The Memphis moving checklist: 8 weeks to moving day

A good move is mostly a well-timed one. Use this week-by-week checklist whether you're moving across Shelby County or arriving in Memphis for the first time.

8 weeks out

• Set your budget. Decide whether you're moving yourself, hiring movers for the heavy lifting, or doing a mix.
• Get quotes from movers or reserve a truck. Late spring and summer are the busiest months, so book early if you're moving between May and August.
• Start decluttering. Every item you donate or sell is one less item to pack, carry and unpack.
• Make a moving folder (paper or digital) for leases, closing documents, quotes and receipts.

6 weeks out

• Measure your new place. Check that big furniture fits through doors and up stairs.
• Book your moving bins. Pick a delivery date about 1–2 weeks before moving day. Check dates for your ZIP.
• Ask about building rules. Apartments and downtown buildings often require reserved elevators, loading-dock times or a certificate of insurance from your movers.
• Schedule time off work for moving day and the day after.

4 weeks out

• Set up utilities at the new address. In Memphis and much of Shelby County, electricity, gas and water come from MLGW (Memphis Light, Gas and Water). Some suburbs run their own water, sewer or trash services, so check with your city.
• Schedule internet installation. Appointment slots can fill up, so book now for move-in week.
• Forward your mail with USPS.
• Transfer prescriptions and get copies of school and medical records if you're changing providers.

2–3 weeks out

• Start packing the rooms you use least: guest rooms, storage, decorations, books.
• Label every bin with the room it goes to and a short list of contents. Number them so you know if one goes missing.
• Plan for pets and kids on moving day.
• Use up frozen and pantry food.

1 week out

• Pack everything except daily essentials.
• Pack a First Night box: toilet paper, phone chargers, medications, a change of clothes, basic tools, snacks, paper plates and trash bags.
• Confirm times with movers, truck rental and building management.
• Defrost the freezer if you're moving it.

Moving day

• Do a final walk-through of every closet, cabinet and drawer.
• Take photos of the old place for your deposit or closing records.
• Keep valuables and documents with you, not on the truck.
• Stack bins by room in the new home so unpacking goes in order.

After the move

• Update your address on your driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration, bank and insurance.
• Unpack the kitchen and bedrooms first. Everything else can wait.
• Stack empty bins with the lids closed for pickup. With MoverBins, we collect them on your pickup day. No breaking down boxes, no recycling run.

New to Shelby County? Tennessee gives new residents a limited time to get a Tennessee driver's license and register their vehicle. Check the current deadlines with the Tennessee Department of Safety and the Shelby County Clerk.