How To Settle Into Your New Surroundings Easily

Written by Kris Louis. Visit her at her home, Parentingwithkris.com

You’ve unloaded all your belongings into the new place, and you’re excited to settle in. Moving can be stressful on your body and your mind, but there’s still plenty of work to be done. A new home in an unfamiliar location can quickly push an exciting new start into a daunting territory. So, before you get overwhelmed thinking about what’s left to do and where to begin, read on for some tips you can take toward a smoother transition from a house to a home.

Prioritize Your Time Before Plunging Into Unpacking

While it’s tempting to get everything in order as soon as possible, slow down for a moment. Don’t worry if you don’t unpack each and every box in the first few days. You and your family should focus on the necessities first — unpack toiletries, bedding, and dishes.

First and foremost, you need to organize bills and utilities. “You probably had the essentials switched over to your name … but you’ll need to make appointments for other services, like cable or home security,” according to Trulia. While cable and internet aren’t necessary for your survival, these are several things you can tackle once you get where you’re going. Another would be updating your contact information.

It’s imperative that you update mailing addresses with the United States Post Office and any companies you do business with, including your auto insurance provider. The new location might even affect your monthly premiums, so get quotes from other companies to compare pricing. Statistics like underinsured and uninsured drivers in an area affect pricing, so a representative should be able to help you decide whether you need more (like full coverage or PIP) or less coverage to meet state requirements.

While waiting to hear back on quotes, stage your furniture using painter’s tape to see what works best for your space. The first few days will give you a sense of the natural paths in the home, and you can “place” the furniture in a way that fits with the natural flow. Also, spend time introducing yourself to neighbors, finding where you naturally fit into the community.

Get Out to Settle in Socially

You need to get out of the house at the beginning to ensure you start off on the right foot socially. It’ll be much easier for you to come and go if your entryway is clear. Move boxes into their respective rooms, and focus on organizing heavily trafficked areas first.

Spending time out and about will help you and your family adjust to the new life before you know it. Plan an afternoon out, or simply drop by the local coffee shop when you’re on your way to the grocery store. Check out any bulletin board flyers for information on upcoming events or local organizations. You can always drop by the library or visitors center for historical information, maps, and nearby tours.

The time and effort you put into researching your new home and community will pay off. Whether it ends up leading you to your favorite hiking trail or recognizing your local representatives, every bit of information you find about the community will put you at ease.

Make a Good Impression

After you’ve learned about your new home, the location and everything happening there, it’s time to get involved. Decorate your house so it feels like home, and invite neighbors and co-workers over for a housewarming party.

Ahead of the party, make sure you’ve introduced yourself to everyone you invite. Give visitors a bit of information about yourself so that they will be comfortable coming into your home. Include your family’s names, pet names, and your contact info for party-goers to RSVP.

On the day of, make sure your home is clean and free of clutter or odor — inside and outside. “Nothing will make a guest feel more uncomfortable than standing outside your front door with a massive cobweb hanging over their head,” according to interior designer Sarah Akwisombe.

Make a good impression on new acquaintances in your life. You need a sense of community in life, and this is certainly a good way to find it. It’s easy to make your house feel like home, but you also need to be at home in your new life.

Image via Pixabay.

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