Approximately 40 million people in the United States move every year, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Whether you’re moving a few miles away or across the country, there’s a slew of things to do before you can bring the move to fruition and completely transition to it. Following are some key steps to help you get acclimated to your new venue successfully.
Write a List of Everything You Need to Do
Whether your move is four weeks away or four months from now, the time to start planning is now. Some of the first things you need to do are sell your home, if necessary, get rid of things you don’t need, like junk and stacks of papers you know longer need on file, and get your kids enrolled in their new schools. You’ll also want to cancel all cable, internet, electric, and utility services on the last day you need them, and schedule the connections for these services in your new home. Some of these tasks may require traveling to your new city and meeting with school board members or real estate agents if you still need to close on your new residence. Another big endeavor during this time is finding an affordable moving company and getting the move scheduled.
Learn How to Get Around New City
A huge way to get used to your new town is to purchase a GPS and start driving around the area. This enables you to locate grocery stores, bars, recreation centers, specialty shops, and even schools in advance, which will minimize your stress when you need to visit these locations. It also behooves you to drive to your new job and get a feel for how long the commute is. The more familiar you become with your new locale, the less stress you’ll endure.
Become Involved in the New City
Leaving friends is one of the harder things to do when moving. The sooner you can get acquainted with people and meet new friends, the easier it is to transition to your new venue. One of the best ways of becoming involved in your new city is to join a church. This will enable you to meet lots of new people and learn more about the area. If you’re a businessman, joining a civic or business organization can help you meet new and influential people in your area.
Accept Invitations From Neighbors
While getting transitioned to your new city is important, meeting people in the neighborhood is even more imperative. Some of these people may become babysitters or even best friends down the road. Always accept invitations to attend picnics or parties from new neighbors, which can only enhance the overall transitional process.
Invite Friends and Family to Visit
Extending invitations to friends and family to visit you will make you feel at home in your new abode relatively quickly. Moreover, the more they get familiar with the trip, the more likely they are to visit again.
Moving can be an extremely stressful time for anyone, but it isn’t something you can delay because you’re in the doldrums or afraid of new experiences. Make sure you plan well in advance for your move and get all the help you can during the process. This will make for a much more pleasant and successful transition to your new life.