Author Archives: mightymoving

Moving can be a long, involved process consisting of many steps. Although you may be familiar with the usual requirements of the moving process, including the hiring of a reputable moving company like Mighty Moving to safely and affordably transport your personal items, there can be additional concerns for parents, especially when moving children out of one Chicago school district and into another.

Most students are assigned to public schools based on zoning, which means that when you move districts, your children will generally be allowed to register for free at specific public schools based upon your new zip code or address. Alternatively, some parents choose to enroll their children in local private schools, which accept students on the basis of priority and usually charge annual tuition for accepted students.

According to Chicago Public Schools, there are 635 public schools in Chicago and 366 private schools (according to Private School Review). So no matter which option you choose for your kids, it is best to research the educational options available to your children prior to moving. 

Once you have decided what kind of school your child will attend, it is important to move forward with the registration process in a timely manner. At this point, you may be asking yourself, “what do I need to register my kid for school?”.

Registering for a New School After Moving in Chicago

The registration process for public schools differs based upon the state and school district. To register to a public school in Chicago, you will need to follow the rules and regulations according to Chicago Public Schools which requires the following documents for student enrollment:

• Proof of child’s age
• Proof of current Chicago address 
• Health forms, including physical examination, immunization, and dental

Starting at a New School

Once you have registered your child at the new school, the process of enrollment and settling in begins. This process could be difficult for a student so it is important that you encourage your child during this transitional process. Discuss the new school with positive terminology, make sure they have the appropriate school supplies, and help them adjust to the realities of making new friends by encouraging them to socialize with their peers.

Helping Children Cope with Moving

There are several strategies to consider when helping your child adjust to a new school. Firstly, you should acknowledge the difficulties of moving and transitioning to a new routine. It is important to acknowledge difficulties, while also remaining positive about the possibilities associated with the move. Make sure to keep an open dialogue with your child by encouraging them to come to you or their teachers with any problems during the transition process. 

You should also try to spend quality time with your child during the transitional period, and you want to make sure you maintain old routines as much as possible and encourage your child’s engagement in hobbies. Changing to a different school in the same city means that it is still possible to see their old friends. Help your child maintain bonds with their old friends and peers from their previous school by scheduling in catch-ups or play dates on the weekends; this will make the transition more gradual and easier for your child to adapt to the new environment.

Get Professional Help

Moving is typically a very stressful time. Moving with children creates an extra layer of stress and challenges to tackle, such as finding a new school that will be suitable for your children. Hiring a professional mover will help to alleviate the added stress and make the moving process smoother so that you can look forward to the move. If you are looking for a trusted moving company in Chicago, contact Mighty Moving to find out how we can help with your local move. Contact us on 855-699-8999 or get a free moving quote online!

When planning a local move in Chicago, of course it’s important to stay within your budget. But what should that budget be? Every local moving company will have their own pricing standards, so it might be hard to estimate how much your move will cost since there is no standard price. However, there are a few things during a move that will cost more than other things, generally speaking. We hope the following information gives you a better idea of how much it costs to use movers for your local move in Chicago.

Timing is Everything

As you plan for your local move, consider the time of year you want to (or have to) move. Many people in Chicago prefer to move between mid-May and the end of September to avoid the cold, snowy winters. That means if you move during the peak season, your move is likely to be more expensive than if you move at other times of the year. Anyone who’s ever planned a vacation can tell you that prices go up when there’s more demand, and in the summer months, demand is high. If you are looking to cut costs for your local move when using movers, consider moving in less-desirable times, such as the winter or early spring.

Less is Best!

We probably don’t have to tell you that it’s going to cost more to move three bedrooms than two, and that’s because move loads are often based on weight. The more things that your movers are hauling on the moving truck, the more it will cost you. But the great news is that moving is a great time to get rid of things you don’t need! Consider what you won’t need anymore or what you might want to buy once you get to your new home. Here are a couple of ideas to help lighten your load:

• Have a yard sale
• Sell some things on Facebook Marketplace
• Make a donation to your local resale shop or charity

Your Mileage May Vary

The cost of local moving companies will depend on how far you are moving. For example, if you’re moving from Naperville to Arlington Heights (32 miles), it’s going to cost more in time and gas than it would if you’d move to Wheaton instead (10.3 miles from Naperville). Also consider that the further the move, the more likely it is that there will be delays along the way—like from construction, roadworks, traffic etc.

Protect your belongings

Even if your belongings are carefully packed and best efforts are made to avoid risks, loss or damage to your belongings could still occur during the move. All moving companies in the state of Illinois are legally required to provide Carrier Liability. This provides basic protection of your household belongings at a rate based on 30 cents per pound, per article. However, if you have valuable or expensive household items, you should add Declared Valuation—this is an extra cost that you pay for.

Average Moving Cost in Chicago

In actual numbers, local movers in Chicago costs about $2,000 on up, depending on all the factors we listed above. This is for using a full service moving company with a four-person moving crew for a 3-bedroom home, which includes all your interactions with the professional moving company from planning your move to unloading at your new home.

Where Can I Find A Local Mover in Chicago?

We know this is a lot of information to take in, but taking your first steps in planning your move in Chicago is easy! Contact us for your free moving quote. Our team will take you through what you can expect with your move and alleviate any moving anxiety you may have.

Summer is the most popular time of the year for Chicagoans to do their relocation. So if you have decided to move during peak moving season, here are a few things you should know.

When is peak moving season?

Summer is the peak moving season in Chicago and most parts of America. Did you know 70 percent of all U.S. moves take place between Memorial Day and Labor Day? Since May through September are the months when movers are in highest demand, it’s important to book a moving company in advance. In many cases, top Chicago moving companies are booked out for several months. So don’t wait until the last minute to hire local movers in Chicago: You may find yourself with limited options and restricted dates.

Why is summer the busiest moving season in Chicago?

There are many reasons why summer is the peak season for local moves in Chicago. Here are the most common reasons:

• Families with kids in school prefer to move over the summer, when school is out. Moving during the school year can interrupt a students’ academic progress and disrupt their after-school activities.
• Chicago in winter is known to be extremely cold and snowfall is a common feature. This can make moving during winter a very unpleasant experience.
• In many places, leases begin and end during the summer. This spurs movement, especially among renters in Chicago.
• Summertime is prime moving time on and around Chicago college campuses, where leases tend to line up with the academic calendar.
• All of this is why, as spring arrives, you suddenly see “For Sale” signs pop up around your neighborhood. Which in turn is why home sales around Chicago reach peak levels during the spring and early summer period. 

Here are 10 top tips for moving during summer

1. Pick a date and a mover ASAP

When it comes to moving during summer, those who hesitate are lost. Book your moving company as soon as you can, ensuring you get the date and the movers you want.

2. Look for discounts

Summer is an expensive time to move in Chicago. High demand prompts moving companies to raise rates. Good news: Sometimes you can find discounts to offset rising costs.

3. Move in the middle of the week or month

Because demand drops at midweek and mid-month, these are more affordable times to move. If you’re looking for the best rate, try these “off” times rather than a weekend at the end of one month or the beginning of another.

4. Avoid holidays

Peak moving season includes several holidays – Memorial Day, July Fourth (Independence Day) and Labor Day – which are expensive times to move. Why? Limited availability of movers and heavy traffic on the roads can create delays. If you must move during summer, avoid holidays.

5. Hire child care for moving day

Moving is hectic enough, especially during peak moving season, without adding active toddlers and wailing infants to the mix. Make the day easier by arranging

for a babysitter. Asking a family member, friend or sitter to mind the little ones during a move just may preserve your sanity.

6. Travel light to cut costs

The equation is simple: The more things you move, the more your move costs. In general, more items equal a longer move, which equals a larger bill. One of the benefits of moving is it presents an opportunity to purge things you don’t need. Set aside some time before your move to sell, donate or throw out stuff you no longer need.

7. Get ready for the drive

If you’re planning to move yourself, understand that you’re more likely to hit heavy traffic when moving during summer. Consider these preparation strategies: Servicing your vehicle before moving, test-driving the rental truck before taking it on the freeway, planning your route and watching for low bridges and overpasses. A little planning on the front end can avoid headaches down the road.

8. Stay cool

Peak moving season is hot. Remember to pack a small cooler of bottled water and

snacks for your move. Cold washcloths can be life-savers during extreme heat. Wear light clothing and bring a portable fan.

9. Keep electronic items cool

Electronics such as computers, tablets and gaming consoles shouldn’t be tossed into a box bound for the moving truck as they can be easily damaged in high temperatures. These items require temperature-controlled environments so make sure you pay attention to expensive-to-replace electronics and pack them accordingly. You could also turn on the air-con in the vehicle during the transit to help keep the environment cool.

10. Hire a pet sitter

Moving with a pet can add an extra layer of anxiety to what is already a stressful exercise. There tends to be a lot of open doors on moving day and lots of distractions, so it is important to ensure that your dog or cat does not get loose. A good tip to help keep your pets safe at their new home is by arranging for a pet sitter to keep an eye on them for the day. Alternatively, you could set up a temporary playpen for your dog or a kennel for your cat with lots of water and toys to keep them occupied.

Are you planning to move during summer in Chicago?

Relocating during peak moving season is easier when you have professionals on hand to do the heavy lifting. Our team at Mighty Moving is ready to help you with your local move in Chicago. Get a free moving quote online or give us a call at 855-699-8999 to start planning your move!