Making Relocation an Adventure
Moving to a new home is an exciting experience. When the move
means you will be relocating to a new area, the experience
becomes an adventure. There won't just be a new house to settle
into, but new roads to navigate, new schools to research, new
people to meet, new towns to explore -- a whole new world for
you and your family. Then there's the daunting task of packing
and organizing the move. One could get pretty overwhelmed in a
short period of time. Below are some suggestions and tips to
help make your move stress free and maybe even fun. Where to
start for relocation information?
The Chamber of Commerce can be a great place to start. They can
answer your general questions and send you a map of the area.
Getting information on things to do in the area can generate
excitement about your move and get you motivated for this
adventure. Find out what the local newspapers are and start
having them delivered to your current home. It's a great way to
learn what's going on in your new town and get a feel for the
new locale. A newspaper is also a way to check local real estate
ads to see what's selling. For kids, there may be information on
summer camps, sports teams, tennis or swimming lessons. For
adults, there may be information on the local music and theater
culture.
If you have children, you will most certainly want to research
information on the schools. You can start by going to the school
board website for links to individual schools. You may want to
find out if the schools in the area are rated by a grading
system, and take this into consideration. For instance, public
schools in Florida are graded according to how well students
have mastered the Sunshine State Standards, measured by the FCAT
tests. Another thing to take into consideration is if the
schools are part of a "Choice System," as opposed to a
neighborhood school system. In this case, you are able to choose
a school by registering by a certain date. Some schools have
waiting lists so it is best to find out all this information in
advance. Once you have narrowed the search down to a few
schools, start calling the school guidance offices for specific
information on registering your child. This will give you time
to gather all the school records & medical records you will need
for your move.
Once you have decided on a specific neighborhood, see if there
is a neighborhood association. Members of these associations are
involved in all aspects of the neighborhood including planning
and development. They can be really helpful in providing you
with information on everything from education to crime rates and
neighborhood watch programs. Many neighborhood associations have
websites that you can access, as well as newsletters.
Check out the local YMCA. There are usually lots of activities
available to families, such as open swim, fitness classes and
even child care. Also look into the local libraries for free
seminars, book talks and movie nights for teens. Try to enjoy
the learning process. Check out the map, make lists of new
places to explore and get your bearings well before you move in.
Where to start for the packing and moving process?
The earlier you start getting ready for your move, the better.
Planning ahead and making to-do lists can help make the job of
packing up and moving smooth instead of stressful.
This is a great time to get rid of all that extra stuff that has
been accumulating over the years. Take a look through the
basement, the attic, the garage and each closet. Make a list of
the things that you no longer need. Be ruthless. If there are
clothes, toys, or books that haven't been used in the recent
past, it's time to let them go. Consider having a garage sale or
selling items on eBay. Donate clothing and toys to a local
shelter. Libraries and schools are always happy to accept books,
videos and music CD's. This is a great time to declutter and
lighten your load.
As soon as you know your approximate moving date, start calling
moving companies. It's always a good idea to get estimates from
two or three companies. Try to get referrals from friends and
neighbors. If you are a member of AAA, consider using their
Consumer's Relocation Service to manage the move. Decide which
furniture you will be taking with you. It may cost more to move
that old couch than to buy a new one, so consider if something
is really worth keeping.
It's never too early to start collecting boxes. Some moving
companies offer recycled boxes free of charge. Or, place a
request on an on-line trading site such as freecycle.org or
craigslist.org for free boxes; you may find someone who is
looking to get rid of their boxes. Packing boxes slowly, even
one or two a day, will help in the long run. Start by packing
the things you can live without for several months. Pile up
boxes in the room where they belong and label each box. You
might consider renting a storage unit to store the boxes until
moving day. This is especially valuable if you are in the
process of showing your house while it is listed for sale. The
less clutter the better!
By starting to declutter and pack up boxes early on, you will
feel productive and in control. Keep up the good work and stay
upbeat. Congratulations, it's just the beginning of your new
adventure!