Month: March 2020

Are you preparing for a residential move? You’re likely overwhelmed with all you have to do. Much of your time is spent trying to organize the endless sea of boxes littering your home, and the packing can feel all-consuming. 

Organizing your belongings is an essential part of the moving process. But, there are a few other areas to pay attention to before saying goodbye to your old home for good.

Check Cell Phone Service

If you’re relocating far from your current home, check the cell phone coverage map for your new area. You may find that you have spotty coverage in your new area. It might be time to switch cell phone providers before you leave home. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your new house and struggling to make phone calls. Be sure your service extends to your new home.

Notify Credit Card Companies

Give your credit and debit card companies a call. When you begin to make purchases on your way to your new home as you’re getting settled in your new area, your bank may flag your card for fraud, temporarily limiting your access to money. 

When you call your bank before you move, let them know your new address and the approximate dates that you’ll be traveling to your new home. This will allow your bank to lift any fraud alerts on your account during that time, allowing you to make purchases along the way without any hassle.

Learn About Your New Area

Become familiar with your new community before you arrive. There are many ways to get excited about where you’re headed. 

Join social media groups that let you get to know people in your new neighborhood. Scope out the local restaurant scene. Maybe even make a reservation for the first week that you’ll be in town. Keeping up with some of your old routines. Going to the gym, working out on local running trails, taking your kids to the library —  are great ways to keep your stress levels low as you adjust to your new environment.

Pack an Essentials Bag

You may feel like you never want to pack another bag in your life. But it’s key that you have a bag of essentials with you as you go through the moving process. No matter how organized your packing process is, the last thing you’ll want to do when you arrive in your new home is to have to sort through boxes trying to find your contact solution or a hairbrush. Having a vacation-type bag with you is a great way to keep the essentials nearby.

Moving Is Worth the Effort

If you’re in the midst of the moving process, you may be frustrated and swearing up and down that you’ll never move again. Moving is hard and stressful. But, it will be well worth it when you’re relaxing in the comfort of your new home.

If you feel overwhelmed, remember to take things one step at a time, crossing tasks off your list as you go. Before you know it, you’ll be kicking up your feet in your new living room.

When you’re moving internationally, one of the most comforting things you can have is the knowledge that you’re still able to get in contact with the people you love back home. One of the most common anxieties about moving abroad is how to handle cell phone service. With a little preparation, staying in contact with people back home doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated.

Let’s take a look at some of the best things you can do before and after your move to ensure that the lines of communication stay open between you and your loved ones.

Contact Current Provider

Before you leave the U.S., stop to see your current service provider, or give their customer service line a call. Explain that you’re moving abroad, and see if they offer cell phone service in your new home country. They may be able to set you up with a plan that makes sense for you in your new home.

If they don’t offer service in the area that you’re moving to, they’ll likely be able to provide you with recommendations on companies to consider. They can also set you up with a few weeks of bridge service. You’ll pay their international rates, but you’ll still be able to use your phone. This is a great way to stay in contact with loved ones while you’re still settling in your new home.

Try an Interim Solution

You’ll have some downtime between when you arrive in your new country and when you’re able to get to a cell phone company office to get your new phone set up and ready to go. 

While you’re waiting to make the trip to an office, try Google Voice. For $20 per month, messages and phone calls from your U.S. phone number can be rerouted to the device of your choosing. This makes it easy for you to stay in touch with friends and family back home, all without having to sign up for a new cell phone plan. 

Skype can also work well, as long as you have wireless service.

Provide a Message

Set up an outgoing voicemail message explaining your move. Give people an alternative way to contact you (such as through email or Facebook Messenger). While total cell downtime will likely be minimal, you’ll want people back home to know you’re not ignoring their calls.

Identify a New Provider

Once you’ve got some of your clothes unpacked and you’re ready to venture out and explore your new neighborhood, head to a cell phone provider. Asking new friends and co-workers about whether they like their current cell phone provider is a great way to get a list of offices you’d like to visit to learn more about getting signed up for a plan.

Settle In

Figuring out what to do with your cell phone plan can be a stressful part of moving. Does it have to be that way? Nope! A little planning on the front end before you get on the plane can help you know exactly what to do to stay in touch with the people you love while you get settled into your new home.