Chicago is one of the most fun and diverse cities in the U.S. You’ll find neighborhoods with eclectic boutique shops and nightclubs, and trendy areas with Michelin-star restaurants. When you equip yourself with a Chicago moving checklist created by professional movers, you’ll enjoy a stress-free location that lets you settle into your new place quickly so you can enjoy the sites and attractions.
Whether you’re planning to move to an apartment in the downtown area or a home in one of the upscale neighborhoods, coordinating your move and hiring the best professional movers in Chicago can help make moving in the Windy City a breeze.
Pre-Move Preparations
Before you start packing boxes, it’s essential to make pre-move preparations to ensure a smooth experience. To help take the stress out of moving, our team has compiled a Chicago moving checklist for easy reference.
Research Chicago’s Traffic Pattern
Chicago is a heavily populated city with many drivers. Understanding the peak traffic patterns will help you determine the best route during a move. Try to plan your move after the morning rush that runs between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and in the evening between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Apply for Chicago Moving Permits
Since Chicago has strict parking regulations, ask your professional movers to apply for parking and zoning permits well in advance of your moving day. The City of Chicago’s parking permit website allows you to get residential parking permits and non-commercial loading zone permits to stay compliant with parking rules.
Plan Your Route and Parking
Planning your moving route is a big task on your Chicago moving checklist. You’ll want to avoid construction zones, one-way streets, and low-clearance bridges and overpasses. In the spring, summer, and fall, there are also a lot of street festivals that close down main thoroughfares, which could throw a wrench into your move day commute.
Secure a Loading Zone
If you’re moving to or from an apartment in one of Chicago’s busier neighborhoods, you’ll need to coordinate with the building manager and neighbors to ensure you’ll have a parking spot for your vehicle and the moving truck. You should also arrange for elevator access if you live in a high-rise apartment, and loading dock access if applicable.
Packing Tips for Urban Moves
You can take various steps to make the process of moving to or within a big city seamless and efficient, regardless of whether you’re hiring professional movers and packers or handling your relocation on your own.
Pack Efficiently for Tight or Small Spaces
Chicago apartment buildings often have narrow hallways and stairways. Trying to maneuver big or bulky boxes or items through these tight spaces is often challenging. When packing your possessions, try to pack more small boxes that are easy to carry through tight spaces and doorways. You’ll also want to determine what to pack first and what to keep accessible until your move day.
Label Containers for Quick Unpacking
Labeling boxes is one of the most efficient things you can do when you move. Note what room the box goes into or the area where it belongs in a studio apartment. You should pack and mark one box with essentials such as toiletries and medicine for your first few days in your new home.
Moving Day Considerations to Add to Your Chicago Moving Checklist
As moving day draws near, you’ll be excited and maybe a bit anxious. The more prepared you are, the smoother the process will be.
Prepare for Chicago Weather
Many Chicagoans move during the summer months when there’s little chance of inclement weather, which can make moving day more challenging. However, your Chicago moving checklist should include closely following the weather reports. Try to schedule your move when no heat waves or snowstorms are predicted.
Hire Reputable Professional Movers
Hiring professional movers who are familiar with Chicago’s traffic patterns, loading zones, and regulations can help provide a stress-free moving experience. Reputable Chicago movers who have worked in the city know which streets and highways to avoid and can help you get the proper parking and zoning permits.
Understand Unique Chicago Challenges
Since Chicago was incorporated in 1837, designers didn’t consider that the streets would eventually need to be wider to accommodate big vehicles and moving trucks. Understanding this city’s unique challenges and planning around them can help ease the stress of moving.
Carefully Navigate Narrow Streets and Alleys
Many of Chicago’s streets were built for small vehicles and may not be able to accommodate a moving truck. If your apartment lies in a narrow alley, you may have to get a smaller vehicle or shuttle service to get your possessions from the larger moving truck to your apartment.
Check Your Utility Setup
After you’ve chosen your apartment, condo, townhouse, or single-family home and signed the paperwork making your new home official, you’ll have to set up the utilities. Before you move, check with the utility companies to make sure the services are on and ready for you.
Here are a few links to include on your Chicago moving checklist:
Don’t forget about any other services you might need to update, like internet, cell phone, and mail delivery.
Explore the Neighborhood
You should research your neighborhood before moving there. Once you start to settle in, take the time to take a walk, a bus, or a train and explore all that your neighborhood has to offer.
Final Items for Your Chicago Moving Checklist
With so much planning to do when you move, consider these final tips to make your transition smooth and effortless.
Contact the City for Large Item Pickups
Sometimes, when you move, you can’t take certain items with you, especially if they’re large or oversized. Check the Chicago version of Recycle by City for information on how to dispose of bulky items.
Celebrate Your New Home
You did it. You made the move to your new Chicago home. Now it’s time to sit on your couch with a cup of tea and relax, or go out and meet your neighbors to help celebrate your new home.
Let Move-tastic! Take the Stress Out of Your Move With Our Helpful Chicago Moving Checklist
Our team can help take the stress out of your move. In addition to helpful resources like our Chicago moving checklist, we offer comprehensive packing services for your possessions. You can rely on us to help you navigate the nuances of moving in the Chicago area so you can get to your new home quickly and efficiently. If you need to store your items, we also offer secure, safe storage services at our Northwest Side facility.
We look forward to helping you with all your Chicago moving needs. Contact us today for your custom estimate!