Family arriving at their new home after a long-distance move, carrying boxes and unpacking


Are you ready to exhale? Moving day is finally over, the moving crew for your local or long-distance move has finally delivered your belongings! You can officially adjust to your new home! Now what?

Your first instinct might be that you are exhausted and want to crash on the couch (or a stack of boxes). However, these first 24 hours are essential and might set the tone for the first few months in your new home! Setting up a few essentials now can help you settle in quickly, avoid stress, and prevent any safety hiccups.

Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or a seasoned mover, these 9 suggestions should be on your go-to list for where to start after your moving company has driven away from your successful delivery! This long-distance move may be behind you, but these next few hours are crucial to getting comfortable in your new home.

First 24 Hours in a New Home: Your Moving Day Checklist

1. Inspect for Damage and Document Issues

Before your home closed, you likely did a final walkthrough of the new home you are about to finalize purchasing. If you are renting, you likely received a tour of your new residence from your property manager. Before you start unpacking, take the time to do a full walkthrough, just like you did before the move. Look for any new or previously unnoticed damage, especially when renting or using a moving company.

  • Take timestamped photos of walls, floors, fixtures, and appliances (maybe you captured photos during the first walkthrough for comparison).
  • Document any damage for your records or landlord.
  • If you notice in-transit damage, report it to your moving provider immediately. It’s always important to file a moving claim as soon as possible.

2. Locate Your Circuit Breaker and Water Shut-Off

In the event of an emergency, it helps to know exactly where these are. Consider posting their locations on your fridge or wherever your family keeps important info—like a corkboard or message center.

  • Find the main circuit breaker and label each switch if they aren't already.
  • Locate the main water shut-off valve (often in the basement, garage, or outside perimeter).
  • Note where your water heater shut-off is (if applicable).

3. Unpack Only the Essentials

Avoid opening the first boxes you see or the urge to open as many boxes right away. (Your stack of books you have piled up to read or revisit can wait a day or two). Instead, focus and prioritize on items that help you live comfortably for the first night or two:

  • Bedding, towels, and toiletries
  • A few kitchen basics (plates, utensils, coffee maker)
  • Chargers, medications, and personal items
  • Pet or kid necessities

Pro Tip: We highly recommend packing a “first-night” box for some of these essentials to ensure your first night allows everyone in your home to rest easily. No matter the distance of your move, having a first-night essentials kit is critical — especially after a long-distance relocation when you’re most likely to be tired and disoriented

4. Set Up a Safe, Functional Entry Point

Create an easily accessible drop-zone near your main entrance with bins or boxes for:

  • Keys, wallets, and phones
  • Shoes or boots
  • Incoming mail
  • Pet leashes (if needed)

Establishing a clear and consistent entry space keeps the rest of your house clutter-free (and saves a lot of household meltdowns for “I can’t find my phone, wallet, or keys!”).

5. Test Smoke Detectors and Replace Filters

When in a new environment, it is important to establish a sense of safety and security at your new home. After all, you and your family will spend many future nights there.

  • Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Replace HVAC filters to ensure clean airflow
  • If applicable, confirm gas appliances are functioning properly

6. Get Internet and Utilities Up and Running

If you haven’t already:

  • Set up your Wi-Fi router and test the connection. (If you moved your router from your previous home, consider it for your “first-night” box.)
  • Confirm that electric, gas, and water services are fully functional
  • Identify your trash and recycling pickup schedule along with any policies for setting out trash for pickup

A working internet connection is mission-critical if you work from home or have school-age children.

7. Take Out the Trash

Packing materials, wrappers, and random debris build up fast.

  • Place trash bags in high-use rooms
  • Break down boxes and stack them for recycling pickup

8. Say Hello to the Neighbors

You don’t need to knock on every door, but a quick wave or introduction goes a long way. A healthy relationship with your neighbors can go a long way to ensuring your overall satisfaction with your new living situation and has the potential to develop lifelong relationships.

  • Ask about local services, neighborhood tips, or community groups
  • A friendly face nearby is always helpful, especially in emergencies (or if you’re in desperate need for a stick of butter)

9. Celebrate Your First Night

Even small milestones deserve recognition.

  • Order takeout or make a simple meal. If takeout, consider ordering with a popular local restaurant or from an established chain that was not located in your last community.
  • Toast the beginning of a new chapter. Take a moment, snap a picture, write a journal entry, or just breathe in the start of a new journey.
  • Let the kids camp out in sleeping bags or enjoy a movie night

Moving is hard work. We hope that you enjoy the progress you’ve made—as we know all relocations take effort and patience.

Bonus Tip: Stay Organized for Tomorrow

As mentioned earlier, many items can wait until after day one. Although, we still recommend having a plan of action for completing your transition. Create a short list of what you’ll tackle next: setting up bedrooms, hanging curtains, or visiting the local DMV for your address update.

Whether you’re relocating across the country or across town, Coleman Worldwide Moving is here to help guide you from packing day to post-move peace of mind.

Are you looking for more moving tips or still in the early planning stages? Request a free moving quote from Coleman Worldwide Moving or browse our blog for expert advice covering a variety of topics related to any move!