Top Ten Things to Know Before Moving to the Pocatello, Idaho Area
Top Ten Things to Know Before Moving
Moving into a new home can be exciting, but it can also become stressful very quickly if you wait until the last minute to prepare.
Even a relatively simple move involves dozens of decisions. You may need to coordinate movers, pack an entire household, transfer utilities, update your address, clean two properties, manage children or pets, and make sure nothing important gets lost in the process.
The good news is that moving becomes much easier when you approach it as a series of manageable tasks instead of one enormous project.
Whether you're moving across town, relocating to another state, purchasing your first home, downsizing, or simply moving into a property that better fits your lifestyle, preparation can save you time, money, and frustration.
Here are the top ten things to know before moving.
1. Start Planning Earlier Than You Think You Need To
One of the most common moving mistakes is waiting too long to begin.
Many people underestimate how much time it takes to sort belongings, get estimates, pack rooms, schedule services, and coordinate the logistics of moving day.
As soon as you know approximately when you will be moving, create a basic timeline.
Start with major tasks such as:
Choosing a moving date
Hiring movers or reserving a truck
Buying packing supplies
Decluttering
Packing
Transferring utilities
Changing your address
Scheduling cleaning
Coordinating childcare or pet care
Confirming closing or lease dates
Work backward from moving day and assign tasks to specific weeks.
You do not need to pack your kitchen six weeks in advance.
Instead, begin with belongings you rarely use, such as seasonal decorations, books, extra linens, collectibles, and clothing that is out of season.
As the move gets closer, gradually pack items you use more frequently.
Good preparation reduces the number of decisions you need to make during the final few days.
2. Create a Realistic Moving Budget
Moving almost always costs more than people expect.
Your total cost depends on several factors, including the distance of the move, amount of furniture and belongings, type of transportation, and whether you hire professionals.
Possible expenses include:
Professional movers
Moving truck rental
Fuel
Packing supplies
Storage
Moving insurance
Cleaning services
Travel
Hotels
Meals
Utility deposits
Pet transportation
Childcare
If you are purchasing a home, remember that these costs are separate from the expenses associated with buying the property.
You may already be paying for:
Closing costs
Home inspections
Appraisal fees
Repairs
Furniture
Appliances
Build moving expenses into your overall budget rather than treating them as an afterthought.
It is also smart to leave some extra room for unexpected costs.
You might discover that you need additional boxes, a second truck, temporary storage, or another night in a hotel.
A small financial cushion can make those surprises much easier to manage.
3. Decide Whether to Hire Professional Movers
One of the biggest decisions is whether to move yourself or hire professionals.
A do-it-yourself move may save money, especially if you are moving locally and do not own a large amount of furniture.
However, it also requires more time, physical effort, equipment, and coordination.
Professional movers may make more sense when:
You are moving a long distance
You have heavy furniture
You live in a multistory home
You have limited time
You have physical limitations
You are moving a large household
If you hire a moving company, research carefully.
Ask for written estimates and make sure you understand what is included.
Questions might include:
Is packing included?
Are there charges for stairs?
Are there additional fees for heavy items?
What happens if the move takes longer than expected?
Is storage available?
What type of coverage is included for damaged belongings?
Do not choose a mover solely because the quote is the cheapest.
Reliability, communication, and professionalism matter when someone is responsible for transporting nearly everything you own.
4. Declutter Before You Pack
Moving is one of the best opportunities to get rid of things you no longer need.
Every unnecessary item you pack requires:
A box
Packing material
Time
Space in the truck
Unpacking later
Before packing a room, decide what should be:
Kept
Sold
Donated
Recycled
Discarded
Be especially thorough in areas where belongings accumulate over time.
These often include:
Closets
Garages
Basements
Attics
Storage rooms
Kitchen cabinets
Children's rooms
Ask yourself whether you actually want an item enough to carry it into your next home.
If you have not used something in years, moving may be the right time to let it go.
Decluttering becomes even more important if you are moving into a smaller home.
Measure large furniture and compare the dimensions with your new rooms before deciding whether to move it.
Paying to transport furniture that will not fit in the new house creates unnecessary expense and frustration.
5. Use a Packing System
Packing randomly can make unpacking much harder than it needs to be.
Create a system before you begin.
At minimum, label every box with:
Destination room
General contents
For example:
Kitchen — Baking Supplies
is more useful than simply writing:
Kitchen
You may also want to number boxes and maintain a simple inventory.
For example:
Box 12 — Primary Bedroom — Bedding
This can be especially useful during a large or long-distance move because you will quickly know if something is missing.
Use smaller boxes for heavy items such as books and cookware.
Use larger boxes for lighter belongings such as:
Pillows
Bedding
Towels
Clothing
Wrap fragile items carefully and fill empty spaces so contents do not shift excessively in transit.
Avoid overloading boxes.
A box is not useful if it becomes too heavy to safely carry.
6. Prepare a First-Night Essentials Kit
One of the most useful moving strategies is keeping a separate bag or box with everything you will need immediately.
Imagine arriving at your new home after a long moving day.
You probably will not want to open fifteen boxes looking for toothpaste or clean sheets.
Your essentials kit might include:
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Soap
Toothbrushes
Toiletries
Prescription medications
Phone chargers
Basic tools
Scissors
Box cutter
Trash bags
Cleaning supplies
Towels
Bedding
Pajamas
Change of clothes
Snacks
Bottled water
Families with children may also need:
Diapers
Formula
Favorite toys
School items
Comfort objects
Extra clothing
Pet owners may want:
Food
Bowls
Medication
Leash
Waste bags
Bedding
Keep this box or bag with you rather than placing it deep inside the moving truck.
Think of it as luggage for the first night in your new home.
7. Transfer Utilities Before You Arrive
Few things are more frustrating than arriving at a new house and discovering there is no electricity or internet.
Arrange utilities before moving day.
Depending on the property, you may need to transfer or establish:
Electricity
Natural gas
Water
Sewer
Trash service
Internet
Cable or television
Home security
Schedule services at your current residence to end at the appropriate time as well.
Do not disconnect everything too early.
You may still need power, water, or internet while cleaning and finishing the move.
If possible, have new utilities activated before or on your move-in date.
It can also be useful to photograph utility meters when you leave the old property and arrive at the new one, when applicable.
This gives you a record of readings around the time responsibility changes.
8. Update Your Address Everywhere
Your home address is connected to more accounts than you probably realize.
Set up mail forwarding and begin updating important records around the time of your move.
Organizations that may need your new address include:
Banks
Credit card companies
Insurance providers
Employers
Healthcare providers
Schools
Government agencies
Subscription services
Online retailers
Professional organizations
You may also need to update:
Driver's license
Vehicle registration
Voter registration
Requirements and deadlines vary by location, especially when moving from one state to another.
Create a checklist instead of trying to remember every account at once.
Even after moving, you will probably discover additional services that still have your previous address.
Updating them gradually is normal.
9. Learn How Your New Home Works
Before you become focused entirely on furniture and decorating, learn the important systems in your new home.
Know where to find:
Main water shutoff
Electrical panel
Gas shutoff
HVAC equipment
Water heater
Smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors
Garage controls
Irrigation controls
The main water shutoff is particularly important.
If a pipe breaks, knowing how to stop the water quickly can help reduce damage.
If you purchased the property, keep your home inspection report accessible.
It may contain valuable information about:
Maintenance needs
Equipment ages
Repairs
Safety concerns
Future replacement items
If possible, ask the previous owner or property manager about things such as:
HVAC filters
Irrigation schedules
Appliance manuals
Security systems
Smart-home equipment
Landscaping
Learning these details early can prevent confusion later.
10. Complete Important Projects Before Unpacking
Certain projects are much easier when a home is empty.
Before furniture and boxes fill every room, consider whether you need to complete:
Deep cleaning
Carpet cleaning
Interior painting
Lock changes
Minor repairs
Shelving installation
Pest treatment
An empty room is easier to paint and clean.
An empty closet is easier to modify.
If you bought the home and your inspection identified important repairs, prioritize anything involving safety or preventing additional damage.
Cosmetic projects can usually wait.
Do not feel obligated to completely renovate the home before unpacking.
Focus first on making it safe, clean, and functional.
What Should You Do Immediately After Moving In?
Once your belongings arrive, it can be tempting to immediately start decorating.
Start with safety and basic functionality instead.
Check:
Exterior doors
Windows
Smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors
Garage doors
Security systems
If you purchased the home, consider changing or rekeying the exterior locks.
Even if the previous owner hands over every key they have, you generally cannot know who may still have an old copy.
After that, focus on essential living spaces.
Set up beds first.
Then organize bathrooms and basic kitchen supplies.
Your first-day priorities should usually be:
Somewhere to sleep
A functioning bathroom
Food and water
Medications and personal necessities
Decorations can wait.
You do not need to unpack the entire house in one weekend.
Research Your New Area Before Moving
If you are relocating somewhere unfamiliar, learn about the area before you arrive.
Identify nearby:
Grocery stores
Pharmacies
Healthcare providers
Schools
Childcare
Gas stations
Restaurants
Parks
Emergency services
You may also want to test your commute during the hours you would normally drive.
A route that looks short on a map may take much longer during peak traffic.
If you work from home, confirm internet service at the specific property.
Do not assume every provider or speed is available everywhere.
Pet owners may want to locate:
Veterinarians
Groomers
Boarding facilities
Dog parks
Knowing where basic services are located can make your first weeks in the new area feel much easier.
What Should You Keep With You During the Move?
Certain belongings should not disappear into the back of a moving truck.
Keep important or irreplaceable items with you.
These may include:
Identification
Passports
Financial documents
Closing or lease paperwork
Prescription medications
Jewelry
Keys
Phones
Laptops
Chargers
Important photographs
Irreplaceable keepsakes
If something would be extremely difficult or impossible to replace, consider transporting it yourself.
You should also ask professional movers what they will not transport.
Restrictions may apply to hazardous or flammable materials such as:
Fuel
Propane
Certain chemicals
Paint products
Some cleaning supplies
Policies vary, so ask your moving company before packing.
How Early Should You Start Preparing?
There is no perfect timeline for every move.
However, starting several weeks in advance is often much easier than trying to complete everything during the final week.
A local move with limited belongings may require less preparation.
A cross-country relocation involving a large household may require much more.
As soon as you know your date, begin handling tasks that do not require you to wait.
You can:
Declutter
Get moving estimates
Reserve services
Buy supplies
Pack seasonal belongings
Moving companies and rental trucks may become harder to reserve during weekends and popular moving periods.
Planning early gives you more choices.
What Should You Do During the Final Week?
The week before moving is the time to confirm details rather than start major new projects.
Double-check:
Moving company
Truck reservation
Arrival times
New address
Utility activation
Closing or lease information
Travel arrangements
Childcare
Pet arrangements
Finish packing nearly everything except the belongings you need immediately.
Begin using or discarding food that will not move easily.
Clean out the refrigerator and freezer.
Make sure boxes are clearly labeled and important paperwork is together.
If you are moving from a rental, review any requirements involving:
Cleaning
Key return
Final walkthrough
Deposit procedures
A final checklist can help prevent small details from becoming moving-day problems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving
What should you do first when preparing to move?
Determine your moving date and create a checklist. Then establish your budget, decide whether you will hire movers, and begin decluttering.
How early should you start packing?
For many households, beginning several weeks before the move works well. Start with items you rarely use and gradually pack everyday belongings as moving day approaches.
Is it cheaper to hire movers or move yourself?
Moving yourself can be less expensive for some local moves, but compare all costs, including truck rental, fuel, equipment, packing materials, and your time.
Should you clean a home before moving in?
Yes, when possible. Cleaning an empty home is usually much easier than cleaning around boxes and furniture.
What should you unpack first?
Start with beds, bathroom essentials, medications, basic kitchen supplies, children's necessities, and pet supplies.
Should you change the locks after buying a house?
Many homeowners choose to change or rekey exterior locks after taking possession because they cannot know how many copies of the previous keys may exist.
Simple Moving Checklist
Before moving day, make sure you have covered the basics:
Set a moving date
Create a budget
Hire movers or reserve a truck
Declutter
Buy packing supplies
Pack gradually
Label boxes
Prepare an essentials kit
Transfer utilities
Forward mail
Update your address
Arrange childcare or pet care if needed
Confirm moving-day details
Keep valuables with you
Clean both properties
Learn the new home's systems
Change or rekey locks if appropriate
A written checklist is one of the simplest ways to reduce stress.
Final Thoughts
Moving does not have to feel chaotic.
The most important thing you can do is give yourself enough time.
Start planning early, establish a realistic budget, eliminate belongings you no longer need, and create a clear packing system.
Transfer utilities before moving day, update important accounts, and keep documents, medications, valuables, and first-night necessities somewhere easily accessible.
Once you arrive at the new home, focus on safety and function before decorating.
Set up beds, bathrooms, and basic kitchen supplies. Learn where important home systems are located and address any urgent repairs before filling the house with furniture.
Most importantly, remember that you do not need to have every box unpacked and every room decorated immediately.
A successful move is not about completing everything in one day.
It is about arriving with the important pieces organized, avoiding preventable problems, and giving yourself a smooth transition into your new home.