Moving Tips for Families: Settling Into a New Home

October 31, 2019

Moving Tips for Families:  Settling Into a New Home

Moving can be stressful – especially when you have kids. The physical move can be difficult in itself, and it can take a long time to settle in and truly feel like you are part of the community. However, these helpful tips can make the transition to your new home a whole lot easier.

Start networking before you move

Begin researching and networking before you move. Ask your friends, coworkers, and associates if they know anyone in your new area. Get their email address or phone number, so you can connect and get some tips about the area before you arrive. Also, look into online groups to make connections. Meetup and Facebook groups are good places to start.

Get your bills in order

Of course, you’ll need to start utility service at your new home, along with Internet and TV service, too. And don’t forget to cancel service at your previous residence. You’ll also need to switch insurance coverage when you move. Research to find out the minimum legal requirements for auto insurance in your new area. 

Also, check out the statistics for underinsured or uninsured drivers to determine if it’s worth expanding your coverage. These numbers vary drastically by state. For example, according to statistics from the Insurance Information Institute, 26.7% of drivers in Florida are uninsured – the highest percentage in the country. And on the other end of the spectrum, only 7.7% of drivers in South Dakota are uninsured. By analyzing reports and statistics, you can weed out the coverage you don’t need, or you may decide to opt for full coverage. 

Compare rates from various carriers and factor in different discounts you may be eligible for, such as a multi-policy discount for bundling your policies together. Also, take care of other important responsibilities right away, including changing your address and changing the locks.

Give your kids a break

Moving can be difficult for the whole family, especially kids, who may be reluctant to leave their old friends and make new ones. Instead of thrusting them into a new school right away, give them a small reprieve if you can. Move during a school break, if possible, or wait a week after moving before enrolling them in their school. Allowing your kids time to decompress and get acclimated to their new neighborhood will be very beneficial to their emotional health and overall well-being.

Get them involved

After your kids have had a week or so to de-stress, begin to seek out local activities and events that will help your children feel like they are part of your new community. Joining a youth sports league that involves children from their new school is a great idea. Scouts, church groups, academic clubs, art classes, and other group activities are also wonderful opportunities.

Don’t stress about unpacking

No one loves the moving process, and for many people, unpacking is the worst part. Though you don’t want to live out of boxes for months on end, you also don’t need to rush to unpack everything in one weekend either. Budget Dumpster recommends unpacking the bathroom first, so you can take a shower and feel refreshed. Then, you can move onto the kitchen, where many families spend most of their time. Prioritize unpacking the remainder of the rooms depending on their importance to your family. 

Don’t forget about your pet

Humans aren’t the only ones that can have difficulty adjusting after a move. Moving can be rough on your pets too. Your dog or cat may behave oddly, become more anxious, or act more clingy. To help your furry family members with the transition, Canidae suggests taking your dog for a walk around the new neighborhood, staying home with pets for a few days to assure and comfort them, and maintain their daily routines as much as possible. 

Moving can be hard on families, but it can also open up a host of fresh opportunities to make new friends and explore new places. With sound preparations and a no-rush transition, your whole family will soon be acclimated to your new residence.

 

Content provided by parenting blogger Kris Loius.


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