Moving to a new location can be a hectic time and it requires a lot of time and energy, and learning what to do when moving to a new place can be complicated. However, by overlooking the key things that you need to do, you risk having to scramble to pick up the pieces later. In order to prevent you from making these common mistakes, here are seven things that you need to do when moving to a new place.
1. Downsize
Firstly, when thinking about what to do when moving to a new place, you’ll need to consider how you can downsize. More and more people are opting to purchase smaller homes, and 60% of homeowners with homes 2,200 sqft and larger say that they would choose a smaller home if they decided to move. Whether you’re moving to a smaller location or to one with similar square footage, downsizing can help prevent clutter and give you less to have to move. So, before you start throwing things into a shipping crate, it’s worth thinking about what you need and want, and what you can do without.
There are many ways to get rid of things that you no longer want without throwing them away. You can consider asking your friends and family if they would like certain items, or you can donate your clothes and household goods to a thrift or resale store. Some resale stores will even offer money for goods, and while it may not be much, it can still give you a nice sum of cash that you can then put towards your new home. A pawn shop can also be a good place to get money for certain items, as can a garage sale.
When downsizing, start by going room by room — which can be helpful when packing — to make the process more simplified. Sort things into ‘keep’, ‘donate’, and ‘toss’ piles, which you can use labeled bins to help keep everything organized. Once a bin is full, you can either pack it away, empty it in the trash, or take it over to a donation center. While doing this, you should think critically about the things you use the most, and the things you’re just holding on to because you ‘might’ use them eventually. Consider if keeping them is worth it, or if you can afford to part with them. Although this can sometimes be a tricky process, you may find inspiration in the philosophy of Marie Kondo by considering if an object ‘sparks joy’ or is otherwise useful, or if it has served its purpose and it’s time to let it go.
Downsizing before you move can be a great way to help avoid cluttering your new home and having to sort through a lot of stuff while trying to unpack. It can also lower the number of boxes you’ll need for the move.
2. Find a New Doctor
When considering what to do when moving to a new area, you should always look for a new doctor before moving. This can give you a better idea of the services that are available in your new location, as well as how close your new family physician is to your home. If you have any specific medical conditions and require the care of a specialist, you’ll also want to keep that in mind, as you won’t want to risk being without the treatment you need.
Similarly, you should take note of the hospitals, urgent care centers, and pharmacies in your new location. Knowing where these services are before you move can help give you an idea of where to seek help, should something happen in the first couple of days at your new home. The last thing you want is for someone to hurt themselves moving boxes and wind up having delayed care because you’re unsure of where the nearest urgent care center is.
3. Find a School
When considering what to do when moving to a new place, if you have children, looking into the schools in your new area is a must before moving. This can help give you an idea of the type of education they can provide, as well as if you’re going to be in a specific district. You’ll want to find the best high schools and grade schools depending on the age of your children. However, if your kids are in grade school, it may also be worth checking out the high schools that they will be in the district for, so that you can get an idea of whether or not it will be a good fit in the future.
Depending on when in the year that you are moving, you may also be required to enroll your children in the new school so that they can start as soon as possible if you’re moving during the school year. You’ll also have to keep in mind the supplies they will need for the transfer as well as any uniforms they may have to wear if they are enrolled in a private school.
Try to do as much research beforehand into the schools in your new area, and consider making a checklist so that you can be sure that you’re not missing anything important.
4. Find an Auto Shop
Another service that you’ll want to locate is an auto shop. All cars will need auto repair services at some point, and you want to make sure that you have a local option that you can trust. Unfortunately, there are some shops that will try to upcharge customers or talk them into services they don’t need. Make sure to look at the options available in your new location, and read reviews from past customers before settling on the best one for you.
Although this may not be as crucial as finding a doctor or school, it is a necessity and not something that you should overlook when thinking about what to do when moving to a new place.
5. Learn More About the Area
When learning what to do when moving to a new place, it’s always a good idea to get familiar with the area even before you move in. This can help you adjust better and get to know all of the services and amenities that exist in your neighborhood.
For instance, you can find out the best grocery stores in the area, the best restaurants, and the best places for entertainment. This can give you an idea of what you can do and take part in once you have settled in your new home. If you want to make new friends in the area, you can also consider looking into joining local groups such as biking, exercise, sports, or book groups that can help you meet more people around you.
Additionally, looking over a map of your new location can also help familiarize you with the roads and shortcuts around town. This can make it easier to get around once you’re moved in, and it can make exploring your new location a little bit easier.
6. Fix Up Your Home
Another thing to consider when thinking about what to do when moving to a new place includes fixing up your new home. Unless you buy a new construction home, there are likely to be some repairs that will be needed to make your new home as comfortable as possible.
Some of the most common fixes that you’ll need to make include:
- AC Repair
- Roof Repair
- Faulty Appliances
- Water Heater Problems
- Drafty Doors and Windows
- Cosmetic Issues
While it’s unlikely that the home you’re moving into will have all of these issues at once, it is important to keep them in mind, and you should always ask beforehand about any work that needs to be done.
When moving in, you should always test the appliances to see if they are working well, or if they seem to be experiencing any issues. You should also have the AC inspected by a professional, as well as your roof. Water heater problems can become more apparent when you do dishes or take a shower. For instance, if the water is going cold too quickly, or you don’t have enough hot water for everyone to shower comfortably, you may want to invest in a replacement. A tankless water heater is great for people who want a consistent flow of heated water, without having a large tank taking up space.
Additionally, drafty doors and windows may become more apparent during the winter. However, they can be a source of energy loss during the summers, especially if they are old. It may be worth saving up to have them replaced before the colder months so that your furnace doesn’t have to work overtime.
7. Customization
Customization can go hand in hand with the cosmetic issues mentioned above, although it can mean more than just changing a wallpaper color that you don’t like. For instance, if you fall in love with a home in the perfect location, but it doesn’t have all of the space that you need, you could consider building onto it for additional space.
For instance, if you would like to add an extra workspace to your new home, a build out office space could be constructed to give you the extra room you need. This will prevent you from having to compromise or potentially pass on an otherwise perfect home in the location you want. If you have yard space, you may even consider having a mini-office built as its own separate place. This way, you can keep your home and work life more separate.
Other customization options can include things as simple as re-flooring the living spaces and painting the walls or a full-scale renovation or remodel. It all depends on what you want and how much you want to invest in your new home off the bat. If you’re planning on living there for a long time, some of these projects can be spread out over a longer period of time.
Smaller things you can do in the beginning include installing custom blinds, painting your front door, hanging up unique artwork and pictures, laying out colorful rugs, and switching out light fixtures. These little touches can help make your new home feel more unique to you, so that you can feel as comfortable as possible.
Outside your home, you may also want to add some custom details like new pavers, flowers, patio furniture, light fixtures, and potted plants. These little touches can help make your home look more inviting from the outside and more unique to you and your family. If you have young kids or pets, you may even consider investing in fencing if your new home doesn’t already have one. Similarly, adding a playset for young kids can be a great way to keep them occupied outside, instead of inside on a game console.
When thinking about what to do when moving to a new place, sometimes it’s worth keeping the little details in mind so that you can truly make your new house a home.
What To Do When Moving to a New Place
Now that you know what to do when moving to a new place, you can start to put your plan into action. Although it may seem like a lot to tackle, if you give yourself enough time, and make a checklist of everything that you need and want to do, you can make the process a whole lot simpler.
Before moving, keep these tips in mind so that you don’t risk forgetting about any important details that could end up leaving you scrambling after the move. While not all these tips will apply to every situation, they can help give you a good foundation to build your own plan upon.
