Moving in Austin comes with its own set of challenges. Between the summer heat, the I-35 traffic, apartment complexes with strict move-in rules, and the Hill Country terrain, there’s a lot to think about beyond just packing boxes.
We put together this checklist based on years of helping Austin families and individuals move. It covers everything from eight weeks out to after you’ve settled in, with Austin-specific tips you won’t find in a generic moving guide. Bookmark this page, print it out, or save it to your phone — and check things off as you go.
8 Weeks Before Your Move
Start decluttering room by room. Donate items to Austin-area charities like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or Austin Creative Reuse. Sell larger items on Facebook Marketplace or Austin’s Craigslist — furniture moves fast here.
Research and get quotes from at least 2-3 moving companies. Look for licensed, insured Austin movers with real Google reviews. Get estimates in writing.
If you’re moving into or out of an apartment, check your lease for move-out requirements and notify your property manager of your move date. Many Austin complexes require 60 days’ notice.
Start collecting packing supplies: boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers. Austin H-E-B locations often have free boxes behind the store if you ask.
If you have kids, research school enrollment deadlines in your new area. Austin ISD, Leander ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Lake Travis ISD all have different timelines.
6 Weeks Before Your Move
Book your moving company. Weekends and end-of-month dates fill up fast in Austin, especially May through September. Lock in your date now.
Start packing non-essential items: out-of-season clothing, books, decorations, guest room items. Label every box with the room it belongs in AND a brief description of contents.
Notify your landlord or list your home if you haven’t already. In Austin’s rental market, giving proper notice protects your deposit.
Begin researching utility providers for your new address. Austin Energy, Texas Gas Service, and AT&T/Spectrum are the main ones. Some Austin neighborhoods are served by Pedernales Electric Co-op instead of Austin Energy.
If you have pets, research pet-friendly parks and vets near your new address. Austin is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country, but some apartments have breed and weight restrictions.
4 Weeks Before Your Move
File a change of address with USPS online (takes 5 minutes). Also update your address with your bank, insurance, subscriptions, and employer.
Notify Austin utility providers of your move-out date and set up service at your new address. Schedule disconnect/connect dates to overlap by one day so you’re never without power.
Transfer or find new doctors, dentists, and veterinarians near your new home. If you’re staying in the Austin area, most providers will keep you as a patient.
Pack room by room, working from least-used rooms to most-used. Leave the kitchen, bathroom essentials, and bedroom for last.
If you’re moving during Austin’s hot months (June through September), plan for the heat. Stock up on water bottles for yourself and your movers. Temperatures regularly hit 100+ degrees.
2 Weeks Before Your Move
Confirm your moving company reservation. Double-check the date, time, crew size, and any special instructions (piano, stairs, gated community code).
Pack a “first night” box with essentials you’ll need immediately: toiletries, phone chargers, medications, a change of clothes, snacks, water, paper towels, toilet paper, and basic tools. Keep this box with you, not on the truck.
Disconnect and prep appliances. Defrost the freezer at least 24 hours before the move. Disconnect the washer and dryer. Secure refrigerator shelves and drawers with tape.
If moving into an apartment, reserve the service elevator and confirm your time slot with the leasing office. Find out where the moving truck can park. Some Austin complexes on South Lamar, Riverside, and downtown have very limited loading zones.
Start using up perishable food. Clean out the fridge and pantry. Moving companies can’t transport open food containers or perishables.
1 Week Before Your Move
Finish packing everything except daily essentials. All boxes should be sealed, labeled, and stacked in a staging area near the front door.
Disassemble furniture you’re comfortable taking apart yourself. If you’d rather your movers handle it, just leave it — but make sure they know ahead of time.
Take photos of electronics setups (TV wiring, computer cables, sound systems) before disconnecting. You’ll thank yourself later.
Clean your current home as you pack. It’s easier to clean as rooms empty out than to do it all at once on move-out day.
Clean your current home as you pack. It’s easier to clean as rooms empty out than to do it all at once on move-out day.
Moving Day
Walk through the home with your crew lead when they arrive. Point out anything fragile, anything that stays, and any priority items.
Keep your first-night box, valuables, medications, and important documents with you — not on the moving truck.
Stay hydrated. Austin summers are no joke. Have cold water available for yourself and offer some to your movers. It makes a real difference.
Do a final walkthrough of your old home after the truck is loaded. Check every closet, cabinet, the garage, the attic, and outdoor areas. It’s easy to forget things.
At your new home, direct the crew where to place furniture and boxes by room. The more specific you are now, the less rearranging you’ll do later.
Before the crew leaves, do a walkthrough together. Check that everything arrived and is in the right place. Let them know if anything looks damaged.
After Your Move: First Week
Unpack essentials first: kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms. Everything else can wait.
Update your driver’s license and vehicle registration. In Texas, you have 30 days to update your address with the DPS after moving.
Register to vote at your new address. You can do this online through the Texas Secretary of State website.
Meet your neighbors. Austin is a friendly city — a quick introduction goes a long way, especially if you’re in a neighborhood with an HOA or an active community.
If you moved a piano, wait 2-3 weeks before having it tuned. It needs to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of your new space.
Explore your new neighborhood. Find the nearest H-E-B (Austin’s beloved grocery chain), the closest coffee shop, and a good walking route. You’ll feel at home faster than you think.
