How to Smooth Your Transition to Living Somewhere New
Periodically, I bring in a guest contributor to my blog posts. Folks with beautiful writing skills that bring the point across wonderfully. Today I present an article from Natalie Jones of Homeowner Bliss. She talks about how to settle into a new city after a big move. This is true even when you live in a new neighborhood or even a new place. It takes getting used to. So if you are new to Seattle or just learning how to navigate new digs in your same neighborhood, there are alot of great tips here.
Moving can be an exciting adventure, but it may also leave you feeling lost. If you’ve moved long distance, and are having trouble settling in, you might need help to feel at home. So, consider taking these steps to feel more comfortable in your new location.
Unpack Your Home
One of the most valuable moving tricks is readying a box of essentials for your first night. These should include toiletries, clean sheets, a change of clothing, and even basic cooking supplies. Once you arrive, set them aside so you can get to work. If you have children, unpack their rooms first to give them some normalcy, then look to your own bedroom. After that’s done, hit the big areas, such as the bathrooms, kitchen, and living spaces. However, you shouldn't focus solely on unpacking as this is an opportunity to adopt a new organization system. By assigning every item a specific home, you make clean up later on so much easier.
Update Your Details
Unfortunately, one of the most tedious aspects of moving is updating our details. Of course, your loved ones will want your address, but so will your employer, utilities, and the post office. Similarly, you’ll need to register to vote and update your health insurance, too. In fact, moving to a different state may add a few complications when it comes to driving. This means you’ll have to get a new license, and you may even need to switch insurance, as every state has its own regulations and traffic laws. This also means that each state has different auto insurance rates, which will ultimately impact how much you pay, as will your zip code and driving record. So, before you select a new policy, do some comparisons to ensure you’re getting the best coverage at the lowest rates.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Moving can often make us feel totally isolated, so try to make connections before you relocate. As a start, see if friends or family have contacts in your new town, and set up a café date to introduce yourself. Then, once you've moved and settled into your new place, you can throw a housewarming party and invite your neighbors over. This can also be a great way for your kids to make new friends. If there are families around, ask them to bring their little ones along for a playdate during the party. Once they’ve met, your children may feel reassured as they make friends, not to replace old ones, but to widen their social circle.
Explore Your New City
It can be overwhelming to know where to begin when it comes to getting to know a city. Thankfully, that also gives you options to choose from, so think about places you would like to go often. That might mean visiting the library to see what's going on locally or visiting a coffee shop to find a breakfast spot. Similarly, local stores will also help you get a feel for the town and could even be a chance to socialize. Lastly, if all else fails, you might go online to join local groups with similar interests to meet like-minded people.
Decorate Your Home
A new environment is a chance to decorate with intention. For instance, if there isn’t enough storage, you can add shelving or cabinets. Likewise, you should consider how well the furniture facilitates flow; after all, there’s nothing worse than fumbling through a space every day. Don’t ignore personal touches once you have the basic layout down, either. With this in mind, put up favorite art pieces and family photos to surround yourself with something familiar. Even if you end up moving them later on, you’ll have things you love to gaze at.
By unpacking well, decorating to remind you of home, and getting to know the area, you can ease your transition. Things may seem overwhelming at first, but with the right determination, settling in can be easier than you think. Take the time you need, and give your new neighborhood a chance to make a good impression.