Your new home. You've envisioned it for so long. You imagined the soft brown curtains in the living room, your first dinner guests, your kids going to school in a new place. But the reality of settling into your new home can be a little more mundane than that. There are forms to fill out, streets to explore, and minor but important changes to make. If you're finding that settling in has proved a bit more challenging than you expected, these steps will help you to get your move back on track.
Forward Your Mail
The home experts at HGTV recommend this to-do first. It just makes sense. Aside from having some bills that still come to your mailbox, you don't want your old mail to be sitting in your old box. Mail can get lost or stolen that way. This job is best done before you hand your keys over to the new owners of your old home or apartment.
Secure the Locks and Change Them
Before you bought your home, lots of people had access to it, the former owners, the realtor, the other people who considered buying it. Some realtors are more educated than others. Some use Success Path education reviews to identify which courses are right for them. That way, you can learn more about the neighborhood and surrounding areas from them. That's also why most people suggest that you change the locks in your new home right away. You can either call the locksmith or get out the wrench and DIY it. Either way, you'll feel more secure knowing it's completely yours and truly safe now.
Check Your Belongings
How do you know if your best set of dishes hasn't been broken in your move? Or maybe you're afraid that the finish on your favorite coffee table got a nick in it. Either way, the best way to find out how your stuff faired during your move is to check it out. According to About.com, this should definitely be a step on your list. Not only are you able to ascertain whether or not everything made it okay, checking through your stuff in a timely fashion means you can file an insurance claim sooner.
Unpack Your Stuff
This goes hand-in-hand with the previous step. The experts at Allied recommend that you don't put this off. It's easy to succumb to the exhaustion of moving, but not unpacking can mean that your stuff is in boxes for literally months before it sees the light of day. If you know you can't motivate yourself to unpack on your own, do consider the step above. If you want to file an insurance claim or are worried about your things being lost, it's better to know that sooner rather than later.
Change Your Address with Utility Companies
Why not put in a change-of-address with your utilities companies on the same day you do a change-of-address at the post office. This guarantees that your bills won't get lost in the mail. And given that many utility companies use your address for identification purposes, it's just a good idea to change these over.
Check Your Kids into a New School
Ideally, you will have checked out the schools near your new home and started the registration process. Many parents choose their homes based on the schools in the area, but if your new home is near a charter or a private school, you may have more options. In any case, getting your kids settled into a new school will help them start the adjustment period that comes with moving. It also gives them a leg-up on making new friends.
Meet New People
You and your spouse should make a concerted effort to meet people, too. Start with your neighbors. There's something to be said for having someone to borrow a cup of sugar from or to lean over the fence and talk to on a summer afternoon. These early introductions ensure that you're connected to your new neighborhood and the people around you.
Moving can be a real pain. It can also be an exciting adventure. Whether you experience the former or the latter depends on how well and how quickly you settle into your new home. Much of settling in requires you to deal with practical business like changing your mailing address on your utilities and changing the locks. Some of it is a bit more personal like saying, “hi” to those new neighbors or finding schools for your kids. However, most of your adjustment will just require time. Taking these steps ensures that time will eventually take care of itself.04
Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn't on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter @RachelleWilber.
