Move Smart Solutions Blog

If you’re facing a move across country with kids in tow, you may be nearing panic mode. The mere thought of getting a whining toddler to pack up all their toys is unnerving, let alone the thought of spending six hours trapped in a car with that toddler. Or, maybe your kids are school-aged, and you have to break the news that they’ll be leaving all their friends behind and starting a new adventure somewhere else.

If that doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, you’re not alone. Fortunately, we see families like yours make the big move from one side of the country to the other all the time—and we’ve learned a thing or two from their strategies throughout the process.

Settling somewhere new isn’t always easy. For everyone in your family, moving away from familiar places and people can leave you with feelings of discomfort and fear. After you uproot your family out of your familiar neighborhood and community, it’s important to leave your comfort zone in order to plant your family’s roots in a new community. Establishing connections and forming relationships with your community can help to make your new home – well, feel like home.

   1. Get to know your neighbors

Many people don’t take the time now to get to know who their neighbors are. Take the time to introduce yourself and learn more about them. You never know the kinds of relationships you can form with someone living right next door – or when you might need their help in a pinch. If they don’t beat you to it, take the time to bring your family next door and introduce yourself.

   2. Join online neighborhood and community groups

Nowadays, there’s a lot less walking door-to-door to talk to your neighbors and more jumping into online forums or groups. There are plenty of neighborhood and community groups formed online these days. One of the popular online neighborhood networking platforms is Nextdoor, a private social networking for your community. Many neighborhoods and communities also establish an online presence by forming a Facebook group.