Disclosure: Post and giveaway sponsored by XFINITY, but all opinions are my own. Please see below for additional disclosure. As always, thank you for supporting the partnerships that keep Kelly in the City up and running!
I’m sure no one will disagree with me when I say that moving is the absolute pits. It’s incredibly stressful, it completely disrupts your day-to-day life, and it’s super expensive. It’s just the worst.
In the last 10 years, I’ve moved 12 times. TWELVE TIMES. Ugh. It’s been rough. Which is part of the reason I’m so happy to finally be a homeowner (despite the flood, haha). No more moving! Frankly, I want to stay here forever because I never ever want to go through another move. What? Totally a good reason to stay put. ;)
Anyway, I’m no expert, but over the last 10 years, I learned some pretty valuable lessons about moving. So, without further ado…
10 Ways to Make Your Next Move Easier
1. Start packing two weeks before the big day.
I know it seems like overkill, but things come up, and you definitely don’t want to be scrambling in the days before. Allocate a couple of weekends, and try not to schedule very much in the weeks leading up to the move. Start with things that you use infrequently, and end with those you use often.
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2. Label your boxes.
There’s nothing like not being able to find your stuff after a stressful move. Try your best to pack room by room, and (seriously) write lists of miscellaneous boxes’ content on their outsides. (Because we all end up with random boxes in the end!) Example:
-Power strip for computer
-Dustpan
-Speaker wires
-Coasters
-Coffee table books
Oh, and definitely label the cleaning supplies box. Because you’re going to want to wipe down every single surface of your new place. Yuck.
3. Invest in good packing tape.
One year, Mitch and I decided to skimp. Which resulted in half of our crap falling out onto the streets of Manhattan. Lovely.

4. Pack an “Essentials Bag.”
Because there’s no way you’re going to finish the unpacking job the first night in your new home. Toiletries, a couple of changes of clothes, cell phone chargers, laptop–anything you’d take on a weekend trip–should be in there.
5. Utilize Craigslist.
Mitch and I always handled moves completely on our own until we realized the fabulousness of Craigslist. Post in “Labor Gigs,” and explain what you need. Mitch and I did our whole move this past summer for $60 (labor) + $50 (UHaul). A tip: Be as thorough as possible. E.g., Two movers needed next Saturday, 9/26. We’ll have 25 boxes, one couch, two end tables, one TV stand, one queen-size bed, two night tables, two dressers, a desk and a chair. We need you to load our UHaul truck and unload it. We’re on the third floor of a walk-up building — no elevator. Best bid wins!
6. Rent furniture pads.
Na, I’m sure our stuff will be fine. No it won’t. Get them! If your truck hits one little bump, everything goes flying. Be smart about your belongings or else you’ll end up having to replace them.
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7. Tell EVERYONE–as soon as possible–that your address has changed.
I love this list. So helpful!
8. Use XFINITY’s Movers Edge program.
It’s a great, easy way to make sure that moving your cable, internet and voice services is a seamless process. All it takes is three easy steps: 1. Check your availability / 2. Select your services . 3. Schedule an installation. XFINITY even has a website to help figure out if your current service is available at your new address. Simply type it in here and it’ll guide you to next steps!
With Comcast’s new Customer Guarantee™, if a technician fails to arrive for a scheduled appointment during the two-hour window or can’t solve routine issues in one visit, you’ll receive a $20 credit. ($25 in Illinois!) As an XFINITY customer, you’ll also have access to their network of millions of free hotspots, so you’ll never be out of touch. (I used this on the first night in our new home! Worked like a charm.) Oh, and there’s a limited time offer going on right now: If you switch to the X1 Entertainment Operating System, you can get an additional $50 Visa prepaid card. Pretty nice. ;)
9. Enter to win a $100 AmEx gift card.
Because $100 would be super helpful during a move! All you need to do is comment below with the one show you couldn’t bear to be disconnected from from. Include “#giveaway” in your response. So easy! (Bonus: what tips would you add to this list?)
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10. Utilize garbage bags for clothing.
SO MUCH EASIER. Simply cut a hole in the top, and use them as garment bags. I used this technique this past July, and had no ironing as a result!

Also: Read Jess’/Blair Waldorf’s recent moving post, too! It’s awesome!
Do you have any tips to add?! Remember: To enter to win a $100 AmEx gift card, all you need to do is comment below with the one show you couldn’t bear to be disconnected from from. Include “#giveaway” in your response. So easy!
XFINITY partnered with bloggers such as me for their Fast Life program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. XFINITY believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. XFINITY’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
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Great tips! We are actually moving this weekend! TV I couldn’t live without- Downtown Abbey! Make sure you change your mailing address with USPS! It cost 1.05 but just something to remember! Also I liked making a move in day schedule of whats to be tackled first!
Great tips, Kelly!! I am moving in about two months and am already dreading it….although excited for my new place! :D Another tip that I have stuck by is allowing myself a 1-2 week overlap between when my new lease starts and when my old lease ends. It gives me a bit of a piece of mind that if something major happens, there is a little wiggle room! And to top it all off, I am extremely excited that fall television is back! I have been missing Empire!
xx, Emily from
Something Gold, Something Blue
I wouldn’t want to be disconnected from The Walking Dead
I could not disconnect from the show: NCIS
My phone!
What a great suggestion to utilize Craigslist! I soo wish I had done that this summer when I moved all by myself!
Maggie- http://www.thatgirlmags.com
Couldn’t bear to be disconnected from The Good Wife!
Wonderful tips! I couldn’t bear to go without The Mindy Project! It’s an absolute favorite of mine. Another tip I would add is to use the same size of boxes–makes stacking a lot easier in moving trucks/U-Hauls! #giveaway
DEFINITELY “Friends”. It’s such a true classic that everyone loves because of it’s real, relatable content without unnecessary drama! I watch multiple times a week!!
I love “Call the Midwife” sooo much. But never watch it if you are pregnant, ladies. Just trust me on this one.
such good advice! (especially for moving within the Chicago area. I also like to either time my groceries so that they are about gone when it’s time to move or buy a styrofoam cooler to take full bottles of ketchup, etc. I can’t wait (and couldn’t live without) Scandal..Olivia Pope is the best :] #giveaway
I could NOT bear to be disconnected from Jane the Virgin :) #giveaway
I love fixer upper on HGTV. #giveaway
Thank you for the tips! My boyfriend and I are suddenly moving at the end of this month (to the apartment next door, so thankfully no moving trucks required!). I hope we are able to get our cable situated quickly, as I would hate to miss any of How to Get Away With Murder when it starts up again next week! #giveaway
The Walking Dead. #giveaway
Definitely You’re The Worst! #giveaway
Big Brother! I love it! Great post!
I have to have The Bachelor! And don’t forget to set up XFINITY, utilities, etc. before you move in or you’ll certainly feel deprived until they can set everything up (learned from experience – whoops!) #giveaway
Thanks for the tips! I will *hopefully* be moving soon and had no idea about the Xfinity service. I did the garbage bags over my clothes last time we moved and that was amazing compared to the time before!
#giveaway – I just started watching The League and can’t stop!
Winner! :) Shoot me an email at kellyslarkin@gmail.com :) xoxo, Girl!
Just emailed you! Thanks so much – just made my day!
I could not be disconnected from Game of Thrones “#giveaway”
As much as I hate to admit it, as soon as the Bachelor(ette) is on, I’m totally hooked! I will say that the seasons aren’t nearly as good as they used to be, yet somehow I can’t turn away. Embarrassing, right? And another tip I like to live by when moving is getting rid of as much as possible before I move…way easier said than done :)
Great tips! I actually have used the garbage bag for clothes trick myself many times! I couldn’t live without Big Brother… it’s my reality TV show addiction. #giveaway
Such good tips! They are super helpful since we’re moving from DC to Chicago this week! I am beyond upset that we aren’t going to have cable for the first week, but I am seriously sad about missing the first episode of the new Muppets show. *fingers crossed*
I couldn’t be discontinued from the show it’s always sunny in Philadelphia! #giveaway
I would not want to be disconnected from “The Whisperers.” So obsessed with that show right now! #giveaway. Our move was really stressful. We closed on our house the same day that Hubby’s brother got married (we were both in the wedding) and had to move after the wedding since we left the next day for vacation. Ha ha!
I would have to say sleepy hollow #giveaway
I could not live without modern family it is my guilty pleasure #giveaway Thanks so much – cindygaarder at gmail dot com
I couldn’t bear to be disconnected from NCIS #giveaway
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
I couldn’t bear to be disconnected Criminal Minds #giveaway.
Modern Family #giveaway
I would have a hard time without the Walking Dead!
#Giveaway
I don’t like to miss The Voice #giveaway
I couldn’t miss Scandal! I can’t wait for it to start next week and would never want to miss it. #giveaway
I couldn’t go without Criminal Minds! #giveaway I also have realized that as much as you love some of your stuff, you really don’t need all of it in your new place! While you’re looking for labor on craigslist go ahead and list a couple items that you can part with! That way you can find some great new pieces to mix in at your new house!
Mary Kate
http://www.mynewchicagolife.com
NCIS #giveaway
Definitely the Walking Dead! #giveaway
Wow an amazing giveaway, thanks! I am moving in with my boyfriend and can’t wait, but there is so much to do! My can’t miss show is The Americans, it’s so good!
Scandal!! Awesome tips #Giveaway
Big Brother is my favorite! #giveaway
Fixer Upper was the first thing I set up on my new DVR after our move this summer!
I couldn’t bear to miss NCIS #giveaway truckredford(at)Gmail(dot)com
I couldn’t live without never ending re-runs of Modern Family! USA’s Friday night marathon is my favorite way to unwind from the week – especially with a bowl of popcorn. #giveaway
Bonus Tip: Have a snack and water bottles at the ready. Moving can be hard work!
-Becky Lynn
I wouldn’t want to disconnect from the Big Bang Theory =) #giveaway
great tips! I just moved also! I’d emphasize getting bubble wrap for your breakables – totally worth not having your items come out of the box in a million pieces!!
The one show I couldn’t bear to be disconnected from is the Ellen DeGeneres show! #giveaway I could be having the worst day and she always makes me laugh!! :)
Could not live without ” How to get away with murder and Astronaut wives” “#giveaway”
Email: yes.4eva.r (atgmaildotcom)
I need my “House Hunters” fix. #giveaway
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
Great tips! Let’s see… I would say the one show I couldn’t be disconnected from is Game of Thrones!
Wouldn’t want to be disconnected from House of Cards
#giveaway
I couldn’t be disconnected from Criminal Minds! #giveaway
cshell090869 at aol dot com
I could not be disconnected from Scandal! Being a military brat I have moved nearly 20 times in my lifetime and I’m gearing up for another one!
Modern Family!! It is 30 min of laughs to distract from moving. I fully know your pains- in the past 5 years we have moved 8 times. We finally just bought a house so I am hoping we can stay put for a while. My tip.. start packing early and it doesn’t all need to be done at once. I packed up most of my kitchen weeks ahead of the move but left out the essentials for daily use. It made last minute packing so much easier. #giveaway
Broad City!! Love those girls. My tip: use things like towels, blankets, dish rags to wrap breakable items, you’ll save space when you go to pack those anyway and save money on bubble wrap! #giveaway
I couldn’t bare to disconnect from my favorite TV series, Supernatural. #giveaway
I couldn’t be disconnected from Grey’s Anatomy. #giveaway
These are great tips. #giveaway My show that I could not miss is Empire
It would be hard to live without Big Brother! #giveaway
I hate moving so these are great tips. The last time I moved it was such a hassle with cable! I would hate to miss watching Scandal #Giveaway
I couldn’t stand to be disconnected from Grey’s Anatomy!
#giveaway
I could not bear to be disconnected from The Walking Dead. “#giveaway
Great post! I definitely couldn’t be disconnect from Scandal – especially with the new season starting! #giveaway
I’m definitely hooked on Fixer Upper on HGTV! #giveaway
I cant live without Doctor Who #giveaway