Spot these go-to locations in your new city

Written by Nicole Harrison

Yippee, you’re moving! As moving day begins to creep up on you, there are a few places to take note of before you move to a new city, especially if you’re moving more than 25 minutes away. After racking our brains, we have come up with new buildings, landmarks, and events you should track down before your move.

Hospital or emergency clinic – Locating the closest hospital is crucial for a variety of reasons. You never know what kind of accident or crazy event could happen. In the event of an emergency, make sure you’re prepared and know how to get to the nearest hospital or clinic.

Schools and daycares – If you have children, research different schools and day cares in your new area. Where is the school located? How big is it? What is the graduation rate? Am I looking for a public or private school? All of these questions may seem silly, but it’s important to know what kind of school you are looking for. Same goes when you’re looking into a daycare. Are you looking for someone to come to your home, someone who has an in-home daycare, or a large daycare operation? Know the type of environment you are looking for.

Post office – One day or another you will need to know where the post office is. Is it close to your work, house, kids’ school, grocery store? Once you find the post office, you will know when the most convenient time will be to stop by and run your errands.

Churches – If you practice a religion and attend a weekly church service, spend time researching churches that practice your denomination and locate them. Although you may want to attend a few of them to find the best fit after your move, it will save you some time by finding their locations beforehand.

Grocery and convenience stores – People need to eat, right?! Locate your local grocery stores, markets, and other convenience stores. Again, you are free to explore your new town and find the store that best fits your diet and lifestyle, but it will help to do a little research before your move to know the general location they are in. As an added bonus, see if there are any local farmers’ markets in the area where you can snag fresh produce at a great price!

Library – If you enjoy reading in your free time, track down a local library. If it’s close in proximity, see if there are any trails to walk or bike to the library! There’s nothing like enjoying a little exercise while getting the newest book you’ll be diving into.

Parks – Township parks and local trails are fun places to locate and take advantage of. If you have kids, it’s nice to know what kind of parks are in the area and different options you have to take your kiddos out for some exercise. If you don’t have children, or if they’re grown and moved out, parks and trails can be a great place for a date: have a picnic, go for a bike ride, walk, or run together! If you’re a pet parent, be sure to locate where there are dog-friendly trails and parks to take your furry friends out and get them exercise.

Museums – Does the city you’re moving to have any interesting museums to explore? Have fun researching nearby attractions before you move to your new city. Spend time in the first few weeks in your new town exploring the popular sites and learn what you can about the new city you now call home.

Events and festivals – Are there upcoming festivals, fairs, or events? Towns and cities are usually packed with fun activities in the summertime with multiple events taking place each week. Find a calendar with events for the season, and go out and enjoy yourself. If you are looking to meet new people, these types of events are the perfect social gathering to meet all kinds of folk. Check out MeetUp to join local groups with interests similar to yours.

Learn about the city – What is your new city known for? Are there any interesting historical facts? These are great talking point when you are meeting new people, or to spend some time looking into on your own. It’s always fun to know a little history about where you live. Consider downloading World Explorer – Travel Guide to learn all about your new city. World Explorer can act as your own personal travel guide when you go on vacations and weekend getaways!

While this topic may seem short and simple, oftentimes it’s overlooked and forgotten. If you’re anything like me, you’re a planner and it helps to familiarize yourself with your new city before you move there. It will help you adjust to your new home while familiarizing yourself with the local buildings and attractions.

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