Moving to a new community can be a great adventure, if you go with the right attitude and a sound strategy for settling-in. Incorporate these tips into an action plan, and you'll stay focused, organized and proactive-just what's needed to put roots down fast.
Before You Go
Complete a change of address form with the post office, which can be done online at the United States Postal Services website, usps.com. You'll also want to send your new address to any publications you subscribe to, as it can take up to eight weeks for the change to become effective.
Contact the Visitor's Bureau for materials about your new town, which should include a map. Identify important routes, such as those between your home and your office or your child's school.
Make initial contact with childcare facilities. Depending on the area you move to, you may need to put your name on a waiting list.
If possible, enroll your children in school. Firm plans will reduce the stress.
Pack a box with essentials for your first few nights, such as prescription medicine, toiletries, a telephone, clothing, towels, toilet paper, and bed linen.
You'll also want to make arrangements for to have utilities transferred to your name or turned on. In addition, you will want to set up appointments to have services such as telephone, cable and high-speed Internet connected.
Upon Arrival
For safety and peace of mind, change the locks. You never know who has a copy of the house key.
Locate emergency services ? police and fire stations and the closest hospital.
Hang drapes or curtains to give you some privacy.
Select one room, perhaps the family room, as a place of refuge. Make it a cozy space, free of unpacked boxes, empty cartons or anything else move-related.
Stock the fridge with prepared entrees and the makings for no-fuss meals.
The First Week
Check with the post office to see if they are holding mail for you. Finish sending out change of address to credit card companies, clubs, associations, friends and family.
File away all documents related to the move. You'll need them for verification of moving expenses at tax time.
Call your waste removal company or department of sanitation for a trash collection schedule.
Open a bank account and arrange for a safe deposit box, if needed. Obtain a local driver's license and transfer the vehicle registration. Register to vote. Call the local Board of Elections for information. Take a tour of your neighborhood to become familiar with your new surroundings. Learn the routes to work, school, grocers, etc.
Help Your Children Adjust
Maintain family routines. Kids will appreciate the continuity of family life.
Involve the kids. Allow them to select new furnishings or decorate their rooms.
Take your children to the local playground. If you move during the summer, it's likely they'll make friends there, which should ease the transition to the new school.
Try to be home when the children return from their first day at school. Kids feel reassured when a parent is there to hear about their day. Watch for signs of adjustment problems. These can manifest as trouble making friends, academic difficulties, and irritability or depression.
Get Involved in the Community
Spend time outdoors. Neighbors may greet you and come by for sidewalk chats.
Walk your dog in an area where you see other dog owners congregating. Schedule an after-work coffee or dessert hour. Invite neighbors to drop by. Choose a place to worship and get involved; consider doing volunteer work. Select professional service providers such as doctor, dentist and veterinarian.
Find out if your community has a Newcomers Club. Your local library is a good place to start.
Join a club or take up activities you enjoyed before the move.
Take a job-related class to develop new professional contacts and update skills.
Don't hesitate to contact your real estate professional for more ideas or information about your new community. By re-establishing daily patterns and developing ties soon after arrival, your new environment will begin to feel like home.
Neda Dabestani-Ryba is a Realtor in Maryland. She is a member of the President's Circle of Top Real Estate Professionals. She can be reached at (800) 536-3806 or visit her website for more information: http://neda.dabestani.pcragent.com/.
Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
After riding the ups and downs of the stock market... Read More
So, your selling your home. Prepare yourself both physically and... Read More
You're selling your home as a FSBO (for sale by... Read More
Since the Northern Cypriots famously voted 'yes' to the UN... Read More
Choosing the wrong Home Inspector can cost you a lot... Read More
Welcome to this first portion of a three-part series about... Read More
Anyone who has ever profited from doing a short sale... Read More
Are you using the equity from your home to purchase... Read More
In medicine, a placebo is a pill that you think... Read More
Howard Stern has over 20 property related files in Queens,... Read More
Buying foreclosures can be extremely profitable for real estate investors.... Read More
Years ago, the only person that could buy a home... Read More
Purchasing a home is a major emotional and financial decision.... Read More
What's the difference between death and taxes?Death doesn't change every... Read More
You decide to sell your home and believe you can... Read More
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, particularly when... Read More
Buying to let is considered a serious investment and should... Read More
When is the best time to buy? When is the... Read More
Strange and unexpected things happen during home inspections. Seldom are... Read More
All of us know that real estate commissions can work... Read More
Analyzing and finding the right property deals:Firstly read my other... Read More
As a Professional Real Estate Inspector I get to see... Read More
We all know that a home or property of any... Read More
The weak US dollar has been good news for real... Read More
What if you want better cash flow from your rental... Read More
1. What is an escrow?Escrow is defined as a process... Read More
Lying on the edge of Europe facing out to the... Read More
1. What happens to the seller's credit rating when they... Read More
Great, now how do I actually INVEST in real estate?Investing... Read More
Resort home ownership, such as condo hotels and fractional shares... Read More
My report is for you to use your power to... Read More
European tax haven Andorra enjoys the same fiscal benefits as... Read More
The Economist magazine published a special report in this months... Read More
The Region has four distinct seasons but in general possesses... Read More
Here's the gripping story...You are the landlord of a small... Read More
Do you need to download a Landlord Inventory on-line now?... Read More
What is a "distressed" property? What is "bargain" real estate?A... Read More
Home buyers and sellers should think twice before jumping into... Read More
Your house is for sale by owner (fsbo), Along with... Read More
Turkey is a paradise of sun, sea, mountains, and lakes... Read More
Moving to a new community can be a great adventure,... Read More
You'd like to buy a vacation home, but you're not... Read More
Buying overseas property is not always for the fainthearted but... Read More
Over the last two years there has been so much... Read More
If you really want the best deals in investment properties,... Read More
If your home has just come off the market and... Read More
Investing in real estate is more complex than simply buying... Read More
We probably answer this question for someone a couple times... Read More
Finding a professional Monticello Realtor in Illinois is the best... Read More
Real estate investors specializing in fixers make higher profits when... Read More
STEP#1. First you have to recognize that in order to... Read More
Sheriff's Deputy Ted Rasmussen was thinking about Carrie-his pregnant waitress... Read More
These real questions on 'How To' build are answered by... Read More
Successful real estate investing depends largely on a correct assessment... Read More
Maui is a great place for families of any size.... Read More
So, your selling your home. Prepare yourself both physically and... Read More
Selling property privately has many advantages over using an estate... Read More
Delaware, and the rest of the original British Colonies, has... Read More
After years of experience in the real estate industry I... Read More
If You want to be Financially Successful you need to... Read More
Interior colors are vitally important to selling your home quickly,... Read More
Higher interest rates and home prices in the past have... Read More
You're driving along the road when you spot it. There... Read More
While most investors have got involved in property investing because... Read More
If you're looking to get started investing in real estate... Read More
Homeowners who are seeking a property appraiser often ask "How... Read More
Real Estate |