Just because you’ve moved all the boxes to your new home doesn’t mean you will be able to manage the first week. Schoolwork may be buried under piles of kitchen supplies, the internet connection may take days or even weeks to set up, and the beds may not arrive when everyone else does. This depends on how well you planned your move.
Preparing your household for your move is what matters most. Your household’s documents, transportation, and expectations all need to be organized and ready, since the familiar systems of your current household won’t work until you have unpacked and organized everything in your new household.
1. Build a Budget That Covers the Transition
When you move across the country, remember that you’ll likely spend the most money between moving out of your current home and getting settled in your new home and back to functioning as a household. That means that in addition to the cost of your move and your new home, you will want to set aside funds to cover meals, laundry, and childcare for an extended period.
Establishing confirmed expenses, such as transport costs, followed by those subject to change (such as the date of arrival), helps families get a realistic view of the short-term costs of a relocation. It is also important to distinguish between deposit and connection charges and subsequent bills; for example, the first month’s costs of a rental property are unlikely to match the family’s subsequent monthly bills.
Also, bear in mind the time it may take for a refundable deposit to be refunded by a previous property and for the deposit to be paid on a new property. It may take some time before the first month’s spending allowance (the “household budget” of the first month) is available in full, and this should be allowed for in the cash available to spend.
2. Put Important Records and Commitments in Order
The move doesn’t mean important documents have to wait until after you have unpacked. Keep these as easily accessible as your current ID: copies of important agreements for your current home, your children’s schools and health insurance, and any ongoing treatment with doctors and hospitals.
While it is a good idea to keep digital copies of important documents for a move, remember that you may not always have internet access to open them. That is why you need to store all sensitive information safely and make sure another adult in the family can find it when you need it.
Also identify the dates of any pending appointments or referrals, make arrangements to have them transferred, and collect any prescribed medications. Check with the relevant institutions, such as schools and the family’s health care providers, for any specific documentation requirements.
By organizing household commitments on a shared calendar, families can ensure they record all necessary dates and appointments. Assign responsible individuals to handle cancellations, final payments, collections, and enrollment appointments.
3. Coordinate the Move Around What Your Family Needs First
Consider what you and your family will need when moving to a new home. Have a clear idea of your needs before you start packing, since the items you need for travel will likely be the same ones you need when you first arrive at your new home.
Set your family’s travel dates and confirm access to your new home. Discuss with your chosen experienced cross-country movers the dates for collection and delivery of your home. This helps you decide what will be moved, what you’ll need to transport in the interim, and how to set up temporary sleeping areas and a workspace as needed.
Even though family members will be packed into suitcases like travelers, they will still need many items to survive several nights in their new home. Keep medications, phone chargers, important documents, and children’s comfort items close at hand. Also include the working parent’s work equipment.
Some points to note regarding access to your current and new properties. Confirm parking, stairs, lifts, possible access restrictions, and a confirmed delivery time for your move, and share them among you to refer to as needed.
4. Arrange the Essentials Before Arrival
Set up the services you need to have a functional home as soon as possible. This includes electricity, water, and internet connection. Find out who will have the keys to your home, and arrange for the other adults to meet with them to pick them up.
Check things like the maintenance rep, where to put the waste, whether you need to tell people when you get deliveries, and where to place certain things, such as recycling bins and skateboards.
Find a few local resources, such as where to buy groceries, fill prescriptions, and get medical care. Be sure to call to confirm hours of operation for late-night or Sunday arrivals.
In addition to identifying important services, create a plan for children’s schools and childcare. Even with a few weeks before the children return to school or start childcare, there will be a time when both adults are needed to unpack and settle. Contact your HR department to request flexible working hours, or talk to your partner about sharing childcare duties during this time.
5. Give Everyone a Say in the First Few Weeks
The same move can look very different to different family members. One adult may be looking for a new professional challenge, while the other worries about rebuilding a social network of friends and acquaintances. Children might miss their friends and worry that their toys and belongings won’t be in the same room anymore.
The adults should discuss these issues before departure and revisit them upon arrival. Allow the children to make some choices about their new home and what they can bring with them, such as favorite books. They should also have the chance to explore a local area that interests them, such as a park or the local pool.
Try to maintain some familiar routines. This does not have to mean unpacking every piece of furniture or completing all the admin. Some things are better to leave until later. Help children feel secure and involve them in deciding where to put some of their favorite things.
In short, setting up a new home doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch right away. Getting the important arrangements in place so all family members can meet their needs for the time being, then developing new routines step by step, is enough for a good start.
