5 Ways To Make a Big Move Easier

No matter how many times you do it, moving your entire life from one city to another is an ordeal. It takes months of planning, and even after you arrive, it can take a year or more to feel like you’re settling into your new home. Getting used to a new city is never easy, but there are some things you can do to reduce the stress of moving. Here are five ways you can make your next big move a little easier.

1. Research Local Transportation

One of the first things you need to know about your new home is how to get around on local transportation. Whether you’re going to commute to work or you need to know the fastest way to get to the beach, transportation is going to play a huge part in your life. While many cities have strong public transit systems, others are less accommodating if you don’t have your own vehicle. 

If you are moving from a city with amazing public transport, like New York City, to a place that has few buses outside the downtown area, like Boise, Idaho, then you might want to consider getting a car. Even if you have a car, you might need something bigger or better suited to the weather in your new location. To help you budget for this expense, use a car loan calculator to estimate the cost of your monthly payment.

2. Identify Must-See Locations

If you want to build some excitement around your big move, research the top must-see places in your new city. For well-known cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York City, you might already have an idea of some of the sights you want to see in the first few months after your move. But if work or school is taking you to a city you know virtually nothing about, take some time to map out all of the places you want to explore once you get settled. 

Some of the most underrated cities in the US include: 

• Savannah, Georgia
• Fort Worth, Texas
• Lexington, Kentucky
• Boulder, Colorado
• Greenville, South Carolina

3. Downsize Before You Move

Preparing for a big move is intimidating, which is why you can make the process go a bit smoother by downsizing before you pack up your boxes. If you’ve spent a decent amount of time in your current home, then you have probably accumulated a lot of things you don’t actually need.

Instead of packing up a bunch of useless knick knacks, trinkets, and clothes, you don’t wear, start sorting out your belongings so that you take only what you absolutely need to start your life in a new place. As you pile up the things you don’t want anymore, you can either decide to donate your goods, sell your items to a consignment store, or organize a garage or yard sale to make a bit of extra cash.

4. Factor in Time To Explore

When you’re scheduling your move, make sure to factor in time to explore your new city. If possible, give yourself at least a week off of work or school so that you can unpack slowly, get enough rest, and get out and see the sights.

Moving is surprisingly stressful. You will probably have a lot of emotions running through you, especially if you loved your old home. Be gentle with yourself as you start your new adventure.

5. Find Your Community

As you slowly settle into a new routine and new home, it’s important to challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone so that you can find your community. Whether you have a specific hobby or you want to learn about local politics, explore a few different groups that organize activities based on your interests. Having a community can make a difficult move feel like a breeze. 

Use these simple strategies the next time you have to uproot your life. You might not be able to change your circumstances, but you can control how you approach the next phase of your life.