Introduction
Moving is chaos. But it doesn't have to be.
I've moved 7 times in the last decade. Three provinces, two countries, and one absolutely disastrous cross-country move that nearly broke me. Here's everything I wish someone had told me before I started.
The 8-Week Timeline
Start planning 8 weeks out, not 6. Your future self will thank you.
Most moving guides tell you to start 6 weeks out. They're wrong. Start at 8 weeks if you want to keep your sanity. **Weeks 8-7: The Planning Phase** - **Research movers NOW.** The good ones book up fast, especially for end-of-month dates. Get at least 3 quotes. - **Create your inventory.** Walk through every room. Open every drawer. Know what you're moving before you get quotes. - **Start decluttering.** The less you move, the less you pay. Simple math. **Weeks 6-5: The Sorting Phase** - **Book your movers.** Don't wait. Pay the deposit. - **Gather supplies.** Boxes, tape, markers, bubble wrap. More than you think you need. - **Start packing non-essentials.** Books, seasonal items, decorations. The stuff you won't miss for 6 weeks. **Weeks 4-3: The Heavy Lifting** - **Pack room by room.** Label everything. Be annoyingly specific: "Kitchen - Utensils - Drawer 2" - **Handle address changes.** Canada Post, banks, subscriptions, government services. - **Utilities transfer.** Cancel old, start new. Don't be the person sitting in the dark on move-in day. **Weeks 2-1: The Final Push** - **Pack the kitchen last.** You'll need to eat. - **Create an essentials box.** Toilet paper, phone charger, coffee maker, sheets. The stuff you need the first night. - **Confirm with movers.** Date, time, address. Double-check everything.
The Packing Secrets Nobody Tells You
Books: The Hidden Danger** Books are HEAVY. One bookshelf can outweigh your entire wardrobe. Use small boxes. Mix books with lighter items. Your back (and your movers) will thank you. **The Wardrobe Bag Trick** Garbage bags over hanging clothes. Tie the bag around the hangers, leave them hanging. Transfer directly to new closet. Unpack in 30 seconds. **Plates Go Vertical** Pack plates on their edge, like records. They're 50% less likely to break. Wrap each one, obviously.
What Nobody Tells You About Moving Day
**Be Present** Don't disappear while movers work. They have questions. They need direction. "Where does this go?" happens 47 times. **Tip in Cash** $20-50 per mover for a local move. More for stairs, long carries, or if they dealt with IKEA furniture. They remember who tips. **The Hidden Costs** - Elevator booking fees at condos - Parking permits for the truck - Last-minute supplies run - Pizza for everyone (non-optional, really)
The First Week: What Actually Matters
You don't need to unpack everything immediately. Here's the priority list.
1. **Bed.** Set it up first. You will be exhausted. 2. **Bathroom.** Toilet paper, towels, shower curtain, basic toiletries. 3. **Kitchen basics.** Coffee maker, one pot, one pan, plates for two. 4. **Work setup.** If you work from home, this is day 2 priority. 5. **Everything else.** Whenever you get to it. Boxes can wait.
The Stuff They Don't Put in Moving Guides
**You Will Hate Your Partner** If you're moving with someone, accept this: you will have at least one fight. It's stress. It passes. Have wine ready. **You Will Forget Something** Something important will be in a box you can't find. Something fragile will break. Something will go missing. This is the tax you pay for changing your life. **The Weird Grief** Moving can feel like loss, even when you're excited. That's normal. The old place was part of your life. Give yourself permission to feel weird about leaving. --- Ready to start planning your move? [Compare movers on Boxly](/moving) — transparent prices, verified reviews, no games.