Moving to a new city can be an exciting adventure – the beginning of a brand-new life for many. It can also be utterly overwhelming and the source of much anxiety. There are ways, though, to reduce the overwhelm and anxiety and keep the excitement. Chief among these is taking care of the things you need to do right away when you move. To help you out, we offer these4 things you should do right away when moving to Port-Elizabeth.
1. Clean It Up and Change the Locks
On moving to Port-Elizabeth and moving into that new house, you should probably schedule a thorough cleaning a soon as possible. It’s likely the former owners did a deep cleaning when preparing the house for listing, but moving in can undo a lot of that.
“[E]even the most earnest of deep cleans could need a refresh once you have had movers, dollies, family and friends unpacking, you name it – all tracking in and out of the house during a short time frame. Additionally, the aftermath of this can be amplified if you move on a day where the weather is anything but sunny! If the budget allows, gift yourself a professional clean after you have finished unpacking your home.”
Also, as soon as possible after moving to Port-Elizabeth, you should change all the locks. This may seem like an extreme measure, but, really, it’s necessary. You have no way of knowing how many people have keys to the house – how many people the previous owners gave keys to. So for your family’s safety, change the locks as soon as possible. Even if you aren’t able to DIY it and have to hire a locksmith, the expense is well worth it.
2. Find the Water Cutoff and the Breaker Box
Another smart thing to do right away when moving to Port-Elizabeth is to find both the main water cutoff and the breaker box.
Even in the best-maintained homes, water leaks and burst supply lines do happen – and almost always at the worst possible time. So, to be prepared for this contingency and to protect your (possibly still packed) belongings, find out as soon as possible where and how to turn off the water. “Unless you make it a priority to take care of this when you first move in, there is a big chance you will not know where to go or what to do. When water is gushing all over your kitchen, this is an unfortunate predicament to find yourself in.”
You also need to know where the breaker box is. “Equally as important as knowing how to turn your water off in an emergency is being aware of how and where to get your power back on if a breaker blows.” Breakers do trip unexpectedly and at the most inopportune time. So in order not to have to finish up your unpacking by candlelight, locate the breaker box earlier on. You’ll be glad you did.
3. Locate the Grocery Stores You Want to Use
After moving to Port-Elizabeth or anywhere else, you still have to eat. There’s only so much food you can pack in an ice chest. So be sure to locate the grocery stores in the area, particularly the kind you prefer.
Think about the stores you frequented before the move and then scope them out in the neighborhood and immediate area. Do you like . . .
- A local market with a welcoming atmosphere and friendly cashiers?
- Bigger, budget-friendly chain stores for large-quantity purchases?
- Or maybe just a corner deli where you can pop in for a sandwich?
Whatever you prefer, make sure you find out where it is soon after moving. There are, of course, all kinds of ways to research grocery stores, but your local Port-Elizabeth agent may be your best resource. To discover more about how your agent can help smooth your move, just call 0823283345.
4. Plan Your Commute
With the fundamental necessity of food comes the need to make money to buy that food. So one of the most important things you should do right away when moving to Port-Elizabeth is to plan your commute. If you don’t, you may be late on your first day at your new job in a new city – not good at all.
“Planning and practicing your commute will allow you to get to know the transportation system a little better (or, if you’re driving, what the roads are like) and will also give you an idea of how long you’ll need to get to work each morning. You’ll definitely want to know this before it’s your first day and you find yourself running 20 minutes late.”
Draw on Your Agent’s Local Knowledge
A good Port-Elizabeth agent will not cut all ties and set you adrift after closing. A good thing to do soon after moving is to utilize your agent’s thorough knowledge of the area. You could, of course, find out everything you need to know on your own, but that takes time, and you’ll be busy enough moving in and unpacking. To make everything much easier, then, let your agent guide you. So be sure to contact us right away when moving to Port-Elizabeth.
