new neighborhood – TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

New homeowners

May is National Moving Month and at mortgages.com, we talk a lot about what goes into moving including finding the right realtor, house hunting, and negotiating. But what happens when you’ve done this and you realize your new town is quite different from where you used to live? Like, really different. Don’t let homesickness set in. With a little planning you can settle in and make it feel like home in no time.

Unpack

It sounds like a no-brainer, but unpacking is a lot of work. Once you’ve already put in a days work, it’ll be tempting to leave things in boxes while you take a break. Suddenly, that break turns into years and you’re scrambling to find that piece of art your mother-in-law gave you to quickly hang up before she visits. It’s much better to bite the bullet and unpack everything within the first week. Not only will it be one less thing hanging over your head, you’ll also be surprised at how much more at home you feel once everything is put away.

Get the kids settled

Be sure to take time and communicate with your children about this big change. It’s also important to see how they’re feeling throughout the process. To help them settle in, this is the time to get them into sports teams, summer camps and clubs, or school activities. Being the new kid is rough and it’s even worse if you don’t have any way to meet people. Plus, you get the added bonus of meeting other parents when you drop your kids off. Who knows, you might just make some new friends yourself. Our friends at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® have excellent tips for moving with kids!

Find a group

Regardless of whether or not you have kids, it’s always important to take some time for yourself in a new town. Join a group, take a class, or start introducing yourself around the neighborhood. If you’re not sure where to begin, start with your city or county’s website to find classes or join a group on a site, such as Meetup.com.

Stay in touch

Keeping in touch with people from your old town will help you feel connected and supported throughout your move. If they live close enough, invite them over for a backyard BBQ once you’ve settled in. They’ll enjoy visiting your new home as much as you love being there! If you’ve moved long distance, set up a Skype date, give them a call, or go old school and write a letter.

Embrace your town

Yes, it’s important to stay in touch with your old town, but don’t get stuck in the past. Really embrace the culture and lifestyle in your new town. Find out where the favorite local hangouts are. Go to all the festivals you can. Take some time to just walk around and visit the local shops and restaurants.

Remember to think of this exciting new beginning as an adventure. So long as you make the effort, you’ll feel at home in no time at all!

Kylee Della Volpe writes about real estate trends, real-life home owner stories, and personal finance for mortgages.com. As an adult, she’s relocated from Maryland to Colorado to South Carolina.

Written by Claire Schneider

Moving can be a stressful and scary time for anyone, especially if you are moving to an unfamiliar place. Not only are you packing up your entire house and exhausted from the actual move, but you’re also away from friends and family. It can be scary trying to find a new support system, but luckily, they could be living right next door!

Now I know not everyone is a “Kelly Ripa”, but here are some tips to turn anyone into a neighborhood socialite.

1) Spend time outside. Now that it is finally starting to look like summer, turn off the TV and spend time outdoors. When my husband and I moved, we would be outside doing yard work and people would walk right over. Besides introducing themselves, they also gave us some great landscaping tips! If you’re not the green thumb type, try going for a walk. If it’s a nice day people are sure to be out and about.

2) Go to neighborhood events. Many neighborhoods have organizations or groups where the community can get together and discuss relevant news in the area. Some trendy areas are even getting away from the typical neighborhood watch or real estate development groups and are developing recreational clubs. Even if you are not the athletic type it could still be worthwhile to attend games and meet new people.

3) Host a cocktail party. Instead of having a typical housewarming party, think about throwing a neighborhood cocktail party. This sounds more exciting and less of a ploy to receive gifts. A cocktail party also allows you to spend time actually socializing instead of making sure guests have enough to eat. If you don’t have time to throw an actual party, why not think about a cocktail hour. This can be as simple as sitting on your porch, after a long day at work, with a drink and inviting people to come over with their favorite beverage. This is a relaxed way to really bond with your neighbors.

4) Welcome to the neighborhood gifts. Now that you have met all your great neighbors, make sure you welcome new people into the neighborhood. You were once in their shoes, and if they aren’t reading this blog they might not be such an expert. A couple days after they move in, go over to introduce yourself and bring some tasty treats with you. I personally recommend cookies because no one wants to bake when their kitchen is still boxed up.

By following these simple tips, you are bound to find someone you can connect with. As Franklin P. Jones says:

“Nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbor’s noisy party than being there.”

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

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