A Quick Guide to Settling Into a New Home and City
By Natalie Jones of Home Owner Bliss
Moving can be exciting, but it’s also incredibly stressful for most of us, especially settling into a new city or state. In addition to the hassle of packing and unpacking, moving forces us out of our old routines, which can leave us feeling stressed and anxious. However, there are some things we can do to alleviate moving stress and settle into our new surroundings more easily. For tips on how to do it, keep reading!
Set Up Your Utilities in Advance
Even if you’re an expert procrastinator, you’ll want to set up your utilities in advance of your move-in date — including your internet, phone, cable service, trash and recycling collection, As well as gas, water, sewer, and electricity. If possible, The Spruce recommends setting up your new utility services about two weeks before your move-in date, as this will give each utility company ample time to get things connected so you’re not left without vital services
When setting up utility services in your new home, be sure to take some time to compare available providers to determine whether you’ll need to meet any special requirements. Depending on where you’re moving to, you may have several utility providers to choose from, or you may be limited to just one. Additionally, some utility companies require a security deposit, while others will perform a credit check.
If several internet service providers are available in your new area, you’ll also want to compare speeds and prices to ensure that you’re getting the best service for your needs. In the Mile-High City, for instance, Denver residents can take advantage of Verizon’s 5G Home Internet to experience lightning-fast speeds, high bandwidth, and ultra-low latencies. Other available internet service providers may include Xfinity from Comcast, HughesNet, or CenturyLink.
Get Organized and Unpacked
Once you’ve moved your belongings into your new house, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team recommends unpacking in stages, if you don’t have much time. For instance, you might start by unpacking your bedroom and any toiletries so you can go to bed without having to dig through boxes. Then, you could tackle the kitchen to ensure you’ll have everything you need to cook meals in your new home.
As another option, professional unpacking and organizing services are available through local companies like Simplify Me. By enlisting the help of a professional organizer, you’ll relieve moving stress, save hours of time, and start off on the right foot as you settle into your new home.
Explore Your New City
Whether you’ve moved into an unfamiliar city or a whole new state, it can take some time to settle in and feel comfortable in your surroundings, but there are some steps you can take to expedite this process. Start by locating banks and grocery stores. When you’re a bit more settles look for doctors, dentists, hair salons, and other service providers, and make note of where you’d go in the event of a medical emergency. Then, explore local attractions and seek out new friendships when walking your pup, attending an outdoor yoga class or joining an online neighborhood community like Nextdoor or MyCoop. Making new friends in the age of COVID-19 can be a challenge, but it’s certainly not impossible.
Enjoy Your New Home
Setting up utilities, getting unpacked and organized, and exploring your surroundings aren’t the only things you’ll need to do when moving into a new home in an unfamiliar city, but these steps will help make your move a whole lot more enjoyable. It’s hard to imagine when you’ve got a bunch of moving boxes cluttering your living room, but you’ll be settled into your new home and city in practically no time at all.