Moving to a new place? Don’t forget to take these 8 items with you
Moving to a new place? Don't forget to take these 8 items with you

So, you’ve decided to move to a new place. Congrats! That was probably a big step. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering what you should take with you and what you should leave behind. In order not to make your move more stressful, it’s best to do some advance packing and research.
Between finding a new place to live and packing up your things, it’s hard to know where to start. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with these eight crucial items that’ll help you get settled into your new home more quickly and comfortably (especially if you’re doing the move on your own).
1. The right packing supplies
There are a lot of packing supplies on the market. Depending on your needs and budget, you may want to pick up all or some of these items:
- Boxes and bubble wrap
- Tape and other tape dispensers (if you’re not using packing tape)
- Garbage bags of various sizes
- Sharpie markers (for labeling)
If you don’t already have a collection of boxes in your garage or basement, they can be bought at any store that sells moving supplies. You can also find them online. Boxes come in all shapes and sizes—some are designed specifically for storing certain items; others are meant as general storage containers. Choose based on what you’re moving!
2. Important documents and records
This might be the most important category of all. If you don’t have access to your papers, you’re basically on life support—and if something happens to you or someone else in your family, it’s not going to be easy for anyone else to pick up where you left off. Make a list of all the things that need to come with you: driver’s license, passport and social security cards; birth certificate; insurance cards with account numbers—even if they haven’t been used in years; bank account numbers (especially if they’re tied into any automatic bill pay); recent tax returns in case something comes up later on down the line that requires proof of income etc…
3. Your kitchen equipment
If you’re moving to a new home and have some extra room in your kitchen, consider bringing over some of your favorite equipment from the last place. It’s also a good idea to take stock of what you currently have and decide if there are items that can be replaced with newer versions. For example, if you’ve had that same slow cooker for 10 years and it’s starting to break down, it might be time for an upgrade.
If you’re starting from scratch with your new kitchen, however—or if the current one is very small—it may make more sense to purchase all-new equipment at this point in time. There are plenty of things out there that will help get things going quickly!
4. A toolkit
It’s not a bad idea to bring along a toolkit when you’re moving into a new place, even if you’re renting. Your landlord may have tools available, but chances are they won’t have all the tools needed for any repair or assembly projects that come up in your home. Even if you’re lucky enough to live in an apartment building with an onsite super (or handyman), he may not be there when something breaks down and needs fixing before morning rush hour traffic starts (or just because it’s Friday night). So it’s best not to rely on anyone else to fix things around your home—you’ll need them one day!
5. Family photos and other sentimental belongings
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of moving, but don’t forget about the importance of taking photos and other sentimental items with you. Even if it’s only a momento from your last home, keep it safe for later viewing.
You’ll also want to make sure that important documents—like birth certificates, passports and Social Security cards—are transferred into a secure place before you move out.
6. Pack your jewelry
If you have any precious jewelry, use a jewelry box or padded envelope to protect it from scratches and damage during the move. If possible, put pieces with stones in a separate pouch. In case you’re not sure about how to pack something, ask a professional for advice on how best to pack it safely and securely.
Be careful with your jewelry. Even if you are making a selection of what to wear and what not to wear, remember that you can recycle old jewelry. You can repair it or perform a thorough ultrasonic cleaning, so that your jewelry looks like new.
7. Protect your electronics
If you’re moving from one part of the country to another, you’ll need to bring all of your electronics with you. That includes computers, televisions, printers and other devices that use electricity or run on batteries.
You probably have a lot of electronics that will be transported with your belongings. Make sure they’re protected from damage by packing them in bubble wrap or newspaper before putting them into boxes.
8. A list of emergency numbers
An important consideration when moving is to make sure you have a list of emergency numbers. These include the police, fire department, ambulance, animal control and any local utility companies (gas, electric or water). It’s also good to have the phone numbers for local plumbers, electricians and handymen. Add in numbers for your doctor, dentist and hospital. This way if something happens while you’re settling in somewhere new it will be easy to find the right person who can help you out in an emergency situation.
Moving to a new place can be stressful, but with these eight items, you’ll have a smoother transition. If you’re moving on your own, the right packing supplies will help keep everything organized so you don’t lose anything important during the move. And if you’re moving with family or friends, they’ll make sure that everyone pulls their weight when it comes time to unpack everything! Ultimately, when it comes time for all of us as humans – no matter where we live or how old we get – we just want comfort and happiness in our lives.
Why is it important to make a list before moving?
It helps you stay organized. When you’re moving, there are so many things to remember, and making a list helps you stay on top of it all. If you’re like me, you’ll want to make sure everything is accounted for before moving day arrives. And if you follow these tips, your move will run smoothly and you won’t forget anything important.
Before you start packing up your things and moving them out of your home, take some time to make a list of everything that you need to move. Make sure that all of your belongings are documented so that if something gets lost or damaged during the move, you know exactly what it was and can file a claim.
After you have packed everything you need, take extra care not to leave any of the following items behind: tv or cable boxes, paper towels and toilet paper, hand soap or dish detergent, cleaning supplies (like bleach), laundry soap (dried or liquid), any plates that don’t have a matching set, pet food/litter, personal hygiene products, specific electronic items (all cords and cables), sheets for your bed, toothpaste.