6 Ways to Settle in When You Relocate

Moving when you have lived somewhere for an extended period of time can be challenging. This is especially true if it is an entirely new state. The reasons we move can vary. Sometimes it’s because of a new job, the housing market, to be closer to family, a better school district or simply to try a new area to live in. In any case, it may take a few weeks or even months to feel settled in your new location. There are ways to speed up the process to feel more at home in a new place.

Decorate your new place with old things.

Most of us are bringing our old furniture and other belongings with us to a new place. They give us a sense of familiarity and a sense of peace. You don’t have to decorate your new place exactly like your last, but putting up a few familiar keepsakes like a painting you love or pottery you admire will help you feel more at home.

Craft something new for your new place.

Now that we have a few of our favorite things in place, we can create something new for our home. Floral arrangements, centerpieces, mantel displays, homemade wreaths. These are all things that can easily be made with a little love and craftiness. Give your new home a personal touch with something new that you’ve made from scratch.

Explore your neighborhood.

Take time to drive around or even bike ride around your neighborhood to check out the surrounding businesses, attractions and parks in the area. Perhaps there is a family owned bakery nearby or a park with a fountain that lights up when the sun goes down. Make it a point to stop into these places to begin to familiarize yourself with the area.

Join community groups.

Not everyone is religious but those that are can check out the churches, temples and synagogues in the area to begin to join their community. If not, there are groups for activities you can find using a variety of tools found online. Meetup.com, Nextdoor.com and other websites help those new to the area discover people with similar interests as them.

Volunteer.

We all lead busy lives but nothing shows community appreciation more than volunteering in your area. It could be at a food bank, homeless shelter, soup kitchen, animal shelter or even a youth program at local high schools. Giving back is one way of feeling apart of a community.

Take day trips or weekend adventures.

This is helpful if you’ve moved to a new state. A day trip to a national park or a weekend camping adventure will bring more excitement to your new location. It may be an hour or two away from your residence but you know if you ever feel stuffy in your new spot, you can take a cool trip to a wonderful new place for a mini vacation.

We know moving to a new house, a new state, even a new county may be difficult. Embrace your new space! There is a whole world out there wherever you may go.