Did you know that moving consistently ranks on the top ten most stressful life events? This is due to several factors, including changing your home environment (both moving cities and changing houses) packing and unpacking your belongings, and completely reorganizing your life.
To make this time in your life as smooth and seamless as possible, we have some tried and true tips to helping you adjust. Keep reading to find out exactly how to make your new house feel like a cozy home!
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Getting Your New Home Ready
source:pxfuel.com
Unfortunately, when you move into a new home (whether it is unique or previously loved), it’s not always cleaned up to your standards. Most newly built homes will hire a cleaning crew to get rid of dirt, dust, and debris. However, if your home has been lived in, the former owners may not have the same standards of cleanliness as you.
The time to clean is before you start unloading your boxes or attempting to unpack. Whether you choose to clean the home yourself or hire a professional, this is something you’ll want to be done before getting too comfortable.
source:pxfuel.com
Some of the most overlooked places of a home include window sills, inside kitchen cabinets, linen closets, and drawers. Often these places collect hairs, dust, and dead bugs; one of the last things most people want to do is to store their belongings in dirty areas!
In addition to cleaning your new home, consider researching what companies supply services in your area. Sometimes you won’t have a choice on which electric or gas company your home uses, but often you have at least somewhat of choice.
source:pxfuel.com
Also, be sure to research all of your internet and television options. You might consider just switching your service from your old home to your new one, but different locations might offer different packages, levels of service, and pricing structures. Find out what is popular in your new area and why – it might just save you a bundle!
Updating Cosmetic Issues
source:realtor.com
If you are purchasing your home as a remodeling project, you’re probably already aware of the issues that need to be taken care of and have a plan to do so. However, if you aren’t looking for a longterm remodeling project, there still might be a few places in the home that could use some cosmetic work.
Whether you are looking for work to be completed immediately or over some time, it is essential to work with reputable contractors. Of course, you will need to ask for several cost estimates and be sure that your contractor can complete the task at hand.
One of the best ways to do this is by using a site like PriceYourJob. Websites such as these will allow you to gather tons of information with just a little bit of effort, giving you an idea of what the cost of the project will be before you begin. This can help you decide whether a certain repair job needs to be completed immediately or can wait.
The Hard Part
source:thespruce.com
Once your house has been cleaned and minor issues repaired, you can start the worst part of moving: unpacking.
When you were loading your items at your old house, you probably did a bit purging as not to have to pack quite. Now that those items have been boxed up and moved, you haven’t seen them for some time. This may give you a chance at a second purge to get rid of any extra clutter or nonessentials.
source:thespruce.com
Unpacking everything in one day is overwhelming for anyone. Try to unbox the items you need immediately – including bed linens, towels, dishes, pots, utensils, and at least some clothes. This allows you to access what you need easily and then continue unpacking at a comfortable pace.
source:thespruce.com
To avoid having boxes full of random items strewn about your home, aim to unpack one room per day or week, depending on how busy the rest of your life is. If you happen to have a week off of work to move in, try to get it done over that week to make your house feel more like home.
Keep in mind that there aren’t any hard, set rules when it comes to moving into a house. You can unpack at your leisure, but remember that the longer the process takes, the less you’ll want to finish the task.
Meet Your Neighbors
source:moving.com
If you have neighbors, consider making an effort to introduce yourself. You don’t necessarily have to be best friends with them or have long conversations, but a friendly ‘hello’ can make a world of difference.
Aside from the fact that your neighbor may be able to lend you a cup of sugar, getting acquainted with those around, you will also help ensure safety. Neighbors who know each other tend to watch out for the people around them, even if it just means noticing something out of the ordinary.
source:moving.com
Meeting your neighbors will also help you identify any potential problems you may run into, whether it happens to be a neighborhood gossip or an overly enthusiastic Homeowner’s Association. By taking the initiative to say hello, you also give the impression of being friendly (even if all you might want is solitude.)
Don’t Be Afraid to Take a Break
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As mentioned, moving into a new home is stressful. Not only is it stressful, but it is also exhausting and time-consuming. With that said, don’t add to the stress by creating impossible deadlines for yourself. Instead, take a break now and then; go out for pizza, explore your new city, or take a nap!
Remember that there is no prize for unpacking your home the fastest and moving into a new house isn’t a competition. Take your time, within reason, to unpack and become comfortable in your new surroundings!
