Moving to Chicago in winter is exciting. The city comes alive with holiday festivities, and there are plenty of indoor and outdoor things to do throughout the season—but sometimes the weather makes the actual move a bit challenging. The good news is that with some organization, preparation, and by taking advantage of expert moving tips, you can have a smooth and successful relocation to and within the Windy City.
Plan in advance
Whenever possible, you should give yourself plenty of time to plan your relocation. The ideal timeline for interstate moves is over two months, and even local moves within the Chicago Area benefit from a minimum of six to eight weeks of planning. Allowing yourself ample time lets you obtain multiple estimates from moving companies, declutter your home, handle logistics like address changes with utility companies, and carefully pack your home’s contents.
Careful planning is particularly important in the colder months. Chicago in winter is normally cold, windy, snowy, and icy—but we’re also no strangers to unseasonably warm or sunny days that might see rainfall instead of snow or sleet. When you start planning your move in advance, you’ll be ready for just about anything the weather can throw at you and your moving crew. Just be sure to find a reliable weather forecast so you can keep an eye on the temperature and precipitation as your moving date approaches.
Get winter-resistant packing materials
One of the best ways to prepare for your pack and move during winter is to get packing materials that will protect your possessions from the elements. Traditional cardboard boxes aren’t usually ideal for winter moves. If they snowed on (or are set down on the wet outdoor ground), the structural integrity could be ruined, and the items inside might get wet, broken, or otherwise damaged.
Fortunately, there are plenty of packing supplies that can keep your belongings safe and dry. Here are a few ideas:
- Water-resistant suitcases and duffle bags
- Plastic bins that can be sealed with a lid
- Space-saving and moisture-resistant vacuum bags to pull the air out of bulky items like comforters and coats
- Rentable plastic moving bins that snap shut to keep the elements out and are eco-friendly alternatives to single-use materials
If you’ve hired a professional moving crew to handle the heavy lifting, they’ll also bring moving blankets and shrink wrap to protect your larger furniture from the snow, ice, water, and salt that are all too common throughout Chicago in winter.
Identify temperature-sensitive items in your inventory
As you walk through your home, consider which items you might want to take in your personal vehicle as opposed to packing onto the moving truck. Your car is temperature-controlled and the box of a truck is not, so it might be a good idea to transport some things on your own. While local moves within Chicagoland aren’t usually long enough to cause freezing, it could become a concern if you’re moving a few hours away or need overnight storage service, in which case your belongings will be on the moving truck for more time than a normal single-day relocation.
Some small, water-based items are relatively easy to pack up and put into your car. For example, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and any other liquid toiletries from your bathroom are good candidates for you to transport in your personal vehicle, as are cleaning supplies like bleach, glass cleaners, and laundry detergent. Additionally, electronics like TVs, video game consoles, and stereo systems might not take the cold very well. Fortunately, as long as you’ve hired one of the best moving companies in Chicago to take care of your move, they’ll come equipped with the right materials to keep these items warm and safe.
Prepare yourself for the winter move
When you move to Chicago in winter, it’s important to prepare yourself for transitioning between cold outdoor and warm indoor settings. The best practice is often to dress in layers so you can easily adapt to the temperature differences. And don’t forget to wear comfortable, warm, water-resistant shoes!
If you’re moving with pets or children, try to find a friend or family member to take care of them during your move day. Moving can be a stressful event for kids and animals and adding in potentially inclement winter weather might add to their anxiety or discomfort. If they’re warm and safe with someone they know and trust, your entire move can go more smoothly.
Prepare your new and old homes
As your moving date approaches and you have an idea of what the weather will be like during your relocation, you can start preparing your new and old homes for the actual move. There are a few steps you can take for safety and cleanliness during a move in Chicago in winter, including:
- Clear a pathway. Remove any ice, snow, or frozen leaves in the pathway from your door to where the moving truck will be parked. This helps prevent the movers from slipping and allows them to work more quickly.
- Protect your floors. Most moving companies will happily bring along neoprene floor runners to protect hardwood and tile floors, as well as plastic coverings for carpeting. A day or two before your move, just contact your professional movers and ask them to bring some floor protection.
- Lower the thermostats. Unless you’re moving to a Chicago apartment with radiator heat that’s included in your rent, you’ll want to adjust the thermostats at your old and new homes to save on heat. The doors will have to be repeatedly opened and closed when the movers carry items in and out, and keeping the temperature a few degrees below your normal preference can keep your gas bill lower.
Remember: the more prepared you are, the smoother and more quickly your winter move will go.
Know what to expect during a winter move
Throughout any move, it’s important to manage your expectations so you avoid unwanted surprises. So contact your moving company and ask what your movers can and cannot do during a winter move. For example, they cannot wear shoe covers to protect your floors because those booties are tripping hazards—and that’s dangerous for the movers and your belongings.
Additionally, keep in mind that the weather might affect the overall time of your move. Snowfall could make the drive between your two locations take more time than normal, and although frustrating, it’s simply out of the movers’ control. And, if you happen to move on one of Chicago’s subzero winter days, let your move crew take an occasional break to warm up between trips to the moving truck (don’t worry—you won’t be charged for their break times). Basically, when the weather in Chicago gets rough, just try to practice good moving day etiquette and you’ll have a great overall experience.
Moving to Chicago in winter? We can help!
Moving in winter might seem like a situation you want to avoid at all costs—but we actually love it! We’ll bring all the packing and moving materials you’ll need, along with the knowledge, skill, and brawn to give you a smooth move.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you have a great move any time of year!