Planning Your Move

Smart Planning for a Smooth Transition to Southeastern Wisconsin

Moving is an exciting milestone, but it also involves dozens of important details. Whether you’re relocating from another Wisconsin community or moving across the country, careful planning can help reduce stress and ensure your transition goes smoothly. By creating a timeline, updating important records, and arranging services before moving day, you’ll be able to settle into your new home more quickly and enjoy everything Southeastern Wisconsin has to offer.

📦 Planning Ahead: Protect Your Belongings

One of the first things to check before moving is whether your homeowners or renters insurance will protect your belongings while they are in transit.

Some insurance policies provide limited coverage during a move, while others may require you to purchase additional protection. If you’re hiring a professional moving company, ask about the valuation coverage included in your contract and consider purchasing additional moving insurance for valuable possessions such as electronics, artwork, jewelry, collectibles, or antiques.

Taking a few minutes to review your insurance coverage before moving day can provide valuable peace of mind if unexpected damage or loss occurs.

Your Moving Timeline

30 Days Before Moving

• Create a moving binder or digital folder for contracts, receipts, and important documents.
• Obtain estimates from moving companies or reserve a rental truck.
• Begin sorting belongings and donate, recycle, or dispose of items you no longer need.
• Gather medical, dental, veterinary, and school records.
• Notify your insurance agent of your upcoming move and verify coverage during transit.
• Research your new community, schools, healthcare providers, and local services.

Two Weeks Before Moving

• Submit a change of address with the United States Postal Service.
• Schedule utility disconnections at your current residence and connections at your new home.
• Arrange internet, cable, and streaming service installation.
• Notify banks, credit card companies, investment firms, insurance providers, and subscription services of your new address.
• Refill prescriptions and transfer them if necessary.
• Begin packing non-essential items and clearly label boxes by room.

One Week Before Moving

• Confirm your moving company or truck reservation.
• Pack an “essentials” box with medications, toiletries, chargers, important documents, snacks, and a change of clothes.
• Defrost and clean your refrigerator if needed.
• Arrange payment for movers.
• Dispose of hazardous materials that cannot be transported.
• Confirm childcare or pet care arrangements for moving day if necessary.

Moving Day

• Perform a final walkthrough of your home.
• Verify that all utilities have been disconnected.
• Check every cabinet, closet, attic, basement, and garage.
• Photograph valuable belongings before loading.
• Keep medications, important documents, jewelry, passports, and valuables with you rather than packing them on the moving truck.
• Lock all doors and windows before leaving.

✔ Quick Moving Tips

• Label every box with both its contents and destination room.
• Keep important documents with you rather than packing them.
• Photograph electronics before disconnecting cords for easier setup.
• Pack one box of everyday essentials you’ll need during your first night.
• Save receipts for moving expenses if they may be needed for reimbursement or tax purposes.
• Introduce yourself to neighbors—they’re often your best source for local recommendations.

After You Arrive

Once you’ve settled into your new home, take time to complete these important tasks:

• Obtain your Wisconsin driver’s license if you’re a new resident.
• Register and title your vehicle in Wisconsin.
• Update your vehicle insurance with your Wisconsin address.
• Register to vote.
• License your dog or other pets if required by your municipality.
• Locate nearby grocery stores, pharmacies, healthcare providers, parks, libraries, and community services.
• Introduce yourself to your neighbors and explore your new community.

Wisconsin Licenses & Registrations

🚗 Wisconsin Driver License

If you are establishing residency in Wisconsin, you are generally required to obtain a Wisconsin driver’s license within 60 days. Wisconsin recognizes valid out-of-state licenses, but new residents must transfer their license after establishing residency.

Before visiting a DMV Service Center, gather documents proving your identity, Social Security number, Wisconsin residency, and legal presence. If you wish to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license for domestic air travel and access to certain federal facilities, additional documentation may be required.

Helpful Resources

• Wisconsin DMV: https://wisconsindmv.gov
• New Wisconsin Residents: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/vehicles/title-plates/new-res-default.aspx
• Driver License Requirements: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/how-to-apply/get-lic.aspx
• DMV Appointment Scheduler: https://wisconsindmv.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/schedule-visit.aspx

🚙 Vehicle Registration & Title

Most vehicles brought into Wisconsin by new residents must be titled and registered with the Wisconsin DMV. Vehicle owners should complete the title transfer and registration promptly after establishing residency. Depending on where you live, your vehicle may also be subject to emissions testing before registration.

Wisconsin offers online services for many vehicle transactions, making it easy to begin the process before visiting a DMV Service Center if necessary.

Helpful Resources

• Vehicle Title & Registration: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/vehicles/title-plates/new-res-default.aspx
• Wisconsin DMV: https://wisconsindmv.gov

🦌 Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Recreation Licenses

Wisconsin is nationally recognized for its outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities. Whether you enjoy fishing, hunting, boating, ATV/UTV riding, trapping, or visiting Wisconsin’s beautiful state parks, many activities require a license or permit.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers licenses online through its Go Wild system, at DNR Service Centers, and through hundreds of authorized license agents throughout the state.

Helpful Resources

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov
• Go Wild License Portal: https://gowild.wi.gov

🐾 Pet Licenses

Most Wisconsin cities, villages, and towns require dogs over a certain age to be licensed annually. Some municipalities also require cat licenses. Proof of current rabies vaccination is generally required before a license can be issued.

Licensing your pet helps ensure that lost animals can be identified and returned quickly while supporting local animal control and public health programs.

For requirements, fees, and application information, contact your local city, village, or town clerk or municipal website.

Helpful Resources

• Wisconsin Municipal Directory: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/My-Municipal-Clerk

🗳️ Voter Registration

New Wisconsin residents may register to vote online, by mail, in person at their municipal clerk’s office, or at their polling place on Election Day if they are eligible. Wisconsin requires proof of residence when registering.

The MyVote Wisconsin website allows residents to:

• Register to vote
• Update their address or name
• Find their polling place
• View upcoming elections
• Request an absentee ballot
• View a sample ballot
• Track absentee ballots

Helpful Resources

• MyVote Wisconsin: https://myvote.wi.gov
• Register to Vote: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/register-to-vote
• Find Your Municipal Clerk: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/My-Municipal-Clerk

Helpful Resources

New Resident Resource Center

Moving doesn’t end once the last box is unpacked. The following resources can help you establish residency, protect your property, and become familiar with your new Wisconsin community.

📬 Forward Your Mail

To ensure you don’t miss important correspondence, submit a Change of Address with the United States Postal Service before you move. Mail forwarding is available for most residential moves, and the USPS also offers Informed Delivery®, a free service that lets you preview incoming mail and track packages online.

Helpful Resources

• USPS Change of Address: https://www.usps.com/move
• USPS Informed Delivery: https://www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm

🏡 Homeowners & Renters

Before moving day, contact your homeowners or renters insurance company to confirm your belongings are protected while in transit. If you’re purchasing a home, review your policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage for your property, personal belongings, liability, and valuable items. Renters should also consider purchasing renters insurance if it is not already required by their lease.

Once you’ve moved in, remember to:

• Transfer or establish utility services.
• Update your mailing address with your insurance company.
• Review emergency contact information.
• Create a home inventory with photos of valuable possessions.

⚠️ Wisconsin 811 – Call Before You Dig

Planning to install a fence, deck, mailbox, landscaping, or underground utilities? Wisconsin law requires homeowners and contractors to notify Wisconsin 811 (Digger’s Hotline) before digging so underground utility lines can be marked.

This free service helps prevent damage to buried gas, electric, water, sewer, cable, and telecommunications lines while protecting your family and your property.

Helpful Resources

• Wisconsin 811 (Digger’s Hotline): https://www.diggershotline.com

🆔 REAL ID

Beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another federally accepted form of identification is generally required for domestic commercial air travel and to enter certain federal facilities.

REAL ID is optional, but many Wisconsin residents choose to obtain one when renewing or transferring their driver’s license.

Before visiting the DMV, review the document requirements to ensure you bring the necessary proof of identity, legal presence, Social Security number, and Wisconsin residency.

Helpful Resources

• Wisconsin REAL ID Information: https://wisconsindmv.gov/realid

🚨 Emergency Preparedness

Wisconsin experiences all four seasons, including snowstorms, thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, and occasional extreme heat. Prepare your household by creating an emergency plan and assembling a basic emergency kit that includes water, food, flashlights, batteries, medications, first-aid supplies, and important documents.

Sign up for community emergency alerts offered by your municipality or county and monitor weather forecasts, especially during severe weather seasons.

Helpful Resources

• Wisconsin Emergency Management: https://wem.wi.gov
• National Weather Service – Milwaukee/Sullivan: https://www.weather.gov/mkx

🌳 Explore Your New Community

One of the best ways to feel at home is to become involved in your community. Visit your local parks, libraries, farmers markets, community centers, and neighborhood festivals. Southeastern Wisconsin is known for its vibrant arts scene, lakefront recreation, award-winning parks, cultural festivals, and year-round community events.

Many municipalities also offer:

• Recreation programs for children and adults
• Senior centers and wellness programs
• Volunteer opportunities
• Public libraries and makerspaces
• Community events calendars
• Farmers markets and seasonal festivals

These resources can help you quickly connect with neighbors and discover everything your new community has to offer.