Moving in the Okanagan: A Complete Local Checklist

Moving is stressful anywhere, but the Okanagan has a few local quirks worth planning around. Summer is peak season, parking can be tight downtown, and many condos and townhomes have strict elevator and move in windows. A little planning weeks ahead saves a lot of pain on moving day.

Four to six weeks before

• Book your movers or hauling help early, especially for summer and month end weekends, which sell out fast across Kelowna and the Central Okanagan
• Confirm move in and move out dates with both your old and new building or strata
• Order or gather boxes and packing supplies
• Start using up freezer and pantry food so you have less to move

Two weeks before

• Update your address with ICBC, your bank, CRA, and any subscriptions
• Book the elevator if your building requires it, and confirm the move in window
• Arrange parking for the truck, since downtown Kelowna and Penticton streets fill quickly
• Set aside items to donate or junk so you are not paying to move things you do not want

Moving day

Start early. Okanagan summers get hot by midday, and loading a truck in thirty degree heat is no fun. Keep water and snacks handy for everyone helping. Do a final walk through of the old place, checking closets, the garage, and outdoor storage, then leave it broom clean for the next person.

After the move

Once the big items are in place, a move in clean makes the new home feel yours, and many people pair movers with a cleaning crew for the old place to recover a damage deposit. If boxes and packing material are piling up, a quick junk removal run clears the clutter so you can actually settle in.

With Holler, the movers, cleaners, and haulers you book are all vetted and background checked, so you are not handing your belongings to a stranger off a classified ad.