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Complete Guide – Settling Down in a New City

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<strong>Complete</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>–</strong> <strong>Settl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Down</strong> <strong>in</strong> a <strong>New</strong><br />

<strong>City</strong><br />

By: Adam Wiese<br />

(University of Adelaide)<br />

Abstract<br />

Whether you’re mov<strong>in</strong>g to a new side of town or mov<strong>in</strong>g across the country<br />

(or beyond), gett<strong>in</strong>g settled <strong>in</strong> a new city can always be a little nerve-rack<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

Here are some of the best ways to get acqua<strong>in</strong>ted with your new home and<br />

make new friends.<br />

1.0 Introduction<br />

Mov<strong>in</strong>g to a new city means a new location, a new home and even new friends.<br />

It can be an overwhelm<strong>in</strong>g experience to settle <strong>in</strong> a new place, especially if you<br />

were immersed <strong>in</strong> your old home and location. But it is these amaz<strong>in</strong>g, new<br />

experiences that teach you more about the world and helps you build a home<br />

where you move or travel.


Everyone should make at least one big move <strong>in</strong> their lifetime. It pushes you<br />

outside of your comfort zone, forces you to grow as a person, and allows you<br />

to discover a different part of the world. Here are some important tips that<br />

will help you when mov<strong>in</strong>g to a new city.<br />

2.0 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Mov<strong>in</strong>g To A<br />

<strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />

1. Can I afford it?<br />

I know this sounds obvious, but you can’t budget enough when you’re<br />

th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g about jump<strong>in</strong>g ship to a new city. Last m<strong>in</strong>ute expenses will always<br />

come up and although we all hope for that silver l<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g to appear right when<br />

we need it, the less you can count on that lucky break by cover<strong>in</strong>g your<br />

grounds monetarily, the smoother that transition will be. Tip: whatever<br />

you’ve budgeted for your move, double it. If you can afford it still, you’re <strong>in</strong><br />

good shape.


2. Do I know anyone that lives where I’m go<strong>in</strong>g?<br />

When I moved out to Kansas <strong>City</strong>, I knew one person. And that was a friend<br />

I’ve known for more than half my life. Even with one solid person that I was<br />

connected to, it took me just over a year to f<strong>in</strong>ally get my foot<strong>in</strong>g right and get<br />

everyth<strong>in</strong>g to align accord<strong>in</strong>gly. It’s hard mov<strong>in</strong>g to a new area, and it’s even<br />

harder if you don’t have a network where you’re go<strong>in</strong>g. It’s not impossible, but<br />

the more connections you have, the quicker you can get yourself acclimated to<br />

your new stomp<strong>in</strong>g grounds.<br />

3. What are the good/bad neighborhoods?<br />

Take advantage of the technology we have now and use it to do some good<br />

research. At this po<strong>in</strong>t, you can probably ask Siri what types of neighborhoods<br />

to look <strong>in</strong>to. I’m kidd<strong>in</strong>g (although, who knows? If I had an iPhone, I’d be<br />

tempted to try it). See what k<strong>in</strong>ds of areas you’d be <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> mov<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to<br />

and call the people you know (if you know anyone) and ask around. If you<br />

don’t know anyone and you’re brav<strong>in</strong>g it on your own, call a realtor agency.<br />

There are plenty of companies that are specifically designed to help you<br />

relocate and they’ll tell you all the th<strong>in</strong>gs you’ll want to know about the area<br />

you’re look<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to. Utilize the resources that are available to you, it’ll make<br />

th<strong>in</strong>gs a lot easier.<br />

4. What’s the cost of liv<strong>in</strong>g there?<br />

Cost of liv<strong>in</strong>g varies from state to state; never under-estimate this fact. Be as<br />

extensive as you can be with this. F<strong>in</strong>d out through locals how much groceries<br />

are, average rent/mortgages, property expenses, taxes… The better idea you<br />

can get before arriv<strong>in</strong>g, the more prepared you can be—and also the more<br />

negotiat<strong>in</strong>g power you’ll have when you’re determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g what to request for<br />

your salary.


5. What’s the job market like?<br />

Speak<strong>in</strong>g of salary, you’ll want to know this for sure. What is the job market<br />

like where you’re headed? Is it expand<strong>in</strong>g? Is it consistent? Are there multiple<br />

opportunities? You may already have a job l<strong>in</strong>ed up or you may be<br />

transferr<strong>in</strong>g with your exist<strong>in</strong>g job. Do research on your own employer and<br />

see what their particular market is like <strong>in</strong> that specific area. Even with<strong>in</strong><br />

companies, management can be completely different. The culture can contrast<br />

from what you’re accustomed to, so you’ll def<strong>in</strong>itely want to know what type<br />

of environment you’re putt<strong>in</strong>g yourself <strong>in</strong> before you arrive. Who knows?<br />

Maybe it suits you even more than where you are now.<br />

6. How much does it cost to register my vehicle?<br />

I know, I know. Everyone hates deal<strong>in</strong>g with registration. Everyone hates the<br />

DMV. This is common knowledge. But trust me, even if your tags are good to<br />

go for another 8 months after you’ve already moved, unless you have a<br />

permanent address where you currently reside that you can cont<strong>in</strong>ue to<br />

renew your <strong>in</strong>formation through, do yourself a favor and just rip the Band-Aid<br />

off. F<strong>in</strong>d out the <strong>in</strong>formation to get your stuff transferred over. The sooner you<br />

just get it over with, the sooner you can just be done with it and not run the<br />

risk of forgett<strong>in</strong>g it has to get done and get pulled over because you have outof-state<br />

tags that are now also out-of-date. Not a fun way to get to know your<br />

new home.<br />

7. How do the school systems operate?<br />

This really only applies to those who have children, and this should go without<br />

say<strong>in</strong>g but still. Just to be thorough, you always want to know what types of<br />

schools are <strong>in</strong> the area you’re plann<strong>in</strong>g on head<strong>in</strong>g towards. This may change<br />

your whole game plan once you f<strong>in</strong>d out how different districts are run. It’s<br />

much more work to figure all this <strong>in</strong>formation out <strong>in</strong> h<strong>in</strong>dsight, so the more<br />

contact you have with the state, the schools and anyone else that can be a


viable resource to you before you get there, the happier both you and your<br />

child(ren) will be.<br />

8. How much is gas where I’m go<strong>in</strong>g?<br />

This k<strong>in</strong>d of ties <strong>in</strong>to the cost of liv<strong>in</strong>g aspect of th<strong>in</strong>gs, but gas has become its<br />

own demon nowadays. For anyone who’s plann<strong>in</strong>g on road-tripp<strong>in</strong>g to their<br />

new dest<strong>in</strong>ation, you’ll def<strong>in</strong>itely want to map out your budget accord<strong>in</strong>gly.<br />

Instead of go<strong>in</strong>g through the leg work of try<strong>in</strong>g to figure out the exact dollar<br />

amount each state you’ll be travel<strong>in</strong>g through charges, just over-estimate what<br />

the gas price will be and go off of that number. Example: If gas is $3.65/gallon<br />

where you are, assume its $5/gallon, then multiply that by the amount of<br />

miles you’ll be travell<strong>in</strong>g. It’s safe to say there aren’t many places that charge<br />

$5/gallon for gas and hey, once you arrive, you’ll have extra cash <strong>in</strong> that<br />

reserve. Over-budget<strong>in</strong>g is never a bad idea.<br />

9. How long do I want to stay there?<br />

Perhaps you just want to try it out for a year, or maybe this new place is<br />

where you want to raise your grandchildren. Maybe you won’t know this<br />

answer until you’ve already gotten there. The idea is not to necessarily have<br />

an answer to this question, but to have this question <strong>in</strong> the back of your m<strong>in</strong>d.<br />

It’ll give you a better trajectory of where you’re aim<strong>in</strong>g to go. Time is valuable,<br />

so make the most of it. Have at the very least, a tentative plan. The beauty of<br />

life is that plans can always change.<br />

10. Do I really need this where I’m go<strong>in</strong>g?<br />

Maybe it’s just me, but I detest pack<strong>in</strong>g. Like, loathe. Vehemently… viscerally…<br />

despise. Have I pa<strong>in</strong>ted a vivid picture? I don’t like pack<strong>in</strong>g. So maybe this next<br />

question is easier for me to answer than most because I know some people<br />

grow an attachment to the th<strong>in</strong>gs they’ve accumulated. And you should, you’ve


earned what you have. But, sometimes the costs to move these th<strong>in</strong>gs across<br />

state borders outweigh the costs to replace them/get new th<strong>in</strong>gs once you<br />

move. Really evaluate what is absolutely necessary for you take with you and<br />

what items you have <strong>in</strong> your personal <strong>in</strong>ventory that you can live without or<br />

replace once you get to your new domicile. It’ll cut down your costs <strong>in</strong>itially<br />

AND it provides a valid excuse to go shopp<strong>in</strong>g for new, fun stuff! It’s a w<strong>in</strong>-w<strong>in</strong>.<br />

11. What is here that I’m go<strong>in</strong>g to need out there?<br />

Everyone has their vices. Their favorite pizza parlor, nail salon, barber shop,<br />

boutique… “dealer”… (just be<strong>in</strong>g real, here…) Most people gravitate towards<br />

exclusivity, so many of your favorite hangouts most likely won’t be <strong>in</strong> the next<br />

state over. Me, <strong>in</strong> particular, I’m a fat kid at heart, so Yelp has been my faithful<br />

BFF. I refuse to move to a new area unless there is some sort of homemade ice<br />

cream/custard shop. I’ve made a few compromises as far as coffee and pizza…<br />

and I still have trouble adjust<strong>in</strong>g (you’ll know this from my last article), but<br />

one of the th<strong>in</strong>gs I enjoy about be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a new area is discover<strong>in</strong>g the hot<br />

spots. You’ll learn that every state has a gem worth f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g. So make sure you<br />

stock up on anyth<strong>in</strong>g you can’t replace from the gems you’ve found <strong>in</strong> your<br />

state before you go. For <strong>in</strong>stance, when I do move back home to NY, I’m buy<strong>in</strong>g<br />

as much Sweet Tea as my Jeep will fit and hurl<strong>in</strong>g that with me. No shame.<br />

12. When should I leave?<br />

Tim<strong>in</strong>g is everyth<strong>in</strong>g. Check the weather forecast, watch your calendar for any<br />

major holidays or reasons there would be higher traffic and f<strong>in</strong>d out the<br />

optimum time to put <strong>in</strong> your two weeks so that you can get the most out of<br />

your rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g pay schedule… coord<strong>in</strong>ate diligently. Sometimes your heart<br />

just wants to jump and bug out ASAP and other times, your boss is hound<strong>in</strong>g<br />

you to get out there on his time table. Push back. Don’t forget your rights as an<br />

<strong>in</strong>dividual when you’re be<strong>in</strong>g uprooted out of your current liv<strong>in</strong>g situation. As<br />

long as you’re firm with what you’ve got go<strong>in</strong>g on and can br<strong>in</strong>g valid po<strong>in</strong>ts as<br />

to why you want to move when you want to move and not when they want


you to move, they have no choice but to oblige. If they’re not will<strong>in</strong>g to, then<br />

that should be a big <strong>in</strong>dicator of how you’re valued <strong>in</strong> the company you’re<br />

about to relocate for. Compromise with<strong>in</strong> reason, but remember that you<br />

come first.<br />

13. What am I los<strong>in</strong>g if I leave?<br />

We all have to make sacrifices anytime we <strong>in</strong>vite change <strong>in</strong>to our lives, but as<br />

long as the sacrifice is worth whatever we’re atta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g at the end of it, we’ll<br />

have the peace of m<strong>in</strong>d to know that it wasn’t <strong>in</strong> va<strong>in</strong>. Make sure you weigh<br />

out all the pros and cons when you’re tak<strong>in</strong>g this next step. Make sure that you<br />

tie up any loose ends and prioritize pragmatically. Your days are numbered<br />

once you make this decision and if this is a permanent move, realize that even<br />

though there’s a possibility you may come back, it won’t be the same. Not<br />

try<strong>in</strong>g to sound melodramatic, here. But just appreciate where you’re at now<br />

because you never know what can transpire once you take that leap. Be<br />

excited, though. It’s a chance for re-<strong>in</strong>vention, for growth.<br />

14. What am I ga<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g if I leave?<br />

This is the more fun question. Dream a little. What can this new environment<br />

offer? What can be learned here? These are <strong>in</strong>spir<strong>in</strong>g questions, questions that<br />

should get you motivated. Make a list of all the th<strong>in</strong>gs you want to accomplish<br />

this time around. What you want to see, where you want to go, the type of<br />

people you want to meet… have at least a bit of direction (and not too much<br />

direction, be<strong>in</strong>g flexible can work greatly <strong>in</strong> your favor dur<strong>in</strong>g a time of<br />

transition). That way, when you set foot on your journey, you’ve got<br />

someth<strong>in</strong>g to look forward to, like a p<strong>in</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t, a check mark, or a “that was<br />

easy.” Hav<strong>in</strong>g small, easily accomplished short term goals will boost your<br />

confidence <strong>in</strong> mak<strong>in</strong>g this decision and comfort you dur<strong>in</strong>g a time of<br />

adjustment.


15. What is my goal for mov<strong>in</strong>g out there?<br />

Short term goals are great, and so are long term goals. There should always be<br />

a f<strong>in</strong>al dest<strong>in</strong>ation—whether that changes <strong>in</strong> a few years when new<br />

<strong>in</strong>formation has been brought to light, that’ll be a time to regroup and create a<br />

new plan, but have an end goal. A goal that states “while I’m here, I want to<br />

make sure I at least get X, Y and Z accomplished.” These don’t have to be savethe-world<br />

campaigns or crazy marks on your career. Just goals that will<br />

require time that you personally will f<strong>in</strong>d satisfaction <strong>in</strong> know<strong>in</strong>g you were<br />

able to get done. F<strong>in</strong>d your <strong>in</strong>ner kid and hear what he/she has to say. Every<br />

new chapter <strong>in</strong> your life presents an opportunity to connect with that side of<br />

you aga<strong>in</strong>. Seize it.<br />

16. What’s my back-up plan?<br />

Sometimes, we fail. And that’s okay, as long as we can anticipate that as a<br />

possibility. If it doesn’t work out for you, you should always have a plan B to<br />

fall back on. Be careful not to burn any bridges where you are, you never<br />

know what resources you’ll need <strong>in</strong> the future. Maybe where you are is just<br />

not work<strong>in</strong>g for you at all anymore—so don’t feel like you have to go<br />

backwards, just have another place mapped out <strong>in</strong> your m<strong>in</strong>d. Maybe your<br />

dreams were just a little too big to fit <strong>in</strong>to reality right now… and that might<br />

not always be a bad th<strong>in</strong>g. Failure and struggle <strong>in</strong>spire creativity. Embrace it,<br />

keep an open m<strong>in</strong>d and see what else the world has to offer. You may surprise<br />

yourself with realiz<strong>in</strong>g you don’t always know what you want the first time<br />

around.<br />

17. Is this the right move?<br />

Don’t expect to f<strong>in</strong>d the answer to this right away, because it won’t happen<br />

until you’ve already made the move. But be cognizant that every step you’re<br />

tak<strong>in</strong>g is with the <strong>in</strong>tention to move forward and not just because you’re<br />

restless and you want a change of scenery. You’ve got to know that if you’re <strong>in</strong>


a rut and you’re not happy where you are, it’ll take work on your part to<br />

change that no matter where you go. Don’t expect a new city to do that for<br />

you. Sometimes, you need everyth<strong>in</strong>g around you to be different to see what<br />

parts of you are controlled, and what parts are variable. That’s f<strong>in</strong>e. But never<br />

assume that just because you’ve changed your address, th<strong>in</strong>gs will get better.<br />

You’ve got to make that change happen <strong>in</strong>side of you first.<br />

3.0 Important Th<strong>in</strong>gs to Do Before to a <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />

Whether you’ve got your heart set on mov<strong>in</strong>g to the W<strong>in</strong>dy <strong>City</strong>, the Big Apple<br />

is call<strong>in</strong>g your name, or you’ve been offered your dream job a thousand miles<br />

from home, there are some pretty important th<strong>in</strong>gs to th<strong>in</strong>k about before you<br />

relocate to a brand new city. You’ve made the decision to pack up and move,<br />

but you're not ready to step on the plane until you've checked these 10 th<strong>in</strong>gs<br />

off your list.<br />

1. RESEARCH THE COST OF LIVING...<br />

It’s important to know how far a dollar stretches <strong>in</strong> your new city, so research<br />

hous<strong>in</strong>g, transportation, healthcare, and food prices <strong>in</strong> order to create a


ealistic budget. For starters, you can use a cost of liv<strong>in</strong>g calculator like the<br />

Bankrate calculator, which lists the average prices of everyth<strong>in</strong>g from hous<strong>in</strong>g<br />

to recreational activities and household supplies. But it’s also a good idea to<br />

do your own research by look<strong>in</strong>g at onl<strong>in</strong>e hous<strong>in</strong>g list<strong>in</strong>gs, gas prices, and<br />

even restaurant menus.<br />

2. ... AND SEE HOW YOU STACK UP.<br />

If you already have a job l<strong>in</strong>ed up, calculate how your new salary will affect<br />

your daily budget and your ability to save money. (If you're mov<strong>in</strong>g from<br />

Portland, Oregon, to <strong>New</strong> York <strong>City</strong> and your salary isn't <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g, for<br />

<strong>in</strong>stance, you may need to tighten your purse str<strong>in</strong>gs.) If you don’t have a job<br />

yet, it’s crucial that you figure out how long your sav<strong>in</strong>gs will last you and how<br />

long you can go before you f<strong>in</strong>d a job (experts recommend hav<strong>in</strong>g a m<strong>in</strong>imum<br />

of three months sav<strong>in</strong>gs).<br />

3. RESEARCH YOUR JOB OPPORTUNITIES...<br />

Look <strong>in</strong>to job opportunities <strong>in</strong> your new city and start apply<strong>in</strong>g before you<br />

move. Get a sense of the city’s major <strong>in</strong>dustries and what k<strong>in</strong>ds of jobs are<br />

available. If you haven’t yet set a mov<strong>in</strong>g date, f<strong>in</strong>d out if there are normally<br />

more job open<strong>in</strong>gs dur<strong>in</strong>g a certa<strong>in</strong> time of year (s<strong>in</strong>ce some <strong>in</strong>dustries hire<br />

seasonally), and make sure you have a concrete job hunt plan: What<br />

companies do you plan to target? What connections do you have? If you’re<br />

look<strong>in</strong>g for retail or part-time work that’s difficult to apply for remotely, make<br />

a list of local bus<strong>in</strong>ess and pay attention to location. If all of the bus<strong>in</strong>esses you<br />

th<strong>in</strong>k sound promis<strong>in</strong>g seem to be <strong>in</strong> one area, look for hous<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> that area,<br />

too.<br />

4. …OR LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR FUTURE COMPANY.<br />

If you’re mov<strong>in</strong>g for a new job, do a little research on the company. Do they<br />

offer relocation benefits? Some companies will help with mov<strong>in</strong>g expenses or<br />

help you f<strong>in</strong>d hous<strong>in</strong>g. It’s also a good idea to learn more about corporate<br />

culture, job expectations, and work/life balance.<br />

5. MAKE SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS.<br />

Take stock of friends, acqua<strong>in</strong>tances, and distant family <strong>in</strong> your new city. Use<br />

your alumni network and past or present work connections to f<strong>in</strong>d social or


professional connections. Reach<strong>in</strong>g out to friends of friends for a coffee or<br />

lunch date is a great way to start—and while it may sound cheesy, a simple<br />

Facebook post ask<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>in</strong>troductions often gets the ball roll<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

6. EXPLORE THE CITY AND LEARN ABOUT ITS NEIGHBORHOODS.<br />

If you can’t visit before you move, learn the lay of the land from afar. Before<br />

you choose a neighborhood to live <strong>in</strong>, f<strong>in</strong>d out what areas are residential and<br />

commercial, whether certa<strong>in</strong> neighborhoods are considered dangerous, and<br />

which areas have the k<strong>in</strong>ds of features you’re <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong>. If you’re<br />

outdoorsy, get a sense of where the parks are; if you’re <strong>in</strong>to music and<br />

nightlife, make sure you know where those venues are before you move.<br />

Websites like Yelp, <strong>City</strong> Data, and Crime Reports can help you get a sense of<br />

your new city before you move. If you are able to take a trip, try book<strong>in</strong>g an<br />

Airbnb <strong>in</strong> your new location <strong>in</strong>stead of stay<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a hotel; you'll get a better<br />

sense of what it feels like to live there.<br />

7. LEARN ABOUT TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.<br />

Decide whether you’ll be driv<strong>in</strong>g a car or us<strong>in</strong>g public transportation to get<br />

around. If you’re plann<strong>in</strong>g on keep<strong>in</strong>g a car <strong>in</strong> the city, f<strong>in</strong>d out what your<br />

park<strong>in</strong>g and storage options are. If you’ll be rely<strong>in</strong>g on public transportation,<br />

get a sense of the neighborhoods that have the best service. If possible, do a<br />

little research on which bus or tra<strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>es are considered the most reliable,<br />

and how frequently each one runs, so you don’t get stuck liv<strong>in</strong>g somewhere<br />

with a s<strong>in</strong>gle bus that comes once a day.<br />

8. GET RID OF UNNECESSARY POSSESSIONS.<br />

When we th<strong>in</strong>k about mov<strong>in</strong>g, we tend to focus on the place we’re go<strong>in</strong>g to<br />

more than the one we’re leav<strong>in</strong>g. But there’s a ton of work to do before you<br />

leave. One way to make the move a little easier is to get rid of anyth<strong>in</strong>g you<br />

don’t need. Have a yard sale, donate old clothes to charity, or sell th<strong>in</strong>gs<br />

onl<strong>in</strong>e. Symbolically, you’ll be gett<strong>in</strong>g rid of the old to make room for the new.<br />

But, more practically, you’ll have less stuff to schlep with you when you move.<br />

9. MAKE A LIST OF GOALS.<br />

Make sure you know exactly why you’re mov<strong>in</strong>g and what you’re hop<strong>in</strong>g to<br />

achieve. It’s easy to lose focus <strong>in</strong> the chaos and excitement of sett<strong>in</strong>g up a new


life once you actually move, so it’s a good idea to make a list of your personal<br />

and professional goals before you pack up and leave.<br />

10. SAY GOODBYE.<br />

Throw a goodbye party, have a get-together, or just make sure you say a<br />

proper goodbye to the important people <strong>in</strong> your life. Not only will it help you<br />

leave your old city on good terms, but it might unexpectedly reveal<br />

connections and opportunities <strong>in</strong> your new one.<br />

4.0 Checklist for Mov<strong>in</strong>g to a <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />

1. Clean your apartment (yourself)<br />

Mov<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to a new place is never really mov<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to a new place. The first and<br />

most important th<strong>in</strong>g you can do to ensure you start off on the right foot is to<br />

completely clean your apartment yourself, even if it has already been left


clean for you. That way you can ensure you get all the cobwebs and rid the<br />

place of old energy.<br />

2. Unpack<br />

An obvious one, but one that deserves a few po<strong>in</strong>ts of discussion. When<br />

unpack<strong>in</strong>g, be sure to first consider where you want everyth<strong>in</strong>g to be placed <strong>in</strong><br />

your new home. The first way to do this could be to arrange the furniture <strong>in</strong> a<br />

way that suits your needs and desires. Just be sure not to rush it <strong>–</strong> try new<br />

th<strong>in</strong>gs and see what works best <strong>in</strong> your new space. When you beg<strong>in</strong> unpack<strong>in</strong>g<br />

everyth<strong>in</strong>g, be sure to do it properly. F<strong>in</strong>d a new home for everyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>side<br />

your new home, fold clothes diligently, organise your chaos and beg<strong>in</strong> to make<br />

this house a home!<br />

3. Your First Grocery Shop<br />

I’m not kidd<strong>in</strong>g when I say you should allocate a few hours to this task. Do<strong>in</strong>g<br />

a first grocery shop can be done <strong>in</strong> two ways <strong>–</strong> mediocre or flipp<strong>in</strong>’ amaz<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

Stick with the old cliche and walk yourself up and down each and every s<strong>in</strong>gle<br />

aisle, ensur<strong>in</strong>g you have everyth<strong>in</strong>g you th<strong>in</strong>k you will need <strong>in</strong> your new home.<br />

It will save unnecessary return trips the same day.<br />

4. Set up your utilities<br />

Power, water, etc. Get it sorted straight away. If you don’t speak the language,<br />

consider ask<strong>in</strong>g a neighbour or anyone you might know (friend, colleague) to<br />

assist <strong>in</strong> this area as it can sometimes be difficult, depend<strong>in</strong>g on the country<br />

you are resid<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

5. Connect<br />

Love it or hate it, technology is as much a part of as our lives as H20. Shop<br />

around for the best phone connection and get your wi-fi up and runn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

straight away <strong>–</strong> it’s a life saver when you need to google “how to boil an egg”<br />

and a range of other embarrass<strong>in</strong>g firsts.<br />

6. Keep an expenses report<br />

For peace of m<strong>in</strong>d, it’s a good idea to get a grasp of your expenditures early<br />

on. WOW recommends creat<strong>in</strong>g an expenses report from the get go so you can


monitor how much the move has cost you and ensure you’re stick<strong>in</strong>g to your<br />

budget. After all, there’s noth<strong>in</strong>g more overwhelm<strong>in</strong>g than f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g yourself<br />

completely off track with budget<strong>in</strong>g and scroung<strong>in</strong>g for money to get by.<br />

7. Integrate with your Community<br />

One of the most surpris<strong>in</strong>g factors about mov<strong>in</strong>g abroad to live <strong>in</strong> Germany<br />

was just how many Berl<strong>in</strong>ers reached out to me with<strong>in</strong> days of arriv<strong>in</strong>g. Before<br />

I even had time to th<strong>in</strong>k, I was gett<strong>in</strong>g dozens of emails from readers eager to<br />

show me around their city or meet for a coffee and chat. AMEN! I thought. This<br />

is go<strong>in</strong>g to be f<strong>in</strong>d after all! I’ll keep you updated on that front. But I’m look<strong>in</strong>g<br />

forward to meet<strong>in</strong>g people <strong>in</strong> my new city <strong>–</strong> readers and strangers alike!<br />

8. Change your postal address<br />

Now that you’re settl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to your new place, it’s time to th<strong>in</strong>k about the<br />

logistics. Be sure to change your address and ensure you’re actually receiv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

your mail as well. This can be a little difficult <strong>in</strong> a new city as the process is<br />

<strong>in</strong>variably different. Case <strong>in</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t: not putt<strong>in</strong>g my name on the front door<br />

buzzer resulted <strong>in</strong> many packages be<strong>in</strong>g returned to sender and some not very<br />

happy senders of my packages (woops!)… so be sure to look <strong>in</strong>to it.<br />

9. F<strong>in</strong>d your locals<br />

Not people <strong>–</strong> just yet. I’m talk<strong>in</strong>g your local coffee shop, local brunch haunt,<br />

local runn<strong>in</strong>g track and anyth<strong>in</strong>g else that might be important to you. Explore<br />

your immediate vic<strong>in</strong>ity and you’ll be feel<strong>in</strong>g at home <strong>in</strong> no time!<br />

10. Create and emergency contacts list<br />

Doctors, Ambulance, Dentists, Embassies… anyth<strong>in</strong>g and everyth<strong>in</strong>g you’ll<br />

need to know to avert a crisis.<br />

11. ENSURE YOU INSURE!<br />

Also <strong>in</strong> the preventative realm, don’t forget to <strong>in</strong>sure your house and<br />

belong<strong>in</strong>gs! This is the best way to ensure you have peace of m<strong>in</strong>d whilst not<br />

at home and even more so if you’re travell<strong>in</strong>g throughout your new region.<br />

12. Get a library card


Whether you’re try<strong>in</strong>g to learn a new language or just try<strong>in</strong>g to learn full stop,<br />

you can do so at a much better rate by do<strong>in</strong>g the obvious (yet often<br />

overlooked) and gett<strong>in</strong>g a library card.<br />

13. Sign up for language lessons<br />

But if you really want to learn the language, sign up for language lessons <strong>–</strong><br />

pronto!<br />

14. Jo<strong>in</strong> a gym or try someth<strong>in</strong>g new<br />

Whether it’s go<strong>in</strong>g to your favourite gym class twice a week or try<strong>in</strong>g out a<br />

new yoga class, don’t forget to get outdoors and see/meet new people. If you<br />

don’t enjoy it, you never have to return… no harm no foul.<br />

15. Socialise & Explore your new city<br />

And last but certa<strong>in</strong>ly not least <strong>–</strong> don’t forget to explore your city, socialise<br />

with the locals, and make a life for yourself <strong>in</strong> your new city! This is where the<br />

fun beg<strong>in</strong>s!<br />

5.0 Useful Tips for Mov<strong>in</strong>g to a <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />

Relocat<strong>in</strong>g is pa<strong>in</strong>stak<strong>in</strong>g, whether you are s<strong>in</strong>gle or have a family; it’s a very<br />

wearisome task. It doesn’t matter if you are mov<strong>in</strong>g to the next<br />

neighbourhood or a new city; it augments the stress level. Deal<strong>in</strong>g with the<br />

mental effects relocation br<strong>in</strong>gs and handl<strong>in</strong>g many tasks at the same time is<br />

enough to make you panic.<br />

A lot of th<strong>in</strong>gs must be taken <strong>in</strong>to consideration while mov<strong>in</strong>g to another city.<br />

The best way is to weigh your options and see what’s best for you and your<br />

current situation. To make your move smoother and hassle-free, tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />

professional assistance is the ideal recommendation. In big cities, there are<br />

many removal companies available, but it’s essential that you chose the best<br />

for your Melbourne to Adelaide Removals. After all, it concerns your lifelong<br />

possessions, and you want your move to be better and calmer.


Follow<strong>in</strong>g these 8 simple tips would help <strong>in</strong> reliev<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>evitable stress that<br />

comes along with relocation:<br />

1. Gather all the Relevant Information<br />

It is essential to gather all the relevant <strong>in</strong>formation about the new city you are<br />

plann<strong>in</strong>g to move. Try to get as much knowledge as possible about Adelaide,<br />

its weather conditions, lifestyle, communities <strong>in</strong> Adelaide, cost of liv<strong>in</strong>g etc. If<br />

possible, pay a few visits to the new location and talk to the locals. Make a few<br />

friends and get their contact numbers so that you have someone whom you<br />

can approach when you make the shift. Hav<strong>in</strong>g a few known faces <strong>in</strong> the new<br />

place gives a lot of confidence. You can also take help from your removalist as<br />

they know the area well and can guide you through it.<br />

2. Make a Mov<strong>in</strong>g Checklist<br />

Mov<strong>in</strong>g is not someth<strong>in</strong>g that will be done <strong>in</strong> a few days, hence start<strong>in</strong>g as<br />

early as possible becomes a necessity. It is go<strong>in</strong>g to take a lot of time than you<br />

can imag<strong>in</strong>e. Therefore before jump<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> unprepared for it, it’s crucial to plan<br />

it. Make a mov<strong>in</strong>g checklist of the essential tasks to be done as it will help you<br />

<strong>in</strong> execut<strong>in</strong>g the whole process of mov<strong>in</strong>g smoothly. Start with one th<strong>in</strong>g at a<br />

time and keep check<strong>in</strong>g it off on your list. In this way, you will not end up<br />

forgett<strong>in</strong>g anyth<strong>in</strong>g and mak<strong>in</strong>g unnecessary revisits to your previous city.<br />

3. Enlist<strong>in</strong>g a Removalist<br />

Mov<strong>in</strong>g to a new city is not an easy task. Even if you have few friends to help<br />

you out, the lack of experience is go<strong>in</strong>g to create a lot of hassles. And if you are<br />

confused whether to hire a removalist or not, remember it is all your<br />

household and expensive goods that you have to take all the way to a new city.<br />

To avoid any crisis, it best to hire a removalist of your area. Do your research<br />

and get <strong>in</strong> touch with the best removalist of your city. They will help <strong>in</strong> mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />

your move easy and smooth. And <strong>in</strong>stead of pack<strong>in</strong>g and load<strong>in</strong>g, you can take<br />

care of other th<strong>in</strong>gs which are equally important.


4. Pack<strong>in</strong>g timel<strong>in</strong>e<br />

Pack<strong>in</strong>g all the stuff of your house can be monotonous and time-consum<strong>in</strong>g as<br />

it not only takes a lot of time but also dra<strong>in</strong>s out all the energy. Hence it’s<br />

better that you start with pack<strong>in</strong>g a lot earlier (m<strong>in</strong>imum two months) than<br />

you mov<strong>in</strong>g day. Set a timel<strong>in</strong>e and try to achieve that, f<strong>in</strong>ish pack<strong>in</strong>g by the<br />

set date. It will help <strong>in</strong> recheck<strong>in</strong>g all your stuff more than once so that you<br />

don’t forget anyth<strong>in</strong>g back at your home.<br />

Keep one box aside and pack all the necessary items <strong>in</strong> it, ones that you use on<br />

a daily basis. The mov<strong>in</strong>g process will make you so tired that you won’t wish<br />

to start unpack<strong>in</strong>g as soon as you reach your new home. Hence pack the<br />

essentials like medic<strong>in</strong>es, toiletries, essential documents, toys to keep kids<br />

busy, few clothes etc. <strong>in</strong> one emergency box. This will also prevent you from<br />

buy<strong>in</strong>g new stuff every time you pack away or lose th<strong>in</strong>gs that you need. Keep<br />

this box with you and don’t load it on the mov<strong>in</strong>g truck as you will have easy<br />

access to the essential items when you reach your dest<strong>in</strong>ation.<br />

5. Label all the boxes<br />

This is a tip which is very easy to miss out. Not labell<strong>in</strong>g the boxes can make<br />

the process of unpack<strong>in</strong>g a disaster. You might be th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g why to label the<br />

boxes, but once you do it, then you will realise how helpful it is. The last th<strong>in</strong>g<br />

you want to do after reach<strong>in</strong>g your dest<strong>in</strong>ation is to search every other box for<br />

one th<strong>in</strong>g. These are big boxes and if you don’t know which box conta<strong>in</strong>s what<br />

items then, sett<strong>in</strong>g up the new home will become the most irritat<strong>in</strong>g task.<br />

Some people go impatient <strong>in</strong> the process and buy stuff rather than search<strong>in</strong>g<br />

for it <strong>in</strong> the boxes. Hence, label the boxes with permanent marker alongside<br />

with a brief list of the items it conta<strong>in</strong>s.<br />

6. Ditch the Junk<br />

Mov<strong>in</strong>g is an excellent way to clear out the th<strong>in</strong>gs that have been accumulated<br />

over the years. One simple tip to make your move less expensive and easy is


gett<strong>in</strong>g rid of all the junk you have. Hav<strong>in</strong>g unnecessary stuff <strong>in</strong> the house is<br />

normal. Once you start pack<strong>in</strong>g, you will come across a lot of th<strong>in</strong>gs that you<br />

might not have used <strong>in</strong> years, or you don’t need anymore. Donate all that stuff<br />

or sell it out. This will help <strong>in</strong> sav<strong>in</strong>g the money that you will have to spend if<br />

you move them to the new city.<br />

7. Clean as you leave<br />

Clean<strong>in</strong>g the house is an important task before mov<strong>in</strong>g to a new house. It’s<br />

necessary <strong>in</strong> all cases, whether it’s your own house or a rented one. If it’s your<br />

own house, you need to clean it to sell it further. In case it’s a rented house,<br />

make sure that you have cleaned it properly before giv<strong>in</strong>g back to your<br />

landlord. An unclean home can be the reason for los<strong>in</strong>g your bond money. A<br />

good tip here is to engage a professional end of lease clean<strong>in</strong>g company <strong>in</strong><br />

Melbourne and get the job done. It will be much easier than hav<strong>in</strong>g to clean<br />

the entire residence while you already must be sick of the mov<strong>in</strong>g process.<br />

8. Notify utility services<br />

Do not forget to <strong>in</strong>form all the utility providers about your move. Call these<br />

departments like gas, electric, cell phone, water, sewer, cable/satellite,<br />

landl<strong>in</strong>e phone, <strong>in</strong>ternet connection etc. Update them about your current and<br />

future locations to cancel or transfer the services.<br />

6.0 Pros And Cons Of Mov<strong>in</strong>g To A <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />

At this age, it's not news to anyone that change can be scary, but usually ends<br />

up be<strong>in</strong>g a positive th<strong>in</strong>g. Whether it's chang<strong>in</strong>g your hair color, chang<strong>in</strong>g<br />

schools, chang<strong>in</strong>g friend groups or chang<strong>in</strong>g wherever it is that you call home,<br />

change is the essential key to better<strong>in</strong>g our lives. However, mak<strong>in</strong>g a big<br />

change <strong>in</strong> your life comes with a price, and isn't always easy. Here are six pros<br />

and cons to mak<strong>in</strong>g a big change by mov<strong>in</strong>g to a new city.


Pro: Everyth<strong>in</strong>g is new and excit<strong>in</strong>g!<br />

Discover<strong>in</strong>g the local restaurants, parks, cloth<strong>in</strong>g stores and all of the fun<br />

th<strong>in</strong>gs to do <strong>in</strong> your neighborhood makes even a visit to the local Starbucks<br />

seem excit<strong>in</strong>g. Every day you spend <strong>in</strong> a new city, you'll experience someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />

you haven't experienced before, mak<strong>in</strong>g each new day that much more<br />

<strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g and memorable.<br />

Con: You almost never know where you're go<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

Gett<strong>in</strong>g lost becomes a daily activity itself when you're try<strong>in</strong>g to acclimate<br />

yourself to a new location. Maps will quickly become your new best friend,<br />

and you'll just have to accept be<strong>in</strong>g that person with their eyes glued to their<br />

phone while they try to navigate through the bustl<strong>in</strong>g streets for a few weeks<br />

(or months).<br />

Pro: You get to have a clean slate and a fresh start.<br />

You get to be whoever you want to be, and create the life that you want for<br />

yourself without anyone or anyth<strong>in</strong>g hold<strong>in</strong>g you back. The less people you<br />

know the better, because no one will be there to br<strong>in</strong>g up whatever baggage<br />

rema<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> your old life.<br />

Con: You have very few friends.<br />

If you know one or a few people it can def<strong>in</strong>itely be comfort<strong>in</strong>g, but for the<br />

most part you'll be spend<strong>in</strong>g a lot of your early days on your own until you can<br />

meet people and form a new friend group. It can be hard at first, but just know<br />

that it'll all come together once you meet the right people!<br />

Pro: You get to experiment with new restaurants and new foods.<br />

Every city has their own food specialty, so wherever you go you'll w<strong>in</strong>d up<br />

experiment<strong>in</strong>g with someth<strong>in</strong>g new. Whether it's pizza from Brooklyn, NY or<br />

BBQ from Kansas <strong>City</strong>, you're bound to enjoy it and feel so lucky to be eat<strong>in</strong>g it<br />

<strong>in</strong> the place where it's done best. It'll be fun to try out all of the local spots and<br />

eat a few authentic meals, until you become one of the regulars yourself.<br />

Con: You spend a lot of money.


When you don't know exactly what you're gett<strong>in</strong>g yourself <strong>in</strong>to, it's easy to<br />

drop loads of cash completely by accident. Before you know it, you're rack<strong>in</strong>g<br />

up a $70 charge because you don't know how to use public transportation, or<br />

gett<strong>in</strong>g a $35 manicure because you didn't do your research beforehand, and<br />

eat<strong>in</strong>g out every night because you don't have all of the supplies you need to<br />

cook. Eventually you'll figure it out, but your wallet will def<strong>in</strong>itely take a hit<br />

when you first arrive.<br />

7.0 Th<strong>in</strong>gs to Do After You Move to a <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />

Mak<strong>in</strong>g a major move to a new city can have you channel<strong>in</strong>g your <strong>in</strong>ner Jesse<br />

Spano: “I’m so excited! I’m so… scared.” But fear not; gett<strong>in</strong>g to know the lay of<br />

the land <strong>in</strong> a new place isn’t so hard, if you know what to do and where to<br />

look. In any new town, these 5 local-focused adventures will have you familiar<br />

with your new scene (and new neighbors) <strong>in</strong> no time.


Subscribe to the <strong>City</strong> Magaz<strong>in</strong>e<br />

A magaz<strong>in</strong>e subscription can be had for relatively cheap, and it’ll give you a<br />

chance to catch up on where to go and what’s new around town (besides you).<br />

F<strong>in</strong>d and Follow Some Local Blogs<br />

Those bloggers will be like friends, k<strong>in</strong>da, show<strong>in</strong>g you the <strong>in</strong>s and outs of life<br />

as a local. You’ll learn first-hand about the best restaurants and sights from<br />

somebody who’s been around the block before. Start out by Googl<strong>in</strong>g “[name<br />

of city] bloggers,” then take a peek at who those bloggers are follow<strong>in</strong>g and<br />

talk<strong>in</strong>g to on Twitter and Instagram.<br />

Walk Around<br />

Even if you’re not <strong>in</strong> a very walkable city, take some time on a bright and<br />

sunny day to walk your neighborhood. It’ll give you a chance to take <strong>in</strong> the<br />

atmosphere and maybe meet some neighbors.<br />

Eat Alone (at the bar)<br />

Mak<strong>in</strong>g friends as an adult is tough, y’all. Even if you know a few people <strong>in</strong><br />

your new location, don’t be afraid to take a solo date every once <strong>in</strong> a while and<br />

spark up conversations with bartenders and strangers. Ask where they like to<br />

go, or what they th<strong>in</strong>k a new resident should know.<br />

Take a <strong>Guide</strong>d Tour<br />

You live here now, but you’re still k<strong>in</strong>d of a tourist, too. Get on a duck boat or<br />

double-decker bus and take <strong>in</strong> your new scenery as visitors do. At the very<br />

least, it should give you some fun facts to bust out when your friends come to<br />

visit.<br />

Conclusion<br />

Whether it's chang<strong>in</strong>g your hair color, chang<strong>in</strong>g schools, chang<strong>in</strong>g friend<br />

groups or chang<strong>in</strong>g wherever it is that you call home, change is the essential


key to better<strong>in</strong>g our lives. However, mak<strong>in</strong>g a big change <strong>in</strong> your life comes<br />

with a price, and isn't always easy.<br />

Relocat<strong>in</strong>g to a new city is a demand<strong>in</strong>g task and should not be taken lightly.<br />

These simple tips will make your move much relax<strong>in</strong>g and stress-free. Be<br />

patient and fly <strong>in</strong> the new air, explore new cultures, lifestyles and the new city.<br />

References<br />

2014 | 17 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Mov<strong>in</strong>g To A <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong> | Thought<br />

Catalog, Retrieved 23 July, 2019 from,<br />

https://thoughtcatalog.com/mei-mei/2014/04/17-questions-to-ask-yourselfbefore-mov<strong>in</strong>g-to-a-new-city/<br />

2016 | 10 Th<strong>in</strong>gs You Should Do Before Mov<strong>in</strong>g to a <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong> | Mental Floss,<br />

Retrieved 23 July, 2019 from,<br />

http://mentalfloss.com/article/75352/10-th<strong>in</strong>gs-you-should-do-mov<strong>in</strong>gnew-city<br />

2014 | Expat <strong>Guide</strong>: Mov<strong>in</strong>g to a <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong> Checklist | World of Wonderlust,<br />

Retrieved 23 July, 2019 from,<br />

http://www.worldofwanderlust.com/expat-guide-mov<strong>in</strong>g-new-citychecklist/<br />

2018 | 8 Simple Tips for Mov<strong>in</strong>g to a <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong> | Better Removalists Adelaide,<br />

Retrieved 23 July, 2019 from,<br />

https://www.betterremovalistsadelaide.com.au/8-simple-tips-mov<strong>in</strong>g-newcity/<br />

2016 | 6 Pros And Cons Of Mov<strong>in</strong>g To A <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong> | The Odyssey Onl<strong>in</strong>e,<br />

Retrieved 23 July, 2019 from,<br />

https://www.theodysseyonl<strong>in</strong>e.com/6-pros-and-cons-mov<strong>in</strong>g-new-city


2015 | The First 5 Th<strong>in</strong>gs You Should Do After You Move to a <strong>New</strong> <strong>City</strong> |<br />

Apartment Therapy, Retrieved 23 July, 2019 from,<br />

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-first-5-th<strong>in</strong>gs-to-do-after-youmove-to-a-new-city-224194

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