You’re moving to another house and you feel overwhelmed by all the things you have to do? Just focus on these 3 important things: you’ll be alright! Use this guide to ensure that you’re ready for not just the moving process, but the move-in process as well.
Moving means cleaning
There’s no better time to really get your home sparkling clean than when it’s totally empty. You can attack every floorboard, every window sill, every nook and cranny. If you have the time in between closing and the moment your home is overrun with moving boxes, it’s worth a scrub down.
Make an unpacking plan
It can be tempting to just dive right in, but when you just attack the boxes randomly you end up finishing the day with plates but no silverware, shirts but no pants and a hairbrush but no toothbrush.
Labeling your boxes ahead of the move is key, but so is planning what needs to be prioritized when you arrive at the new house. You might need kitchen items before you need to fill out the living room—unless you’re okay with takeout and would prefer to have your TV set up first. Plan what you want to have ready and then unpack in that priority order.
Locate necessary functions
As the saying goes, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Looking for your circuit breaker in a new home after the power has unexpectedly gone out isn’t the best time. As you’re moving in, make note of the location of the circuit breaker, fuse box and water valve.
Note where you have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and test them to make sure they’re functioning properly. Also, determine an escape route for each member of your family if a fire did occur. If you moved to a location with natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes, come up with a plan of action and a place for shelter.
(And if you want to know what to consider before moving to Madrid, check this out!)
By: Alessia Cuofano, University of Naples L’Orientale ’22
