Finally, Making the Move to Israel

Six months before

• Research. Start researching your new community, and look for housing, schools, and childcare. Knowing where the best opportunities are can help you find the perfect area for your family.

• Collect records. Compile medical and dental records, and arrange to have school and veterinarian records transferred to your new location. Gather copies of legal and financial documents, and create a move file to keep track of quotes, receipts, and other important information.

Two months before

• Get quotes. Collect estimates from moving companies and create a moving budget.

• Join Aliyah Forums. Get to know other Olim interested in making Aliyah around the same time as you.

Six weeks before

• Inventory items. Plan how you will move valuables and difficult-to-replace items, and begin purging your home of things you don’t want to move. Consider having a garage sale or donating items you no longer need.

• Know what you can and can’t move. Use items such as frozen foods, cleaning supplies, and aerosols in advance, make travel arrangements for your pets, and plan how to transport your plants so you’ll be prepared on moving day. Most companies have a do-not-ship list to help you know what isn’t safe to place in the equipment.

• Start packing. Order boxes and moving supplies, and begin packing items you don’t use often. Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it’s destined for. This is also an excellent time to review packing and loading tips.

One month before

• Reserve your move. If moving with U-Pack, reserve your activity online or by calling 1-800-240-7422.

• Notify utility services. Call these departments at your current and future locations to cancel, transfer, or set up a new service:

• Electric Water
  • Gas
  • Cell phone
  • Sewer
  • Trash collection
  • Cable/satellite, internet, and landline phone

• Get your automobile serviced. Check oil, fluids, air pressure, and other components to ensure everything is functioning correctly before you make the trip to your new home.

Two weeks before

• Update address. File a change of address with the Postal Service or ask them to hold your mail at the post office in your new city. Notify friends and family of your new address so you can stay in touch.

• Notify other businesses. These services/accounts should be aware that your address is changing:

• Auto finance company, Insurance company, Bank/Credit union, Credit card company, Health club

• Home care service providers (lawn, exterminator, snow removal, etc.) Laundry service
• 
  Magazines/Newspapers Monthly memberships (Netflix, book of the month, etc.)

• Pharmacy: Any other service that would need an updated billing address  

• Notify government offices. Contact these offices before you move: Department of Motor Vehicles

• Social Security Administration, City/County Tax Assessor, State/Federal Tax Bureau (IRS), Veterans Administration

• Arrange for parking. Make sure you know where your moving equipment will go and where any moving help will park. Obtain parking permits if needed.

• Plan meals. Prepare meals that use up any perishable food you may have during the last weeks before your move.

• Prepare the house. Assemble a folder of important information about your home for the next homeowner, and make sure you complete any necessary repairs. Leave a note with your new address so future residents can forward stray mail.

One week before

• Review moving plans. Call or email your moving consultant with questions and print or save a copy of your bill of lading.

• Prepare for payment. Contact your bank or credit card company if you’re planning to pay for your move by debit or credit card, so you won’t receive any fraud alerts. You may also want to mention that you’ll travel, so your card won’t be declined for suspicious spending activity.

• Pack an essentials box. Fill the container with things you might need once you arrive at your new house (paper products and utensils, light bulbs, a small tool kit, trash bags, scissors, etc.). Pro tip: Load the essentials box onto the moving equipment last so that it’s the first thing you unload upon arrival.

• Pack for travel. Bring enough clothes and toiletries to cover the days you’ll travel and the first days in your new home. Don’t forget to refill prescriptions and bring them with you, too.

• Prepare appliances. Drain gas and oil from lawn equipment, gas grills, heaters, etc., and empty and defrost the refrigerator/freezer at least 24 hours before the move.

• Measure furniture and doorways. Measure large items to determine if they will fit through the door. Plan an alternate route if necessary.

Moving day

• Clear a path. Make sure nothing is blocking the walkway from the house to the moving container, and place carpet, floor, and door frame protectors throughout your home to avoid scratching surfaces.

• Do a final walkthrough. Check every room and closet to ensure nothing is left behind.

• Arrange for pick up. If moving with U-Pack, call the service center to have your loaded moving equipment picked up.

Moving in

• Clean and inspect. Scrub surfaces and ensure everything is working correctly before your household goods arrive.

• Unpack. Unload your items and begin organizing your new home.

• Get settled. Pick up any mail held at the local post office, get a new driver’s license and automobile tags (register to vote while you’re at it), and locate gas stations, doctors’ offices, and grocery stores.