If you are planning to move to Philadelphia, these 10 tips on how to move to Philadelphia are a must-read. Moving to Philadelphia can be an exciting time. It can also be highly stressful if you do not have a plan in place. These 10 tips on how to move to Philadelphia will help you prepare for your move and help to keep your stress down.
You Need a Place to Live
The first tip on how to move to Philadelphia is to get your housing lined up. Your first course of action when you want to move to Philadelphia is to figure out where you are going to live. Will you be buying a home, or do you plan on renting a place? It can be far more affordable to rent in some cases, and in other cases, it can be more affordable to buy a home.
Having a place to live has to be a priority. Once you have made your decision, it is important that you get everything that you need to be done for your new home before you hire the moving company. For example, be sure to have all your utilities on and ready to go. It can take a few weeks to get things like cable and internet set up. Be sure whether you are renting or buying, that you call in advance to have everything ready to move in.
Save Money and Time
Tip number two on how to move to Philadelphia is all about saving on moving costs. Instead of buying things for your new place and storing them in your current place, have them shipped directly to your new place. Shipping items directly to your new address can save on moving costs by cutting down on the weight that you are moving.
Online retailers will allow you to buy goods now and pick a ship date in the future. For example, you want to buy new bathroom décor a few weeks before your move. Schedule the delivery for a few weeks for now when you are in your new home.
It will save you time and energy if you have new items shipped to your new address instead of having them sent to your current address and having to pack them up and move them with you. Sometimes it is the little things that can take off the most stress.
Prepare Your New Space for Your Arrival
Tip number three on how to move to Philadelphia is to get all the little things done at your new place before you arrive. For example, if you hate the color of the kitchen, have painting services paint the kitchen. If you plan on new flooring, have it installed before you get there. It can be a little difficult to work out the logistics, but it is well worth the challenge.
Whatever work that needs to be done to make your new home more comfortable for you should be done before you fully move into the home. If you are renting, maybe the property manager can help facilitate the process. If you are buying, you can work with the realtor that sold you the house to let the shade installation team in or other service providers.
You may have to get a little creative when it comes to finding support to get all the work done that you want to get done, but in the end, it will be worth it. Having a home to move to that is “turn-key” and ready to be up to your standards will make your move to Philadelphia more enjoyable.
Don’t Forget About Your Pets
Tip number four of the how-to move to Philadelphia tips is to not forget to make arrangements for your pets. Depending on where you are coming from, those arrangements may include flight arrangements. If you are driving from wherever you are to Philadelphia, you will still need to plan the trip. Custom made dog kennels can help your pup or cat to travel safely. It can be a huge safety risk to have your pets moving around your vehicle while you are driving. A kennel that is custom-made can help to reduce the stress of traveling with your pets.
You also should research laws in Philadelphia that affect pet owners. For example, is there a leash law? Does your pet need to have a rabies tag prominently displayed on its collar? Also, look into where the local dog park is. Talk to your current vet before you leave town to collect all your pet’s health records and ask for a referral to a veterinarian in Philadelphia.
Remember this is a change for your pet as well as for you. Taking a few preparatory steps will make the change less stressful for your furry friend.
Make Sure Your Documents Are In Order
Tip number five is a packing tip. A move can be hectic and things can get misplaced. To avoid misplacing important documents like estate planning paperwork, birth certificates, social security cards, and other documents, pack them separately from household goods. Put these important documents in a waterproof bag made for documents, then keep them with your personal bags.
Losing important documents during a move is not unheard of. Additionally, it is essential that you keep personal identifying documents secure. The furniture mover may seem like a really nice guy, but do you really want anyone to have access to documents that will make it super easy to steal your identity? Make a mental note to keep all identifying documents and other important papers in the same place and ensure that you keep these documents near you throughout the move.
Get Your Car Ready to Go
Tip number six of the how to move to Philadelphia list is to get your car ready to go. Whether you are having your car transported to Philadelphia, if you or you are driving your car, there are a few things you should do before the move. You should have your basic maintenance done.
Before you leave, make sure to have an oil change, tire inspection, and brake inspection. If you need car body repair, this is a good time to do that as well. Moving to Philadelphia, especially if you have never lived there before, can mean not knowing where to go to get these things done. If you get all your car stuff done before you leave your current location, then you will have ample time to find a new mechanic in Philadelphia that will help you manage your vehicle needs.
Get to Know People Online
Tip number seven is to start networking before you move to Philadelphia. Social media platforms are a great place to meet new people in your new hometown. Join a group in the local area that you are moving to that you have something in common with. For example, if you love gardening, join a gardening group. If you are a runner, join the local runner’s group. There is a group for just about every hobby and activity on social media that you can become a part of. Typically, these groups are “private” groups that you have to either be invited to join or have to ask to join. Send your request and let the moderator know that you are moving to the area soon and want to network with people that already live in the area.
This can be a great way to have a social support system ready and waiting for you to arrive. You can learn a lot about an area by connecting with people that already live there. Give it a try.
Make Sure You Have a Job
Tip number eight of the how to move to Philadelphia list is to ensure you have a job ready for you. If your move to Philadelphia is to support your partner and you are worried that you may not be able to find a job, consider connecting with a staffing agency ahead of the move. Choose an agency that specializes in your field.
For example, if you are an engineer, connect with an engineer staffing agency. The agency does not have to be in Philadelphia to help you find a position in Philadelphia. Typically, niche agencies that specialize in one field have a national network. Start calling around today to find an agency that can help you find a job in Philadelphia.
Before You Start Packing Do This
Tip number nine on the list is a packing tip that will make your move simplified. Before you start packing things up, declutter. As you are moving through the attic, the garage, or that hall closet that you keep your holiday decorations in, consider tossing what you have not used in a while. Lightening the load by getting rid of things that you no longer use or want, will save you money, and time, and reduce the stress of the move.
Everyone has stuff that they no longer use and just hang on to. A fresh start in Philadelphia should be a start without clutter. Donate or trash what you do not use. Clearing out the things you no longer want or use will help you make room for all the new things you want for your new home.
Take a Deep Breath and Ask For Help
Tip number 10, the final tip on how to move to Philadelphia, is knowing when to ask for help. A move can be a huge challenge if you are trying to navigate it on your own. Do not be afraid to delegate duties, ask family and friends to help out, and hire professionals to manage the move for you. It will cost more to hire professionals but it will be an investment in your sanity.
There are a lot of unknowns when you are moving to a new city, which is already stressful enough. Taking steps to reduce other stressors, like packing up your home alone, can be as simple as making a phone call and asking for help. Having support for the move will change everything about the move and make it a far more positive experience.
Some moving companies offer full-fledged relocation services. They handle the entire logistics of the move for you, including providing storage options for your goods until you are ready for them. You do not have to do it all alone, all you have to do is ask for help.
One Final Piece of Advice
As you are making your move remember to look for ways to keep your budget in check. Moving can get expensive but with the proper planning, you will be able to reign in the costs of your move. Design a spreadsheet to keep track of your expenses. There may be quite a few incidentals that you are not accounting for initially. As those expenses begin to pop up add them to your spreadsheet so you will be prepared to pay for them. For example, a utility deposit may come up that you were not planning for. Add that to your spreadsheet of expenses so you can better budget your overall costs.
Wondering how to move to Philadelphia? Start planning your move as soon as you know you will be moving even if it is a year away. The sooner you start planning the sooner you can start working on your budget. It is a lot easier to put money to the side every pay period for the move than it is to come up with the costs all at once.
Philadelphia is a great city. Moving to Philadelphia does not have to be difficult. Follow these 10 tips and you will have a stress-free move.