How to Plan a Smooth Move to a New City
Whether you’re moving across the street, to a new city, or to another country, getting ready for the move is a complicated process. To avoid unnecessary stress, it’s best to start planning the details of your move as early as possible, especially for big moves. Whilst it does not always guarantee that there will be no hurdles to overcome during the move, creating a detailed plan will make it easier for you to navigate through the process and have a better insight into how to handle issues that may occur during the move.
Many people who move to another city often choose to hire local professional removalists to lessen the stress. If this is not an option for you, fret not as there are other things that you can do to achieve a smooth move.
Before planning the move itself, you will need to decide on which city you’re moving into, as well as find a property in a neighbourhood that suits your preferences or matches your current lifestyle.
If you’re moving for the first time or it’s your first time planning your own move, here are some things you need to consider when choosing a new city to move into:
Size of the city
The size of the city you’re moving into might have a significant impact on your overall moving experience. The best city to move into will depend on the kind of lifestyle you prefer at the moment. Even if a “quaint small town” is perfect for you, others might see it as something “boring and in the middle of nowhere”. To others, large cities might be overwhelming and stressful, but exciting and lively for some. Be sure to check the size of the city (population and area) before making any decisions.
Job Market
If you’re not relocating due to an employment opportunity or to be closer to your workplace, it is highly recommended that you check the status of the job market in the city you have in mind. Instead of looking at the job market in general, perform a more thorough check by looking at the availability of job opportunities suitable to your skills and interests.
Weather/Climate
Another factor that might greatly affect your day-to-day routine is the city’s climate. If you’re fond of the sunny and comfortably warm weather, avoid moving into a city that is known for having colder temperatures almost year-round or vice versa. You also need to keep in mind that the climate will also influence what clothes you wear, as well as the activities you can do as the seasons change.
Cost of Living
No matter what reasons you may have for moving to a new city, it always helps to know about the cost of living in your chosen city. Nowadays, there are several websites where you can easily check and compare the cost of living for different cities. This will help you determine how much you will be needing to live a comfortable life in your new city.
Connections with the city
Moving into a new city where you don’t know anyone can be extra challenging, especially if the location of your new home is quite far from your support system. Whilst it is not impossible to move into a city where you’re a complete stranger, having a friend or at least knowing someone who lives in the same city is a comforting thought. It is also beneficial to get input about the location from someone you trust.
The best city for you
Before making any decisions, carefully think about what’s motivating you to move into a specific city. Whether you fell in love with the breathtaking views, you found attractions and activities that you can enjoy whilst living there, an exciting job opportunity was offered to you, or any other reason, not everything will be according to your expectations. Sooner or later you will have to compromise, so it’s important that you determine what you value in a location and ask yourself if it’s worth the inconvenience. Keep in mind that what others define as a “perfect city” or “the best city” is not the same as yours. When you can, list down the pros and cons of choosing a specific location and decide if it’s worth it. When choosing the best city for you, consider the following: How to Plan a Smooth Move to a New City
- Access to outdoor activities
- Activity/busyness
- Accessibility to transportation (bus, train, airport)
- Conservative/liberal
- Healthcare
- Networking opportunities
- Nightlife
- Safety
- Walkability vs. drivability
- Weather
- Work/life balance
Once you have decided on which city you’d like to move into, you can proceed to plan the other details of the move. Same as when choosing a city, planning the details of your move also takes time, especially if you’re looking at a long-distance move.
To get you started on planning your move, here are some of the tasks you need to do:
Choose a neighbourhood
Every neighbourhood will provide you with a different experience upon moving. As mentioned above, there is no such thing as a perfect city and you will need to compromise on certain aspects to make it work and enjoy your current city. For example, if you’re choosing a neighbourhood near the CBD and have easy access to restaurants, cafes, and popular attractions, you will need to deal with vehicular noises and busy streets almost all the time. Same as when choosing a city, think about the various aspects that will significantly impact your day-to-day routine and lifestyle in your new home. Some of the factors you must consider include:
- Distance to your work, school, or other essential facilities (if you’re not working from home)
- Type of available housing
- The overall cost of living
- Proximity to public transit
- Safety and crime rate
- Walkability
- Availability of parking spaces
- Proximity to parks/green space
- Vibe/culture of the neighbourhood
- Proximity to entertainment/recreation facilities
Look online for available properties
Nowadays, looking for available properties is much easier since the majority of properties for sale and for rent are already listed on different online listing platforms. You don’t have to go to different real estate offices or look through various advertisements. You can check real estate websites, social media accounts, and property listing websites to find the ideal property for you. When looking, take note of the following:
- Price (this should be no more than ⅓ of your monthly income)
- Size
- Number of bedrooms
- Number of bathrooms
- Amenities (pool, gym, security, rooftop, balcony, etc.)
- Layout
Visit some of the properties
Once you have a list of properties that are suitable to your needs, make time to visit the properties to see how it looks and feels. Check if facilities, amenities, and infrastructure are the same as advertised. This visit is also an opportunity to learn a few things about the community or neighbourhood. Consider asking the property owners or real estate agents about details about living in the neighbourhood and other important details that will help you make informed decisions in choosing a property.
Determine how you will move
After finding a suitable property, you need to determine how you will move from your current residence to your new home. If you’re looking for a long-distance move, it’s best to hire professionals to help you relocate your belongings. You can opt for a DIY move if your current home is not too far from your new residence or if you have limited resources for the move. Once you’ve figured this out, start working on a moving checklist of moving-related tasks that you need to complete before your scheduled moving day. Find time to declutter and sort your belongings before you start packing and preparing items for the move. How to Plan a Smooth Move to a New City
Set up your home
Create a system for unpacking and organising your belongings when they arrive in your new residence. This way, you won’t have too many unpacked items and open boxes in different parts of the home. Prioritise organising essential items, especially your kitchen or pantry if you take perishable goods with you. For example, you can leave seasonal items unpacked and place them at the back of the closet or storage room, then proceed to organise your items one room or area at a time.
Take care of personal matters
Review your moving checklist to see if there are any tasks or paperwork that you need to accomplish upon moving. Do those tasks during your free time or create a schedule for certain tasks if you don’t have to report for work immediately after moving.
Enjoy your new home
Once you’re done setting up your home and finishing all moving-related tasks, it’s time to enjoy your new home. Whether it’s visiting a nearby restaurant after work or spending the weekend exploring nearby attractions, find an activity that you can enjoy in your new city. Meet new people and participate in local events to learn more about the people, culture, and history of your new home.
How to Plan a Smooth Move to a New City