Well, you’ve done it! You’ve gone through the motions of ticking off everything on your moving house checklist – so what happens when your removalists have driven off into the sunset, and you’re into your new place?
In this article, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of the things you need to tick off when you first unpack after a move with the ultimate post moving checklist.
How to Unpack After a Move: Post Moving Checklist
1. Unpack all boxes and put away your belongings as soon as possible
When you move into a new home, it can be tempting to set up a few towels on the floor, fire up your food delivery app of choice and settle in for a night of watching Tik Tok videos from your smart phone. However, we recommend that you avoid the temptation and remain proactive in the first few hours after you move, and here’s why:
- Putting away your belonging will help you to feel more settled
- You’ll be able to figure out if everything made it from point A to B
- You can clean-up and declutter as you go – not everything is going to fit into your new space
- Avoid procrastination and weeks of messy boxes by nipping it in the bud
- Get to know your new space and see what looks best in which room
We know that the temptation to order takeout or flee your new house can be strong, but take a few hours to unpack and settle in to make sure that your new place feels like a home.
2. Check that all appliances are in working order
If you’ve just moved, then you need to make sure that all of the appliances are in working order as soon as you move into your new home. Appliances like refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and ovens are essential for your everyday life, so make sure that you test them when you move into a new home.
By checking them early on, you can be sure that everything is in good working order and avoid any costly repairs down the road.
3. Learn your bin days
If you’ve just moved into a new home, there is a good chance that you’re going to have boxes or unwanted items that you need to dispose of. As such, one of the first things you should do after moving to a new area is learn your bin days.
To do so, you can jump on your local council website or check with your neighbours to understand which bins go out at which intervals. Remember, each local government area will have a designated bin day, just because your last neighbourhood was on a Tuesday does not mean that your new one will be.
4. Inspect your new home for any damage and report it
This point is essential if you are renting! Before you get too settled, make sure that you take photos of the property with timestamps and send them to your landlord or property manager immediately. Having a visual log of the state that you took the property in will help to ensure that you don’t have any problems down the road and that repairs are carried out in a timely manner.
Additionally, if damages to your property are not fixed, then they could lead to other, costly issues down the line. An incoming inspection report is your insurance with your landlord – so make sure that you take photos and send a file to your landlord immediately after you move into the property.
5. Get to know your new neighbourhood by taking a walk around the block
What good is a new neighbourhood without knowing the amenities and your new neighbours? A stroll through your new neighbourhood will help you to know the new area, and you may even bump into a few of your new neighbours.
You would be surprised how much new information you can learn from a street level just by taking a walk around your area and taking everything in. Be sure to pay attention to things like corner shops, local amenities, police stations, and schools – having your bearings will help you to understand your surroundings and feel more comfortable and settled.
6. Register with a local doctor, dentist, and other important services in your area
It depends on how far you have moved, but registering with a local doctor, dentist, and other important services in your area is essential for a new move. It may not be relevant if you are moving from Bondi to Bronte, but if you’re making a major change in your living arrangements by moving from Marrickville to Woollahra – then you’ll need to familiarise yourself with your new amenities.
Registering for these services early on will ensure that you have access to the latest information and resources, while also supporting your new local community.
7. Join the local Facebook group
If you’re moving to a new area, joining the local Facebook group is a great way to stay up to date on the latest happenings in your community and can keep you abreast of changes in your area such as:
- Power outages
- NBN installations
- Road works and delays
- New venues in your area
- Community events
Staying up to date with your local community is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your new living arrangements.
8. Find your new favourite haunts
Moving to a new area means new food, new shopping centres, new entertainment, and new opportunities – so it’s important to make the most of it. When you move into a new area, jump online to check out what your new restaurant, café, and eatery options are. Familiarise yourself with local events and make sure that you are up to date with the best things to do in your area. Whether you live in one of the best family friendly suburbs in Sydney, or you’ve moved in to an urban oasis in the Inner West of Sydney, then it’s a great opportunity to embrace all of the new activities that your area presents.
Wrapping Up
It’s important to stay organised, fight those early procrastination urges and settle into your new home as soon as possible. Our checklist can help to ensure that you don’t look around 3-months post-move with boxes scattered throughout your home. Moving should be a fun, exciting event – make your next move simple with a team of local removalists who take the stress out of your next move.
