Things You Should Do When Moving to A New City

It’s very exciting to think of moving to a new city. Many people are realizing their dreams of moving to their favorite spot or turning a vacation destination into a permanent residence. There are quite a few things you should do before, during, and after your move to make sure you have the best possible moving experience. Read on for some tips and tricks to moving to a new city.

IMAGE: PEXELS

Ship Your Car

Depending on how far you have to move, you may want to consider shipping your car. Many car shipping companies can give you the best possible deal if you do your research and book early. As soon as you know you’re moving to a new city, you should check into shipping your car. While not the cheapest option, car shipping may be the most convenient. Think of the wear and tear, fuel and road costs, and other hazards you can avoid by not driving your car. You can travel stress-free knowing your car is in good hands all the way to your new home.

Pack Right

Need more moving tips? There’s a wealth of evidence on how to move cheaply, easily, and as stress-free as possible. Here’s a quick list that will get you started:

Declutter as much and as soon as possible.
Pack heavy items, then light. Don’t leave empty room in boxes.
Utilize your furniture for storage. Keep clothes and other non-fragile items in drawers or cubbies.
Label, label, label. Pack all rooms in separate boxes and make sure they are labeled accordingly.
Keep an essentials box with everything you will need on the road and in your new house.

Change Your Address

Nothing can be as inconvenient as lost mail, and if you’re moving to a new city, chances are you’ll have to get everything set up through your new address once you get there. Many companies, like utility companies, will mail your first bill or two even if you sign up for paperless billing. You don’t want to have utilities turned off because you didn’t get the mail in time. Be sure to register your new address with the post office in your area and have all your old mail forwarded.

Usually, you can do this before you even move and start receiving your mail within two weeks. Make sure you cancel any subscriptions that won’t be forwarded and/or change your mailing address on any accounts you need to keep current. The last thing you need is to miss an important bill or announcement because your mail wasn’t forwarded.

Change the Locks and Security System

This is a no-brainer, but it can easily slip through the cracks if you don’t plan for it. As soon as your new home is yours, contract locals, or do it yourself, to change your locks and reset or reinstall your security system. Depending on how long the house has been on the market, it may have attracted some attention while empty. This is a great chance to put your mark on your house and keep yourself, your family, and your belongings safe in your new neighborhood.

Be sure to look for new homeowners’ discounts on security systems and lock installations when you’re preparing to move. You may be able to get this with your assessment and see what kind of security system you will be needing. You can ask your new neighbors for recommendations on service people.

Introduce Yourself to Your Neighbors

When you move to a new area, making friends can be hard. Make it a point to introduce yourself to your new neighbors and get things off on the right foot. Neighbors can be great resources for local events and ordinances you might not otherwise know about. They can also help you with local professionals and introduce you to social and networking scenes. It will also be handy to have someone watch the house while you’re in the moving process, so make sure you offer friendliness and hospitality so you may receive the same.

Register

You should visit the DMV as soon as possible and get your ID changed and your new address registered. Also, look into getting registered to vote in your new area and figure out where to go on election day. Other than the post office and utilities, countless accounts may need to be updated with your new info. Not everything will be urgent, but you also don’t want to have to change your address on new accounts every time you need to make a purchase.

Get Local

As well as meeting your new neighbors, you should get out on the social scene in your new area and see what you can get into. Check for local guides and publications that publish local events or take some time to go exploring when the weather is nice and you’ve got some time. Taking a stroll or bike ride through your neighborhood or some undiscovered part of your new city can lead to all kinds of adventures. Check local blogs for activities for your family or kids or go solo to an event in your area.

Moving to a new city should be an exciting opportunity, not a hassle. Be sure to do your research before you move and during your viewing trips to see what kind of place you’re moving to and what kind of activities and fun outings you can expect in your neighborhood.