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Home > Consumer Focus Archive > Moving
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Consumer Focus: Moving
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Moving

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There are so many things to do when you are moving. In addition to collecting newspaper to wrap grandmother's china, you need to let everyone know your new address, gather boxes, get rid of items you don't care enough about to pack and move - just to name a few. FCIC has lots of helpful tips to make your move easier.
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Image of a mailboxFiling A Change of Address

  • You can have your mail sent to your new home by filing a change of address with the Postal Service. You can do this online, or in person by picking up a change of address card at any post office.
  • You should also file a change of address with the Internal Revenue Service, using form number 8822.
  • Businesses that you have a relationship with, such as your credit card companies, also need to know that you have moved. Use this handy checklist to make sure you're covered.

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Image of a man and woman packingPacking and Moving

  • Make a list of packing supplies you will need. This Postal Service list can help get you started.
  • Planning to put some of your items in storage? When inspecting a storage facility you may want to use, adequate security is just one factor you need to consider.
  • Consider having a yard sale to get rid of unwanted items and save money on storage. To make your sale more successful, clearly mark clothing sizes and provide shopping bags for your customers.
  • There are some "packing principles" you should know in advance, such as don't fill large boxes with books. If you are moving yourself, they can very quickly become too heavy to lift.
  • As you are packing, you may want to assign each box a number and make a list of the contents of each box. This will help if any boxes are lost or destroyed in moving. It is also a good way to start a household inventory. An inventory is great for homeowner's insurance purposes. It gives you a record of all your possessions in case your home is burglarized or damaged in a fire or natural disaster.
  • If your move is a long distance one, check the weather of your destination before you leave. Have the appropriate clothing and bedding handy in a box you can easily find.
  • Try to use up the food in your freezer and refrigerator before you move. If you have food left that you want to take with you, pack it so that it will stay cool in transit to your new home.

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Image of a father and son carrying boxesMake Moving Easier For Your Children

  • Moving can be very scary for children, but getting them involved helps ease the transition. For example, make moving fun for kids by letting them decorate their room's boxes with their favorite stickers and crayons.
  • If your children have to attend a new school in the middle of the year, register them well in advance of your move. If you move during the summer, don't wait until the last minute to register. If there are problems, you will want time to resolve them so your kids don't get off to a late start at their new school.
  • Moving at the beginning of the summer (after school is out) is a good idea because it does not disrupt your child's learning. But consider sending the kids to a local summer camp or recreation center program so they don't have to wait until the fall to make new friends.

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Check Out Your New Neighborhood

Image of five homes in a row

  • The Postal Service has a mapping tool that allows you to get directions to and from your new home. This will help you find your way around your new neighborhood, as well as help friends and family locate you.
  • Use this convenient "lookup" to find the closest Post Office to your new home.
  • Depending on how far you move, you may need to change your voter registration If you move to a different state, be sure to change your vehicle registration. In some states, you must do this within a certain amount of time, such as 60 days. From FirstGov.gov, the official web portal of the federal government, click on your new state government website and check out the voting and motor vehicle regulations. FirstGov.gov can also help you find the closest public library to your new home.
  • State regulations on car insurance vary. Check with the insurance commission if you move to a new state. They may also list insurance companies licensed to do business in the state, which will help you compare policies and prices if you need a new insurance company.
  • If you are moving too far away to continue seeing your current doctors, be sure to have your records transferred to your new physicians. There are health privacy regulations, but they generally allow easy transfer of records from one physician to another.
  • If you need to change banks, be sure to retrieve the contents of your safety deposit box. Need help shopping for a bank, so you can set up your new checking and savings accounts? FCIC's Consumer Action Website has some resources for you.

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Other Resources

This is just a brief overview. For more information, check out these resources:

Read these publications online or order them from FCIC:

Websites*:

* Names of resources and organizations included in this online article are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by the Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that it is unsatisfactory.

*If you click on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please bookmark us before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible for the content of these websites.

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For more information on other popular consumer issues check out FCIC's Consumer Focus Archive.

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