How to Succeed After Moving to a New City

Q: I Feel Really Lonely and Homesick. What Are Some Immediate Things I Can Do to Cope?

First, acknowledge that these feelings are a completely normal part of the moving process. To combat them, establish a simple daily routine as quickly as possible. Schedule regular video calls with your old friends and family, but also challenge yourself to one small, new experience each day, like walking a different route, visiting a local park, or trying a new coffee shop.

Q: I Budgeted for the Move, but What Unexpected Expenses Should I Prepare For After Arriving?

Common post-move costs often include one-time setup fees or deposits for utilities like electricity and internet. You will also have expenses for getting a new driver's license and vehicle registration. Be prepared for the "stock-up" costs of buying household items you didn't realize you needed, like new cleaning supplies, shower curtains, or pantry staples.

Table of Contents

Picking up and leaving behind your routine, comfortability, and security is never easy. Staying focused and having clear goals in mind is important for your success after moving to a new city. Use our guide below to triumph in your new environment.

Move Efficiently

Moving is a huge task. Sorting through your life, decluttering, and packing are tedious emotionally (our Texas long-distance movers recommend creating a moving checklist to help). The best way to move is to save yourself the physical labor by hiring a reputable moving company. We at Firehouse Movers are experts in Not Scratching Floors, saving you an average of $921 for wood flooring and $457 for tile.[1][2] Get a free moving estimate from us and factor in those cost-savings. We’ll ensure the safety of all your precious things, and get you settled quickly. The quicker you get settled, the quicker you will feel “at home” in your new city.

Say Yes to New Opportunities

It’s easy to fall into the trap of staying confined to your personal space when moving to a new city, and even more so if you moving to a new city alone. In order to expand that space, you should take every (safe) opportunity that is offered to you and say yes. Go out for Happy Hour with coworkers, check out the local music scene, explore your surroundings, and take life by the horns! By saying “yes” to new opportunities and fresh experiences, you will grow your network of friends (arguably the hardest task when you move to a new place) and grow as an individual.

Join Organized Groups

Our Dallas residential movers suggest organized groups as a key to finding your people and keeping busy (so you don’t get that post-moving depression feeling). Think about what drives you and delve into it, such as:

Volunteering at a nonprofit, like Greyhound Adoption League of Texas or For Love & Art [3]
Playing in a local sports league [4]
Meeting up with other professionals in your industry [5]

While you’re still starting out in a city, it’s the perfect time to try something you’ve never done before. Being a beginner will make it easy to connect to someone else who is also beginning, with plenty of awkwardness to build camaraderie.

Find Your Important Spots

Whether it’s just to get out of the house or it’s an emergency run, you need to scope out your go-to spots. These are essentials such as a pharmacy, a grocery store, a gas station, and a coffee shop/bar. Take a day or two to roam around your neighborhood and discover these havens. Bonus points for asking a neighbor (aka a potential new friend!) for recommendations, which is a great conversation starter.

Download Local/Useful Apps

For every problem you could run into after moving to a new place: there’s an app for it. Need directions and don’t want to get lost? GoogleMaps. Need to find a bar? Untappd. Need transit information and a way to pay? After you move to Dallas, use the DART GoPass app. [6] There is a myriad of apps for local news, transportation, outdoors, weather, and so on.

Maintain Your Previous Relationships.

Your friends will miss you once you’re gone, and you will need emotional support to make it through the rough portions of moving to a new city, especially if you’re moving to a new city alone. Make the effort to foster and maintain the relationships you value. A few texts and calls will go a long way and make both parties feel supported.

Now that you know what to do after moving to a new city, go forth and succeed! We hope to see you around the neighborhood. And remember, we are always here to be your supportive North Texas movers!

FAQs

What Are the First Official Steps to Becoming a Resident in a New State?

After moving, your first priorities should be updating your legal documents. Most states require you to get a new driver's license and register your vehicle within a specific timeframe (usually 30-90 days). You should also take this opportunity to register to vote at your new address and update your car insurance policy, as rates can change based on your new location.

My Boxes Are Unpacked, but My New Place Doesn't Feel Like "Home." What Can I Do?

To make a new space feel like your own, focus on engaging your senses. Cook a familiar, comforting meal that reminds you of your old home. Unpack personal items like photos, books, and favorite blankets early in the process. Playing your favorite music and introducing familiar scents with candles or diffusers can also quickly make an unfamiliar environment feel more personal and comfortable.

I Feel Really Lonely and Homesick. What Are Some Immediate Things I Can Do to Cope?

I Budgeted for the Move, but What Unexpected Expenses Should I Prepare For After Arriving?

Related Readings:

Sources:

[1] Home Advisor – How Much Does It Cost To Repair Wood Flooring?
[2] Home Advisor – How Much Does It Cost To Repair Ceramic Or Porcelain Tile?
[3] GreatNonprofits – Dallas Nonprofits and Charities
[4] Dallas Sport & Social Clubs
[5] CareerDFW – Professional Organizations
[6] Dart – GoPass App