The stuff that is easy to forget when everything is in boxes.
Two to three weeks out
Book movers or reserve a truck. Good movers book up, especially end-of-month and in summer, so reserve early and get a couple of quotes.
Pack room by room and label every box. Start with what you rarely use, and label by room and contents. It always takes longer than you think, so start sooner.
Set up or transfer utilities at the new place. Schedule electric, gas, water, and internet for the day you take possession. Internet has the longest lead time, so do that one first.
File your change of address. Update USPS, banks, your employer, and subscriptions, because forwarding does not catch everything.
Arrange the day itself. Line up time off, childcare, and pet care, because moving day is no place for either.
One week out
Confirm movers and your possession timing. Re-confirm the movers and make sure the date matches when you actually get keys, because possession does not always equal closing day.
Pack an essentials box. Set aside meds, chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, and basic tools for the first night. Label it clearly and load it last.
Use up or toss perishables. Run down the fridge and freezer the last week so you are not moving food.
Moving day
Do a final walkthrough of the home you are leaving. Check closets, the garage, the attic, and behind doors, because things hide.
Take meter readings and a few photos. Snap the meters and the condition you left it in, which protects you on final bills and any dispute.
Hand off or collect keys, garage remotes, and mail keys. Confirm who gets what and when, including the mailbox key, which is the one everyone forgets.
Once you are in
Test the detectors and find the shutoffs. First night, confirm the smoke and CO detectors work and locate the water shutoff and breaker panel.
Update your license and registration. Take care of your driver's license and voter registration in the following weeks.