Moving to a new city can be difficult and the process can be even harder if you aren’t prepared. Whether you’re moving because of work, to get a fresh start in life, or attend school, here are six tips to help you settle in faster in your new home.
1. DO RESEARCH ON THE CITY
The first thing you should do when you decide to move to a new city is to do your research. By researching, you’ll get to learn about the cost of living, what the weather is like, what the traffic is like, and what social spots are most popular.
If you’re moving to get a fresh start in life, you must look at the job market or business environment in the city. You do not want to risk leaving a steady job and move to a city expecting to get a new one only to be disappointed. If you can, make sure to visit the city you plan on moving to before you make a final decision. This way, you can check things out and get a feel of how living there will be.
2. CHECK YOUR FINANCES
The cost of living varies from city to city. Some cities are more expensive than others, so whichever city you’re moving to, you want to be sure that it won’t put you in a bind.
Also, take a look at your bank account and determine whether you have enough to cover all moving costs and pay the bills for the first few months after relocating if you don’t already have a job lined up.
3. VISIT THE NEW CITY YOU’RE MOVING TO
If you’ve only spent a couple of hours or days in the city you’re moving to – it might be a good idea to spend some more time there to make sure it’s a place you feel comfortable living in. Write down all of the best restaurants that are within a few miles of your new home, find the nearest grocery store, auto shop, dentist, etc.
4. FIND YOUR NEW HOME
Start searching for a home as early as you can before you move. Doing this gives you enough time to consider most rentals available for your budget. If you try to get a place days or weeks before you move, you could end up being in a rush, which might make you settle for a home that you don’t want. When looking for a home, consider the different floor plan options, the standard of living in the various neighborhoods, amenities close by, transportation system, and so on.
5. HIRE PROFESSIONAL MOVERS
Now that you found your new home in the new city, what you need to do next is decide whether or not you want to hire professional movers.
The best way to find top-rated and affordable moving companies near you is to do a basic search online and read reviews. Once you find three to four different companies, call each one to determine a baseline for how much each company charges. Some companies might even be willing to negotiate if you mention that a similar company quoted a more competitive rate for the same job. Either way, it never hurts to have multiple options to choose from!
Once you compare each price quote, don’t just consider the one that’s the cheapest. Think about which company offers the best value for the services provided. Also, consider who inspires the most trust. Trust is, of course, a must.
6. GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO ADJUST
Everyone’s adjustment period runs on a different timeline. While one person may be able to settle happily into a new city after just a month, another may take a longer time adjusting to a new area. Based on personal experience, it takes around two months to feel completely comfortable in your new neighborhood. By this time, you know where to find just about anything you need in your local community. After about six months, you should have much of your new city figured out – which neighborhoods to explore and which ones to avoid. You’ve also made a few casual friends or close acquaintances – whether coworkers, classmates, or neighbors.
