Few can match the excitement felt when moving to a new home. After days of packing your belongings, settling some dues, and scheduling a day for moving, you’re finally in transit to your new abode. While this might get you excited and busy don’t let yourself lose track of steps to do after moving. In order to adjust quickly to a place to live, you need to account for your belongings, plug in the appliances, change the security locks, agree on sleeping arrangements, and such. The assortment of tasks shows how major this transition is for everyone involved.
To ensure it won’t get hampered by unforeseen problems, here’s a guide on the first things to do after moving into your new home.
Account for your boxes and belongings.
After you’ve arrived in your new residence, take note of the boxes that were used to contain your belongings for the big move. The boxes should already have been labeled beforehand so that you’ll have an easier time identifying each one. The labels can be based on the items you designated for each box. One can hold children’s clothes, the other can hold garage items, and so on.
After labeling each box, you need to also list down which objects are included there. If there are socks there, note how many pairs are brought. If there are utensils in the other box, note how many spoons and forks there are. Noting even the smallest objects can benefit you, especially if you have small valuables like jewelry or gadgets. You can also list the fragile belongings and put them in a box labeled accordingly so it could be handled with care.
Plug in the necessary appliances.
Household devices needed for daily routines need to be set up as well. Plug your refrigerator after placing it so that perishable food brought will be stored immediately. The air conditioner should be set up to make the temperature comfortable indoors. If you’ve had your first meal already in the new home, it helps to have a dishwasher already plugged in so that it can take care of the utensils and plates for you.
Once these appliances are powered, you can have more time to destress due to finishing chores more quickly. Of course, this would be possible if the electrical wirings in the house were already checked by you, the landlord, and an electrician beforehand. Doing so is crucial in avoiding electrical or fire accidents.
Change the security locks.
The prior homeowners might not have been able to change the locks on the house when they moved out. Be it on your own or with your current landlord you can have a locksmith change the locks in the house. The doors, garage, windows, and other points of entry should be kept secure this way so that intruders who know how to access the old locks won’t be able to enter.
This is a step that shouldn’t be taken lightly, whether you’re in a family with kids or someone who’s living alone. After all, you’ve likely heard news of theft or worse crimes done all because someone was able to enter a house with the owners unaware. As a precaution, make sure your new locks are durable and foolproof.
Set sleeping arrangements.
A part of moving in involves figuring out where people will be sleeping. Logistics-wise this isn’t a simple matter as many might assume. Beds have to be moved, sheets have to fitted on the mattress, and curtains have to installed, among others. Usually, there are houses that already have master bedrooms and other sleeping spaces that are clearly designed for a specific family member. There may be cases wherein the existing bedroom objects don’t fit with the ones you brought. For example, you can buy a new mattress that can fit your bedsheets if the one in the new home is too big or small.
Familiarize yourself with the community.
The new community you’ve found yourself in can be made up of curious neighbors, schools for your kids, work opportunities for you, or establishments offering basic services like clinics, diners, repair shops, and the like. Familiarize yourself with these places and the people there so that you can see what you can benefit from them. This will come in handy once you’re faced with an emergency situation. If you unexpectedly run out of supplies, the neighborhood grocery store can provide for your needs. In case you need medications, the nearby drugstore should be able to help.
Acquainting yourself with your new neighborhood also lets you discover the various routes that you can use in the future. This can benefit you in case you need to go somewhere quickly. For families, you can incorporate this into your bonding time by having you and your kids walk your dogs around, or have you and your loved ones jog around the suburbs.
Update the people around you.
This includes the utility companies that you’re subscribed to, your boss at work, and your loved ones living afar. Regarding the utility companies, the address they have for you is what they use for sending you your gas, light, and water bills. If they still have your old one, you need to inform them right away of your new residence.
As for your family and friends, you might have already notified them of your plan to move. Still, they would appreciate hearing back from you after you’ve finished settling in your new residence.
Moving day made easy.
By now it’s clear that moving to a new home is no easy business. Still, you can make it as hassle-free as it can get by following tips recommended by experts. For instance, you need to check its electrical features, conduct research on the neighborhood amenities, update your billing and subscription address, inform people of your move, and take other steps to ensure a seamless moving experience. Whether you’re a seasoned parent or a young adult, heeding these tips should result in a moving day made easy.