Congratulations! You’ve successfully executed your move and are living in your new house. But, how do you make it feel like a home? Follow these simple tips, and you’ll soon feel settled.

Deep Clean

For many of us, deep cleaning feels like a chore, but it will help you feel more settled. If you have the chance, start cleaning before you make the move. Otherwise, make the time to work around the furniture and the boxes.

Once you’ve scrubbed out the nooks and crannies of the house, you’ll feel in a much better position to start organizing. It will be well worth the effort.

Be Comfy

Sometimes, it’s the everyday comforts that make us feel established.

Don’t forget to pack your clean sheets and bedding in an “open first” box so that you have them immediately when you get to the new house. Make up the beds first so that at the end of a long moving day you will have a place to lay your tired body.

Light some of your favorite scented candles to fill your home with a familiar aroma that will have you creating new memories in your home.

Stick to Your Regular Routine

If you used to wake up in your old house and wander around with a coffee, then get everything in place so that you can do that in your new home.

If you used to throw your keys on the hallway table, then make sure that table is in place as well.

Recreating a routine will help you feel settled. Remember, you can always change it later.

Cook Some Homemade Meals

Nothing can beat the smell and pleasant feelings that come with a lovingly cooked meal. Keep the recipes simple, and you can’t go wrong.

Enjoy your new kitchen and appliances. Bring everyone together for a family meal and your new house will start to feel like home.

Relax in Each Room

Take the opportunity to get to know each room. Discover everything about your new place.

Learn what you like most about each room; Which room is best for the sun in the morning? What is the best way to organize the linen closet? Learn where all the light switches are.

Think of your new house as your new best friend and try to get to know everything about it.

Decorate

A new home gives you a chance for new decorating possibilities.  Now that you are in your new place it’s time to get some decorating inspiration.

Check out the numerous inspiring Pinterest boards and perhaps consult your friends for advice on where to purchase new decor items to fill your home. Take a little time to plan out what colors you want in your new home.

You may want to paint some rooms to personalize your space. Look online, and you’ll find thousands of unique house projects that are sure to get your creative juices flowing.

Take Your Time

Take your time with adjusting. Your new house might not feel like home after the first evening, but step by step you’ll soon feel like it is. Take the time to relax and enjoy the comforts of your new home.

Need Help Moving

Our crews are ready to handle your move. Give us a call.

We all know that our children are the most delicate and precious beings. For them, moving can be an exciting and scary experience. It is natural for them to feel they don’t have any control over the situation. To make it easier, here are some simple tips for a kid-friendly move.

Create Their Own Special Moving Box

Give your child a cardboard box and let them decorate it however they want. Use stickers, markers, and crayons to personalize it then have them place their important treasures inside. Include their favorite toys, stuffed animals, and treasured photos. They’ll feel comforted knowing exactly where ‘Mr. Teddy’ is. When you arrive at your new home, take time with your child to carefully unpack the special moving box together.

Make Time for Goodbyes

Even though you have a million things to do to get ready for a move, consider hosting a small “going away party” with their friends. A fun, upbeat celebration with friends and family will go a long way helping them with the moving transition. Make it a point to gather addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of friends to stay in touch.

Get a Head Start With School

When possible, visit your child’s new school with them before the move. Remember your child may feel uncertain about being far away from their friends. Helping them create a new social circle will be significant. Children feel a strong sense of attachment to school and friendship groups so establishing this early connection is essential.

Find ‘Normal’ Again

Children thrive in safe and secure environments. Make sure that you take time to explain the move. Once you are in your new home, work quickly to establish schedules. Try to maintain usual bedtime routines and continue family traditions like Sunday morning waffles or popcorn and movie night. With a defined schedule and pattern, your child will find the move much less stressful.

Prepare their Bedroom

When you arrive at the new house, try to get your child’s room in order as quickly as possible. Make sure you have easy access to clean, familiar bedding especially for the first night in your new home. For a child, sleeping in an unknown place can be daunting. But if they have their own snuggly blanket and pillow from home, it will make them feel more relaxed than if they didn’t have those comfort items. Having their bedroom put together will also help them adapt to the new home and feel more secure.

First Night Fun

Make your first night in your new home a fun and memorable one. After a stressful day of moving, relax with some take-out food or delivery. Play a card game or watch a favorite movie. Don’t stress out about a home-cooked meal on the first night; you will have plenty of time for those once you have settled in a little bit. If your place is a complete mess, opt to go out to a fun family place for a bite to eat in your new hometown.

Get Social

Find clubs, activities, or sports teams for your child in your new community. This is a way for them to make friends with kids who have mutual interests. After school programs and park districts are good places to find these programs. Whether it is an art class or soccer team, these are excellent opportunities to meet other children their age.

Make Moving an Enjoyable Adventure

Moving is a trying and demanding time, and it is essential to limit the stress. The trick is to make it fun! Play favorite music while you pack, make a video of the move, color code the boxes, let them create their own special moving box.

When the move is complete save some boxes, so they can build a fort or use their imagination with the empty boxes. These activities will help keep them busy and distract them from the stresses of the move.

Let us help you move the family to your new home. Contact us for a quote.

Moving from any location can be a daunting prospect. Add in the fact that you could be miles, if not states away from your current social circle and the world suddenly seems intimidating. Don’t panic. Before you start retreating into an online-only world, try these seven reliable ways of building a social circle in your new location.

1. Research Before You Move

Before you even pack your bags, get online and explore your new town’s website or Chamber of Commerce website. Identify events, community festivals, local celebrations, farmers markets and local businesses that are of interest to you. Shortly after you move, make a conscious effort to meet new people by attending these upcoming events or visit the local shops that look intriguing.

2. Introduce Yourself to Your Neighbors

By neighbors, we don’t just mean the people that live right next door. Your new neighbors could be the owners of local shops, parents accompanying their children to the bus stop or people out walking their dogs. If you are uncertain of anything about your new area, asking a neighbor is a great way to make new friends and find out information. Ask about anything from “what is the best pizza delivery in town” to “where is the closest recycling center.”

3. Find Local Groups on Facebook

Have you ever sat in front of your Facebook page and searched for your city? Well, give it a go, and you’ll be surprised at how many local groups there are, from swap shops to mother and baby groups, with a dose of everything in between. Some of the groups might be private but don’t let that deter you. Request to join and post on the wall.

4. Get to Know Other Parents at School

If you have children, then one of the best ways to meet new people is at your child’s school or through school-sponsored programs. It can be a bit intimidating talking to a group of parents who seem to have already formed a group, but remember, not only could you form a similar social circle you could also find some play dates for your children. This, in turn, will make it simpler for them to fit-in too, it’s a win-win situation.

5. Sign up for a Class or Club

Park districts usually offer classes and clubs. This is a perfect way to meet others who share a similar interest, passion or hobby. You will also automatically see these people on a regular basis giving you a chance to get to know them.

Or search for a club or group that reflects your interests on MeetUp.com. This location-based website offers many social groups that meet locally. So, if you’re looking for a running buddy, there’s a MeetUp group for that. Interested in free meditation? Yep, there’s a MeetUp. Want to learn photography? You’ve got it. There’s a group for that too.

6. Volunteer

Volunteer for a cause or perhaps a charity that you are excited about. Not only help others by volunteering, but you might also meet other people with similar interests and values as you. Sometimes doing something good makes you feel more confident and more likely to to be sociable and make new friends.

7. Say Yes!

Above all else, the best way to make a new social circle is just to say “yes.” If you’re tired from your big move, then you might tend to turn down invitations and skip the social interaction. Push yourself to get out and interact with new people. Whether it’s going over to someone’s house for dinner, a coffee date, or even a book club, just say “yes” and see where it leads.

Relax and Smile

Remember that people will react to your intention, so smile, introduce yourself, and you’ll soon have a fantastic new social circle.  

It’s finally here, your big day! Follow these five simple tips, and by the end of the day, you’ll be set up in your new home without a single hair out of place. Relocating can be one of the most stressful times, but with a professional moving company and a good, solid plan it doesn’t need to be.

1. Prepare a Checklist Ahead of Time

When it comes to moving, organization and coordination are essential. Avoid unexpected fees and running around disorganized by creating a schedule that you can follow through moving day. Start planning your move 6-8 weeks in advance.

2. Pack a Survival Kit

You don’t want to be scrummaging around boxes looking for some of the essential items you will need on your first night in your new home. Pack a survival kit ahead of time so that your necessary items are close at hand. Be sure to include:

• toiletries and toilet paper
• medicines
• tea, coffee, and wine with glasses (you can celebrate with the wine later)
• phone chargers
• cleaning supplies
• bed linens
• toolkit
• paper plate, cups, utensils
• trash bags
• hand soap with paper towels

3. Learn Packing Hacks

Everything from travel hacks to shopping voucher hacks are all the craze, so it’s not surprising that there are even moving day hacks. Clever little ideas such as using toilet rolls to wrap your electrical cords around as well as rolling clothes to save space. Other ideas include taking photos of how your electronics are set up in your current home, so that configuration at the new home is a breeze, and use zip lock bags to hold crucial small hardware like screws and bolts.

There are many other packing hacks online, so get crafty with your packing.

4. Prepare Your New Home Ahead of Time

If possible, do a deep clean of your new home ahead of your move-in date, cleaning floors, windows, as well as the inside of cabinets and closets. It will make move-in and unpacking that much easier. Take care of any prep work for your new home before the boxes arrive as well. It’s easier to paint walls, resurface floors, and install new fixtures if you’re not in the middle of unpacking.

5. Take Care of Yourself

Your move should be the start of your new life, and we wouldn’t want you to start this exciting new chapter stressed to the max. So, be sure to stay positive and take care of yourself.

During the moving process make time for meditating or exercising. Consider unplugging for a little bit each day reading a book or magazine or taking a walk. For some people listening to music is a huge stress-buster, so play your favorite music to unwind or while packing.

Start your New Chapter Stress-Free

Naturally, the moving process is busy and eventful. There are many things to consider and many more situations that may arise, but remember, you can reach out for assistance to make your move smoother. Enlist family and friends or contact us for help with your move.