The New Year – it’s a time for celebration, starting over, and turning over a new leaf. It’s also one of the best times to move, especially if you want to start fresh in a new location.
Moving for Work? Ask About Options
If you’re moving for work but remaining with the same company, you may have options available to you. Be sure to check in with your human resources department to see if they provide an allotment for moving expenses. Some companies may even partner with moving services, taking the stress off of you so you can focus on more important tasks.
Moving for Marriage? Don’t Forget Documents
If you’re moving into a new home with a new spouse, don’t forget that you’ll need to adjust your documents to reflect your new information. If you’re changing your last name, most provinces will require that you reflect this on your driver’s license, government-issued identification, passport, or health insurance information.
Even if you’re not changing your name, your new marital status needs to be changed on your taxes. Handle as many of these changes before you move, and the rest immediately after, to prevent hang-ups and delays with getting settled into your new home.
Bridge Connections Before You Move
If you haven’t moved yet, start thinking about what you’ll do once you arrive. Don’t have family or friends in the area? Research clubs, social gathering spots, and events to see where you might find like-minded people.
If you’re moving for work, consider asking your company if there’s someone at the new office they can recommend with whom you can liaison via email if you have questions. This will make it much easier to integrate with the local community once you’re settled. Arriving just before New Year’s Eve? Parties and local community celebrations are an excellent place to get to know your neighbours.
How about making more resolutions?
If you’re planning to move, you’re already making a fresh start, so why not keep up the momentum with a few more personal goals for 2020? Now that the new year is upon us, you have all the more reason to make some moving resolutions.
You are probably familiar with some of the more common resolutions, among them, trying to eat better, mitigating debt and volunteering more. These kinds of goals can also be translated into the process of moving, giving yourself a great start for a new year.
Here are seven New Year’s goals you can make on your way to your new home.
Recycle more
This common resolution is all about making a life change. As you pack for your new home, keep in mind that moving is an opportunity to make a new life for yourself. Get rid of unnecessary material goods or items that carry little sentimental value. Instead of taking your trash to the dump, however, donate it or give it away to people who may see it as treasure. You may not want your old coat or a worn chair, but maybe there is a family that does.
Conversely, if there is something your new house needs, don’t buy new. Visit thrift stores or antique shops and furnish your new place with vintage, rustic and secondhand goods. With a little effort, you can find perfectly good items at decent prices.
Save yourself some money
Instead of paying for movers, give yourself a couple of extra days and pack up boxes yourself. You may be exhausted by the end of your move, but you may make significant savings.
Manage pre-moving stress
When you’re planning to move, you’ll no doubt have an extensive list of tasks to complete. A number can easily fall to the bottom of your list, only to cause you to stress later on.
The last thing you want to deal with when navigating a new town is a number of bureaucratic errands. Before moving, update your address and map out important offices in your new town. Set aside an afternoon once you’ve moved to visit these places and take care of business.
Manage post-moving stress
There is no shortage of stressors once you’ve moved. One of the more subtly irksome aspects of a move is a home that’s not fully unpacked. Having boxes everywhere not only makes your new place feel more like a storage facility, but it also means you have to spend time digging through boxes for things you need. Set aside a weekend to do all of your unpacking. You’ll be happier for it once you’re done.
Eat healthier meals
If you’re trying to make some positive changes in your diet, unpack your kitchen as soon as possible. Don’t rely on fast food and microwave meals to get you through the first weeks of a new town. Cook healthy and often.
Volunteer more
Many people hope to get more involved with their community in the new year. Volunteering is also a great way for recent movers to feel better connected to their new community. Soup kitchens and food drives are also a great place to meet like-minded people.
Take a vacation
Once you’ve moved, make sure you explore your new home. Spend your first few weekends taking trips to nearby locales outside your neighbourhood.