Navigating New Beginnings: Moving to a New City With Ease
Moving to an unfamiliar place is always a major life event. Whether the destination is across the country or much closer, there will be a whole host of things that will be different, and that can be stressful. Many people get overwhelmed at even the thought of such a big change.
The good news is that change doesn’t have to be scary and stressful. With some preparation, moving to a new city can feel exciting instead. Read on to find out how to navigate new beginnings in an unfamiliar place in ways that will reduce stress and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
Reasons to Move
Preparing for a move to a new city will be a different process for everyone because each person has their own reasons for moving. Some take job offers in new cities, while others want to be closer to far-off family members, and yet more people just decide one day that they’re ready for a change. The amount and types of preparation required to orchestrate a successful move will vary depending on why a person or family has decided to make the change.
For those who are moving for work, the job hunt is irrelevant and the best place to start is by checking out different neighborhoods to find a place to live that’s within their budget. People who want to be closer to family, on the other hand, may need to investigate local job markets in nearby metropolitan areas before choosing a destination to ensure that they’ll be able to make ends meet. No matter what’s prompting the move, take plenty of time to investigate the new city and get used to the idea of living there.
Choosing the Right Neighborhood
Finding a house or a studio apartment in Boston (or wherever else you may be looking to move) is a much less overwhelming task when people first narrow down their choices to specific neighbourhoods. Start by making a short list of the most important factors. They could include:
- Distance to work
- Quality of schools
- Cost of living
- Types of housing available
- Overall safety
- Activity level
- And others
The best way to determine which neighbourhoods in the target city might be a good fit is to visit them in person, but that’s not always possible. For those who must decide from afar, try using resources like Google Maps, subreddits for different cities, and best-of websites to learn about the general culture and what to expect. At that point, most people find that it’s worth the money and time to take a trip out to the new city to confirm what it will be like to live there first-hand.
Planning the Move
After deciding on where to live, it’s time to start preparing for the move. Keep in mind that this step is about more than just choosing a moving company. People should also consider:
Moving Budgets
Because moving can be expensive, it’s important to have a set budget. Start by compiling a list of expenses, and don’t forget hidden costs like cleaning costs or damage deposits for apartments, or commissions on the sales of homes. Use these rough estimates to come up with a general budget to follow.
Switching Over Utilities and Services
As with any move, families will have to contact utility companies, mail services, subscription services, and others to inform them of the move. However, there may be other factors at play when moving to a new city that wouldn’t come up with a local move. Try to find out:
- Whether the same utility companies serve the new city.
If the subscription services will still be available.
Who provides physical services like cleaning and lawn care.
How medical care will be transferred and records released to the new offices.
Finding a Job
Those who are planning moves to take advantage of career advancements won’t have to worry about finding jobs. For everyone else, though, it’s worth taking the time to investigate options during the planning stage. Try researching the job market, reaching out to contacts in the new city, or finding out if the current company has nearby offices or connections within the industry. Securing a job before the move may not be possible, but people can at least reach out to prospective companies to schedule interviews.
Scheduling the Move
Scheduling a move to a new city can be tough. Homeowners may need to wait until closing day, while renters are often tied to specific places by their leases. To complicate matters further, similar issues may come up on the other end. If it’s at all possible, try to schedule the move for at least a few months out and leave time before starting the job hunt or the first day of work.
Working with moving companies that offer storage can be helpful when it comes to scheduling moves under complex circumstances. No one wants to deal with renting storage units and transporting belongings to and from interim housing while searching for the perfect place to live.
Finding a moving company that also offers packing and unpacking services will make the moving day even easier. Leaving these kinds of details to experienced experts gives families time to focus on more important aspects of planning their lives in new cities while simultaneously ensuring that none of their belongings get damaged during the move.
Getting Started on the Right Foot After a Move
Taking the time to plan the most important aspects of the move and ensure that the final destination has all the right things to offer will get anyone started on the right foot in their new life. After settling in, be sure to devote some time to getting to know the city and the locals.
Try searching for events on Facebook or Meetup, join some clubs, or hang out at local breweries or coffee shops. Making friends in a new place can feel hard, but it just takes some time and social effort. Most people are happy to meet new friends moving in from afar, hear their stories, and benefit from their perspective.