Moving is chaos. Plain and simple. You think you’ve got everything covered, then suddenly it’s a moving day and you’re scrambling to find your phone charger that somehow disappeared between packing the kitchen and dismantling your bed. I’ve moved eleven times in the last fifteen years, and I still manage to forget something important every single time.
Here are seven things that slip through the cracks for most people during a move – stuff I wish someone had reminded me about before I learned the hard way.
Gathering Essential Documents
Most of us remember to pack our birth certificates and passports, yeah. But what about your car title? Your home warranty paperwork? That folder with tax returns from the past seven years?
Essential documents have a weird way of hiding when you need them most. Dig through those random drawers now, not when you’re settled in your new place and suddenly need proof of insurance.
Things people constantly forget:
- Marriage/divorce papers
- Social security cards
- Pet vaccination records
- Insurance policies
- Home repair records and warranty info
- School transcripts and diplomas
- Wills and power of attorney documents
These are your identity and history. Pack them in a designated box or better yet, keep them with you in the car during the move.
One way to reduce this chaos is hiring professional help. Experienced moving companies like Oklahoma city moving company professionals can handle much of the heavy lifting and logistics, It allows you to focus on the countless other details that need attention.
Managing Prescriptions and Medical Needs
There’s never a good time to run out of prescription medication, but moving week might be the worst possible time. Your whole routine is messed up, and you definitely don’t need to add “find a pharmacy in a strange neighborhood” to your to-do list.
Call your doctor at least two weeks before moving to get prescriptions refilled. And if you’re moving far enough that you’ll need new doctors, ask for referrals and copies of your medical records.
Don’t forget things like:
- Getting extra medication to last through the transition
- Transferring prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home
- Updating medical insurance with your new address
- Finding new healthcare providers in your area
- Keeping emergency contact info accessible
Updating Your Address and Forwarding Mail
Yeah, everyone knows to forward their mail. Except… they don’t. The USPS makes it pretty easy to set up mail forwarding online, but that’s just the beginning.
You’d be shocked how many places have your address:
- Banks and credit cards
- Subscription services
- Government agencies
- Insurance companies
- Online shopping accounts
- Magazine subscriptions
- Professional organizations and alumni groups
Make a list of every place that sends you mail and update them individually. The post office forwarding service is temporary and doesn’t catch everything. I missed a jury duty summons once because I relied only on forwarding. That was not a fun explanation to give to the court.
Coordinating Utility Service Transfers
This one bites people constantly. You remember to set up internet service at the new place, but then forget about the water bill at your old apartment.
Utilities need attention at both ends – shutting down services at your old place (with final readings) and setting up services at your new home. Ideally, schedule utilities to be turned on the day before you arrive. Nothing worse than moving boxes in the dark or taking a cold shower after a long day of hauling furniture.
Don’t wait till the last minute on these. Some utility companies need several days’ notice, and you might need to be present for certain services to be connected.
Checking Often-Overlooked Storage Spots
We all have those weird storage places we forget about. The top shelf in the hall closet. That weird cabinet above the fridge. The storage compartment under the stairs.
These spots are treasure troves of forgotten items – seasonal decorations, family photos, the good silverware you only use twice a year. I once left an entire box of childhood mementos in an attic because I simply forgot that space existed.
Do a final sweep of:
- Attics and crawl spaces
- Garage shelving and rafters
- Under beds and behind furniture
- Medicine cabinets
- That weird drawer in the kitchen that holds random stuff
- Outdoor sheds and storage bins
A methodical room-by-room check with a flashlight helps. Look up, down, and behind everything.
Preparing an Essentials Box for Arrival
This is probably the most practical advice I can give. Pack a separate box or suitcase with everything you’ll need for the first 24-48 hours in your new place. Trust me, you won’t want to dig through twenty identical boxes looking for your toothbrush at midnight.
Your essentials box might include:
- Toiletries and medications
- Clean bedding and towels
- Chargers for electronics
- Basic tools (screwdriver, pliers, scissors)
- Paper towels and toilet paper
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Snacks and bottled water
- A change of clothes
- Something to entertain kids or pets
Label this box super clearly and make sure it’s either the last thing loaded (so it’s first out) or keep it with you in your vehicle.
Researching Local Services and Emergency Info
This is something people don’t think about until they need it. You arrive at your new place, and suddenly your kid has a fever or your dog needs to go out, and you have no idea where anything is.
Before moving day, research:
- The nearest hospital and urgent care
- A vet in the area
- Grocery stores and pharmacies
- Take-out options (because you won’t feel like cooking)
- Where the water shut-off valve and circuit breaker are in your new place
Don’t forget to research reliable roofing contractors in your new area before you need one in an emergency. A professional roof inspection of your new home can identify potential issues like loose shingles, damaged flashing, or minor leaks that might not be visible during a standard home inspection.
Honestly, this stuff has saved me more than once. Nothing’s worse than trying to Google “emergency plumber” at 2 AM while water is pouring through your ceiling – speaking from an unfortunate experience here.
Wrapping Up
Moving is stressful no matter how organized you are. Something will always fall through the cracks. But hopefully, with this list, fewer things will slip your mind during your next move.
What’s your moving horror story? We all have one. Mine involves a forgotten fish tank and a very unfortunate smell after a three-day drive. Learn from my mistakes!
