How to make a new town feel like home
Moving house is among the top five life stressors and even more so when the move is not just from one house to another, but to a new town or country. To get more comfortable with your new environment and familiarise yourself, you can take to the streets: wander around the neighbourhood to discover the local park, nearest grocery shop and bakery for those essentials you always need. At the same time, scout and try out coffee shops, delis and restaurants that could become family favourites and your future regular haunts.
The admin
Admin is a necessary evil and it’s best to rip off the band-aid and just do it. You may have already attended to some of the little – big – things, like notifying your bank and other service providers of your new address. Remember, though, that often you need proof of your new physical address before you can make these changes. While it is often the utilities’ account that does the job, you may not be able to wait until the first one with your name on it lands in your inbox. In that case, it’s best to swear an affidavit at your local police station.
Many neighbourhoods have community social media groups – join them; they’re a useful source of local knowledge about service providers to trust or avoid.
Getting back to your normal routine
As the dust settles, try and get back into your 'old' routine. Humans are creatures of habit and structure makes us feel safe and more in control. Sometimes these are imposed on us because we must get the kids to school or ourselves to the office on time. Other things, like the weekly visit to the farmers’ market, should be upheld. Remember how you’d have Sunday breakfast there every week? Now it’s time to venture further than your backyard as a tourist in your new hometown – getting to know your way around – and either re-establishing old traditions or developing new ones. For example, if you’ve moved to the coast, perhaps a daily run on the beach could replace that early morning hike up the mountain. It is an adjustment, so give yourself grace.
The admin
Admin is a necessary evil and it’s best to rip off the band-aid and just do it. You may have already attended to some of the little – big – things, like notifying your bank and other service providers of your new address. Remember, though, that often you need proof of your new physical address before you can make these changes. While it is often the utilities’ account that does the job, you may not be able to wait until the first one with your name on it lands in your inbox. In that case, it’s best to swear an affidavit at your local police station.
Many neighbourhoods have community social media groups – join them; they’re a useful source of local knowledge about service providers to trust or avoid.
Getting back to your normal routine
As the dust settles, try and get back into your 'old' routine. Humans are creatures of habit and structure makes us feel safe and more in control. Sometimes these are imposed on us because we must get the kids to school or ourselves to the office on time. Other things, like the weekly visit to the farmers’ market, should be upheld. Remember how you’d have Sunday breakfast there every week? Now it’s time to venture further than your backyard as a tourist in your new hometown – getting to know your way around – and either re-establishing old traditions or developing new ones. For example, if you’ve moved to the coast, perhaps a daily run on the beach could replace that early morning hike up the mountain. It is an adjustment, so give yourself grace.
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