![\"Moving](\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/moving-to-new-neighborhood.jpg\")
Despite\nthe short distance and positive prospects though, moving to a new place is\nalways a challenge \u2013 you still need to pack up all your earthly possessions and\nfind a way to transport them to your new address, learn your way around\nunfamiliar surroundings and establish a new routine, introduce yourself to new\nneighbors and find your place in a new community, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To\nsuccessfully overcome the challenge and ensure a smooth transition to your new\nlife in your new neighborhood, you need a good relocation plan and a smart\nsettling in strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\nare a few insightful tips for moving to a new neighborhood to help you devise your\ntactics and achieve a hassle-free relocation and easy adaptation to your new\nenvironment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Find a Good Neighborhood <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If\nyour family is moving to a new neighborhood because you found your dream home\nthere, or the best school for your child is located within it, or for any other\nlocation-specific reason, then you know exactly where you want to live and your\nchoice is made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If\nyou\u2019re moving to a new neighborhood just because you don\u2019t like your old one\nthough, you need to make sure that you pick the right part of town to live in.\nDetermine what kind of place you\u2019d like to live in (calm suburban area, vibrant\ndowntown area, modernist district, etc.), what is most important to you\n(safety, housing costs, local amenities, school boundaries, distance from your\nworkplace, etc.), and what features you want your new neighborhood to have\n(green areas, cultural venues, entertainment locales, recreational facilities,\netc.) and start looking for an area that meets your needs and preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What to look for when moving to a new neighborhood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There\nare several important factors to consider when looking for a better\nneighborhood to move to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Safety<\/strong>\n\u2013 crime rates, traffic accidents, vandalism, police activity, security\nservices, etc.;<\/li>
- Convenience<\/strong>\n\u2013 proximity to your workplace and other places you need to visit on a frequent\nbasis, available amenities (shops and services), access to care (hospitals and\nother medical facilities, police and fire stations, etc.), transportation (road\ninfrastructure and traffic patterns, public transport services, bike lanes,\nsidewalks, etc.);<\/li>
- Prosperity <\/strong>\u2013\nlocal businesses, new developments, street maintenance, etc.;<\/li>
- Schools<\/strong>\n\u2013 quality of nearby schools, available extra-curriculum activities, day-care\ncenters, etc.;<\/li>
- Green areas<\/strong>\n\u2013 parks, gardens, trees throughout the neighborhood, etc.;<\/li>
- Cultural and recreational facilities<\/strong> \u2013 museums, art galleries, theaters, concert\nhalls, sports centers, various hobby clubs, etc.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
More useful information: How to choose a good neighborhood to move to<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to find out if a neighborhood is good<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
You know a good neighborhood when you see one.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n When\nyou know what makes a good neighborhood and exactly what you\u2019re looking for, it\nwill be easy to settle on a district that meets all the desirable criteria. Before\nmaking your final decision though, you\u2019re advised to explore your chosen area\nand make sure you like it there:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Visit the neighborhood several times \u2013 both during the day and at night – to figure out the vibe of the area;<\/li>
- Talk to the local people to get an idea of the community life and find out what the major concerns and problems in the neighborhood are;<\/li>
- Pay attention to warning signs \u2013 abandoned houses, derelict buildings, foreclosure signs, heavy locks on doors, poor street maintenance, businesses that sell only through small windows, street fights, gunshots, etc.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Good to remember:<\/strong> It is a good idea to get a feel of the atmosphere\nin your potential new neighborhood before making the big step even when you\u2019re\nmoving there for a specific reason \u2013 you may really like a house in that\nneighborhood, for example, but the surrounding area may be too dangerous or too\nnoisy or too inconvenient for you to live comfortably there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once\nyou get a complete picture of the neighborhood, you\u2019ll know if you will be able\nto fit in and feel at home there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Move into a New Neighborhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When\nyou find a neighborhood that meets your requirements and preferences and make\nyour final decision to move there, you need to start planning your relocation.\nDo not make the mistake of thinking it will be a simple move and you\u2019ll be able\nto pull it off in a week or so \u2013 regardless of the short distance, there will\nbe many preparations to make and tasks to complete when moving to a new\nneighborhood, so you need to get down to work as early as possible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) Take advantage of the short distance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When\nmoving across town, you can visit your new area frequently and considerably\nfacilitate both your relocation and your adaptation to the new environment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only a few streets away…<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n - Walk around your new neighborhood to locate key places in the area (supermarkets, grocery shops, pharmacies, medical care facilities, bank, post office, police station, gas station, gym, beauty salon, etc.) and find the local hotspots (restaurants, bars, shopping centers, entertainment locales, parks, etc.);<\/li>
- Find an appropriate new home for you and your family (unless you\u2019re moving to the neighborhood because of a home you like, of course) \u2013 you will be able to walk around the neighborhood, look at properties for sale (or for rent) in person, and find the perfect new house or apartment for you;<\/li>
- Buy\/rent your new home a few weeks before you have to leave your old residence, so you can complete any necessary repairs and desirable renovations<\/a> and give the place a thorough cleaning before move-in day – it will be much easier to do so while the house is still empty and it will be nice to have your new home clean and ready for moving in when the Big day comes;<\/li>
- Start taking your belongings to your new place as soon as it is ready \u2013 you can transport your smaller items to your new address in your car, one load at a time. That way, you will be able to move many of your non-essential and out-of-season items before the actual day of your relocation, making things much simpler on moving day:
- there will be fewer items to handle, so your move will take less time and you will pay less for moving services (if you\u2019ve hired professional help) as local movers charge by the hour);<\/li><\/ul>
- it will be easier to take large furniture pieces and other bulkier items out of your old home when most of the smaller items are already gone – which will save you and your moving helpers a lot of time and effort and will reduce the risk of accidents and injuries;<\/li><\/ul>
- you will be able to load all the remaining items on the rented moving truck at once (in the event of a self-move) and make only one trip to your final destination, thus saving time and money on your move.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2) Transfer utilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You will want to have electricity,\ngas, water, TV connection and Internet access as soon as you arrive in your new\nhome, so be sure to make the necessary arrangements in time – depending on how\nfar away you\u2019re moving, you may need to only notify your current service\nproviders of your new address and have the utilities transferred or you may\nhave to find new providers. In the latter case, be sure to research your\noptions, get recommendations from your future neighbors, check prices, and\ncompare packages to choose the best services for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cancel the services at your old\nhome (have the utilities turned off on the day after moving day) and arrange to\nhave the utilities running in your new home a couple of days (or longer) before\nmove-in day – so you have electricity and water when renovating and cleaning\nthe place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Must-read: How to transfer utilities when moving<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
3) Change your address <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Change your address with the USPS and have the post office forward your mail to your new address. Contact all people and organizations you have dealings with and inform them of your new address. (See also: Who to notify when you move<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Waiting for good news.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget to transfer newspaper\nand magazine subscriptions to your new place of residence. Also, if you receive\nany regular deliveries of goods, be sure to give your new address to the providers\nto avoid having them go to your old home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Must-read: How to change your address when moving<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
4) Pack smartly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Packing\nfor a move across town is not easier than packing for a long-distance move, but\nthe short distance offers a few benefits that make the process less stressful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When\npacking for moving to a new neighborhood, you\u2019re advised to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pare down your possessions<\/a> to save time, effort, and money on your move (the fewer items you decide to relocate, the less packing supplies and the smaller moving vehicle you\u2019re going to need and the faster and easier packing, loading, and unloading will be) and to avoid cluttering your new home with things you don\u2019t really need or don\u2019t like anymore;<\/li>
- Start packing early, so your rarely used and out-of-season items are ready for moving well ahead of time and you can transport them to your new home prior to moving day (take a load in your car every time you go to your new place to perform a task there);<\/li>
- Get quality packing supplies for your more delicate and more valuable possessions and for the items that will be relocated by professional movers. Use packing containers and cushioning materials that you already have at home (suitcases, bags, baskets, crates, buckets, old clothes, sheets, and blankets, etc.)\u00a0 for the rest of your possessions (See also: Alternative packing materials<\/a>);<\/li>
- Use the same moving containers multiple times \u2013 when you take a box of items to your new place, you can empty the container, get it back home, and fill it again;<\/li>
- Leave items in drawers and transport them as they are \u2013 just \u00a0be sure to wrap the drawers in plastic wrap to keep the items in them in place; <\/li>
- Leave clothes on their hangers – wrap them in a blanket and lay them on the backseat of your car;<\/li>
- Pack with care and provide your items with good protection so that they arrive safe and sound in your new home. Pay special attention to breakables and use appropriate packing techniques to prepare furniture, appliances, and electronics for moving;<\/li>
- Label the boxes with their contents, destination room, and appropriate handling instructions;<\/li>
- Pack a first-night box<\/a>, so you have everything you need at hand when you arrive in your new home.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can find more detailed tips on how to pack for a short distance move here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5) Get moving help<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moving\nto a new neighborhood is much easier to perform and organize than moving across\nthe country, of course, but you still can\u2019t do on your own on moving day – you\nwill need help transporting your larger household items to your new home. What\nyou have to decide is whether to get professional moving assistance or to ask\nyour friends for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local movers know the area like the back of their hands.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n - DIY moving<\/strong> \u2013 A self-move is a viable option when moving to a new neighborhood \u2013 you only need to transport your items a short distance and your friends will be able to give you a hand with both loading and unloading (as your new home will be in the same town). If you\u2019re up to the challenge, make sure you:
- Ask your friends for help<\/a> well ahead of time;<\/li><\/ul>
- Rent an appropriate size moving truck<\/a>;<\/li><\/ul>
- Have the necessary tools and equipment<\/a> to make your move faster, safer, and more efficient;<\/li><\/ul>
- Take appropriate measures to prevent accidents and injuries<\/a> during the move;<\/li><\/ul>
- Know how to properly load a moving vehicle<\/a> and how to drive it safely<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Professional moving services <\/strong>\u2013 Hiring experienced local movers is your best bet for a smooth relocation when moving across town. The experts will have the specialized equipment, expert skill, and professional know-how to perform your move in the safest and most efficient way possible and the moving cost will be quite affordable. Just make sure you find good cross-town movers to work with (See also: The complete guide to hiring local movers<\/a>) <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
6) Bonus tips for moving to a new neighborhood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A\nfew more things to know when moving across town:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- You can take your food, cleaning supplies, paints, fuel tanks, and other non-allowable items<\/a> to your new home. The movers won\u2019t load such items on the moving truck for safety reasons, but you can transport them in your car \u2013 just make sure you pack them adequately for the trip;<\/li>
- You can easily move your pets and plants to your new home \u2013 there won\u2019t be any problems transporting your greenery and your animal friends such a short distance;<\/li>
- You can purchase new items for your new home before the move and have them delivered directly to your new address (provided that you already have the keys, of course);<\/li>
- You should move all your essentials and valuables in your car (See also: Things to move yourself<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Must read:<\/strong> Tips for moving across town<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What to Do When You Move into a New Neighborhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Your home is your fortress.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n When you move to a new neighborhood, you won\u2019t experience any culture shock or considerable lifestyle changes \u2013 you will be familiar with the area, will work the same job, will still be able to see your friends, etc. There will be fewer post-relocation tasks<\/a> to take care of (you won\u2019t need to update your car\u2019s registration or transfer your driving license, transfer medical records and look for a new doctor, etc.) and it will be easier to settle in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However,\nyou will still need to adapt to the new environment and, most importantly \u2013 to your\nnew community:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secure your new home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your\nfirst task after moving to a new neighborhood is to turn your new home into your\nsafe haven \u2013 a personal sanctuary where you and your family will feel protected\nand relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even\nif you\u2019ve checked the crime statistics for your new area before the move and\nmade sure that your neighborhood is not a dangerous place, it is still better\nto be safe than sorry. Disasters can happen anywhere at any time and stats show\nthat a home is almost twice more likely to be burgled in the first year after a\nmove than in any other, so it is of paramount importance that you take adequate\nprecautionary measures to prevent property crime and unfortunate accidents as\nsoon as you settle into your new home:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Secure your home against\nbreak-ins \u2013 change the locks (do not leave a spare key for the front door in\nthe mailbox or under the doormat!), install a burglar alarm system, add exterior\nlights, etc.;<\/li>
- Protect your home\nfrom accidents and natural disasters \u2013 ensure fire safety (install fire alarms\nand smoke detectors throughout the home, supply fire extinguishers at every\nlevel of the house, etc.), ensure proper drainage away from the house,\nwaterproof the roof, invest in a quality sump-pump, prepare an emergency kit, get\nadequate homeowner\u2019s\/renter\u2019s insurance, etc.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bonus tip:<\/strong> Do not forget to childproof<\/a> and\/or pet-proof your home to make it safe for your kids and your animal friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meet your new neighbors <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Saying hello to your new neighbors is among the first things you should do after moving into a new neighborhood \u2013 you\u2019ll be living next to these people for a long time and will hopefully become friends with some of them, so the faster you get to know them, the better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of your new neighbors may become your best friends.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n Go\nshake hands with your new neighbors during the first days after your relocation\n\u2013 introduce yourself and tell the people next door how happy you are to have\nmoved into such a nice neighborhood and how much you would appreciate any advice\nthey might have for you. Be polite and friendly (offer a compliment to light up\nthe mood) and try to think of good questions that will provoke hearty\ndiscussions about the community life and the peculiarities of the neighborhood\n– you will get some useful information about your new area and will learn a\nthing or two about the people living next door. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your\nnext step is to throw a housewarming party and invite your new neighbors over –\ndepending on the time of year when your move takes place, you can organize a\nbarbecue, a holiday party, or some other event to break the ice, have some fun\nwith new neighbors, and get to know them a bit better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find some more tips on how to befriend your neighbors after moving here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get involved in the community life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The best way to settle into your\nneighborhood and find your place in your new community is to become involved in\nthe \u201clocal life\u201d:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Make yourself available \u2013 spend more time outside and be easily approachable;<\/li>
- Visit local hotspots and community places;<\/li>
- Attend local events \u2013 festivals, fairs, games, performances, etc.;<\/li>
- Join local groups and organizations;<\/li>
- Engage in community services and take an active part in the community life;<\/li>
- Always be ready to help a friend in need.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Be open to new experiences and take\nevery opportunity for social interaction you have \u2013 you will soon make new\nfriends and get a sense of connectedness with your new community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
See also:<\/strong> How to make new friends after moving<\/a>; How to adapt to a new environment after moving<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moving\nto a new neighborhood gives you the unique opportunity to build a better new\nlife without\nlosing what you loved in your old life \u2013 you can create your dream home, reduce\nyour commute, have safer and more enjoyable surroundings, meet new people, etc.\nwhile remaining close to your friends and your favorite places. It\u2019s a win-win\nsituation \u2013 and now you know how to make the most of it. Happy moving!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Moving to a new neighborhood is usually about improving quality of life \u2013 a better home, a safer area, a shorter commute, higher quality schools, more greenery, etc. Despite the short distance and positive prospects though, moving to a new place is always a challenge \u2013 you still need to pack up all your earthly … <\/p>\n
- Professional moving services <\/strong>\u2013 Hiring experienced local movers is your best bet for a smooth relocation when moving across town. The experts will have the specialized equipment, expert skill, and professional know-how to perform your move in the safest and most efficient way possible and the moving cost will be quite affordable. Just make sure you find good cross-town movers to work with (See also: The complete guide to hiring local movers<\/a>) <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Know how to properly load a moving vehicle<\/a> and how to drive it safely<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Take appropriate measures to prevent accidents and injuries<\/a> during the move;<\/li><\/ul>
- Have the necessary tools and equipment<\/a> to make your move faster, safer, and more efficient;<\/li><\/ul>
- Rent an appropriate size moving truck<\/a>;<\/li><\/ul>
- Ask your friends for help<\/a> well ahead of time;<\/li><\/ul>
- Pare down your possessions<\/a> to save time, effort, and money on your move (the fewer items you decide to relocate, the less packing supplies and the smaller moving vehicle you\u2019re going to need and the faster and easier packing, loading, and unloading will be) and to avoid cluttering your new home with things you don\u2019t really need or don\u2019t like anymore;<\/li>
- you will be able to load all the remaining items on the rented moving truck at once (in the event of a self-move) and make only one trip to your final destination, thus saving time and money on your move.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- it will be easier to take large furniture pieces and other bulkier items out of your old home when most of the smaller items are already gone – which will save you and your moving helpers a lot of time and effort and will reduce the risk of accidents and injuries;<\/li><\/ul>
- Start taking your belongings to your new place as soon as it is ready \u2013 you can transport your smaller items to your new address in your car, one load at a time. That way, you will be able to move many of your non-essential and out-of-season items before the actual day of your relocation, making things much simpler on moving day:
- Convenience<\/strong>\n\u2013 proximity to your workplace and other places you need to visit on a frequent\nbasis, available amenities (shops and services), access to care (hospitals and\nother medical facilities, police and fire stations, etc.), transportation (road\ninfrastructure and traffic patterns, public transport services, bike lanes,\nsidewalks, etc.);<\/li>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/good-neighborhood.jpg\")
![\"Moving](\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/across-town.jpg\")
![\"Everything](\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/new-address.jpg\")
![\"Cross-town](\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/moving-helpers.jpg\")
![\"Securing](\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/safe-home.jpg\")
![\"Meet](\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/neighbors-meeting.jpg\")