Will it be a case of new year new home for you? After a whirlwind of a year, many people across the country are relocating for a fresh start in a new area. Although the pandemic has caused havoc, it’s brought some positives. For example, the introduction of more working from home and increased use of digital media for communication purposes. Bryclelands suggest “approximately 4-5% of the population will move to a different city or county in the UK” a year!
Due to this shift, property searching has become more flexible. So, you can now receive a virtual viewing rather than visiting the site. If you’re planning a big move, or even considering the idea, here are our tips on moving to a new area.
Explore your local amenities
Even before you sign for your property, explore your local amenities. This includes everything from your local shops, local transport services and parks that you’ll be making use of. Ensure everything is within easy commute if you don’t have access to a car. Also the opening hours of different stores so you don’t find out the hard way when you need that carton of milk!
Make a budget plan
When moving to a new area, it’s easy to get carried away with exploring your new surroundings. There’s nothing wrong with trying some local restaurants, but don’t get carried away and overspend. Set aside the money you need for your rents and bills, and delegate anything leftover carefully.
Develop new relationships, and maintain old ones
This may seem like an obvious one, but make sure you have some company to explore the area with! It can be as simple as introducing yourself to the neighbours. Or using your hobbies and joining local clubs to meet people with similar interests. While all the excitement happens, don’t forget about the important people you moved away from. Even though they aren’t down the road anymore, there’s plenty of ways to stay in touch. Reuniting is always something to look forward to!
Say yes to opportunities and get involved in the community
With a new area, comes plenty of new opportunities. Don’t be afraid to say yes to opportunities that interest you but seem a little overwhelming – whether they work out or not, you’re bound to meet plenty of interesting people along the way.
If you don’t know where to begin, consider getting involved within the community. Whether you’ve got a few spare hours to volunteer at a local charity shop, or can help at your children’s new school, getting involved will boost your confidence and help that sense of belonging.
Be prepared for the novelty to wear off
Finally, it’s likely your new move will have ups and downs. Whether you’re missing family or not sure about your neighbours, don’t fall at the first hurdle. A couple of months isn’t always the best indication of what life will be like. So try to embrace your new surroundings.
Keeping your routine as similar as possible for the first while will help you settle, and make your new home homely with some decorating and cosy features. Moving to a new area is very overwhelming, so don’t be hard on yourself if you’re struggling. Use your support network for advice, and if you decide it’s not the place for you, there’s no shame in moving on!
If you want to browse your local radius to look at somewhere new – use our affordable homes search tool to explore availability. Fancy a new build? Try our new builds near me tool, where you can find upcoming developments across the country and who to contact to get your name on the list.
