When you’re uprooting your life and moving to a new home, getting your belongings in order can feel overwhelming. From cleaning to packing to changing jobs, it can be hard to keep moving down your to-do list. When it’s nearly moving day, you must consider more than just getting your things packed and organized.
Let’s take a look at some of the essential pre-move work that many people forget to take care of before handing over the keys to the new owners.
Pack Your Essentials Separately
Anyone who has moved has been there: you finally arrive at your new home, but can’t find any socks, shoes, hairdryer, or other essentials. It’s frustrating having to sort through an endless sea of boxes to find the daily items you need.
Stop this problem before it happens by packing an essentials box to keep with you through the duration of your move. Packing a week’s worth of clothes and personal care items can make the transition to your home easier while alleviating some of the stress of getting all your belongings unpacked.
Alert Card Companies
Are you moving more than a few minutes away from your old home? It’s vital to call your debit and credit card companies to alert them about your move. For many cards, your account will be flagged and frozen for fraud if purchases are made out of your typical spending area. Call your banking companies to let them know you’re moving and update your address.
Set Aside Contingency Money
You likely already have some moving expenses figured out, but it’s important to set aside some extra money for incidentals. No matter how well you prepare for your move, there’s always a chance that something could go wrong.
Some people discover unexpected house repairs or find themselves stuck on the way to their new home because of car issues or canceled flights. Set aside a cash stash for hotels, dinners out, car repairs, and other issues that you may not have considered.
Plan Your Stops Along the Way
Are you driving to your new residence? If it’s a significant distance away from your old home, bust out the map. Find find some fun things to do along the way.
This can be especially exciting if you have young kids and essential if you have a dog that needs walking.
Allowing your kids to choose road stops along the way to your new home can take the sting out of leaving your old home behind.
Research the New Community
Become enmeshed in your new community before you even arrive. Search for Facebook groups specific to new areas, and get to know people virtually in your new neighborhood. When you arrive, you’ll be able to connect names with faces. You’ll feel like you’re already a part of your new community.
On the Move
Moving is tough, but these tips can make the transition into your new neighborhood a little bit easier. No matter how you prepare to move into your new home, remember that there’s always an adjustment period as you get settled in. It’s normal to take some time to get used to your new house and neighborhood.