How to Prepare to Move to a New City?
There can be many reasons for relocating to another city, like it can be because of a boost in career, settling after marriage or simply to start a new life. While you already have so much on your plate, you don't want to skip a step and make relocating more difficult for you.
So, take necessary steps like shortlisting new locations, finding schools or colleges for your kids, fixing packers to move and others. To make your tasks simpler, we have provided an in-depth guide on the steps to relocating to another city. Keep reading to learn more!
What Are the Steps for Relocating to Another City?
Moving to a new city can be tiresome as there are many things to keep in mind. On top of this, the number of tasks gets multiplied if you have a family dependent on you. To remove the hassle and stress of planning your relocation, we have provided a step-by-step guide on how to prepare to move to a new city and the things to ensure below:
Step 1: Consider Important Things When Relocating to a New City
Here are some important things you must consider before planning to move to a new city:
- Do the Research: Before you plan to move to a new city, research its weather, food, culture, cost of living and transport and ensure it suits you, so it is easy to adapt. Also, don't forget to look into the job market as you would not want to risk your steady job and move to a city with disappointments. In addition, traffic is one of the biggest problems you can face since if the city attracts huge traffic, you can spend half of your every day in it. These will help you answer how you would feel living in the new city.
- Plan Your Finances: Create a realistic budget by considering housing costs, transportation expenses, healthcare needs and food prices to determine the cost of living in your chosen place. Also, it will be a good idea to consider gas prices and restaurant menus. Now total it with your relocation cost to find whether you can manage your finances.
- Find Job Opportunities: Before you fix the place, look first at the job opportunities available, like the major industries operating in the city, the kinds of jobs available, etc. Also, focus on the job place and whether it is easily accessible from where you plan to reside.
- Choose the City You Like: While some people are fond of quaint small towns, others are into the loud cheer of crowds. However, considering the size of the city becomes much more important when you don't want to waste time travelling from one place to another.
So, look for the population number and physical distance of the city before moving. Also, it should have all the qualities you can desire, like safety, healthcare, nightlife, drivability, and network opportunities.
Step 2: Finalise Your New House Strategically
Finalising your new home when relocating to a new city can be hard. There are many things you must take into consideration like:
- Safe Neighbourhood: You should be sure that your neighbourhood is safe from all dangerous activities, especially when you are moving in with your family. However, look at whether it is well connected to places of daily necessities like it is near greens and has required facilities.
- The Apartment Should Have Everything: Here by everything, we mean the basic amenities allowing you to live in peace, like 24-hour water supply, electricity, children's park, security guards, parking space, etc. Also, the rent to support the same should be under your budget.
- Location With a Good School: When you are moving to a new city with family, you would want to see if the location has top schools or not. However, if it is not nearby, you can also look for any school bus facilities available, travelling to and from your neighbourhood.
Step 3: Switch Schools or Colleges for Children
Changing schools and moving to a new city can be difficult for your children, so identify their needs before finalising it. For this purpose, learn about their abilities, learning style, interests and the studying environment they desire. Also, if you have the liberty of time, plan the switch at the start of a semester, as it will be easy for your kids to settle in.
Step 4: Relocate Your Vehicle Safely
Fortunately, many transport companies guarantee the safe transfer of your vehicle from one city to another, so you don't have to worry about moving it to a new city. However, the process you may need to follow for proper vehicle relocation are:
- Hire the best packers and movers of the city you plan to settle in.
- Prepare the car for shipping by sending it for a complete car wash process.
- Eliminate all the unnecessary things inside your car, like freshener, speaker, etc., to avoid getting them tossed inside when going through bumpers.
- Reach out to your car insurance company and learn about the policy relating to vehicle relocation.
- Do not fuel up completely. It will keep the weight of your car to a minimum.
- Check for leaks and tire pressure before sending it to the transport company, as they may refuse to transport it.
Step 5: Follow These Tips to Pack and Move Smoothly
The hardest part of moving and packing is deciding where to start. So, to help, here are some relocation tips on packing and moving:
- Make a List: The first step to being organised is making a list of all the items that need to be packed. The way to do that is by going to each room, looking around and writing down things that are important to you. Then share this list with your packers and movers to get a quote of how many vehicles will be needed and their cost.
- Declutter: To make sure you don't incur unnecessary expenses in moving something you don't even use, you must declutter the place. Get rid of the furniture, clothes, and other items you have not used for at least a year.
- Make a File of Important Documents: While doing the inventory check, you will find many essential documents. Make sure you make a separate folder for all important papers then and there.
- Pack Your Essentials: Lastly, pack all the essential items you use daily, which will probably be left for last-minute packing and have a high chance of being left behind. It can be your toiletries like a brush, soap, hand sanitiser, or first aid box, gadgets, chargers, etc.
Step 6: Tick Off this Checklist During City Relocation
Here is a checklist that you must tick off to avoid leaving behind any essential steps:
- Hiring packers and movers
- Making an inventory list
- Preparing a separate box you may need on arrival, including a few clothes, toiletries, and other basic utilities.
- If you are moving with a small baby or toddler, keep a separate bag for his/her clothes, diapers, snack pack and water bottle.
Step 7: Settle in Your New Home
Now that you have successfully moved to your new house in the new city, you just need to follow these simple pointers to finally settle in:
- Call for Professional Help to Clean Your Apartment Inside Out: You can also do it yourself, but since you will be dealing with many things at the time, it is better to take professional help for cleaning. The professionals can ensure that the place is safe for you and your family to live in.
- Get Pest Control Services: You don't want to ruin your things with the actions of termites, rodents and cockroaches. So, make sure to turn your place pest free by accessing pest control services.
- Check and Install Major Appliances: First, check whether the packers and movers have done a fine job moving your appliances scratch free. Then take time and install your TV, washing machine, fridge and more in the corners you would like.
- Unbox the Rest: Double check whether the things match your inventory list while unboxing to ensure you have all you need. Then start organising your home a little at a time. Remember, it may take time, so be patient.
Hope that this guide on relocating to another city has covered everything which you may need to be careful of while shifting. So, follow the checklists to ensure you don't miss out on anything. Also, say a proper goodbye to your old city, the people you are living behind and the connections important to you. It will ensure a smooth transition.
FAQs About Relocating to Another City
What are the things you may need to present when applying for an apartment in the new city?
Generally, when filling out an apartment application, you may need to present your proof of income, reference of your previous landlord, your social security number and your driving licence number. The new subtenant may use this information to analyse your background.
What are the pros and cons of moving your belongings through movers and packers?
Even though moving your belongings may seem cheaper, you may need a big vehicle to transport all of your essentials. Hiring packers and movers solves this problem by giving you free space. But you may not feel safe trusting your belongings with someone else. Also, it can take a week or two for a storage facility to transfer your goods.