Moving to a new city for your new job? Congratulations! What an exciting time! But get ready for some challenges too. Uprooting your life almost never happens without a hitch, and the bigger the move, the more you need to consider.
I recently relocated from Buffalo, NY to Philadelphia for my job at Kreischer Miller, and while there were many things I planned for, there were plenty of things I didn’t. Let me save you from a few headaches by offering some of the tips I’ve picked up along the way.
1. Get a bigger moving truck than you think you need.
Even after carefully measuring the dimensions of all my larger pieces of furniture, I was unprepared for the way these pieces would fit in the U-Haul I rented. I couldn’t stack anything on top of Grandma’s antique desk, and the wheel wells kept me from placing boxes in any of the four corners. Thankfully my father-in-law offered to drive his van down, or I’d have needed to make two trips. You always have more stuff than you think, and furniture will never stack perfectly on top of each other like it does in your imagination.
2. Don’t switch your auto insurance until you’re ready.
I changed my car insurance from NY to PA immediately after moving. Turns out that means you have to get a new registration and drivers’ license that same day, in order to turn in your plates. Too bad my original birth certificate was still in Buffalo and the DMV doesn’t accept copies. Make sure you are aware of the state deadlines and the documents you will need; you have 20 days after moving to get a new vehicle registration, and 60 days to get a PA license.
3. Apartment shopping requires compromise.
Make a short list of the things that are really important to you in your new home, whether it be a washer/dryer hookup, location, number of rooms, pet friendly, etc. Set a budget. Tour multiple apartments. Try to find that perfect match. Most likely you will not find an apartment that has everything you want for the price you’re willing to pay. Figure out what you’re ready to compromise on.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask coworkers for help.
The hardest part of being in a new city by yourself? Being by yourself. You don’t realize how much you depend on friends and family until they’re too far away to help! Until you establish your own personal circle, and even after that, coworkers can be a great source of information and are always willing to help out in a pinch.
Relocating to a new city for your job can be stressful, but it’s also an exciting time because it represents a new chapter in your life. Try to keep an open mind, roll with the punches, and stay open to new opportunities and experiences. You’ll be feeling settled in no time. Good luck!
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