Moving to a pad in a new city: Part 2
So, as promised, here are some more tips on how to move cities without pulling all your hair out. Never done that yet– but yeah, come close. Shudder.
4) Be realistic about how you will fund the move. Often, if you are moving for a job, companies will offer stipends. And, even if yours hasn’t, why not ask? The worst your company can say is no way, Jose, and you may at least be able to deduct moving costs on your tax return. Either way, do know that moving is not cheap. Minimally, you should budget $2,000 – $3,000 so you can be prepared to leave a security deposit without going broke, and even buy a few pieces of furniture if your old ones were left behind. You may need to double that if you are moving to a high cost city. For some really scary numbers check out this New York Times article about moving to your first New York City apartment.
5) Check out if your potential new neighborhood has any clubs or organizations that can immediately get you clued in to the scene. Often, there are also public spaces in the neighborhood that foster community. Whether it’s an arts center or a food co-op, it can tell a lot about the vibe in a neighborhood and leave that much better informed.
6) Allow yourself time to adjust to the idea of moving – and give yourself a d*mn break once you get there. Now, I’m no psychologist. I took one AP Psych class my sophomore year high school and that was . . .9 years ago. Gawd. As someone who has lived in 7 places since graduating high school (me, not my family), I can tell you that while you may plan your finances to a “T”, it’s hard on the heart and the noggin to move. You’d like to make a place feel like home after a weekend, but it takes time chickadees. It might take several months, even – and that’s okay. I find the best way to adjust is to try to have as few expectations as possible. So, your apartment looks like a disaster for a few weeks – that’s expected. So, you want to call your best friend every Saturday just to check in – do it. Find new patterns and develop routines. It may sound mundane, but it will be a comfort, as you get adjusted to your new life.
where’s part one?