Moving Homes: How to Get Comfortable in a New City
Moving is sometimes a necessary part of life. While it can be exciting and adventurous, it can also be stressful to develop a new routine in an unfamiliar city. To help avoid the added anxiety during this process, make sure you go into it prepared.
Visit Before the Move
The last thing you want is to move house, need something badly that was forgotten, and not know where to buy a replacement. With that in mind, Trulia suggests trying to visit your new place before you move to get a feel for its ins and outs, as well as make note of local resources. For added support, look to build a network there so you can hit the ground running. If possible, ask friends, family, and even coworkers if they know anyone who would like to meet up with you. Should they have a few contacts you can use, you can chat with them before you deal with the chaos of moving, and you’ll have someone to call if you need advice.
Prep Your Home for Arrival
Of course, the best time to do any work on your property is while it’s empty. So, if your house needs remodeling, attempt to get everything done before it’s filled with your possessions. Then, it’s a matter of prioritizing behind-the-scenes work over the aesthetic tasks of new floors, counters, or a new coat of paint. If you need the home rewired, for example, it could be an extensive project since it involves upgrading the main service panel, installing circuits for each appliance, and adding in electrical outlets.
Get Into the Neighborhood
Getting used to your new area is especially important if you have children and pets. To help them adjust to a fresh routine and atmosphere, try taking them out for walks to learn the neighborhood. If you have kids, they might be interested in meeting other children, so keep an eye out for any community classes, groups, or the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Similarly, your pets will need plenty of attention and distraction, and dogs might benefit from regular visits to the park. Still, indoor pets may simply need you close to feel reassured, so try to take a few days off of work to get them used to their surroundings.
Decorate for Comfort
One way to get comfortable quickly in an unfamiliar environment is to decorate. To get started, you could focus on giving each room a consistent color scheme. As you decorate and add personal touches to make your property feel like home, try to keep practicality in mind. If you need extra storage, add aesthetic baskets here and there, or place hooks on doors. For added comfort, you could bring out art or decorative pieces that remind you of home, and place them where they can be seen. Even if you end up moving them later, viewing them will give you a reassuring warmth as you go about your day.
Minimize Clutter Before It Starts
Having a chaotic environment breeds stress, and unpacking is going to be just that—chaotic. So, to help minimize any issues developing, take some time to plan out where things will go, particularly items that create clutter. By knowing where items belong, you prevent pile-ups from happening. For instance, you might want to invest in pieces to help you store items, such as a file for loose papers or extra shelving in the kitchen to sort plates and plasticware. It may seem like additional effort, but it can be worth it to ensure your home is a pleasant environment.
Turn to These Additional Resources
The following resources are either required by law or can help you to further familiarize yourself with your new city:
- Updated your auto insurance. Your zip code can determine the cost of your premiums. So if you live in a highly-populated area, know the rates can be higher. You can reduce the cost of auto insurance by bundling your policies and shopping around.
- Look for a new dentist in your area.
- Find a parent-approved daycare center for your kids.
- Make sure you find a good veterinarian.
- Stick to your fitness goals by applying for a local gym membership.
Just because you changed houses doesn’t mean you can’t feel at home. With the right preparation, as well as staying active in your new community, you can ease your transition. It will take work, but all worthwhile things do.
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