Moving >

Advice for after you’ve decided to move, and after you’ve actually moved.

See also Home-hunting

Post-Hunt Notes ∞

After finding a place, what kinds of things should be considered?

• Make sure you have the landlord’s / maintainance people’s contact info.

• Are there any scheduled meetings or such?

Leave ample time to ensure that all of your property is packed properly and accounted for.

House keys should be returned before your last day at the old place.

Your damage deposit should be returned before you leave. Some places require a signature on paperwork for this return. Some places require interest to be paid on your damage deposit. Consider waiving this to speed things up.

Who to notify that you are moving ∞

Lots of services need to be notified of your change of address and telephone number once you secure a new home.

Check through your wallet for ideas.

Other ideas:

• Government

  • Various government services should be notified of your move. Think of your ID: Social Insurance (SIN card), your Health Card, provincial/state ID, drivers license, pension plan, passport or the like.
  • It’s especially important to get photo ID redone right away.
  • Note that some of these take significant time, like a passport. Consider beginning this process as soon as you’ve signed your new place’s paperwork.

• Employer

  • And work-related contacts like agents.

• Doctors:

  • Doctor (general)
  • Optometrist (eyes)
  • Dentist (teeth)
  • .. anything else like audiologist (ears), psychologist (mind), psychiatrist (brain), physiotherapist (body/recovery)

• Telephone – If you change your number, your old answering machine message can be changed to include your new home number.

  • Maybe your phone company has forwarding.
• Bank
• Investment company
• Lawyer
• Tax company
• Pharmacy
• Cable / internet provider

• Food delivery services

  • e.g. Amazon Subscribe & Save.
• Online stores

• Utilities: Electricity, water, gas

  • At least to let them know you’ll be cancelling service. Many of them would be happy to continue serving you at a new address, if possible. If you wiggle a little, suggesting you’ll switch companies, many will offer you a deal as though you were a new customer. Perhaps just ask, and be nice about it!

• Mail/post forwarding

  • Packages might not be forwardable.

Canada ∞

• The Government

  • https://www.canada.ca/en/government/change-address.html
  • ICBC – Change your name or address
  • You may have a separate services or health card.

• Canada post

  • mail forwarding (temporary or permanent)
  • postal boxes