One of the very first things you want to do following a big move is to find your local nearest post office. Mail that has been forwarded by that handy dandy change of address form that you send out at the beginning of the move, will now have the yellow address label on it. If you see this it means you need to notify the sender of the new address.

Find the major facilities that you may need, like your local police, hospitals, and gas stations. Taking a day to just explore the area will do wonders for locating some interesting sights and discover places that you might want to later visit. But keep in mind this is not a pleasure tour, this is a tour to locate all vital facilities and institutions that you might need in the event of an emergency. If you‘ve heard it once you have heard it a million times “safety first.” Find the shopping areas, gas stations, and banks.

The department of sanitation in your area and find out when the trash pick up day will be. Find out when school registration days are if public school, cultural events and watch the local news to get a feel for the town that you live in. Policies for you insurances of automobiles, DMV information needs to be updated, other paperwork issues should be handled at this time. Updates and transfers of tittles, tags, and other motor vehicle information should of course be taken care of right away.

One of the most important things that you can do once you have moved is to watch your family members for changes in behaviors or other adverse affects of the move. Some family members may not feel the same way as they did when they left the old home and some may be super glad that they left. Mood changes may indicate problems that should be immediately addressed. It is a stressful event especially for kids who are leaving friends or an area that they were very comfortable in.

While the new place is still relatively empty and with just about all of the nooks and crannies exposed. Why not clean the entire place and give yourself a clean fresh start. Then you can concentrate on the utilities. Notify the power company in the town and contact them for service if you have not done this before hand. Arrange for phone service. Take all of that packing paper and prepare it for recycling and curbside pick up. Flatten boxes and tie them for recycling.  

You’ve probably exhausted yourself in the move from beginning to end. Your favorite chair is finally in place in front of the fireplace or television. The kids have made friends with the neighbors, your wife has found the local mall and you’ve decided just the perfect place in the garage to hang your tools. Your time is now following long journeys that lead to this place. You can finally relax. You are home.