As you plan your move to Hawaii, be sure to review these checklists so that you don't forget any of the small details. You'll find tips for finding the perfect neighborhood, suggestions for packing like a pro and we'll remind you of important things you should do before the big move.

Finding the Perfect Neighborhood
Packing Like a Pro
Moving Checklist

Finding the Perfect Neighborhood

The neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on your lifestyle—safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part.

• Make a list of the activities - movies, health club, church - you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you're considering to engaging in your most common activities.
• Check out the school district. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you're considering. Even if you don't have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.
• Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type - burglaries, armed robberies - and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?
• Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don't necessarily diminish value, but they do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?
• See if you'll make money. Ask a local REALTOR? or call the local REALTOR? association to get information about price appreciation trends in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good an investment your home will be. A REALTOR? or the government planning agency also may be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood - like a new school or highway - that might affect value.
• See for yourself. Once you've narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there, and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside. Are they friendly? Are their children to play with your family?

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Packing Like a Pro

• Develop a master "to do" list so you won't forget something critical.
• Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.
• Don't throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you'd feel if you no longer had it.
• Pack like items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils.
• Decide what if anything you plan to move yourself. Precious items, such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move, should probably stay with you.
• Use the right box for the item. Loose items encourage breakage.
• Put heavy items in small boxes so they're easier to lift. Keep weight under 50 lbs. if possible.
• Don't over-pack boxes and increase the chances they will break.
• Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom and sides of boxes.
• Label every box on all sides. You never know how they'll be stacked and you don't want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what's there.
• Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code a floor plan for your new house to help movers.
• Keep your moving documents together, including phone numbers, driver's name, and van number. Also keep your address book handy.
• Back up your computer files before moving your computer.
• Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives.
• Remember, most movers won't take plants.

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Moving Checklist (download PDF)

Fill out

• U.S. Postal Service change-of-address forms

Redirect

• Newspaper subscriptions
• Magazine subscriptions

Advise

• Catalog companies
• Book, music, and video clubs
• Educational, religious, charitable, and fraternal organizations

Arrange to turn off, or change over

• Water
• Gas
• Phone
• Sewer
• Electric
• Cable/Satellite TV
• Garbage

Notify

• Banks
• Credit card companies

Insurance agents

• Homeowners
• Auto
• Life
• Health

Service Providers

• Internet
• Cellular Phone
• Paging Service

Delivery Services

• Grocery
• Pharmacy

Contact

• Doctors
• Accountant
• Dentist
• Financial Advisor
• Veterinarian
• Stock Broker
• (If you are moving a great distance away, you may need to have records transferred.)

Inform

• City, State, and Federal government agencies
• Income and property tax authorities

Update

• Driver, pet, and other license data
• Voter, vehicle, and vessel registrations
• Business permits

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