Moving to a New City? Follow These 5 Tips

Sometimes life calls you to a different part of the world. You might be moving to a new city to follow a loved one or start a new job. Even if you’re staying in the same state, things can feel overwhelming.

Planning each step of the way makes every move more manageable. It’s much easier to follow a proper moving checklist so that nothing is forgotten or left behind. Whether you’re relocating with your family or branching out on your own, here’s how to figure everything out.

Save Some Extra Money

No matter where you move, the process is expensive. You’ll likely pay a moving team to load up all your belongings and drive them to your new living space. The last thing you want to hear is that you should save some extra money, but it’s the smart thing to do. Don’t forget to take into account whether you should get in touch with local or long distance movers, as this can also affect your budget.

Spare pocket change could save the day in your new destination. You may need to drive further for groceries or sit in traffic longer than where you previously lived. When you go to a new restaurant, you might have to pay for parking.

The new city could also have higher property taxes, making your monthly household bills higher. You won’t know the exact amount until you get there, so don’t get caught by surprise when bills come due or while you’re out in town.

Tipping your movers after they unload your belongings is also a common courtesy. Find out how many movers will help you and estimate $20-$50 tips for each person, handed in cash or paid with your bill. Their time and physical labor made your life easier, so show them a little generosity that many in the industry expect from satisfied customers.

 

Call Around for Supplies

Paying for boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap might not seem too costly at first, but they add up quickly. If you want to save a trip to the store and keep your spending low, call around for supplies. People can give you old boxes from online orders and newspapers for free. You’ll also get an excuse to see loved ones one last time before your big move.

Local stores may also have boxes they’d like to give away. Call grocers and retailers to ask if you could pick up boxes after their next big restock. They’ll likely let you select however many you want because it prevents their team from making a trip to the recycling plant.

 

Check Your Moving Truck

Trucks from rental companies will pass inspection before a moving company shows up at your house. You’ll also get proof of this if you rent one and drive it yourself. Still, people experience issues with their vehicles in both scenarios, so keep an eye out for these specific problems.

After loading your boxes and furniture, step back from the truck to see if it’s back-slouched. Large trucks use a design that keeps them tilted toward the front when full to avoid sagging backward and potentially spilling the contents. If your vehicle drops toward the rear when full, it likely needs leaf spring replacements before it’s safe to drive.

You should also double-check for a lock on your truck’s rolling door. Most won’t come with a padlock, which keeps your belongings safe if you need to leave them in the vehicle overnight. Pick up a padlock at any local store to secure your things during travel and before unloading.

 

Explore the Area

Most people feel isolated and lonely after moving to a new city because the area feels unfamiliar. After unloading your boxes, explore different parts of town. Scout out your preferred grocery store, where you can go shopping and any restaurants you might want to try. Take notes on any place that looks interesting, like museums or family activities, so you can go back when you get a free moment in your schedule.

 

Find Group Activities

Living in a new city means you get to meet new friends. Look around online to find social media groups designed for your interests, like playing disk golf or skiing. You can also read those coffee shop posters to find group guitar lessons or a monthly knitting club. Even discovering annual events on your city’s website gives you opportunities to connect with people and form relationships that make your town feel like home.

 

Don’t Sweat Moving to a New City

Moving to a new city is much easier if you follow tips like these. Strategize every part of your move to make the next chapter of your life begin without extra stress. Then, you can settle in and make yourself at home.

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About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.

A Guide to Replacement Windows and Doors

The decision has been made and you are moving ahead with the remodeling of your home. How exciting and scary, all at the same time.

Taking on a remodel has myriad of benefits, some of which are noticed immediately while others are long term. And it’s those long term benefits that sometimes are overlooked. One would be the replacement of your windows and doors to both modernize a home and create energy efficiency, which in  the long term can put money back in your pocket.

One thing you must make sure that you get it right when it comes to buying and replacing your doors and windows is hiring the right company. Nowadays, with so many replacement windows and doors companies, it can be a little bit tricky to choose the right company. However, if equipped with the proper knowledge, making the right decision will be easier. Here are some tips for you to be armed with more knowledge going into the process.

1. Selecting the Right Windows.

If you are buying new replacement windows for the first time, there is no reason to get overwhelmed.  If you choose a qualified window installer, he will take you through various window options. During this process, you will understand more about windows and the information you have will help you make informed decisions.

2. Choose Window Style That Match Your Home’s Décor.

One thing you are more likely to discover is that more than a single window style will match well with your home’s architectural design. Many homeowners tend to drift to the same window style they had installed thinking that they don’t have another option. But what they don’t know is that they have so many choices than they can imagine. As you work with a professional window installer, you will find out different styles that pair pretty well with the style of your home. He will be able to point out to you the elements that interest you in each style of window.

3. Consider Maintenance.

You should also be concerned about the ease of maintenance of your new windows. You are planning to keep your home even when you retire. Therefore, you don’t want to spend most of your time maintaining the windows than enjoying yourself. As such, you might want to go for vinyl replacement windows that are not only cheaper but also low maintenance. They come with resistant colors that appear exemplary on different home facades. That offers easy and quick cleaning.

4. The functioning of the Windows.

When it comes to functioning, you want to know the ease of opening and closing of such windows you are considering for window replacement. Do you want the windows that open horizontally or by sliding? What about the security features such as locks? You need to choose the windows that have the aspects you are looking for.

5. Replacing Your Windows.

The process of window replacement is not so complicated to understand. Regardless of the type of replacement or level of experience you have, you should not choose to replace solo. If you haven’t replaced the windows earlier, it is essential to hire a professional window installer to replace the windows for you. By doing so, you are assured that everything will be executed as planned, accurately, and promptly. When you hire a professional, you don’t have to do much, just stand back and watch as your windows are being installed as per your specifications.

Every homeowner has his own benefit why he chooses to replace the windows. But, what you may not be aware of is by installing new replacement windows, you get more benefits. Some of the benefits you will get include;

  • Improved energy efficiency- new windows make cooling and heating of your home easier. The new windows prevent hot and cold air transference through the windows and that in turn results to low energy utility bills.
  • Impact on the curb appeal- new windows make your home more attractive.
  • Improved security- new windows are stronger than the old ones, and that makes the burglars keep off your home.
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