Whether you are moving across town or from one coast to another, relocation can be both exciting and cause a great deal of anxiety. The good news is that there are a number of simple steps that you can take to alleviate some of this anxiety and to make the move go as smoothly as possible.
One good tip is to begin planning as soon as you know you are going to be making a move, and you can get a good head start by using a calendar. You need to set yourself reminders for things to do, ranging from planning methods to use up all the items in your refrigerator to canceling magazine subscriptions. This will stop you forgetting things or leaving them to the last moment and will enable you to work much more efficiently step by step.
Another good tip is to familiarize yourself with your new home before you actually move there. There are various ways that you can become knowledgeable about your new neighborhood or city before arrival, including contacting the local City Hall or Chamber of Commerce and requesting a new resident package. Such organizations may also have websites, sections of which are likely to feature the locations of libraries, parks and other places of interest, and different pieces of information such as how and where to obtain a driver’s license. There are also a number of online sites that give ratings and reviews of local schools; if you do not have children, these can still be a good guide on how desirable your new neighborhood really is.
You can also compare the prices of housing in any of the neighborhoods that you are thinking about making a move to. Reach out to the heads of neighborhood associations and to neighbors if possible. When in research mode, it is also a good idea to make an early start on finding new dentists, doctors, vets and various other important resources that you are going to need at some point regardless of where you move to.
Some relocation may require more time to plan than others; for instance, people who live in an apartment may not have the additional complication of having to sell their home before the move. There are some common points that the great majority of people will have to cope with regardless of their circumstances, however. One of these is going to the post office and filling out a change of address form. You also need to find the answers to some important questions, such as whether your goods will be covered by your insurance company while they are in transit, whether your home and motor vehicle policies will change when you move, and how long your auto registration will remain valid in your new home. Various other places need to be informed of your impending move, including gas and heating companies, cable companies, internet providers, and any other utilities.
