Today I will discuss one of the most exciting and tiresome processes in a homebuyer’s journey - moving to a new home. Moving may be stressful, time-consuming, and overall overwhelming. Don't make things any more difficult for yourself than it has to be. After all, this is the start of a new life in your new house.

Here is a complete step-by-step action plan on moving to a new home in Chicago:

Before The Move:

Preparation is key. A move is one of the most stressful events in your life. Lessen the stress by doing these preparatory steps (and save time and money too!):

1. Declutter your stuff 

If you are planning to move into a new home, emphasizing the word ‘new’, this only means that you should start selling, donating, or throwing away what you don't need. Why? Because unnecessary stuff will only slow you down along the way!

When you declutter, you can monitor which stuff is no longer needed and which among them are still relevant and can be useful in your new home.

Pro Tip: Include food and cleaning supplies in your decluttering. Shop your pantry and eat or use up everything as much as possible. Defrost your freezer, using charcoal to dispel odors.

2. Review your documents 

This is an essential step for everyone to do and never forget. Do your due diligence and review all contracts and major paperwork. Consult your real estate agent and lawyer to look over the terms and conditions. 

Notify your landlord (if you’re a renter) or realtor with a four-week notice, depending on the terms of the lease or agreement. Also, check home warranties for appliances. Shop around for the best deals. Home warranties range in cost from about $350 to $600, depending on coverage and the length of the contract.

All documents should be double-checked from time to time. From your passports, birth certificates, certificate of employment, any IDs that will be needed, and all the legal documents that you will be needing especially when it concerns employment and credibility. It’s better to double-check than risk overlooking stuff.

3. Pack your stuff with free packaging

You should definitely pack wisely especially if you are moving into a new place permanently. We do not want unnecessary and inconvenient packages in our travels, don’t we? Hence, use free packages for your stuff - those that are easy to unbox and still ensure the safety of your things. 

Pack your stuff on your own. Use any boxes that come with your purchases - grocery boxes, appliance boxes, etc. Reuse is the name of the game.

After sealing the boxes, label them with the room you want them to be in and a brief description of the contents.

This is the time to reap the fruits of your decluttering. By now, you should have just your essentials so this part’s more manageable. Maybe you can even manage to get the move done without the aid of professional movers. 

4. Walkthrough

After you’ve packed all your things, lock your doors and do this essential step before closing the sale - a walkthrough. Inspect the property from top to bottom, front to back, you get the idea. You need to make sure that the place is livable and comfortable for you and your family.

Double-check that: 

• All requested and agreed-upon repairs have been made by the previous owner

• Everything that was to be included in the sale is present in the house

• Everything is in working order, including outlets, switches, and fixtures

Should you find any issues and contract violations, call your real estate agent immediately to discuss a recourse.

5. Change your address

If you feel satisfied with the house after the walkthrough, close the sale then make the move official. Change your address. 

Make sure that you are set by the time you reach your new home. And that begins with changing your address. This is to avoid any more misconceptions and that still, all mail will be delivered right straight through the doors of your new home and not in your old place. Moreover, at least your pals will know where to visit you.

You also need to update your address and residential situation with your:

• Bank

• Credit card company

• Insurance (Home, Car, Life, Pet, and Health)

• Work

• Pension (if any)

• Driving License

• Subscriptions 

• Utilities

• Accountant and solicitor

Note: Where you live is among the things that can determine the premiums and fees you pay for different services.

6. Register

Register to all organizations, agencies, applications, and whatnot that you need to have access to once you move into your new home. This will not only help you get acquainted with your new town but also, provide convenience on your end and help you meet people you should run into once you have troubles along the way. This is to also ensure that your moving-in day will not be as exhausting as it would be as you have already managed to keep tabs and settle things before moving in.

One of the must-haves for your move is a new registration of your vehicle. Register your vehicle in Chicago then transfer your driver’s license. Visit your local DMV office in person and take care of this formality before the deadline is reached (some states give a window of 10 days to register your car while others give as many as 30 days). Present your proof of insurance as you are required to purchase insurance from the state of Illinois.

7. Plan out the layout of your belongings in-house

After registering for everything, plan your lifestyle in your new home.

Apart from knowing all of your belongings, make sure that you have already planned out which spot your sofa would go to and which spot the lazy chair go to. Planning isn’t a bad thing. It helps you organize your stuff and it automatically reduces exhaustion by the time you reach your new home because you are already aware of which furniture goes to a certain spot.

8. Research your neighborhood.

First, learn the layout of Chicago then figure out what’s most important to you. Because Chicago is known as a city of neighborhoods, you need to research the neighborhood you will move into since almost everything in your new life will be influenced by your neighborhood. 

Get slowly acquainted with your neighborhood. Research nearby restaurants, grocery stores, schools, police stations, hospitals, pharmacies, and other stuff you need to know before moving in. This will help you become a bit familiar with the town even without actually asking for the help of your neighbors. Asking help from them would also be nice, but it would be nicer if you already know bits of what kind of neighborhood you are moving into to also avoid future misunderstandings of some sort.

Know the way to the closest ER, have local emergency numbers and first aid handy, and put together a plan for what to do in case of fire or natural disaster.

Pro Tip: Subscribe to your neighborhood’s newspaper. This would be a great way to learn about local businesses, community events, new developments, and other news.

During Moving:

Now it’s moving day. It’s crucial to get this right to avoid accidents and excess expenses. But also practice patience and take things slowly. This is often the most tiresome stage. So prepare well as you move to your new home in Chicago!

1. Treat Your Movers Right

Whether you’re hiring professionals or seeking help from friends and family, treat your movers right. These people are not your slaves! Treat them right with respect because they are doing you a favor to help move your stuff inside your new home. Give them food, water, and thanks. It’s also one way to have a good start in your new home.

2. Connect Your Utilities

Make sure that all your utilities are well taken care of and connected. Think water, gas, and electricity. This can help you have a convenient first day in your new home. After you've taken care of the essentials, think about making the appropriate preparations to acquire access to the Internet, phone, and other critical services. This will help make the move-in process smoother and more efficient.

Check with your local providers for the exact process. There may be ownership or residence verification involved.

3. Clean Up The House

One way to make your first day in your new home extra peaceful is when you make sure that the house is tidied up before ending the day. It can be fulfilling cleaning up and seeing the new organization of your new home in a different light, right? Then set a time for deep cleaning.

4. Secure your Home

Don’t be too complacent. Regardless of the town or neighborhood is free from crime the past few years, it’s always better to be sure than never. Change the locks on all outside doors to guarantee that only you and your family have access to your new house. Check all windows and doors to ensure they close securely. Install smoke alarms in each room. Make a strategy for getting out of the house in case of an emergency and make it known to all family members. Consult with a professional and consider installing a burglar alarm, especially if your home is in an area with a terrible reputation.

5. Childproof/pet-proof

If you are moving in with a child or a pet, make sure that you have ensured their safety. Their safety should not be compromised, even yours. Secure your place against accidental tip-overs, mount window guards and cordless blinds on the windows, and electric outlet protectors on the walls.

6. Unpack, arrange and decorate

And now the final but most exciting, tiresome part of moving in - unpacking, arranging, and decorating your new home.

Slowly unpack all your belongings and arrange them according to how you planned them in your layout. As exhausting as it is, it is also fulfilling at the end of the day once you see your belongings right to where you wanted them to be in your new home. Unpack sooner than later or you might overlook things that you have brought and will only end up along with the empty boxes in your storage.

If you want, go buy new furniture and decors so you can play around with the interior design. The goal is to create a peaceful, relaxing, and beautiful atmosphere in your home. Add plants (both indoor and outdoor) to induce positive energy in your space. 

After Moving To Your New Home:

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Okay. You’re done unpacking everything, arranging your belongs and decorating to your taste. It’s now time to focus on building your new life in your community. Get out of the house and check out your surroundings. And don’t forget to evaluate your situation, especially your finances.

1. Plan A Housewarming

In America, it has always been a tradition to give your new neighbor something they would enjoy as a way of welcoming them to the hood. With that, as the newcomer in town, it’s a good idea to plan a housewarming. This will not only help you meet new people but also, it is an opportunity to ask others about the things you want to know about your new place. If luck’s on your side, you might have neighbors that are actually working in a company you are applying for.

2. Meet Your Neighbors

Get out of your house! Mingle with others. Make new friends whom you can ask for help whenever you need one. Get to know who you are living with in the same town. It’s better to know everyone than know no one.

3. Get Organized

You must make time to prioritize your post-move time. This focused to-do list will obviously jump-start the rapid process of settling in your new house and your smooth period of acclimatization to the unknown surroundings, just as the moving calendar enabled you to enjoy a stress-free and trouble-free move.

4. Find a good school for your child

After getting familiar with your new neighborhood and meeting your neighbors, find a good school for your child or yourself (if you plan to take up studies). 

Armed with your child's school records, a smart place to begin your search is online, where you can browse for acceptable educational institutions for your child. Another logical strategy is to seek guidance from coworkers and neighbors in the form of recommendations. It's a good idea to contact the schools ahead of time and set up a meeting with the principal and/or some of the senior teachers.

5. Check your financial situation and insurances

The final step to your move is evaluation. You need to sit down and evaluate your present financial status. Did you go over your moving budget or were you able to fit everything in? Be aware of your budget and how you will budget for the coming supplies that you need at home. Never be too complacent with your finances. Always check to see what you have so that if further actions need to be done, you are ready.

Conclusion

And there you have it. Our moving to a new home in Chicago has everything you need to know so you can create the best life for you and your family here in the Windy City. 

Chicago is one of the best cities to move into. You can choose from 77 distinct neighborhoods organized into nine districts, each having its own unique combination of attractions, culture, history, and personality. Moreover, there is no shortage of recreational activities. It basically has everything that you need. You can still enjoy a peaceful neighborhood despite the busy town. It is definitely a good place for your children as they can explore so many things in this place.