General Moving Tips Checklist

Here's a quick overview of many things you can take care of before moving. This tips checklist is very general, but it should give you the big picture so you can get started doing what needs to be done.

Learn more: Chicago Storage and Moving

Once you've reviewed this list, please see below for some moving and packing tips for wine lovers. Whether you live in Chicagoland and are relocating from one area to another, or you have plans to move to another part of the country (or world!), you can get some help from StrongBox.

Finances - It's never too early to get your finances in order prior to a move and it's much easier to do so now than it will be once you've moved and your points of contact are miles (or a continent) away. Areas to take care of might include your retirement savings plan, if you're changing jobs and other related financial issues. You may also consider locating a financial advisor in your destination hometown and selecting a bank to which you'll transfer your account (or a branch of the bank you currently use).

Services, etc. - Contact the following for details on closing up your current accounts: utilities, water, telephone, cable, pest control, landscape help, cleaning services, etc. Take care of re-directing your mail by completing the forms required.

Your Connections - Notify critical business and personal connections of your impending move. Contact your accountant, doctor, dentist, any clubs to which you belong, and all advisors. Remember to let Aunt Debbie know where you're headed so she can still send you cookies for your birthday. Transfer school records for your kids.

Pizza - If you are hoping for some help from family and/or friends when you move, make these arrangements well ahead of moving day. Plan to have plenty of pizza or other fortification available to your volunteers, and don't forget to send thank you notes from your new address.

Goodbyes - are best taken care of before you move. Take a few moments here and there during the weeks prior to your move to call or visit neighbors and friends to say goodbye. That way you won't miss the chance to thank them for being there and to give them your new contact information (much more personal than an email).

Wine Moving, Packing Tips

Wine storage and transfer is not something everyone has to consider when a move comes up, but a growing number of wine lovers are finding the need for some expert advice when it's time to move and their accumulated stock is not about to be left behind. Here is a bit of advice to help. It's just a basic wine moving tips (or checklist, if you like) but every little bit of hard won wisdom helps, right?

If you'd like to speak with a real human being about wine moving, packing tips, or wine storage, send an email or phone us. We've been in the wine storage and general storage and moving business for decades and are more than happy to lend a helping hand (or the right box, packing material, locks, or even moving trucks).

Things to Remember

If you hire a moving company, Chicagoland or anywhere else, it's good to notify them ahead of time so they can make the necessary arrangements. It's also good to have the value of your collection appraised, for insurance purposes. If you have a serious wine collection, make sure you have records, in the form of images and data. Know that 55 degrees Fahrenheit is the best temperature for holding and transporting red wines. White wines aren't as sensitive to temperature shifts, but it never hurts to be careful with these too. If your wines are corked, be sure they travel on their sides or in an upside-down position so that corks stay wet, and label all packaging clearly with the word, "Fragile." Finally, if you have any control over when you'll be moving, autumn and spring are the best times of the year to move. Consider shipping your collection by air (commercial) if the temperatures are extremely cold or hot.

Additional information: Indoor Public Storage