Moving in and settling into your new home can be a daunting experience. You have to think about furniture arrangement, which boxes to unpack first, and familiarizing yourself with the house and the neighborhood. It can even be more tiresome if you have children with you, as they also need to be guided accordingly.
Having a to-do list may help you get settled in a fast and easy manner. A well-organized list will help you remember all things you need to do so you can rest easy once finished.
Here are tips to keep in mind to make settling into your new home easier for everyone.
1. Clean Before Unpacking
Generally, a newly finished home is already clean and is ready for you to move in. However, if you’re that kind who can’t sleep in a new place without doing the cleaning yourself, then go ahead and do so. Just ensure that you include some cleaning supplies in your move-in day essentials bag.
Start cleaning the bedrooms, kitchen, and bathrooms. You can also clean the entire place before you start unpacking. This is because it will be challenging to clean your new home if all your things have already been arranged and organized.
2. Set Up The Most Important Areas
As soon as the last box is moved in into your new home by the best local movers, you’ll have to unpack and get settled. You can make this easier by focusing on the most crucial areas first so you can feel comfortable in your new place.
Start with the bedrooms where you’re going to sleep, and then the kitchen and the bathrooms. Although it may take a while for you to unpack and get settled in your bedroom, it’s essential as it can help you get back to your normal daily routine. Just set up the beds first and worry about your clothes later on.
3. Change Your Address
Changing your official address also means changing a lot of documents. After moving in, you’ll need to go to the local post office to fill out a change-of-address form. Next, you have to inform your bank that you relocated and ask them for assistance to update your personal information.
If you moved counties or states, you also need to update your vehicle registration and title information. In some states, you might be required to change your plates.
Aside from changing your address, you also need to transfer the utilities and services such as internet, cable, phone, electricity, water, and gas to your new home. Fortunately, the providers allow people to fill up a form and change their address online.
4. Be Familiar With Your New House
Find the primary circuit breaker of your new home and ensure that all breakers are labeled properly. Aside from that, figure out where the water control valves are located so you’ll know where they are if you need to shut them off.
While you’re at it, you should also check the security features of the new space. See if its smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Remember to change the door locks as well because the place was occupied previously by another family.
5. Start Your Daily Routine Right Away
Don’t let the moving process affect your usual daily routine. When you’re finished unpacking, start doing the things that you and your family do in your old home as soon as possible. The sooner the unpacking is finished, the sooner you can start decorating so you can enjoy your life in your new place.
Embracing a normal routine can make the moving process look like an easy transition, especially for your young children. By minimizing transition time, you can reduce the stress felt by your family during the move-in process.
6. Get To Know Your Community
Never put off checking out your neighborhood. If you want to feel more at home and comfortable in your new place, explore the local community while you’re settling in. Reach out to your neighbors, go see the community hot spots, and find ways to be involved in homeowner activities and programs. These will be helpful to your kids as they make them feel comfortable with the new environment.
Final Thoughts
Moving into your new home is exciting, but you don’t have to unpack everything in one day. Take your time so you and your family can properly settle in. Take into account the tips provided in this article to ensure a smooth transition. Finally, once everything is organized and you’ve completed your to-do list, don’t forget to give yourself some time to relax and breathe.