Editor’s Note: The following is a guest blog post from Capri Fiello, a content creator based in San Francisco.
Relocating to a new city or town can be intimidating. New neighbors, an unfamiliar community, and expanding chore lists can weigh heavy on those trying to navigate the move into their new home.
Here are five tips on how to settle into your new home and community:
1. Find medical care
One of the most difficult aspects of relocating is finding a physician and dentist you trust in your new town or city. Despite the stress of moving, it’s crucial to find trustworthy physicians for medical help in case any emergencies arise. Keep in mind that while you can ask around for the best local practices, you can also rely on a telemedicine provider to speak with doctors online and get any necessary treatments shipped to your new house.
2. Explore the town
There’s no better way to familiarize yourself with a new place than to poke around for yourself. Ask your neighbors or coworkers for recommendations for the best spots in town, but also wander around without a specific destination in mind to get to know the area better. You might you’re your new favorite shop or restaurant! Finding places in town will help you feel more connected to your community and can help you feel settled into your new city faster, while also introducing you to like-minded locals.
3. Host a party
Whether it’s a housewarming party or just a potluck dinner, inviting neighbors and new coworkers over to your home is a great way to bond with those in town and expand your friend network. Consider hand-delivering invitations so you have the chance to introduce yourself and personalize the event. To break the ice at the party, you can give a tour of your home, play a housewarming-themed game, or ask for everyone’s history of living in the area.
4. Create a to-do list
If you feel overwhelmed by the errands you need to run and tasks you need to complete, try writing everything down. This will help you visualize your tasks, organize your thoughts, and plan how to tackle them. Then, you can schedule your to-dos based on proximity and relevance to each other and check items off more efficiently. Consider using a to-do journal to keep track of and prioritize short-term and long-term tasks.
5. Make your home your own
Once you move into your new house or apartment, you should get to work on making it feel like home. Whether that means making small repairs, hanging artwork, or painting some walls, you should be working to feel happy in your new home, especially before you begin unpacking all your boxes.
When settling into a new community and home, it’s important to make it feel comfortable and uniquely you. Use these tips or discover your own to make your relocation as smooth as possible. Using a professional moving company like Gentle Giant can even take the stress of moving off your shoulders, so you can focus on making your new house feel like home.