If you ask anyone who has moved from one environment to a completely new part of the country, they’ll readily tell you that it can be a shockingly big change. Whether you’re moving from New York to Charleston or even Seattle to Beaumont, Texas, adjusting to the change in climate is no easy feat. Sources say (depending on how drastically different your new climate is) that moving to a new altitude and climate can take your body up to three months to adjust.
So, what can you do to prepare for your new destination? Let’s start with the move itself!
Moving homes is a great time to purge old or unwanted belongings. Start going through your home and decluttering. Decide what items you’ll need (or want) in your new home, and start clearing out items you won’t need or items that won’t be useful after your move. Here are some tips for decluttering:
Decide what you want to donate, sell, or throw away. Habitat for Humanity is one of our partners, and we always recommend donating anything you can, as the money made from those items goes directly to building homes for those in need. Who doesn’t love giving back to the community?
Start with the easy stuff. If you have a blanket that was well-loved by your dog (or even a piece of furniture that somehow ended up belonging to the dog), perhaps now is a good time to get rid of those items. If there’s an easier area of the house to declutter, try starting with that space and dipping your toes into the waters of decluttering! You may find that it’s not as hard as you originally thought.
Divide your areas of the house or even the items you want to go through into categories. Make a list of items you know you want to keep, a “maybe” list, and a list of items you know you don’t want.
If you’re keen on making a few bucks, try holding a yard sale. Those comfy beach chairs aren’t going to be useful once you’re living in the land of snowstorms, so why not earn a little extra cash?
Preparing for Your Move
At what point do you actually need to start prepping for your new climate? We say there’s no such thing as too soon! Take that extra cash you earned from your yard sale and do a little shopping. You may have to do some online browsing, as you may not find the necessary items in stores near you pre-move.
If you’re moving to a colder climate, consider stocking up on “warm” items: a jacket, gloves, scarves, water-resistant boots (no one likes when the wet snow seeps into their socks), hats, and even perhaps some heavy sweaters or pocket hand warmers. We recommend only buying items that are easy to pack, as bigger items like sleds and snow blowers are harder to move.
If you’re moving with kids, look up fun things to do during colder months at your destination home. Is there a ski lodge nearby for snowboarding or snow tubing? An ice rink? Somewhere to go snowshoeing? Maybe you want to look up great places to get hot chocolate with the kids! Moving so far away can be upsetting for young children, so we recommend making the best of it and finding fun activities to keep them engaged.
If it’s the middle of the school year for your kids, make sure to have them already enrolled at their new schools so they can start getting settled in shortly after you arrive. A good idea is to have a family sit down with your kids to let them express any concerns or worries they may have. After all, changing schools is a major upheaval in the lives of kids, as they’re moving away from their established school and the friends they’ve made there. Do what you can to assuage their fears and make this transition as easy as possible for them.
Settling in at Your Northern Home
If you’ve ever moved before, you know it can take a few weeks to adjust. Add kids into the mix, and it can take even longer. Don’t worry if you think you may have forgotten to bring some items; Amazon is a great place to find items you haven’t bought yet. Some items you may not have thought of for a cold climate include:
A sun lamp or therapy light. The dark, cold days of winter can affect people’s moods, which is why we recommend a sun lamp for some vitamin D or even a light therapy box to help boost serotonin levels.
Tire chains. While many tire shops up north sell all-season tires or even just winter tires (it’s not uncommon for people to switch their tires between seasons), some states allow the use of tire chains to help with traction while driving on snowy roads.
Ice scraper/snow brush. You’ll need something to scrape the ice off your windshield after big snowstorms, so always have an ice scraper handy. And a little trick if your car door is frozen shut: Try pouring warm (not boiling!) water over it. Just be sure to dry the door afterward to prevent refreezing. Many places also sell de-icer spray, so you may want to keep that on hand in your garage.
Don’t forget the SPF. Yes, you read that right! Even in the winter months when the sunlight doesn’t last as long, it’s still important to use sunscreen, as the UVA rays are just as intense.
SWAMP RABBIT MOVING IS HERE TO HELP
No matter where you’re headed, let the Rabbits make your move a breeze. You can find us in Greenville, South Carolina, and we proudly serve the surrounding areas of Simpsonville, Greer, Spartanburg, and Mauldin. If you’re ready to make it a habit to call the Rabbits, contact us today!