Moving to Downtown Chicago from Another State: Building Rules and Tips
Updated: 2 days ago
Moving to downtown Chicago is exciting: the Loop, River North, the Gold Coast, Streeterville, the West Loop and the South Loop put you close to work, the lakefront and some of the best food in the country. But moving into a high-rise in a busy downtown is very different from moving into a house in the suburbs.
If you are moving to downtown Chicago from another state, here is how to plan it so your first day in the city goes smoothly.
IN THIS GUIDE Moving to the Loop, River North or the Gold Coast from out of state? Building rules, elevators, certificates of insurance, parking and how to plan your interstate move. |
WINTER MOVING TIP Downtown buildings often limit move times. In winter, ask about snow removal at the loading dock and reserve the elevator as early as you can. |
Start with your building
Downtown buildings have rules for moves, and they are usually strict. Contact your new building's management as soon as you sign your lease or close, and ask:
Do I need to reserve the freight elevator? Most high-rises require it, often in time blocks.
What are the allowed moving days and hours? Many buildings only allow moves on certain days or during set hours.
Is there a loading dock? If so, how do you reserve it, and how tall a truck can it fit?
Do you require a certificate of insurance (COI) from the mover? Many buildings do, and they often need it several days before the move, with specific wording.
Is there a deposit or move-in fee?
Write the answers down and share them with your mover when you book. These details affect how the move is planned and priced.
Plan for parking and the truck
Downtown streets are busy, and space for a large moving truck is limited. If your building does not have a loading dock, your mover will need a legal place to park close to the entrance. Ask your building how other residents handle it, and check with the City about temporary parking for moving trucks well before your moving date.
If the truck cannot park close to the door, the crew may need to carry your items a longer distance, which can add a long carry charge. If a full-size truck cannot reach the building, a smaller vehicle may be needed. It is always better to plan for this than to discover it on moving day.
Measure before you move
Downtown apartments and condos are often smaller than homes in other states, and elevators and hallways have limits. Before you move:
Measure your large furniture: sofas, dining tables, dressers and beds.
Ask your building for the size of the freight elevator and the doorways.
Compare it with your new floor plan.
If something will not fit, it is better to sell or donate it before the move than to pay to bring it to Chicago and then get rid of it.
Time your arrival
On an interstate move, your belongings may arrive after you do. Coordinate your elevator reservation with your delivery window, and be ready to adjust if the schedule changes. Keep an essentials bag with you with documents, medications, chargers, clothes and bedding for the first nights.
If your lease starts later than your move-out date, storage can bridge the gap. Learn how storage fits into a move on our Home Relocation page.
Moving out of downtown Chicago
The same rules apply in reverse. If you are leaving a downtown Chicago apartment for another state, reserve your building's elevator and loading dock early, request the COI requirements and give your mover the details when you book.
Why book direct for a downtown move
High-rise moves leave little room for surprises. When you book directly with MLV Transportation, the people who plan your move are the people who show up. There is no broker passing your move to an unknown company the night before. Our crew handles the loading, the drive and the delivery, and you have one team to call from start to finish.
MLV is FMCSA licensed and insured for interstate moves: USDOT 4429331, MC 1742575. See how a direct move works on our Long Distance Moving page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you move people into downtown Chicago from other states?
Yes. We move households from across the USA into Chicago, and from Chicago to destinations across the country.
Can you provide a certificate of insurance for my building?
Share your building's COI requirements with us when you book so we can plan for them together with your move.
What if my elevator reservation and delivery date do not match?
Call us as soon as you know. Date changes need 72 hours notice. Storage can also help if your lease starts later than expected.
Can someone help me in Spanish?
Yes. Se habla español.
Ready to Move? Talk to the Real Movers
SAVE 10% WHEN YOU BOOK DIRECT Use code MLVSAML2026 One team from your first call to the last box. No broker in the middle. |
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FMCSA licensed and insured: USDOT 4429331, MC 1742575. Se habla español.
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