The moving truck pulls into the driveway, and you glance at the house number on the mailbox, reciting the address in your head so that you know it by heart right away. You turn the key to the front door for the first time, and it finally feels official. You are home.
It’s an exciting time full of possibilities, yet such a big change can take some time to get used to. Settling in and getting comfortable as quickly as possible is the goal, so here are a few tips to help you do so.
Unpacking
You’ve managed to cram all of your worldly possessions into cardboard boxes and cart them across towns or states to your new house. Now they tower in corners and are scattered across the floor waiting to find their place. First things first:
- Clean, clean, clean – Now is probably one of the only times the floors will be bare and every nook and cranny will be exposed, so give the house a nice cleaning before you cut the tape on a single box. It may already have been cleaned and prepared for you, but a little once over with some soap and water never hurts.
- The bare necessities – Hopefully you were a good little packer and labeled all of your boxes properly. The kitchen should probably take some priority, otherwise you may find yourself sticking your face under the kitchen faucet since your glasses aren’t unpacked. Let’s not forget that after a long day of moving, nobody wants to spend their first night in their new home curled up on a cold mattress without a pillow. Arrange as comfy a sleeping place as possible so that you can get your much-deserved rest.
- TV later – Unpacking is a lengthy, arduous process that takes full dedication, and as appealing as binge-watchinng House of Cards on Netflix while putting everything together sounds, it’s most certainly going to slow you down. Hook up the TV towards the end, and watch your first movie in your new home with a sense of accomplishment.
Adjusting to Your Surroundings
- Go exploring – Take a drive around the area to find the best highway to take to work or your kid’s school, and become accustomed to where all of the essentials are located like the hospital and the grocery store.
- Discover the local flair – Branch out to see what your area has to offer. Find that little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that makes the best Cuban sandwich you’ve ever had and go on a hunt for your favorite spot on the beach. Shop locally to support a cute consignment shop with secret treasures hidden around every corner. Experiencing the local charm and knowing where to go on an evening out can make you feel right at home.
Becoming Part of the Community
- Socialize – Gone are the days when the friendly married couple from next door would stop by with a tuna casserole to welcome you to the neighborhood. Nowadays, people are just too busy with work, kids, and home life for that sort of thing anymore. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t initiate and establish a relationship with your neighbors. Make small talk with your neighbor walking their dog, knock on doors to introduce yourself, or maybe even host a housewarming or block party to make some new friends.
- Join in – Whether it’s a volunteer association, a house of worship, or the local Ultimate Frisbee team, meeting people that share your interests can give you a sense of belonging.
Make It Yours
- Personalize your space – Unlike that last apartment, this place is actually yours to do with what you please. Go ahead, paint your walls that perfect shade of blue to compliment your living room furniture. Drill holes in the wall to hide your cords and cables, replace that dated light fixture in the dining room, or just let your Pinterest adventures run wild until you’ve mastered the art of DIY. Either way, customizing your space even just a little bit can quickly turn that house into a home.
- Get back into your routine – As soon as the unpacking is at least somewhat complete, it’s a good idea to jump right back into the routine you had prior to moving. Humans are creatures of habit, so the sooner you get back to cooking dinner on Fridays with your significant other or having your parents over for Sunday brunch, the more settled in and comfortable you will feel.
Once you’ve done all these things, the final step is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. It took a lot of time to achieve this goal and get settled into your new place, so rest easy and know that you’ve earned it.
