So you’ve gotten all your stuff from your old place to the new one.  Congratulations!  Now what?  Many things that you need to do may be forgotten in the excitement of the move.  Here are a few common things that you need to do after you get into your new place.You should locate the police stations, fire stations and hospitals near you in case you need them.  Knowing the location of these is important.

Find the post office.  You’ll need to get your mail all set up, including forwarding and making companies and other people award of your new address.

Find out where other vital services are located in your new community.  Banks, doctors, veterinarians and schools are examples of these.

Determine where the shopping areas are in your new neighborhood.  You’ll need to find grocery stores, department stores, malls and more.

Find out about garbage service.  You’ll need to find out what day it’s picked up on and what to do with recyclable materials.  Many times your apartment complex will take care of this, but you’ll still have to know the details.

Find the DMV.  While this can be an unpleasant experience, you still need to get a new drivers license if you’ve moved to a new state.

Make your insurance company aware of your new location.  This may affect your payments.  If you have to, seek out a new insurance agent in the local area.

Find dentists and doctors for your family.  Waiting until these services are needed will make it harder in the end, so find them now.  Ask your neighbors and coworkers for recommendations.

While moving, especially long distance, can be a stressful experience, there is a lot you can do to make the most of it.  If you have children, a long distance move can be great fun and even if you don’t, you can still find places to stop and enjoy.Take the Time

If possible, extend the amount of time you’ll spend driving.  A long distance move is sure to take you past some exciting learning and sightseeing opportunities; make sure you have the time to stop and enjoy them.  This is especially good if you have children who will enjoy and benefit from the experience of seeing things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to.  Take the time to stop and enjoy the areas you’ll be travelling through.

Point it Out

Even if you don’t have enough time to stop everywhere you’d like to, there are still ways to enjoy the area even if you can’t leave your car long enough to stop and visit.  Have maps and information handy for you and your children.  Point out landmarks from the road and talk about the area you’re travelling through.  Many of our modern day roads follow old trade roads or Indian trails; talk about the history of where you’re travelling.

Learn About Your New Hometown

Moving often involves a new city and state.  Taking the time to learn about the area on your way to it can give you a much better idea of what your new home will be like, as well as giving you an idea of what there is to see and do there and the history of the area.

Moving to a new apartment is an exciting time.  It can also be stressful and daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before.  There are a few ways to make sure you have as pleasant an experience as possible, though.Plan Ahead

Know when you’re moving and begin preparing beforehand.  That means getting all of your moving supplies set up and having a plan for the move itself.  Know what supplies you’re going to need, how you’re going to get all of your stuff to your new apartment and how long your move is actually going to take.

Supplies

You’ll need boxes, tape and packing materials like bubble wrap.  You can either purchase these from a moving company, like the one that you get your moving truck from or you can save some cash and get the boxes for free.  You can often find boxes at local stores, like grocery stores and liquor stores.  This will save you some cash in your moving.

Buying your other supplies in bulk will also help you save some cash.

The Move

Knowing how you’re going to move will help immensely when it comes time to do it.  You’ll need to decide if you’re going to use a moving company or move yourself.  Moving yourself will save you money, but a good moving company will save you time and hassle.  Each method has its own pros and cons, so make sure you check each option out thoroughly before the move.

Moving can be a stressful experience, especially for families with children.  It can mean the loss of familiar landmarks, friends and familiar places to play and have fun.  It also means a new school system, if they’re old enough to go to school, new restaurants and more.  A few helpful tips will keep your children as stress free as possible and that will help you, as well.Pump It Up

Do a little research on the area’s attractions.  Find out where the parks and playgrounds are, make notes about nearby amusement parks and kid friendly attractions.  When it comes time to talk to your kids about the move, use these as incentives to get them to see that moving isn’t a world ending tragedy.  Make your children excited about all the new things they get to see and do.

Make Them Comfortable

Finding familiar restaurants and areas that resemble the ones your children are familiar with will go a long way towards making them comfortable with the move.  Point out familiar places to your children; show them the play areas that resemble what they know.  Make them sound even more impressive than what your children are familiar with.

Talk it Out

The difference that a simple conversation can make shouldn’t be discounted.  Just because they are young, doesn’t mean that they’re not affected by the stress of it all.  Explain to them what’s going on, how it’s going to happen and how much they’re going to enjoy their new surroundings.

In all the stress and excitement of moving, things can be forgotten, left behind and neglected. Here is a list of the most prominent things that movers forget about.

• Vital Records- These can be anything from birth certificates to medical records. You’ll need all of this information in your new home.
• You’ll also need any school records for your children’s new school. Make sure you have these in hand before moving.
• All of your valuables need to be taken with you. This includes anything that you may have stored in an out of the way place. A lockable, fireproof box is the best way to transport these items to you new home.
• Return library books, movie rentals and anything that you’ve borrowed before you move.
• Don’t forget to pick up anything that may have been left for cleaning or alterations, either.
• Addresses and phone number need to be taken with you so you can keep in touch with all your friends and family. It’s easy to leave this information behind.
• Forward all your mail, magazines and any other subscription items to your new address. Don’t carry this information in your purse. If you drop it, it can fall into the wrong hands.
• Do a final inspection of your old place. Make sure that you check everywhere- inside cabinets, storage areas, closets and more. This will help you make sure you’re not leaving anything behind and that the place is as clean as possible.
• Make sure you turn in all your door keys. Don’t take them with you in case they’re need by the new tenant for a short time before the locks are changed.

While moving can be an exciting experience, the stress that it can cause can be almost overwhelming. Take the time to decide how you’re going to move, well before the time comes to move. There are several options available to help you move, the most popular are moving yourself and using a moving service.
Before you decide on a method, check out a few tips to help you through the process.
Moving Yourself
This method will save you money, but it will add to the amount of work that you have to do. You’ll pack all the boxes, load them on the truck, unload them at the new location and stage them throughout the new apartment. You’ll be responsible for getting all your supplies, renting a truck, returning that truck on time, as well as getting your stuff to the new location. This method is a good idea for anyone interested in saving money and who doesn’t mind a little physical labor.
Moving Companies
Moving companies are a great option for those who have a large amount of stuff to move, those who aren’t able to lift heavy boxes and those who don’t have the time to do it themselves. A moving company can pack your stuff for you, load their own truck and deliver it all safely to your new apartment, but it will cost you more than doing it yourself. Sometimes, especially in a large or lengthy move, these are the only option available.