MOVING TO A NEW COMMUNITY
Moving into a new community can be a great adventure, if you go with the right attitude and a sound strategy for settling in. Make an action plan and you’ll stay focused, organized and proactive – just what’s needed to put roots down fast.
Moving into a new community can be a great adventure, if you go with the right attitude and a sound strategy for settling in. Make an action plan and you’ll stay focused, organized and proactive – just what’s needed to put roots down fast.
Before you go:
- Complete a change of address form with the post office, which can be done online at www.usps.com. You’ll also want to send your new address to any publications you subscribe to, as it can take up to eight weeks for the change to become effective.
- Contact the local Visitor’s Bureau for materials about your new town, which should include a map. Identify important routes, such as those between your home and your office or your child’s school.
- Make initial contact with child-care facilities. Depending on the area you move to, you may need to put your name on a waiting list.
- If possible, enroll your children in school. Firm plans will reduce the stress.
- Pack a box with essentials for your first few nights, such as prescription medicine, toiletries, a telephone, clothing, towels, toilet paper and bed linen.
- You’ll also want to make arrangements to have utilities transferred to your name or turned on. In addition, you will want to set up appointments to have services such as telephone, cable and high speed Internet connected.
- For safety and peace of mind, change the locks. You never know who has a copy of the house key.
- Locate emergency services, police and fire stations and the closest hospital.
- Hang drapes or curtains to give you some privacy.
- Select one room, perhaps the family room, as a place of refuge. Make it a cozy space, free of unpacked boxes, empty cartons or anything else move-related.
- Stock the fridge with prepared entrees and the makings for the no-fuss meals.
The first week:
- Check with the post office to see if they are holding mail for you. Finish sending out change of address to credit card companies and clubs.
- File away all documents related to the move. You’ll need them for verification of moving expenses at tax time.
- Call your waste removal company or department of sanitation for a trash collection schedule.
- Open a bank account and arrange for a safe deposit box, if needed.
- Obtain a local driver’s license and transfer the vehicle registration.
- Register to vote. Call the local Board of Elections for information.
