Guest Post: 5 Ways to Make Your Move to a New Town a Pleasant One

Life is a series of transitions, and the ability to adapt to the changes sent your way inevitably lets you live life to the fullest. No doubt, one of the biggest adjustments you could make is uprooting your family and moving to a brand-new town. As challenging as selling your house and subsequently buying a new one somewhere else might be, the truth is, it doesn’t end there. In fact, there are still moving pains to consider, as well as the not-so-small matter of assimilating to a new place with as little culture shock as possible.

Despite this, it’s also a time for new possibilities, and with the right mindset, you might even see this adjustment as a truly exciting one with only good things on the horizon. So here are a handful of things to bear in mind in order to make this transition to your new home a seamless and comfortable one for you and your family.

Home is where the heart is.

Sure, it’s hard to leave behind a beloved old home, but the truth is, you can actually make a home just about anywhere, especially when you’re surrounded by the people you love and the things you hold dear. It’s a good idea, therefore, to work on transforming your new house into a space you can call your own.

While it could be tempting to stick to an aesthetic you’re used to, a new home is also a blank canvas that you can spruce up as you see fit. So consider your move as a golden opportunity to make the changes that you’ve always had in mind or bring to life decorating ideas that you’ve been sitting on. From new color schemes to streamlined layouts—let your imagination run wild and flourish!

Safety first.

Now, the idea of remodeling a home to suit your whims will undoubtedly get your blood flowing. However, don’t forget to err on the side of caution while you’re at it. In fact, before you even begin making cosmetic changes to your new home, it’s a prudent step to perform a home inspection to ensure that it’s structurally safe and sound. Especially if this wasn’t required as part of your home loan. An inspection is particularly necessary for older homes that are predisposed to underlying problems in HVAC, wiring, plumbing, and more. This way, any issues can be remedied before new flooring is installed or walls are re-painted, potentially saving you time, effort, and best of all, money.

Of course, in the same way that you put a premium on your new home’s safety, you should do the same with your belongings. It’s a good idea then to consider keeping your stuff in a local storage facility while remodeling is underway, not only to keep them safe but also for your own convenience. Despite the added expense, this can actually be a worthy investment toward your peace of mind. Furthermore, simply doing your due diligence can uncover deals that will help keep costs low. For instance, while storage rates in St. Petersburg can cost a pretty penny, companies often have promotions ongoing at any given time. Case in point, CubeSmart Self-Storage on 32nd Ave. S offers the first month free plus 15 percent off on choice units.

The kids are alright.

Know that it’s not only the logistics of moving that you need to concern yourself with. You have to think of how this change affects the rest of your family, too. Your kids, in particular, may find adjusting to a new home and community tough, so you really have to be mindful of their needs.

The key is to return to normalcy as soon as possible, so as a rule, make sure to unpack and organize your kids’ rooms immediately as this will create a safe and comfortable space for them amidst the chaos. Other ways to ease their transition is by getting them involved, not just during the move but also before, include exploring the neighborhood prior to moving day and maybe even meeting other kids of the same age.

Note that your pets will also need help in the transition. Dogs and cats are known to exhibit anxiety when introduced to new surroundings, so it’s not at all uncommon for your furry family member to show signs of odd behavior. Again, unpack their familiar things right away to give them a sense of normalcy, as well as provide extra TLC until things start to calm down. It’s also a good idea to take them on walks around the neighborhood to help them acclimatize to the new sights and sounds.

It takes a village.

After moving in, it’s important not to waste any time in getting to know your new community and town. This can be as simple as venturing outside and visiting local shops and public spaces or going out of your way to introduce yourself to your neighbors. You could even throw a party or join hobby groups in the area. The sky’s the limit, depending on your comfort level.

Though you may be tempted to shut yourself in your new home, taking great pains to actively integrate into your neighborhood is crucial as this is a great way to make a good impression on your neighbors, as well as get to know the area that you now call home. Not only that, but it’s also an effective way to meet other families with kids the same age as yours and like-minded individuals that share your interests.

Seal the deal.

Finally, know that in order to move forward in your new home, you need to close out the chapter of your old one. This means taking care of the inevitable paperwork. At the most fundamental level, this entails ensuring that your bills and other correspondences are re-routed to your new address, registering your kids to new schools, transferring medical records, updating identification—the list could go on and on.

For your peace of mind, you might even need to sign up for new auto insurance coverage, especially if you’re moving to a state like Florida where car insurance works a little differently. First of all, purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage virtually comes with no requirements. Secondly, because Florida is a no-fault state, no one driver is expected to shoulder the financial burden in the event of an auto incident. Moreover, bodily injury liability coverage is not required in Florida, though property damage liability is.

Indeed, it’s interesting to note that Florida has more uninsured drivers than a good chunk of the country. In fact, as of 2015, a whopping 26.7 percent of Florida drivers were either underinsured or completely uninsured. With this in mind, it’s a wise move, to rethink your auto insurance coverage, so make sure to shop around and compare quotes and coverage from various companies before making a decision.

Needless to say, moving to a new home in a new town will be a true exercise in perseverance. With good planning and organization, however, you can introduce a bit of ease and comfort into this transition for you and your family. Before you know it, you might even pleasantly find that getting out of your comfort zone wasn’t so bad after all.

Photo courtesy of Michael Tuszynski via Pexels