Moving Tips

Around 900 people move to Florida every day.

Whether you’re moving to the next town over or moving across the country, moving to a new neighborhood can cause people to feel a mix of emotions.

Settling into a new place can be a struggle for a lot of people, but we’re here to make it easier.

Here are 10 important things to do when moving to a new place.

1. Be a Backyard Adventurer

Moving to a new neighborhood can be overwhelming and disorienting for some people. When moving to a new home, it helps to get out and explore your community, either by foot or by bike.

This not only helps to orient yourself to the neighborhood, but it’s a great way to discover hidden gems in your area that are off the beaten track. From a hidden park or pond to a local dive bar, there are discoveries you can only make by being a backyard adventurer.

2. When Moving to a New Neighborhood, Start Getting to Know People Close to Home!

No matter where you’re moving you will have new neighbors. They can be a mile away or right next to you, either way, they’re a great resource.

No one knows more about living in your neighborhood than people who have been living there. They know the rules of the HOA, they know which restaurants are great for date night, and where to bring your dog for a good walk.

3. Establish Yourself

Now that you know how important it is to put yourself out there, you may be wondering the best way to do this.

Make yourself as approachable as possible. Use your front porch, mow your lawn, and allow yourself to be seen as warm and welcoming to people. You’d be surprised at how many people will approach you if given the chance. With all the stress of moving, it’s always nice for your neighbors to come to you.

4. Find Your Neighborhood Staples

Relocating to a new city means rebuilding your network in every sense of the word. While you may be excited about the new nightlife and dining opportunities, it’s important to re-establish your everyday staples.

These are the following places to put on your moving to another city checklist:

1. Your new “regular” spot- a bar or restaurant where the wait staff will soon know your name and order.
2. Your all-purpose grocery store
3. Your late night craving spot
4. Best cup of coffee in your new city
5. A park or dog park for Sparky!

5. Get Involved

Volunteering and being involved in civic organizations don’t just make you feel good, they expand your social network.

An excellent way to find places and organizations to be a part of is by looking at the community board at your local coffee shop or grocery store. You can also visit volunteer matching sites for specific and targeted volunteer opportunities in the area.

6. Ask for Recommendations in Your Network

Chances are if you’re moving far away, you have at least met a friend of a friend in that city.

Now that you’re in the city try reaching out to your network to see if they can recommend you meet up with a friend or friend. This will help you get insider advice and feel like a local.

7. Use Social Media

Twitter is not just for following famous movie stars! Use your social media presence to help adjust to your move.

Many neighborhoods have established Facebook groups to introduce new neighbors. Even if your neighborhood doesn’t have a social media presence, you can use this platform for reviews and recommendations.

Nextdoor is a free, private social network for you, your neighbors, and your community. It’s a convenient way for you and your neighbors to chat online. Get recommendations from neighbors about local contractors, restaurants, or events.

8. Host a Party

You spent a ton of time and energy making your house unique and homey.

Once you’ve settled in, what better way to both show off your investment and meet new people than by hosting a party? Whether you host a housewarming party or a holiday party, this can help establish your house as the place people want to be.

9. Visit the Visitor’s Center

Most towns, even the smaller ones, have a visitor’s center. Even if you’re not a visitor, these are great places to become knowledgeable about your town.

Visitor’s centers have coupons, flyers, and local history of your new neighborhood. It’s the ideal place to visit as a break from unpacking boxes.

10. Be Yourself!

Relaxing into a new house and a new neighborhood takes time! It’s important to take care of yourself first.

Being yourself and finding activities that you enjoy in your new neighborhood will attract people to you.

Happy moving!

Moving to a new neighborhood doesn’t have to be the most stressful experience of your year!

For help with moving and a free quote for moving services be sure to check us out.

Moving to a new home is amazingly exciting, but also very stressful.

Once you have made the move, you may think the work is done; however, there are tasks that you must do when settling into your new home. Check out this list of eight tasks you must do after moving into a new house.

1) Inspect Your Belongings After You Move In

Make sure everything made it into your new home from the moving truck.

Place each box in its corresponding room to make the unpacking process easier. Also,  inspect your boxes marked “fragile” to identify any breakage or other damage.

2) Inspect Your New Home

After everything is off the truck, but before you unpack the boxes themselves, complete a thorough inspection of your home and record any damage.

Check all plumbing for leaks or water damage that needs attention. Locate the circuit breaker box and water shutoff valves in case of emergency.

3) Make a List of Maintenance Work

Walk through your home as well as the outside, and make a checklist of all the maintenance work that needs to be done. A few things to check for:

• fire extinguishers and their expiration date
• smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and their expiration dates
• cleaning the chimney
• clean gutters
• service heating and cooling systems
• change air filters
• clean dryer vents

Document when such maintenance work is performed. Are these things monthly? Yearly? Biyearly?

4) Change Door Locks

Changing the door locks is essential. You don’t know how many people have keys to your new home. Either head to the hardware store and replace them yourself or call a local locksmith.

5) New Vehicle Registrations

Did you move to a new state? You will need to get new registration tags/plates and driver’s license. The guidelines vary by state, but typically you have 30 days to get this done. The sooner you complete it, the less likely you are to forget.

6) Find Healthcare Providers

Be sure to find a new doctor, pediatrician, dentist, and veterinarian for your pets in your new city. You don’t want to get caught in an emergency situation without the proper care. Be sure you know where the nearest hospital or urgent care is too.

Transfer your medical records to the new care team.

7) Make Sure Your Mail is Forwarded

One of the things to do after moving to a new city is to be sure that you have changed your mailing address and that your mail is forwarded to your new address. Credit cards, loan companies, medical bills all need to have your new address, so you aren’t late on any payments.

8) Meet the Neighbors

Meet your new neighbors and check out the new neighborhood. Introduce yourself and family. Invite them over for coffee. See where the action is nearby. Parks. Shopping centers. Local diner or coffee shop.

Feel Confident after Settling Into Your New Home

There are several things to do after moving into a new house. Be sure you mark these things off your moving checklist to save yourself stress and worry.

After settling into your new home, you can feel confident knowing that all your belongings are delivered safely. If you’re moving to Tampa or the surrounding area, contact us and let us help you with the moving process.

From its pristine beaches to Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are many reasons to relocate to vibrant Tampa, Florida.

Tampa neighborhoods are some of the best in Florida. There are a variety of great options of where to settle down.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the best neighborhoods in Tampa so you can find the perfect place for you.

Top 5 Tampa Neighborhoods to Live In

Want to move to Tampa but not sure where? Here are some top Tampa neighborhoods you should consider.

1. Kenwood

If you want to live somewhere beautiful and historical, look no further than Kenwood, located just west of downtown St. Petersburg. This neighborhood contains one of the highest concentrations of bungalows in all of Florida, and many of them date as far back as the 1920’s, which is why the neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This neighborhood also hosts BungalowFest, which is a two-day event where people celebrate the neighborhood’s architectural uniqueness and richness.

2. Downtown St. Petersburg

Looking to live somewhere more urban? If so, downtown St. Petersburg is a great neighborhood. Downtown St. Petersburg offers exciting nightlife and many great restaurants, museums, hotels, and waterfront parks. It also provides a variety of housing options, from single-family homes and townhouses to apartments and luxury high rise apartments.

Living here provides you easy access to the city’s 4th of July fireworks, a bustling morning farmer’s market, and a busy calendar of food, arts, and music festivals.

3. Ybor City

Want to settle down in a neighborhood full of rich, eclectic culture? Then Ybor City is the neighborhood for you! With restored brick streets, bungalows, and an active trolley system which connects Ybor to South Tampa, and Channelside, Ybor City is a favorite neighborhood.

Here you will find modern and renovated condos, lofts and townhomes, many with pools and fitness centers. New single-family homes are also under construction in this charming town.

The rich and diverse background of the neighborhood has made it a go-to place for a variety of ethnic restaurants. The community also offers an exciting shopping, dining and entertainment district that is great for families.

4. Hyde Park

If you’re looking for an upscale urban place to live, you should consider homes in the posh Hyde Park area. This neighborhood offers cute local shops, fancy restaurants, and a beautiful stretch of Bayshore Boulevard, a waterfront walkway that’s known as the longest continuous sidewalk in the United States.

It’s important to know, however, that this neighborhood is the most expensive one in Tampa. So if you’re working with a tight budget, it may be best to stick to other areas.

5. Carrollwood

Looking to live somewhere a bit quieter and more residential? If so, Carrollwood is the Tampa neighborhood for you! This suburban neighborhood is about a 20-minute drive from downtown, so it’s a great escape for people who want access to the city without living in the thick of it. It’s also a quick drive to places like Busch Gardens Amusement Park and Raymond J. Stadium, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play.

Final Thoughts on Top Tampa Area Neighborhoods

With its rich history, incredible sights, and delicious foods, Tampa is an incredible city to live in.

By checking out the top five Tampa area neighborhoods outlined in this article, you can easily find a place that will suit your needs and style.

Ready to make your way to Tampa? Need help moving? Contact us for expert moving assistance!