Whether you’re a country mouse making the big move to a city or you’re swapping the buzz of NYC for the sunny skies of LA, moving to a new city is a big step. Now that the decision has been made, there is work to be done! We have facilitated plenty of city moves, so we’ve laid out the biggest things you need to consider as you prepare. Here’s how to prepare for moving to a new city, with as little stress as possible!
Visit, or do some in-depth research.
If your new city is nearby, the obvious first step is to take a trip and visit! You’ll need to make some decisions about which neighborhood to choose, so getting a more personal feel is really helpful. If you aren’t able to visit or your visit has to be brief, there is tons of information out there (including on the Unpakt blog!) about major cities. You can find lists of the best neighborhoods in Chicago, research schools in Cincinnati, and so much more. Take a look at public transit options too. If living in close proximity to a train or bus station is important, you need to know where they are!
Determine the cost of living.
Not all cities are equal when it comes to the basic cost of living. In 2020, San Francisco, New York, and Oakland are still topping the chart as the most expensive cities in the U.S. Finding some baseline information about the cost of living in your future city will help you plan your budget. How much income will you need to maintain an acceptable standard of living? How much should you put in savings to prepare for moving? And what type of housing should you look for? The more knowledge you have, the more prepared you can be to move to a new city.
Research the job market, or your future employer.
If you already have a job lined up, congratulations! That will make moving to a new city a bit less stressful. Take some time to get to know your new company so you can feel more at ease from day one.
If your decision to move is based on your hopes for a bright new career, it’s time to do some research! Moving to a new city with a list of potential employers will set you up to hit the ground running, resume in hand. Get a sense of the landscape by finding out what companies or organizations are in the area. Map out your desires: are you looking for a fresh start, or to advance your career to the next level? If you have a clear vision, start reaching out to make contacts and build networks at the companies you’re eyeing.
Begin to make personal connections.
If you don’t know anyone in your future city, it can take longer to settle in and feel at home. Reach out to your current network of friends and family to see who can help make connections in your new city. Often a quick post on your social media of choice will get you plenty of suggestions! Have people connect you via email or phone so you can set up a coffee or lunch date to get the ball rolling.
Declutter your home.
Most cities are not known for their massive apartments. Cleaning out items that you don’t need or haven’t used in a long time is a great way to pare down for the move. Not only will this save you the headache of unpacking a bunch of useless stuff, but it can save you money on your move as well! Big-ticket items like furniture and large appliances are especially useful to examine. If you’ve been wanting a new sofa, save your money and don’t pay to move the old one!
As you declutter, start your home inventory and make a list of everything you are packing. This will ensure that you are prepared when the movers arrive to haul everything to the truck. Be sure to note anything of value that might require additional moving insurance, and talk to your moving company about your options.
Hire a team of professional movers.
Don’t let this one be a last-minute task! Being prepared for moving means doing a fair amount of planning ahead of time. In order to secure a team of reputable and affordable movers, book well in advance. This will ensure that you get not only the moving dates that you need, but the movers are more likely to have availability. Last-minute moving requests are more likely to get stuck with whoever is available, or whichever day and time the movers have left!
Let Unpakt help you as you prepare for moving to a new city. We can help you book the right team of movers at an affordable rate, quickly and easily!
