5 Essential Things to Do to Make Your Move Easier
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Moving is no fun. It’s one of life’s cold, hard truths. Thankfully, there are apps and websites out there to help with the heavy lifting, so to speak, but just when you think the worst is behind you — once you’re through with the house hunting and the cardboard box cramming — surprise! There’s a lot more to it than that. Don’t slack on the tedious tasks; check out the list below and start out life in your new digs right.
1. Update your address. There’s a lot more to this process than writing in your extended family’s email chain about the move (though this is important too). Inform the companies that bill you via snail mail, update magazine subscriptions, revise your billing address on stores’ sites that you frequent, and get a new driver’s license. Thankfully, most of these tasks can be done online, so you won’t even need to leave the comfort of your new home (eep!) to complete them.
2. Locate new professionals. Don’t wait until you’ve got a chipped tooth to find a dentist. Pinning down new professionals in your area is essential but easily forgotten. Prioritize finding a new doctor, dentist, and vet. And for those of us who require a little more primping (no shame), a new massage therapist, nail technician, and hair stylist can come next.
3. Register to vote. There may be 1,115 days until the next presidential election (who’s counting?!), but this doesn’t mean you should hold off on registering to vote in your area. Even if you’ve merely moved to a new city in the same state, this re-registration process is necessary — municipal elections matter too!
4. Set up utilities. Unless you’re looking to spend your first night in the dark, contact the utility company a couple weeks before moving to set up services. To figure out which provider to use, head to the new city’s website — you might not even need a new one, depending on where you’re headed. The application process will vary from company to company; allot an afternoon for research so you’re not in the dark… literally.
5. Inquire about insurance. Moving could potentially mean new insurance, whether that’s household, auto, health, or all three. Calling your agent directly is the most efficient way to get information about insurance requirements in your new area, because different states have different policies. It may not be the most exciting part of moving, but ensuring you’re insured is a must.
Want to learn more about doing things solo? Explore our new multimedia package Riding Solo. And remember to share any solo adventures with us using the hashtag #RidingSolo!
(Photo via Getty)
