A Practical Guide to Moving for Work
Moving for work is an exciting experience. Not only will you have a new job, you'll have a new city to explore and fresh faces to meet. That said, moving while also starting a new job can be overwhelming. Advanced preparation will ensure a seamless experience, allowing you to get set up in your new home before starting work, so you can then focus on excelling in your new role. This guide for professionals provides a pre-move checklist to help you organize your transition while saving time, stress, and money.
Find a suitable location based on your lifestyle
Every city has various neighborhoods, some more family-friendly than others. If you're a young professional, you might prefer a busier area with nightlife, but if you have a family, you might want something more suburban. Take the time to research the neighborhoods in your new hometown before you start house-hunting. Online platforms like AreaVibes are a great place to start. For example, the AreaVibes guide to Cody, WY, provides ratings for attractions, community, dining, nightlife, and shopping.
Buy or rent a house or apartment before your move
When you're starting a new job, you want to have a cozy home to return to at day's end. Before you move, line up a place to stay. If you're looking to buy a property, work with a local realtor to find a place. If you're looking in the Cody, WY, area, Real Estate Cody can help. If you'd prefer to rent, you can scope out places using online tools. You can search according to specifications like price, neighborhood, amenities, and size, and even take 3D tours of some listings. You can also get a sense of the average rent. For example, studio apartments in Denver, CO, cost $1,615 on average.
Leave plenty of time for packing and finding movers
Don't leave packing to the last minute. Aim to pack up at least one room per week, and schedule your moving date accordingly. Follow best practices when packing, like starting with the rooms you use the least, packing heavy items on the bottom of boxes, and labeling boxes clearly with color-coded notes. You also want to make sure you secure a good moving company. When looking for movers, ask for their registration number, get an estimate for moving costs, and determine whether they are licensed and insured.
Get ready for some emotional ups and downs during your move
Moving is exciting but it can also be emotionally challenging. While you're no doubt looking forward to discovering a new place and starting a new job, you're probably also going to miss old friends and favorite spots in your old home. Prepare yourself mentally. Make time to say farewell to your hometown and the people in it, and make plans for keeping in touch with friends and family. For example, you might schedule regular video calls with a friend or set up a family group chat.
Make an effort to integrate into your community
Once you've arrived in your new home, take steps to get to know your neighbors and your broader community. This can help with the emotional hurdles of moving, alleviating homesickness. Moving Options offers some pointers for integrating into a new community, like volunteering, signing up for a sports team, joining an area gym, and signing up to community groups on Facebook. By staying engaged in your new surroundings, you won't leave yourself time for regrets.
Moving when you're preparing to start a new job is a big undertaking. However, it doesn't have to be stressful. Follow the steps above to keep things simple.
Are you considering a move to Cody, WY? Learn more about the community and house-hunting here.