Moving has a reputation for being one of the most stressful things you can do. There are boxes to pack, belongings to sort through, movers to schedule, addresses to change, and a whole new home to get used to. By the time moving day arrives, it can feel like you’ve already run a marathon.
That’s where the idea of “lazy moving” comes in. The name makes it sound like you’re avoiding the work, but the real idea is pretty practical: get as much of the planning and decision-making done ahead of time as possible.
Instead of leaving everything for the final week, you can handle many moving tasks from your couch. A few phone calls, online forms, lists, and appointments can take care of a surprising amount before a single box gets loaded.
Whether you’re moving across town or heading to another state, these lazy moving habits can make the whole process feel much more manageable.
Create a Master Moving Plan
Before you start filling boxes, make one master list of everything that needs to happen before, during, and after the move.
Include tasks such as packing, donating unwanted belongings, scheduling movers, changing your address, transferring utilities, cleaning, and setting aside important documents. Having one central list means you don’t have to keep every little detail in your head.
A moving planner can also make this much easier. Our Printable Moving Planner Bundle includes moving checklists, room-by-room inventories, utility trackers, donation logs, packing planners, and moving day worksheets to help keep everything in one place.
Create a Digital Home Inventory
You can make a home inventory without spending hours writing down every item you own.
Walk through each room with your phone and take photos or short videos of furniture, appliances, electronics, and other valuable belongings. Add a few notes where needed, such as the make and model of an appliance or the condition of an expensive item.
This gives you a record of what you’re taking with you and can also be useful if something gets damaged or goes missing during the move.
Make a Donation and Decluttering Plan
Moving gives you a good reason to finally deal with the things you’ve been putting off. There’s little point in packing items you already know you don’t want.
As you go through each room, separate belongings into categories: keep, donate, sell, recycle, and throw away. You can even arrange donation pickups online for larger pieces of furniture.
If you need some help deciding what to let go of, these years of belongings can be easier to sort when you tackle one room or category at a time.
Schedule Movers Early
Waiting until the last minute to hire movers can leave you with fewer choices, especially during busy moving seasons.
Spend some time comparing companies, checking reviews, requesting quotes, and checking their availability. Once you’ve found a company that fits your needs and budget, book the date and get the details in writing.
Doing this early means one less thing hanging over your head as moving day gets closer.
Reserve Elevators, Parking Spaces, and Loading Areas
Apartment and condo moves can come with extra rules that aren’t always obvious until you ask.
Some buildings require residents to reserve a freight elevator, loading area, or parking space for the moving truck. Others have specific hours when moves are allowed.
Check with your building manager or homeowners’ association ahead of time. A quick call or email now could prevent a truck from sitting outside while you’re waiting for permission to move your belongings.
Update Your Address Everywhere
Changing your mailing address is one task that’s easy to put off because there are so many places that need the new information.
Make a list of accounts and services that have your address on file, including:
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Insurance policies
- Employer records
- Subscription services
- Medical providers
Set up mail forwarding too, but don’t rely on it as your only step. Updating your accounts directly can help prevent bills, statements, and important notices from going to your old address.
Set Up Utilities Before You Arrive
Arriving at a new home without electricity, water, or internet can make an already tiring day much harder.
Contact your utility companies several weeks before the move and schedule the transfer or connection dates. Check the dates again before moving so you know everything is ready.
This is also a good time to review your current plans. Moving can be a convenient excuse to compare internet, electricity, or other household services and see whether you can lower your monthly costs.
Research Your New Neighborhood
You can get to know a new neighborhood before you’ve even unpacked a box.
Spend a little time looking up nearby grocery stores, pharmacies, coffee shops, restaurants, parks, libraries, medical offices, schools, and hardware stores. Save the places you think you’ll use most on your phone.
That first grocery run or trip to the pharmacy becomes much easier when you already know where to go.
Find New Service Providers Ahead of Time
Moving to a new area often means finding new people to handle everyday jobs around the house.
Depending on your needs, start looking for:
- House cleaners
- Lawn care companies
- Pet sitters
- Babysitters
- Dog walkers
- Handymen
Read reviews, compare prices, and save a few options before you move. You’ll be glad you did when something needs attention and you don’t have to start searching from scratch.
Related: 12 Household Budget Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands a Year
Plan Your First Night Box
One of the easiest ways to make moving day less frustrating is to pack a separate box or bag for the first night.
You don’t want to open box after box looking for your toothbrush or phone charger at the end of a long day.
Pack things such as:
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Chargers
- Pajamas
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Snacks
- Coffee supplies
- A few changes of clothes
Keep this box somewhere easy to reach, rather than burying it in the moving truck. You can do the same with important paperwork and anything else you’ll need right away.
Plan Your New Commute
A new address can mean a very different commute, even if the distance doesn’t look much longer on a map.
Check your route during the actual hours you’ll be traveling. Look at traffic patterns, alternate routes, parking options, and public transportation if that’s relevant to your move.
A little research before your first workday can save you from discovering the hard way that a 20-minute weekend drive becomes a much longer trip during rush hour.
Don’t Wait Until Moving Day to Get Organized
The “lazy moving” idea isn’t really about being lazy. It’s about doing the thinking early so you don’t have to make dozens of decisions while you’re surrounded by boxes.
Schedule the movers. Change your address. Set up utilities. Sort your belongings. Make the lists. Find the local services you’ll need.
By the time moving day arrives, most of the decisions have already been made. You’ll still have plenty of physical work ahead, but you won’t be trying to solve every problem at the same time.
A little planning from the comfort of your couch can make a surprisingly big difference once the moving truck arrives.
