Moving into a new home can be a pretty overwhelming process if you don’t have everything planned to the exact details. While you may be on the moon from the excitement of moving into a new place and getting a fresh start, you need to put together a plan so that everything goes smoothly. In this article, I am going to highlight some of the most important things that you need to prioritize when moving into a new home. So, without further ado, let’s get right down to it.
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Do a Walk-Through
The very first and the most important thing that you need to do is to have a complete walk-through of your new house before you move in. It is going to help you visualize the place better so that you can move your furniture into the best places. Moreover, you can also check what repairs you need and make a list of all the items that you need to have checked.
Make Sure That Important Things Are Set-Up
The next thing that you need to do is make sure that all the utilities are ready before you move into your home so that you don’t have to go through any kind of trouble. On top of checking your electricity, water, and gas connection, you should also verify if the heating, internet, and phone system is working in your new home.
Do a Deep Cleaning
It doesn’t matter if you have purchased your new home from someone else or you have built it from scratch; you are going to need to give it a good wash before you move it. You don’t know how long the home has been abandoned and what kind of bacteria and viruses are residing there. You should consider calling professional cleaners if you want a proper clean as they can save you a lot of time.
Change Your Locks
Before you move into a new home, you need to pay extra attention to your home security, as you might not know about the neighborhood that well. It is always a good practice to change the locks of all the windows and doors in your home as the previous owners might still have the keys. Changing door locks is a pretty straightforward process, and you can do it yourself instead of calling a locksmith.
Meet Your Neighbors
Last but not least, once you have settled down in your new home, you should bake a cake or cook some comfort food and visit your neighbors. The faster you blend in with your new neighbors, the easier it is going to be for you and your kids to make friends. Once your kids have made new friends they can explore the different malls or arcades in the area and you can track their spending with spending notifications on debit cards for kids. Moreover, you might also need some help during the first few days, and if you know your neighbors, you can easily ask for it instead of doing everything on your own.
Adjusting to the new home- 7 ideas to try
Moving to a new house can become a trauma for some, kids and teenagers especially. Along with the tips above, we suggest you try some of the following recommendations. You want to make the new environment feel like home as soon and possible, so do whatever it takes to avoid post-moving depression.
1. Welcome new experiences
When you first move in, you will probably feel excited and unable to sit still for a while. However, you should take a deep breath and begin organizing the new home. Don’t put pressure on yourself by expecting perfection with the new home. Every house, neighborhood, and city/town has its ups and downs, and you should explore them all.
Don’t make a drama when the public bus is late and feel free to enjoy the 4 pm sunsets. Accept the good and the bad in the new locations so that it’s easier for you to call it your new home.
2. Explore as often as possible
Typically, you move into a new house with your partner, and you should use your spare time to enjoy the new surroundings. Go online, ask a neighbor about the best places to eat or see in the city.
Social media is incredibly resourceful, and you only need to dare to take your partner and try new things, locations, and restaurants. It’s easier to try new things when you share the excitement and surprise with someone you love. The more familiar you become with the streets around your hood, the faster the transition will come.
3. Start unpacking
One of the most effective ways to make the new house feel like home is to unpack and put everything in place. You probably have many personal items to display, so don’t hold on showing as many as possible. In time, if you feel the space clutter, you can store some of them away in boxes. For now, surrounding yourself with things that have emotional value to you will ease out the transition. Seeing pictures of family and friends make the new space more comfortable and warm. Once the house gains a personal vibe, you start seeing it as a new home.
4. Stay in touch with your friends and family
Just because you moved away from your friends and family doesn’t mean you cannot have the same open communication you used to have. On the contrary, moving to the new home with your friends has therapeutic value and eases out adjusting to the new place.
Nine times out of ten, your friends and family are excited about your new life, so don’t skip any details when chatting. Make a routine and call your friends and family at least once a month. They can offer you the emotional support you need to feel at home in the new place.
5. Have a full fridge and a full table
We’re not saying that you should eat all the food in the fridge, but simply have it filled with food. As you go grocery shopping down the street, you can meet and make friends with your neighbors. Have your favorite snacks in the fridge and have compassion for yourself. Moving to a new place is stressful and can turn into a trauma when not handled properly.
Also, try to cook as often as possible. Home-cooked meals have a significant impact, especially on women. It seems that women feel less stressed and happier when eating at home rather than when dining out. Obviously, we talk about cooking healthy meals.
6. Make new friends
Moving to a new neighborhood is definitely about having new neighbors and, eventually, making new friends. As an adult, making friends doesn’t come easy, but it’s not mission impossible either. Don’t put pressure on yourself nor make things artificial. Enjoy every new encounter and remember to smile. Have some time on yourself when you feel it’s too much for you, but don’t dwell into loneliness every single day. It will only make the transition more difficult and cause more stress.
7. Have a routine
The chances are that you’re not going to be able to have the same routine you used to have in your previous home. However, you should make a new one and see it as an opportunity to try everything you couldn’t try in the last environment. Don’t expect to see changes overnight, and give yourself time. It can take weeks and even months until you will be able to have a new routine.
If you always wanted to have healthier habits, now it’s time to make time for them. Ride the bicycle three times a week, go out for a coffee with your new friends—go out of the house as often as possible. It’s good for your body and mental health too.
As days go by and you get more comfortable with your new routine, you will enjoy the new place and feel less stressed about it. Keep on moving, whether it’s because you exercise or walk in the neighborhood. Find the little joys and focus on the positive things—it will all get better in time.
Homesickness is real; ask for help, if necessary
Homesickness isn’t an illness, but that doesn’t mean it cannot take a toll on your mental health. If you feel like you struggle and you’re unable to adjust to the new home, we recommend you make an appointment with a therapist/counselor to talk about your feelings and what you can do to overcome this stage in your life. Regular talk therapy may be necessary until you start feeling better, and don’t be shy asking for help. When you feel homesick and struggle to deal with day-to-day activities, you should seek professional assistance and advice.
Homesickness is a normal and natural part of growing as a person. When you learn how to deal with the feelings, you become stronger and overcome the new challenges. Welcome your homesickness, as it teaches you a lot about yourself. Learn how to go through it so that you can move forward with your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to adjust to a new home?
First of all, you should give yourself time and not put pressure on. Some people will feel at home in a new house after just one month. Others will need more than a month to get comfortable in the new space and neighborhood. Most people will need around three months to get comfortable in the new community and home.
Can moving become a trauma?
Moving to a new place can be a stressful and energy-consuming process, and it’s not only teens and adolescents who feel it that way. As a matter of fact, moving is one of the top five traumatic events in life. Sadly, moving is the third most stressful event, after the death of a loved one and divorce.
How much is a house in the USA?
The average home price in the U.S. is $200,000. According to Zillow, you will pay around $199,200 in 2021 for a house in the USA.
What’s the most expensive state of living in 2021?
With a cost index of 196.3, Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in United States. You will pay around $1,158,492 for an average house in Hawaii.
Which state has the lowest cost of living?
At the opposite end, we find Mississippi. The cost of living index is 84.8 in Mississippi, and the average price for a house sits at $144,044.
