July 13, 2022
The thrilling experience of moving to a new city and having a chance of a fresh start is hard to beat. Even though living in any unfamiliar place is always going to be a bit of a gamble and a challenge, knowing the quickest way to the supermarket or having someone pop up for a quick coffee may just help your odds. Here are some helpful tips to consider when relocating cross country.
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Before Moving To a New City – Start With the Job Search
There isn’t a right answer to when you should start your job search, it depends on your long distance relocation plans. Your move can bring a range of possibilities for your career growth and development. One of the important factors to consider is your moving budget, and if you are sure you can cover the costs of hiring long-distance movers – then, focus solely on your move.
However, if that is not the case, you should uncover the opportunities waiting for you in your future city by doing proper research on salary differences, companies willing to hire out-towners, as well as the areas where you’d like to move. Do your research on how to get a job before you move and get familiar with the job market in your future state and city. Many cities have online networking groups where you can engage with the locals to learn more about relevant openings, salary, and gather other relevant advice.
Unless you are taking your job with you, you might need ample time to find the right position, so start your search on time.
Price Out the Area – Consider Moving to Suburbs
City living can be expensive. Do the math and find out whether you can afford to live comfortably off your salary in the area you’ll be relocating to. Be willing to consider the outer areas and commute to work as a trade-off for more affordable rent and more money in your pocket at the end of the month. Once you narrow down your search on a particular area and set your budget, be sure to do in-depth research on neighborhoods within. When you are informed and prepared, you stress less and have more capacity to focus on your relocation adventure and future life.
More remote neighborhoods offer a suburban way of life with a short commute to the center.
Get to Know Your Transportation Options to Work
Whether big or small, navigating an unfamiliar territory takes plenty of time and practice. This is why it is highly recommended that you figure out the fastest routes and various subway lines to work before you move. It would also be great to study a map of the city and its neighborhoods to be able to explore the area with confidence.
Start exploring the bus transit lines, subway systems, bike-sharing, and ridesharing services before your arrival.
Locate Important Stores in the Neighborhood
Local retail businesses’ locations will have a significant impact on your everyday routine, so make sure to explore the nearest stores that meet your immediate needs. Once you figure out where the nearest gas station, coffee shop, or go-to pharmacy is, your new community will soon start to feel like home.
Use a website such as Nextdoor to get a number of recommendations for the best shopping districts in your area. Of course, stores are not the only things you should pay attention to. For example, if you’re moving with pets, you’ll probably want to know where all the dog parks are.
Take some time to study your neighborhood and find important stores for your everyday needs.
Make Sure You’re Getting Your Mail
With all the chaos of dealing with long distance moving companies, packing, and so on, mail is something we often forget about. Don’t fall behind on your bills, and make sure to change your address with the post office at least a couple weeks before the cross-country move. It may take that long for your request to be processed and instituted. You can forward your mail by going to the local postal office and request the official change of address form. Fortunately, you have the option of doing it online by visiting USPS.com, where you will be redirected to the Official Change of Address form to schedule the forwarding date.
As a last resort, meet with the future tenants and ask to pick up anything that falls through the cracks during the transition.
Tips For Making Friends – Be Ready to Be Extra Social
Once you settle in your home, you may be tempted to stay in the living room surrounded by the things you are familiar with. You’d be surprised by how many friends and acquaintances you are loosely connected to in the area you live in. And there are many ways to be extra social in the unfamiliar surroundings.
Frequently Bond With Your Co-Workers
Your new colleagues will be aware of how stressful it can be to start a job and move to a different place. Meeting people can be overwhelming, but make sure to throw yourself out there as much as possible. Ask the people at your job about local social clubs or social sports groups and invite them for a get-together at least once a week.
Find out what the best locations for spending some quality time are, and make sure to invite your co-workers for a once-a-week get-together.
Join Organized Groups in Your New City
After you get settled, it is important to check everything from nonprofit volunteering to kickball leagues in your neighborhood. Change your ways and start considering yourself a joiner. Any locally organized group can help you learn about what other people in your community are like and what are their favorite hotspots.
Check Your Network of Friends And Family to Find a Perfect Roommate
If your budgeting efforts seem tight, consider finding a roommate to cut your cost of living significantly. Ideally, you want to check with your friends and family network first, and if that falls through – consider finding local apps you can use to find a perfect roommate.
Download Local Mobile Apps
To ease the transition and expand your social circle, do a little research to figure out what mobile apps are prevalent in your neighborhood. From on-demand grocery delivery services to online dating platforms, it is best to take some time and learn about local apps and services before the cross-country move.
Do research on prevalent mobile apps and services in your neighborhood.
Give Yourself Time To Acclimate
Everyone’s adjustment is different and on a different timeline. Some may be able to adjust to the new environment in a matter of weeks, and others may take much longer. To be able to focus solely on your job search and finding friends, it would be best to hire a long-distance mover to provide you with professional long distance moving and packing services. This way, you will be able to relocate with a breeze and focus on what’s important to you.
Moving to a new city is hard, and adjusting to it is even harder. Go easy on yourself, and remember it is not possible to have an instant support network around you – you have to take time to create one. It may involve getting you a little out of your comfort zone, but the new opportunities and friends will be worth it.
