10 Things Austin Renters Forget Before Moving Day

Moving in Austin sounds exciting until you’re sweating through your shirt in 100-degree heat, stuck in traffic with a moving truck, and realizing you forgot to reserve your apartment’s freight elevator.

No matter how organized you are, moving day has a way of exposing the little details that slip through the cracks. Before you pick up the keys to your new apartment, here’s a list of the most common things Austin renters forget before moving day.

1. Reserving the Freight Elevator

Many Austin apartment communities require residents to reserve a freight elevator or designated move-in time slot.

This is especially common in Downtown Austin, South Lamar, The Domain, and other mid-rise and high-rise communities. Before move-in day, check with your leasing office to see if a reservation is required.

2. Setting Up Austin Utilities

Nobody wants their first night in a new apartment without electricity or Wi-Fi.

Before moving day, make sure you’ve set up:

• Electricity 
• Internet
• Water (if applicable)
• Renters insurance

The earlier you schedule these services, the smoother your move-in experience will be.

3. Planning Around Austin Traffic

A 20-minute drive can quickly become a 45-minute drive depending on the time of day.

If you’re moving across town, factor Austin traffic into your moving schedule. Avoiding peak commute times can save you a lot of frustration, especially if you’re coordinating movers, elevators, or multiple trips.

4. Measuring Furniture Before Move-In

That couch may fit in your current apartment, but will it fit through the front door of your new one?

Take measurements of larger furniture pieces before moving day. It’s a simple step that can save a major headache when navigating elevators, stairwells, and apartment hallways.

If you’re reading this before touring apartments, pro tip: bring a measuring tape on your tours to measure each space to see if your current furniture will fit. 

5. Packing an Essentials Box

After a full day of moving, the last thing you’ll want to do is dig through 30 boxes looking for your phone charger.

Set aside one bag or box with:

• Toiletries
• Chargers
• Medications
• Important documents
• A change of clothes

Trust us, future you will be grateful. 

6. Updating Your Address

This is one of the easiest moving tasks to forget.

Take a few minutes to update your address with USPS, banks, employers, insurance providers, and subscription services before moving day arrives.

7. Taking Photos of Your Old & New Apartment

Before turning in your keys to the old place, take photos of every room. Having documentation of the apartment’s condition can help protect your security deposit and provide peace of mind if questions arise later.

On the other hand, before moving all of your things into your new place, make sure to take photos of the current state of all the rooms, nooks and crannies. Just like above, documenting any current damage can save you from having to pay for damages that you didn’t cause at the end of your lease. If there is big enough damage, let the leasing team know or put in a work order ASAP. 

8. Making a Plan for Pets

Moving can be stressful for pets too.

Whether that means keeping them in a quiet room, arranging a pet sitter, or packing their essentials separately, having a plan can make moving day easier for everyone involved.

9. Waiting Too Long to Book Movers

Austin’s busiest moving months fill up fast.

Many renters wait until the last minute and end up scrambling to find help. If you’re planning a move, it’s worth booking movers early, especially during the summer when demand is highest.

That’s one reason we recommend Limestone Moving, a locally owned and operated Austin moving company that offers:

• Full-service moving
  • With long distance moving to Houston, Dallas & San Antonio
• Professional packing services
• Labor-only moving assistance
• Junk removal
• Commercial moving 
• Piano moving

Their team understands Austin apartment logistics and can help make moving day significantly less stressful. Even better, Smart City clients receive $40 off Limestone Moving’s hourly rate for 2 movers!

10. Underestimating How Long Everything Takes

This might be the most common moving mistake of all.

Packing takes longer than expected. Cleaning takes longer than expected. Unpacking definitely takes longer than expected.

Give yourself extra time, start earlier than you think you need to, and remember that no move is ever perfectly smooth. A little flexibility goes a long way.

The Bottom Line

Moving in Austin comes with its own unique challenges, from apartment move-in requirements to traffic and summer heat. A little preparation can help you avoid unnecessary stress and make moving day much more manageable.

And if you’d rather leave the heavy lifting to the professionals, don’t forget that Smart City clients receive $40 off Limestone Moving’s hourly rate through our Concierge partnership.

Want to see more of our Concierge Partners and explore exclusive discounts for movers, cleaning services and more? Read more HERE