Moving Day and Settling In

After weeks or months of decisions, moving day can feel like the final hurdle. It is also an emotional day: you are leaving a home full of memories and starting a new chapter. A little planning makes the day calmer, and a little patience with yourself makes the weeks afterwards easier.

This guide walks you through planning the move, packing, the day itself, changing your address, and settling in to your new home and routine.

Start with the floor plan

The single most useful thing you can do is find out exactly what will fit in your new home before you pack. Moving furniture that does not fit costs money twice: once to move it, and again to get rid of it.

1. Get a floor plan. Ask the seller, landlord, builder or residence for a floor plan with measurements, or measure the rooms yourself.
2. Measure your favourite pieces. Write down the size of the bed, sofa, dining table, dresser and any other large items you want to keep.
3. Draw it out. Sketch each room on graph paper, or ask a family member to help with a simple online tool. Leave room to walk, especially if you use or may later use a walker.
4. Decide what goes, what stays and what is passed on. Label each piece clearly, so movers and family know exactly what to do.

An example: a widow moving from a North York bungalow to a two-bedroom condo may love her dining set for eight. The floor plan shows that a table for four fits comfortably. Knowing this weeks ahead gives her time to offer the larger set to a grandchild, rather than deciding in a rush on moving day.

For help with sorting a lifetime of belongings, see Movers, Estate Sales and Donations.

Senior move managers and other help

A senior move manager is a professional who specializes in helping older adults move. Depending on the service, they may help you sort and downsize, plan the layout of your new home, arrange movers, pack and unpack, and even hang pictures and make the bed so the first night feels like home. Some also arrange for unwanted items to be sold, donated or removed.

This kind of help can be especially valuable if you live alone, if your children live far away, or if the move is happening quickly. Questions to ask any move manager or moving company:

• Can you give me a written estimate, and what exactly does it include?
• Are you insured, and what happens if something is damaged or lost?
• How do you handle items to be donated, sold or discarded?
• When is payment due? (Be cautious about paying a large amount up front.)

Packing without exhausting yourself

Packing takes longer than almost everyone expects. Starting early and doing a little each day is far kinder on the body and the mind.

• Label every box with the room it is going to in the new home and a short list of contents.
• Keep boxes light. Books and dishes go in small boxes. You or a helper should be able to lift them safely.
• Pack an “open first” box for each person: medications, glasses, phone chargers, a change of clothes, toiletries, bedsheets, a kettle, cups and a few snacks.
• Keep important items with you, not in the moving truck: identification, health cards, bank cards, powers of attorney, your will, jewellery, cheque books and the closing documents from your lawyer.

Moving day checklist

• Confirm the time with the movers the day before, and confirm elevator bookings.
• Keep your “open first” box and important documents with you.
• Take photos of the meter readings (hydro, water, gas) at both homes.
• Walk through every room, closet and cupboard of the old home before leaving.
• Leave keys, garage door openers and manuals as agreed with your lawyer or Realtor.
• At the new home, make up the beds first, so you can rest when you are tired.
• Eat, drink water and sit down regularly. Moving day is not a test of endurance.

If you are selling, make sure you understand when the buyers take possession on closing day, and leave the home in the condition your agreement requires. See Step-by-Step Guide to Selling.

Changing your address

Changing your address takes several separate steps, because government agencies generally do not share address changes with each other. Make a list and tick each one off.

Canada Post mail forwarding

Canada Post’s Mail Forwarding service redirects your mail to your new address for a period you choose; for a permanent move, the options are 4 or 12 months. Buy it before you move: it can start 5 days after you buy it online, or 3 days after you buy it at a post office. The price depends on the length of service and how far you are moving.

Canada Revenue Agency

The CRA says it does not share your change of address with other government departments, so you must update it yourself. You can do it through your CRA account online, by phone, or by mail. Details are on the CRA’s change your address page.

ServiceOntario: health card and driver’s licence

Through ServiceOntario you can change the address on your driver’s licence, vehicle permit and health card together online. Ontario asks you to update your driver’s licence and vehicle permit within 6 days of your address changing, and your health card within 30 days. The change is free; a new driver’s licence is mailed to you, while a new health card is not issued because it does not show your address. If you do not drive, check the same page for the Ontario Photo Card.

Everyone else

• Banks, credit cards and investment accounts
• Pension plans and any workplace or private pensions
• Home or tenant insurance, car insurance and life insurance
• Your family doctor, specialists, dentist and pharmacy
• Your lawyer, accountant and financial advisor
• Friends and family (a simple card with your new address is a lovely way to stay in touch)

Utilities and services

Call your utility providers a few weeks ahead. Arrange for hydro, gas and water at the old home to end on closing day and to start at the new home on the day you take possession or move in. In a rental or condo, ask which utilities are included and which you need to set up yourself. Book internet, phone and TV installation early, as appointments can take time. Ask your insurer to cover the new home from the day it becomes yours.

Settling in, loneliness and new routines

Many people feel unsettled for the first few weeks, or even months, after a move. You may miss your old neighbours, your garden or simply the sound of your old house. This is normal, and it usually eases.

A few things that help:

• Unpack the comforting things first: your favourite chair, photographs, your bed made the way you like it.
• Find your essentials early: the nearest pharmacy, grocery store, bank and walking route.
• Build a routine: a regular walk, a coffee at the same café, a weekly call with family.
• Say yes to invitations: building events, a seniors’ centre, a library program, a faith community or a volunteer role.
• Stay in touch with old friends: plan a visit back to the old neighbourhood in the first month.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to change my health card address?

Yes. Ontario asks you to update your health card address within 30 days of moving. It is free, and you can do it online together with your driver’s licence.

How Irina can help

Irina works with sellers to set a realistic closing date and can talk you through the kinds of services people often use, from move managers to cleaners, so you know what to look for and can compare. She is happy to talk things through in English or Russian, with no pressure. Contact her whenever you are ready.

Related guides: Movers, Estate Sales and Donations · Timing the Sale and Your Next Move · Helping from a Distance