Relocating can be a big and fun adventure, but it can also come with a lot of headaches, especially if you’re moving to a new city or area that you’ve never been to. We’ve put together some tips to make your relocation go as smoothly as possible.
Make Checklists
Checklists help to ensure that things are not forgotten during the hectic moving process. You should ideally make three lists: one of things to do before the relocation, one of things to do during the move, and the one most people forget, things to do after the move. Some action items to include are: redirecting mail, arranging movers (if using them), unplugging appliances, getting the power turned off at the old location and turned on at the new location. If you can’t think of items to include on the list, or if you are afraid you’re missing something important, you can search for moving check lists online and print them off.
Pack Carefully
It can be so tempting to just throw things in boxes and say you’ll deal with it all later, but organized packing can prevent a lot of headaches when relocating. Try and pack things from the same room together, and clearly label what’s contained inside. Also, remember to separately pack things you’ll need immediately in the short-term, like a week’s worth of clothing, toiletries, a few basic pieces of cooking equipment, cutlery etc. It can take a few days or weeks to fully unpack, and you don’t want to have to go tearing through a ton of boxes to find a towel so you can take a shower.
Set a budget
Relocating can be very expensive. If you don’t have a relocation allowance from your work, tame costs by creating a budget, and try to stick to it. Movers can be a big help, but they can be expensive, so if you need one, call around and get a few estimates before putting down a deposit. Factor in the city’s cost of living, as prices may be higher or lower than the area where you currently live, which can affect the prices of homes, groceries, gas and more. The first couple of trips to department and grocery stores after a move can be expensive as you build up a supply of staple items so be sure to factor that into your moving costs.
Take Your Time
Don’t make the mistake of rushing and picking the first available place you find in a new city. Make sure you visit the prospective homes in person, never rely on the posted photos alone. If you have questions about the home you’ll be viewing, write them down before you go, so you don’t forget to ask. If you already have a job, try driving to and from your new office in rush hour, to see what your commute will be like. Take a walk around the block and see if you can picture yourself living there. If you encounter any potential neighbors, ask them how they like the area. InTown Suites makes for a great home base when trying to find a new home, because you pay a low weekly rate for a studio-style apartment, and the room is yours for as long as you need it, giving you the time needed to find the perfect home.
Get Out and Explore!
After you’ve moved in, the best way to truly feel at home is to familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood. If you had things you loved doing in your old town, find similar activities in your new town. For example, if you enjoy yoga, spend some time trying out a few different yoga studios in your new city, until you find the one that makes you feel the most at home. If you love to eat out, visit local pages of review sites like Yelp and Urban Spoon to see which restaurants are must tries!
Follow these tips and you’ll find yourself comfortable relocated in a new home, in no time!
Relocating can be a big and fun adventure, but it can also come with a lot of headaches, especially if you’re moving to a new city or area that you’ve never been to. We’ve put together some tips to make your relocation go as smoothly as possible.
Make Checklists
Checklists help to ensure that things are not forgotten during the hectic moving process. You should ideally make three lists: one of things to do before the relocation, one of things to do during the move, and the one most people forget, things to do after the move. Some action items to include are: redirecting mail, arranging movers (if using them), unplugging appliances, getting the power turned off at the old location and turned on at the new location. If you can’t think of items to include on the list, or if you are afraid you’re missing something important, you can search for moving check lists online and print them off.
Pack Carefully
It can be so tempting to just throw things in boxes and say you’ll deal with it all later, but organized packing can prevent a lot of headaches when relocating. Try and pack things from the same room together, and clearly label what’s contained inside. Also, remember to separately pack things you’ll need immediately in the short-term, like a week’s worth of clothing, toiletries, a few basic pieces of cooking equipment, cutlery etc. It can take a few days or weeks to fully unpack, and you don’t want to have to go tearing through a ton of boxes to find a towel so you can take a shower.
Set a budget
Relocating can be very expensive. If you don’t have a relocation allowance from your work, tame costs by creating a budget, and try to stick to it. Movers can be a big help, but they can be expensive, so if you need one, call around and get a few estimates before putting down a deposit. Factor in the city’s cost of living, as prices may be higher or lower than the area where you currently live, which can affect the prices of homes, groceries, gas and more. The first couple of trips to department and grocery stores after a move can be expensive as you build up a supply of staple items so be sure to factor that into your moving costs.
Take Your Time
Don’t make the mistake of rushing and picking the first available place you find in a new city. Make sure you visit the prospective homes in person, never rely on the posted photos alone. If you have questions about the home you’ll be viewing, write them down before you go, so you don’t forget to ask. If you already have a job, try driving to and from your new office in rush hour, to see what your commute will be like. Take a walk around the block and see if you can picture yourself living there. If you encounter any potential neighbors, ask them how they like the area. InTown Suites makes for a great home base when trying to find a new home, because you pay a low weekly rate for a studio-style apartment, and the room is yours for as long as you need it, giving you the time needed to find the perfect home.
Get Out and Explore!
After you’ve moved in, the best way to truly feel at home is to familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood. If you had things you loved doing in your old town, find similar activities in your new town. For example, if you enjoy yoga, spend some time trying out a few different yoga studios in your new city, until you find the one that makes you feel the most at home. If you love to eat out, visit local pages of review sites like Yelp and Urban Spoon to see which restaurants are must tries!
Follow these tips and you’ll find yourself comfortable relocated in a new home, in no time!
