Moving is always stressful but moving to a place you’ve never been before can be absolutely nerve-wracking. You don’t know what your new surroundings will be like; you don’t know what to expect from your new area; and, most likely, you don’t know anyone in your new town or city. You have every reason to be nervous. And anxious. And downright scared – when moving somewhere you’ve never been, you’re moving to an unknown world and the fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all.
So, what can you do then? How can you overcome your fear and get excited about your new life? How can you ensure a smooth relocation and a successful start to your new life?
The answer is simple enough – prepare as best you can and plan as meticulously as possible. Focusing on the opportunities before you – instead of on the anticipated difficulties – is going to help as well.
Read on to find out how to move to somewhere you’ve never been and make it work.
Why would you move to a place you’ve never been before?
Whether you’re moving to a new city for college or after college, because you got a new job there or because you were transferred there by your employer, because you received a PSC order or a Temporary Duty order, or just because you want a change of scenery, it’s possible that you have never been to that city before. In such a case, your move – and your first months of living in your new location – will be a unique adventure.
Moving to a place you’ve never been is extremely exciting – and very daunting. You’re going to face the unknown with all its challenges and insecurities, but you will also have the chance to try new things and gain new perspective. Despite the hardships and anxieties, living in an unfamiliar environment is usually quite a beneficial experience:
- It gives you a fresh start – Moving somewhere you’ve never been is extremely liberating and can make you feel like a new person. You can leave bad habits, bad memories, past mistakes, toxic relationships, and other burdens behind and start anew. No one will know you and you won’t have to conform to others’ expectations of you. You’ll have the chance to be your true self and have the life you want to have;
- It makes you grow as a person – Moving to a new place – especially to an entirely unfamiliar place – requires a lot of courage and determination. Braving the unknown will make you mentally and emotionally stronger – every challenge will teach you a lesson and will increase your life skills and your self-confidence. You’ll be pushed to work harder, learn faster, and perform better. You’ll learn to fight for what you believe and what you want and never give up, no matter how difficult it may be. In a word, you’ll become a responsible, independent, and confident person;
- It helps you become a better version of yourself – When you move to a new location, you’ll meet new people and learn new things, get acquainted with new ideas and new believes, see things from a new perspective and deepen your understanding of the world. As a result, you’ll become more knowledgeable, more open-minded, more tolerant, more flexible, and more caring – your best you.
Moving to a place you’ve never been will give you freedom and change your life for the better – as long as you make things the right way.
Related: Pros and cons of moving to another state
How to prepare for moving somewhere you’ve never been
The better prepared you are, the higher your chances of success will be. Therefore, when moving to a city you’ve never been to, you need to learn as much as possible about it and plan things accordingly.
Step 1. Research your new area:
- Research the job market, career opportunities, and overall business environment in your new city (unless you’re moving to that city because you got a great job there);
- Find out the cost of living in your new city;
- Find out what the weather is like in your new area;
- Get familiar with the local laws and regulations, social norms and cultural values, etc.;
- See what your new area has to offer in terms of healthcare, education, entertainment, cultural activities, etc.
Step 2. Use Google Maps:
- Explore your new city on Google Maps – see the lay of the city, the existing infrastructure, the location of parks, shopping centers, hospitals, schools, etc.;
- Find listings of restaurants, stores, entertainment locales, public transportation stops, etc.;
- Click on a pin to enter the street view and take a virtual tour of different parts of the city.
Step 3. Check online tips and listicles
There are plenty of articles on the Internet that list the best places to eat, shop, and have fun in a city, the local attractions and the top things to do in an area, etc. You can use that information to get some insight about your new city and become a bit more comfortable about living there.
Be sure to read some reliable city guides and check the website of the city you’re moving to, as well.
Step 4. Join local forums and neighborhood groups
An excellent way to learn about your new city and your new community is to join neighborhood groups on Facebook and any local forums you can find on the web. This way, you’ll be able to connect with people who live in the area, find out what issues concern them most, ask questions, and get a lot of inside information about your new city.
Step 5. Build connections
Nowadays, you can easily connect with people who live in the city you’re moving to well before your actual relocation. Use the social media to announce that you’re moving to that city and ask your friends and acquaintances if they know someone who lives there. In a bit, you will get in touch with friends of friends and will be able to start building a social network in your new area.
It is also a good idea to join your college’s alumni chapter in your new area and connect with professional associations in your new city.
The more connections you have in your new area, the easier things will be for you after the relocation.
How to move somewhere you’ve never been
Once you’ve gathered all the relevant information and connected with people in your new city, you can start planning your actual move:
Find a place to live in your new city
When moving somewhere without visiting, it’s best to rent first:
- Finding a suitable place to rent will be easier than finding an appropriate home to buy;
- Your initial post-relocation expenses will be lower;
- You will have time to experience life in your new city and decide whether you like it or not – and see if things work out for you as planned – before making a large financial commitment (buying a house there);
- You will have the chance to get to know your new city, test out different neighborhoods, and decide where exactly you want to live;
- You will be able to carefully research the real estate market in your new city, look at properties for sale, and choose the best home for you and your family.
Renting will give you flexibility and will take away some of the stress associated with moving to a place you’ve never been.
Related: Should you rent or buy when moving to a new city
When hunting for an apartment to rent, you’re advised to:
1. Look for affordable rental properties located near your new workplace (if you have already secured a job in your new city) and within walking distance of various amenities (shops, services, medical care facilities, etc.);
2. Make virtual tours of the properties that seem to meet your needs and requirements;
3. Apply for the apartment you like best at least a month before your planned move date.
Decide what to bring along
Once you secure an apartment in your new city, you will know what is already available in it and what else you’re going to need. It will be, therefore, easy to decide what to take to your rental home – practical items you will need in your new surroundings, essentials you can’t do without, and items of high sentimental value you don’t want to part with.
Pаre down your possessions before the move and make an inventory of the items you’re going to take to your new home.
Make a reliable budget
One of the most important things to do when planning to move to a place you’ve never been before is to ensure that you have enough money to cover your relocation costs and your living expenses for the first several months in your new area:
- Calculate your moving costs – Fill out a moving quote to see how much it will cost you to hire professional movers, evaluate your self-moving options and their costs, and consider all relocation-related expenses you’re likely to incur (packing materials, travel expenses, etc.);
- Consider your immediate post-relocation expenses – paying security deposits, setting up services, furnishing your new place, stocking your new home, buying homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, updating documents, etc.;
- Estimate your monthly expenses in your new city – rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities, transportation, etc.;
- Plan for contingency expenses.
See also: How to make a moving budget
Organize your move
Now that you know how many items you need to relocate and approximately how much different moving options will cost you, it’s time to decide whether to use professional moving help or move by yourself.
Since you’re moving to a place you’ve never been, it will be best to hire a professional moving company – the experts not only have the specialized equipment, rich experience, and professional know-how to handle your move in the safest and most efficient way possible, but also know your new area well and will be able to ensure fast and trouble-free delivery. Just make sure you find licensed, experienced, and trustworthy movers to work with and book their services well in advance.
Be sure to get appropriate packing supplies, pack your items well, and get everything ready by your scheduled moving day.
Take care of the paperwork
Relocating involves a lot of paperwork and dealing with it will be even more difficult when moving somewhere you’ve never been. Be sure to check the local rules and regulations in your new area to find out what documents you will need to change or update and what the deadlines are and don’t forget to:
- collect your personal documents, financial papers, medical records, etc.;
- change your address with the USPS and notify people and institutions of your new address;
- change your driver’s license and car registration (when moving to another state);
- arrange for the utilities in your old home to be disconnected on the day after your move and the ones on your new place to be running on move-in day;
- cancel or transfer memberships and subscriptions, etc.
Once you’ve completed all the above tasks, you’re ready to embark on your relocation adventure – your new world awaits you. May the city you’ve never been to before turn out to be the city of your dreams!
