Moving is a stressful process no matter what, but the stress is compounded when you’re making a move across state lines. Relocating to a new city requires even more preparation and organization than moving across town, and presents any number of challenges. Following these three relocation tips will help your moving process to be as seamless as possible.
1. Give yourself enough time to prepare.
Most mistakes happen when you’re rushing through something. Sometimes job relocations happen quickly and you don’t have as much time as you’d like to make arrangements, but if you have the luxury of substantial advance warning, make sure you take advantage of it! Start preparing early, and do plenty of research. Get quotes from multiple local moving companies, schedule a couple in-person visits to the area, and compare the cost of living between your current and future city so that you can make informed decisions when setting your house-hunting parameters.
2. Get to know the area.
We can’t stress enough how important it is to familiarize yourself with the city you’re relocating to, as well as the specific neighborhoods you’re house hunting in. If you can manage it, we recommend taking at least two trips to visit the new city you will soon be calling home. As you narrow down your search to a handful of homes, make an effort to spend some time in the area beyond the house visits. Take a walk around the neighborhood, visit the grocery store, and do a couple practice runs of your daily commute. You want to get a feel for what day-to-day life would be like in the area so that you can be confident you’ll be comfortable there if you choose to make it your home.
3. Don’t rush in to anything.
If a couple of short trips doesn’t feel like enough time to adequately get to know your new neighborhood or choose a house that feels like home, consider renting at first while you settle in to your new city. A short-term lease is like a real estate test drive. You can determine whether you’re comfortable with the neighborhood you chose and take the time to find a house you truly love. A home is your most important investment, and you don’t want to rush into something that isn’t a good fit.
