freezer. And if this is a long-distance move, it’s good to donate the rest.
Hire a sitter. If you have children and/or pets, it’s a good idea to plan for them to stay with loved ones or be cared for by a sitter on moving day while you focus on getting their new spaces comfortable.
Moving Week
Change your billing and shipping addresses. This is a good time to update your billing and shipping addresses with your banks and retailers. The last thing you want is to order your cleaning supplies from say, Grove Collaborative and have them delivered to your old address.
It’s always a good idea to do an admin check: Are the movers still confirmed? Did I submit my utility transfers correctly? Are my household members updating our Moving Plan document? Do we have the anxiety medicine to give the cats on moving day? Speaking again from experience, moving is stressful for pets. Contact your veterinarian for options.
Pack nearly everything else: Kitchenware (except for a few plates/cups/utensils for your continued use), bathroom toiletries, clothes, shoes, office items, etc.
If moving locally, keep your clothes on hangers, put them in a laundry basket (or any box) in your car, and then you can transport them directly to your new closet. Boom – your closet is moved in on day one! We even did this for clothes shipped cross country. You can buy hanging wardrobe moving boxes too!
Pack essential clothing, personal, and household items in suitcases and bags – all items needed for your first days in your new home like pajamas, prescriptions, bed pillows and linens, hand soap, potentially a shower curtain liner, toothbrush/toothpaste, trash bags, scissors, basic tools (including screwdriver), adhesive bandages, important paperwork, pet food, device chargers. WireCutter has a great list. It’s good to have an eye mask assuming you don’t have window treatments yet!
Food prep. If you’re moving locally, consider preparing a couple of nutritious meals before your kitchen gets packed up. This way, you won’t have to depend solely on takeout or fast food. For instance, we made baked pasta and a refreshing hearty salad that were readily available when hunger struck, and they didn’t require reheating.
Get cash. Between movers and food delivery, it’s good to have cash for tips.
Take breaks. Moving takes a toll on both the mind and body. Take those last neighborhood walks or engage in activities that recharge you.
Moving Day
Dress comfortably. I nearly wore leggings and Birkenstock sandals! Hello, try again – durable jeans and sneakers for safety and comfort! Layers are always a good idea, especially in Monterey.
Say goodbyes. By now, you’ve told your neighbors and loved ones that you’re moving. It’s nice to send a text or knock on their door that morning to let them know that the move is happening (and doubles as a reminder on the potential noise and parking disruptions).
Direct movers. Hired movers are experts at what they do, but they still need your close guidance on how to arrange furniture and where to put boxes when you arrive at your new home.
Set aside your packed personal and household essentials to move last so they don’t get buried behind or below other boxes.
Have snacks and drinks. You’ll need them and your movers will too! Plan for someone to pick up food/schedule food delivery in advance for everyone. In addition to our healthy food prep consumption, we ate a lot of Chipotle!
Prepare children and pets. Moving with littles adds to the stress because you want them to feel happy and safe despite a new and chaotic environment. If you’ve scheduled a sitter, this will help. For us, we have two cats, so we gave them anti-anxiety medication and kept them in their soft padded carriers (on the patio with a scenic quiet view under close supervision) until the movers were gone.
Return keys. If you don’t have an overlap between homes, be sure to organize and return your keys that same day. It’s one of those simple tasks that can get lost in a busy day!
Close-out. As your old home empties, you’ll want to ensure everything is turned off (as needed) and all windows and doors are locked. It’s nice to take a quiet moment to thank the home for the love and security it gave you and your family and wish it well for its new residents.
Please think of me when you’re looking to buy or sell your home in the Monterey area. As you may have picked up from this blog post, I’m someone who’s into the details. I will be by your side through the entire buying or selling process. I care greatly about people, our community, and the environment. I’d be honored to help you through your next new beginning.
With gratitude,
Ashley
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