Major Move, Now What?

So you’ve finally made the big move! Whether you’re moving to a new city or country, it’s a huge change. And while it can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming. If you have kids then there are even more considerations to make. So what do you need to do to start settling into your new life?

We’ve made a lot of moves over the years and after our recent move to Dallas, I wanted to put together this post to share some of my thoughts that will help you if you’re planning to make a move.

Tips for Settling into Your New Home

It can be difficult to adjust to a new home after moving. However, there are a few things you can do to help make the transition easier.

Before you move, clearly label all of the boxes from your old house with the name of the room they should go into in your new home. You might want to make a brief list on each box as well so you know what’s inside each box. You will thank yourself later!

Make sure you have all the essentials either in one box or in place at your new home. This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people forget the basics when they move. Make sure you have toilet paper, soap, towels, sheets, etc. ready to go.

When it’s time to move items into the house, we’ve found these tips help keep things organized and unpack more easily is by doing the following.

• Put the boxes into the rooms they belong in. You might want to push them against a wall or in a general area so you can unpack them as you go.
• Unbox one box at a time. If you’ve labeled and listed out the items in your boxes you’ll be able to tell what’s most important, first.

Tackle each room individually OR unpack the most important items in the first round, and follow up with the less important items on a second or third pass. The option you choose will depend on your preferences and needs.

Get to know your new neighborhood

One of the best ways to settle into a new place is to get to know your surroundings. Take some time to explore your new neighborhood and familiarize yourself with the local businesses and landmarks. This will help you feel more settled and comfortable.

Scheduling an outing for a mental and physical break is also good for your sanity in the midst of a move – even if it’s just a short ice cream break!

If you’re moving with kids, getting them acclimated to their new surroundings is important too. Check out local parks and playgrounds, as well as kid-friendly activities in the area. The sooner they make friends in the neighborhood, the easier it will be for everyone to adjust.

Setting Up Important Paperwork

One of the items lower on people’s list is filling out the paperwork needed to establish themselves in their new areas. Once you are through the craziness of the first few days of your move, don’t wait to start the paperwork.

Find your local doctors/pediatrician, dentist and other caregivers. Get in any paperwork to establish yourself as a patient before a sickness happens. The last thing you will want in the midst of your move is an illness and a scramble to find a caregiver.

Next, is tackling school paperwork to enroll your children in local schools. Some of this might be able to be done before your move, making things much easier once you arrive at your destination.

If you have any paperwork that needs to be completed for employment like health insurance, this is another item to make sure to tackle sooner rather than later. 

Create New Traditions

Whether this move is a once-in-a-lifetime move or you are a family that may make many moves, creating new traditions is something that will not only break up the stress of a new move but will create memories for your entire family. 

This could be something like buying a new piece of art for your home, making a plaque with your family’s name to hang on the front door or in the garden, or taking a family picture somewhere in your new home to send out to family and friends to announce your move. Whatever you choose, add your own twist and have fun with the idea!

While it can be challenging, feeling uneasy or overwhelmed is a part of the moving process. It doesn’t mean it’s not the right decision, it just takes time to settle in.  Lean on your support system (even if that’s the new people around you), take things one step at a time, and enjoy the process!