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Moving to a new town or city

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  • This is a collaborative post.

  • Moving to a new town or city, whether for work or a much-needed change of pace, can be incredibly exciting. After all, it is, within itself, a fresh start for you and your family!


However, this process can also be incredibly daunting! 




With that in mind, here are some top tips that will help you navigate your way through this change. 


Visit the town or city for a few weeks first. Before committing to a long-term move, try to spend as much time in the area as you can. This will allow you to see it from a new perspective so that you will gain a deeper understanding of what it is actually like to live there.


For example, you could use this as an opportunity to explore local amenities such as gyms, libraries, and shopping centers. Not only will this give you more of a feel for what a town is like, but you can experience the cost of living there first-hand, too! 


When visiting for an extended period of time, be sure to attend as many property viewings as you can. This is far better than signing a contract for a house you’ve only seen through the screen. Furthermore, attending a wide range of viewings means that you’ll have a better idea of what you can afford, as this can change between cities and towns. It also means that you’ll feel more confident in your decision when it comes to moving day, as you’ve already found your perfect home. 


Work with a local real estate agent. Working with a local real estate agent, such as a member of the team at Harper Macleod, can also prove useful. This is because they’ll have insight into the town/city that, as an ‘outsider,’ you simply won’t have. For example, they can tell you how much to expect to pay for a property in a certain area or which properties have good schools nearby! 


Make your house feel like home. Whether you are 10 miles or 100 miles away from where you used to live, you can make the transition feel a lot smoother by making your new house feel like home! For example, this could include doing home improvements and repairs or something a little simpler, like painting the walls your favorite color or hanging photos of your family.  


Find opportunities to get outside of the house. You’ll never feel as though you’re fully settled into a new town or city until you properly immerse yourself in all that it has to offer. This means that once you’ve moved in, you need to start spending as much time outside of your house as possible. To begin with, simply exploring the local area is a great starting point. For example, you could use this as an opportunity to discover your next go-to coffee spot! 


You can help your children settle into their new home by helping them find new places to pursue their hobbies and interests. For example, you could sign them up for a new football team, dance class, or anything in between. 


Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Making new friends, especially as an adult, can be incredibly hard. However, this is something that you simply must do when moving to a new town or city. After all, having a group of friends to rely on is crucial! 


As such, you may need to put yourself out of your comfort zone a little when it comes to socializing. For example, after introducing yourself to a neighbor, why not invite them around for a coffee (or a glass of wine?) Chat with other parents on the school run, or pick up a few hobbies yourself. Doing so will give you the chance to become more embedded in the local community while also making plenty of friends along the way. This means that you’ll feel at home in no time!


Final thought. In short, while moving to a new city can be overwhelming, there are many reasons why you should take the plunge. From the chance to meet new friends or take the next step in your career, opportunity lies at every new corner you turn! 


Furthermore, from spending a few weeks (or weekends) in the town/city ahead of time to ensuring that you put yourself out there in order to make new friends, there are plenty of steps that you can take to ensure the transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible! 


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Meet Sue & Katie

Two women. Two generations. Both mothers and lovers of the county where they live. Blogging about Dorset here at Dorset Country Life. Find out more...

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