Getting ready to move into a luxury new home in Pasadena (or just thinking about it)? With so much to take care of, it’s not unusual that the actual moving arrangements get pushed aside until it’s crunch time. Proper preparation can make a real difference for a worry-free move. Finding a professional, qualified mover is, obviously, a critical step. But, a few tips you might not have thought of can help you make a smooth transition to your new home.

It's not uncommon to forget to change your address when moving to a new home in Pasadena.

It’s not uncommon to forget to change your address when moving to a new home in Pasadena.

Make a moving checklist

Whether you’re relocating down the street or across the state, moving is a huge undertaking. And even if you have movers coming to pack all your items, you still want to keep track of important dates and must-do’s. There are plenty of printable checklists that can help you stay on task, like this one from U-Pack, or you can personalize and fill out this online version.

Change your address

This is one of those tasks that often gets pushed and forgotten about with so much else to accomplish. Then you turn around, you’re all moved in to your luxury new home in Pasadena, and your mail is still going to your former address. If it’s been a number of years since you’ve moved, you’ll appreciate the fact that you can change your address with the post office, as well as other government agencies, online. Personally notifying important entities like your bank, credit card companies, your employer’s human resources department, insurance companies, and any subscriptions you have, whether they’re print or something like Netflix or Amazon Prime, can expedite your mail service to your new address.

If you’d rather walk in to the post office and change your address in person, there’s one right on Colorado Boulevard in Old Town Pasadena.

Get organized

A successful move is all about organization. Whether you’re choosing to pack yourself, are hiring movers to complete this task, or a hybrid of the two, making sure to clearly mark the contents of each box is an important, and somewhat tedious, step. Color coordinating the boxes is a smart trick recommended by movers and organizational experts to make sure each box reaches the correct destination.

“Designate a color for each room in the new home, such as yellow for kitchen, orange for the dining room, etc. Apply colored stickers on the box near the box number,” said The Spruce. “In your new home, put a matching sticker on the door to each room. The movers will know where to put everything when they arrive at the destination. It’s also helpful to post a big sign on the wall in the room where you want boxes stacked, (‘Boxes here please’) to keep them out of furniture and traffic areas.”

Find doggy daycare options

If you have young kids, you’ve (presumably) already thought about how to care for them during your move. But have you thought about your animals?

Because dogs and cats can have trouble adjusting to a move and may also be anxious about so much activity going on when the moving trucks arrive, many people like to make arrangements to have them taken care of as well. If you’re not familiar with good boarding options in Pasadena, Rover is a great place to start.

Pare down

Are you rightsizing from a large estate home in La Canada to a luxury new home in Pasadena? Chances are you’ll be looking to pare down your things, which is easier said than done. Realtor.com has some great tips for editing your belongings, starting with separating out items that can be donated. Christie’s has some helpful advice for selling and consigning antiques and collectibles.

Pack a box of essentials

“Just in case” is a great motto when packing up. Moving just a few streets over to your new home in Pasadena? Chances are, you’ll be fine. But life is unpredictable, and you also never know what kind of unforeseen circumstances could pop up and leave you without access to your things for a day or more. Pack a box of must-haves to get you through an emergency, and add those important things you want to keep your eye on. Include items like:

  • Clothing for everyone in the household for a few days
  • Towels, blankets, and pillows, and comfort items like stuffed animals for kids
  • Toiletries—soap, shampoo, antibacterial, toothbrushes, etc.
  • Any medications that are needed, including those for pets, and staples like pain relievers, antacids, and vitamins
  • A first aid kit
  • Jewelry and any other precious items you want to keep close
  • Laptops, tablets, phones, and chargers
  • Toilet paper and paper towels
  • Paper plates, plastic cups, and silverware
  • Dog food, bowls, leashes, and beds
  • Checkbooks, credit cards, and any other banking information
  • Important papers including passports, social security cards, taxes, etc.
  • Snacks and a cooler for drinks

The good news about moving to Old Town Pasadena is you’ll only be a short walk from shopping and dining. You can always take a quick stroll to grab a great meal at one of Pasadena’s top restaurants (or a more causal eatery) and buy everything from breakfast fixings to new pots and pans to a new wardrobe, should the need arise.

Take pictures of your electronics

Is somebody in the household insisting on taking care of disconnecting and setting up your electronics in your new home? This tip will save your sanity, and save you an emergency call to a specialist: Take pictures of all the connections before you start to disconnect the wires. That way you can easily match everything up again. Labeling cords and packing items together will also help.

Want more information about buying a new home in Pasadena? Visit Villas at the Ambassador Gardens, the newest luxury townhomes and single-level flats for sale in Old Town. Villas offers a lock-and-leave lifestyle with spacious floorplans, gourmet kitchens, private outdoor spaces, and elevators in each unit, plus a coveted location walkable to Old Town Pasadena’s shops, restaurants, and cultural hotspots . You can also click here to be added to the VIP Interest List.