How to Settle Into a New City After You’ve Moved

You’ve finally done it. You’ve packed up all your belongings, said your goodbyes, and taken the leap to move to a new city. Congratulations! Now comes the hard part: settling in. Here are a few tips from Marjorie Jones at www.workingclasswow.com to help you get comfortable in your new surroundings and make the most of your new adventure.

Unpack Right Away

This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s important to unpack as soon as possible after you move. The longer you wait, the more labor-intensive the task will become. Plus, once you’re settled in and have put away all your boxes, you’ll be able to truly start enjoying your new home.

Set Up Your Bedroom First

There are many important rooms in your new home that you’ll want to get set up, but none are as vital to your well-being as your bedroom. It’s important that you have comfortable space to decompress and get quality sleep as you unpack and adjust. If possible, order a new mattress to be delivered on move day. Select the best full size mattress for your sleep style that also blends support with comfort. You can also choose cooling materials, like memory or gel foam and all natural cotton covers.

The rest of your room should be calming, too. Choose accents that are blue, lavender, and gray and invest in some blackout curtains to ensure a dark environment for restful sleep. You can even use aromatherapy candles or diffusers with lavender and chamomile to add to the environment.

Socialize and Meet New People

One of the best things about moving to a new city is all the new people you’ll meet. Join social clubs, take classes, go to meetups — whatever it takes to get out there and start meeting people. The more friends you make, the more comfortable you’ll feel in your new surroundings. And who knows? You might just make some lifelong friends along the way.

Explore the Area

One of the best ways to get to know your new city is to explore it! Walk or bike around different neighborhoods, check out local attractions and grab a bite at a new restaurant. There’s no better way to get a feel for a place than by experiencing it firsthand!

Help Your Family Acclimate

If you have children, it’s important to help them acclimate to their new surroundings as well. Have them join clubs or sports teams, enroll them in school activities, or simply encourage them to make friends with the kids in their neighborhood. The sooner they start feeling like they belong, the better off they’ll be.

This goes the same for your pets, as well. However, with all the demands of moving and settling in, their needs might fall by the wayside. This is unavoidable, so look into solutions that will help you avoid this and, in turn, keep your pets as happy and comfortable as can be, despite the stress of the move. One way to do so is to find a pet sitter you can trust.

Move Your Business and Register Your LLC

If you own a business, chances are you’ll need to move it to your new location as well. This can be a tedious task, but there are resources available to help make the transition as seamless as possible. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce for assistance, or look online for resources specific to your industry.  In Wisconsin, go online to the Department of Financial institutions at www.wdfi.org.

In many cases, you’ll need to form your business anew, especially if moving across state lines. It’s always worth forming a limited liability company or LLC for pass-through taxation and other benefits. Work with a formation service that’s well-versed in how to start an LLC in Texas to take a load off your shoulders.

Get Familiar with Key Resources

It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with local transportation options when you move to a new city. Find out where the nearest bus and train stations are and research the city’s public transportation system. If you’re planning on walking or biking, explore the city’s parks and hiking trails.

And be sure to establish medical care in your new city. Find a local doctor or hospital, and make sure you have health insurance. By taking care of these things, you’ll be able to settle into your new city quickly and start enjoying all it has to offer.

Give Yourself Time to Adjust

Last but not least, don’t forget to give yourself time to adjust. It can take weeks or even months to truly feel at home in a new place—and that’s okay! Be patient with yourself, and soon enough you’ll be feeling right at home in your new city.

Decorate to Feel Like Home

After settling into your new home, making updates can enhance its functionality, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. Although you generally can’t make permanent changes to rental properties, you can add furniture, storage, appliances, and decor that make the space work better for you. By incorporating these elements, you can create a living space that reflects your personal style while also boosting the value of your property.

Start Enjoying Your New Home

After you’ve moved, take some time to settle into your new city. Explore the different neighborhoods and find the one that best suits you. Check out the local coffee shops, bookstores, and parks. Get to know your neighbors and make some new friends, and be sure to register your business. After you’ve settled in, you’ll be able to enjoy all that your new city has to offer.

 

02 08 2024 Move to New Home M Jones - How to Settle Into a New City After You've Moved

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Launch a Successful Company While Moving

Are you a remote worker with a growing business, but finding your current space not big enough for both living and work? Or, maybe you have decided to move to a new home, but the thought of moving your business at the same time is daunting. Whatever the case may be, we understand the challenge of starting a business and moving simultaneously. Fortunately, there are ways to make this transition as seamless as possible.

In the following article from Danny at fixitdads.com, we will explore some tips and tricks to help you start a business and move at the same time.

Alert Customers of Your Move

First and foremost, let your customers know about your company’s transition to limit confusion on their end. Send out an email, update your website, and post on your social media accounts. Make sure that your new business address is updated on all your marketing materials to ensure your customers can locate you with ease.

Keep Work Supplies Accessible During the Move

Packing your work supplies and equipment for a move can be overwhelming but keeping them accessible should be a priority. This can include anything from office equipment, files, and office supplies that you need to conduct business. Label the boxes clearly so you can find what you need at a moment’s notice.

Keep Your Documents Organized With PDF Tools

In today’s fast-paced digital world, staying organized and managing documents effectively is crucial for both personal and professional success. Free PDF tools have emerged as a lifesaver for those looking to streamline their document management process. These user-friendly tools offer a wide range of functionalities that cater to various needs, such as merging, splitting, compressing, and converting files. For instance, if you want to combine PDF files, you can easily do so with the help of these tools, which not only save time but also ensure that your documents remain clutter-free and well-organized. Moreover, these free PDF tools are accessible across multiple platforms, making it easier than ever to keep your documents in order and stay on top of your game.

Keep Communications Open

When starting your business move, keeping your team informed of the move plan is essential to avoid communication issues. You also need to ensure that your remote team members have the tools they need to continue working while you’re in transit. Tools such as Zoom and Skype can be very effective in keeping communication channels open and ensuring projects continue promptly.

Choose a Home That Has Plenty of Office Space

Choosing a home with ample office space is essential, especially for those who work remotely or run their own business from home. Finding the right apartment to live in requires careful consideration of factors such as location, budget, and available amenities; however, it is equally important to ensure that the property offers sufficient space to create a dedicated and comfortable workspace. A well-designed home office can significantly impact productivity and overall well-being, allowing you to maintain a healthy work-life balance. When you’re ready to start looking for the right apartment, check out Apartments.com.

Create a Comprehensive To-Do List and Calendar

Planning a move is already complicated, let alone moving and starting a business at the same time. A thorough to-do list and calendar will help you stay on track throughout the entire process. You should include every step of the moving process and all the necessary business tasks required to keep your company running smoothly during the move.

Boost Your Business with an Online Bachelor’s Degree

As you begin to grow your business, consider pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in accounting, business management, or marketing to expand your knowledge and skills. This education will equip you with valuable insights and practical expertise to stay competitive in your industry. By investing in yourself through an online degree, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the challenges of business expansion and ensure long-term success.

 

Starting a business and moving can seem like an insurmountable task, but with the right planning and mindset, it is more straightforward than it might seem. Remember to take advantage of free tools to help manage documents, inform your customers and team members, and choose a home that has ample office space. With these tips, you can start your business successfully while moving to a new home with ease.

 

07 17 2023 Moving - Launch a Successful Company While Moving

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Swimming With the Current: A Remote Worker’s Guide to Climate Change Relocation

If you are working remotely and concerned about climate change, you’ll need to think carefully about where you live and adopt strategies to ensure your and your family’s comfort for years down the line. Here, Marjorie Jones at Workingclasswow.com presents some tips to get you started.

Geography

Your first point of action is to identify which areas are less (or more) prone to natural disasters like fires, floods, and severe weather. Coastal regions, for example, may be at risk of flooding due to rising sea levels, while inland areas could be at risk of wildfires or heavy drought. Research the area’s history of natural disasters and scientific predictions and look for areas that have a low risk. You may, for example, want to consider the Great Plains, the Midwest, and the Northeastern states – these are typically understood to be safer in the long term.

 

Also look at the way different states are handling the climate crisis. For instance, Wisconsin has been supporting national and international charges towards change since 2019. In fact, in 2018 Xcel Energy became the first utility company in the country to commit to transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Properties

If you have located an area you think will be safe for years to come, your next priority is to scope out a property. You can start this process by utilizing online resources like Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia to compare prices and look for features that could be useful in a crisis (such as basements or extra storage). You can also reach out to local real estate agents for help in finding a property that meets your needs.

 

It may even be worth considering renting for the long term – this will allow you to remain flexible in case of any drastic events, and you can still use the above options to filter by home type, cost, and the number of bedrooms/bathrooms. You can also check out available apartments from Decker Properties if you are looking to relocate in southeastern Wisconsin.

Remote Working

One of the advantages of being a remote worker is that you are not chained to a single location. This means you can be flexible in the event of climate-related phenomena. It’s important, then, to strengthen your position as a remote worker – this means journalizing your experience and collecting references and testimonials that speak to your competence. If you’re looking for new work since your move, you can employ a few clever marketing strategies to reinforce your client base.

Entrepreneurship

When it comes to future-proofing against climate change, employers can often represent another risk – you never know how a company might be affected by market shifts or their base of operations is directly impacted by the weather itself. By establishing a business of your own, you can at least have the autonomy to build a company that you know will withstand any dramatic economic or ecological changes.

 

Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to start a Limited Liability Company (LLC) thanks to formation services. An LLC will protect your personal liability, provide tax advantages and reduce your paperwork quantities.

 

Founding your own business also gives you the opportunity to put in place sustainable, environmentally friendly, carbon-saving practices. This could involve digitizing paper records and converting files to PDF format. There are plenty of free tools to help add pages, combine files, and provide feedback on PDFs. Plus, with an editable PDF, you can make changes and get comments without ever having to use a piece of paper or waste any ink!

Support Positive Changes

Global warming is affecting everyone around the world, and, as a remote worker, you may have more flexibility to move to an area that you know will be safe in the face of climate shifts. By researching the area’s history of natural disasters, renting to stay flexible, and starting your own business (and implementing organized, sustainable business practices), you can ensure a smooth, safe transition to your new home in the years to come.

05 30 2023 MJones Relocate - Swimming With the Current: A Remote Worker’s Guide to Climate Change Relocation

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How to Successfully Navigate Living Between Two Homes

There’s no doubt about it — multi-state living is a trend these days if you can afford it. However, even if you can live between two properties on your current budget, you still want to look at ways to save money so you can live as economically as possible. Cameron at www.bizwealthbuilder.com shares some helpful tips to ensure you’re making the most of your budget no matter what.

Work within your budget

If you are planning to live in multiple states, your budget will look a little different. After all, you’re going to have to reassess your budget to take into account your new state’s cost of living as well as all the extras on top of this such as your moving costs as well as your new mortgage repayments since you’re going to need to cover two properties instead of one.

Furthermore, Eco Talk notes that you may need to look into reducing expenditure if your current budget is being stretched to the maximum. Therefore, be sure to take advantage of cost savings, whether this involves buying groceries in bulk, buying certain items out of season, or building a pantry where you can store food items in bulk to help last you throughout the latter half of the year, etc.

Managing a business properly

Since you will be living between two places, it’s likely that you won’t be as involved in your business as you normally would. This is where having a second pair of hands and eyes on your legal affairs could come in very handy should a serious issue arise with your legal or tax duties. Virtual Post Solutions points out that having a registered agent on standby means that you’ll always be aware of what is happening with your business, no matter where you are.

Making use of storage facilities

Suppose you’re in the early stages of moving your belongings from one place to another. You want to be sure that you are not going to misplace or let go of anything you’d regret at a later date. You might want to make use of self-storage facilities in the meanwhile. This is especially helpful if you’re downsizing or moving from a larger house to a smaller apartment. For professional help and advice in this regard, reach out to Decker Properties, who can find the ideal rental unit in a neighborhood that suits your needs.

Making smarter, safer choices for your family

Indeed, you want to be sure that you are making smart and safe purchases for your family by making use of quality products that are going to end up lasting their lifetime. Therefore, be sure to read reviews beforehand to ensure that you are getting an unbiased view of what the product is actually like before you go out and buy it.

Fun facts you might want to know about before you move

  • If you’re looking for a second city to call home, then you might want to consider New York if getting a quality education for your children is one of your topmost priorities.
  • If you are planning on bringing your pets with you, and you desire a place that has many dog-friendly parks, then San Francisco is the way to go.
  • Hawaii is rated as the top state for overall healthcare in the country.
  • If you’re looking for lots to do, then you’re certain not to be bored for long in Las Vegas.
  • Suppose you want to show your kids the best of what’s on offer in terms of kids’ entertainment, Orlando is the place, as Disneyland is one of the top attractions

As you can tell, considering a second home in another state is certainly something that requires careful consideration to ensure you and your family are going to be happy in the long run.

05 08 2023 Row Houses - How to Successfully Navigate Living Between Two Homes

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Smart Relocation Tips to Help You Start Fresh After a Move

Here’s a guest post from our friends at workingclasswow.com.

Starting with a clean slate is often the healthiest way to get past big challenges. For many people, the opportunity to relocate and refresh their lives is a far-off dream. If you’re fortunate enough to be considering a big move, Decker Properties offers these tips for making it work.

Choose a Destination

Deciding where to relocate is the most important part of starting fresh somewhere new. Building a new life in a place you love is the perfect way to move forward.

Whether you relocate for a job offer, seek out a spot with optimal weather, or choose one of the more affordable places to live in the US, the destination will influence your next steps. Think about the must-haves for your new home and research the possibilities. Plan trips to visit as a tourist first, if possible.

Once you select a destination, it’s time to begin planning. Research the costs involved in moving, including fuel, hiring a moving company, box purchases, and equipment rental. Also, consider essentials like finding a new doctor, scoping out amenities, and learning how to get around.

Find the Perfect Rental

Buying a house may not be on the priority list when transplanting to a new city. Moving somewhere new is exciting, but deciding whether to put down permanent roots can take time.

Of course, finding the right rental has a big impact on the experience, too. Whether you’re interested in finding an eco-friendly rental or have your eye on a particular neighborhood, take time to research.

For help with narrowing down the options, Reach out to Decker Properties.

Move or Start a Business

Part of the appeal of entrepreneurship is the ability to work from anywhere. Whether you already run a business or want to launch a new company, it’s easy to make the move work.

If your business is moving with you, a bit of planning helps you avoid downtime. Confirm that utilities (especially internet) are available ahead of time and pack your office first. For new startups, your new home may affect your business plans or reveal new opportunities. Keep an open mind and an eye on the local market.

For both new and existing businesses, paperwork will be key. Each state has unique requirements for business owners, notes Constant Contact, and rules can vary by county or city, too. Check your area’s rules before filing, and consider using a formation service for things like forming an LLC to save time and money.

Pursue Higher Education

If starting a business doesn’t suit your relocation plans, consider a different career upgrade. Furthering your education with a degree in business, communications, accounting, or management could expand your opportunities no matter where you live.

Online education is also flexible; this is a good direction if you’re balancing work and home life while going to school. Remote education could also be manageable even as you move.

Grow a Community

Especially if your move stems from a low point in your personal life, growing a community is vital. As BetterUp explains, feeling connected to others strengthens mental health and helps people manage challenges.

Networking in your new city is one way to build a community; faith-based organizations, hobby clubs, volunteer groups, and even coworking spaces can help you connect. Online friendships can also be valuable, offering a low-stakes means of sharing similar interests.

Starting over in a new place is thrilling, but it also takes preparation and patience. Building a new life means a chance to embrace change and become the best version of yourself. With these tips and a positive attitude, you’re off to a great start.

 

 

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A Guide to Relocating to a New State

Moving to a new state can benefit you and your family. Whether you’re moving to a new state for a job opportunity, better schools, or to be closer to nature, it’s essential to do your homework and explore the area early on.

Research the Cost of Living

It’s beneficial to research the cost of living before you move. This allows you to decide if it’s an affordable option. It further helps to look at the price of living in numerous towns since certain areas are less expensive than others. Things to consider are the costs of housing, groceries, entertainment, transportation, and health care. Knowing these kinds of costs ahead of time can help you plan.

Consider Starting a Business

Whether you need to supplement your income or feel your new state is a great location for starting a business, consider establishing a company. If you decide to go this route, think about creating a business plan. It allows you to stay on track, identify who your target audience is, and find financial backing. In general, it heightens your chances of success, and it gives you an opportunity to determine important details of your business, such as its structure, where funding will come from, and the course of action for selling your products or services.

A business plan is usually required if you want to apply for grants or loans or entice investors. It shows you’re serious about your business, and it can help someone gauge whether your company has the potential for success. Need help writing a business plan? This great how to guide on starting a business offers some guidance.

Find a New Physician

When it comes to quality medical care, carefully consider your options in your new area. In recent years, the number of people using online doctor services has exploded. There are a number of reasons for this trend, but the most important ones are the convenience of online doctor appointments and cost. Unlike traditional doctor visits, which can be time-consuming and expensive, online doctor consultations can be done from the comfort of your own home and are typically much cheaper. In addition, online doctor services offer a level of anonymity that many people appreciate. With online doctor services, you can get the medical advice you need without having to worry about being judged by your doctor or anyone else.

Explore the Area

Once situated, start exploring the area immediately. That’ll provide you with a chance to meet new people. If you have children, it can be a chance for them to get acclimated as well. For example, take your dog to a local park. Pets are wonderful icebreakers, and you might find you have a lot in common with someone who loves animals as much as you.

You could also find a local gym. You’ll not only benefit from getting physical exercise, which can improve your cardiovascular health, but you’ll get to meet people. Another idea is to start going for walks around the neighborhood so you can meet your new neighbors. If you have kids, go to a local park or children’s play center. Check for activities, such as karate or gymnastics, that will give your child an opportunity to play with other kids who may be at their school. You can keep your child physically fit while getting them to mingle.

Reduce Relocation Stress and Enjoy the Move

Take steps, such as researching your new area, learning about starting a business, and finding a new doctor, to reduce your relocation stress so you can get right to enjoying the area.

Moving to southeastern Wisconsin?  Decker Properties has apartments to rent! Call 262-785-0840 to learn more.

Thanks to Marjorie Jones at workingclasswow.com for this post!

 

What to Look For in an Eco-Friendly Rental

These days, more people than ever are trying to do their part to help our environment. In addition to turning off lights and recycling, being smart about where you rent your future home can also make a major difference. Today, Decker Properties has some great tips on what to look for on your next rental to live as sustainably as possible.

Sustainable Add-Ons

There are many challenges that come with moving – especially if you’re relocating to another state. However, there are many changes that you can make to your rental to save energy and reduce your utility bills, and potentially the most significant of these changes involves installing solar panels. This is easier to do if you are renting out your own home, but by adding panels, you will greatly reduce the utility bills, and over the years, the panels pay for themselves. Solar panels use the power of the sun so you are using very little energy from the power grid.

You don’t necessarily need to break the bank when it comes to eco-friendly add-ons. You can reduce water waste by installing low-flow showerheads in the bathrooms. You can also save water by testing your toilets to ensure that they are working efficiently when you flush.

It is also important to have a rental that utilizes LED bulbs within all light fixtures. LEDs are typically brighter and more vivid and they also cost less to buy and use.

Smart Appliances

Landlords who are renting out their properties would be smart to install smart appliances wherever they can because renters will be looking for them as they look to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle.

Start with a smart thermostat that will manage the temperature of the home all day and night. The US Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat at 78-degrees during the summer when you are at home and up to 83-degrees while you are at work to save the most energy. This is all good in theory, but it can be easy to forget to change temperatures all the time, so a smart thermostat can remember for you and change the temperature automatically.

EcoMENA notes that the kitchen can also be modified with a number of smart appliances. Smart washing machines can cut down on water waste. Smart refrigerators use less energy overall while still keeping your food cold and fresh. Even a smart coffee maker uses less water and a reusable filter to avoid waste.

Driving Distance and Eco-Friendly Movers

As an environmentally conscious renter, it is not only about what is inside a potential rental but where it is located. Vehicle emissions are still as dangerous to the environment as ever so if you can find a property that is closer to your job, friends, and family, then you can drive less and help the environment in that way as well.

You can start this change from day one as you try to find a local furniture mover that also cares about the environment. Even if you are moving to a place far away, you can research online for long distance movers and in addition to obtaining quotes and reading customer reviews, you can ask them about their sustainable practices, such as if they make it a point to drive efficient routes. Before meeting with a moving company to get a quote and discuss your needs, you can evaluate companies by reading reviews online.

If you’re moving to an apartment, you have the advantage of having a range of choices as it pertains to driving distances to shopping and the workplace. Reach out to Decker Properties, who has apartments for rent throughout southeast Wisconsin.

If you watch the news, you know how important it is for us to protect our planet. We all have to do our part. So do yours by looking for a rental that prioritizes sustainability, which you’ll know by whether they have eco-friendly add-ons, smart appliances, and they advertise short commutes to shopping centers and other attractions.

Decker Properties owns and manages hundreds of apartments throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Contact us today for more information! 262-785-0840

Moving during the Corona Virus

Here’s an idea. Let’s try to keep our lives on track as much as possible without getting sick and transmitting this virus to someone else. If your efforts in this area mean you will be moving, here are some tips on how to do so safely:

  1. If you are using a moving company, make sure they are still operating and if they’ve imposed any restrictions, find out what they are and try to comply.
  2. Box up your stuff in brand new boxes to keep transmission of germs to a minimum.
  3. Keep the PPE handy. Hand sanitizer, gloves, masks may all be needed for moving day.
  4. Remember to keep your distance whenever possible. Easier with the couch than the dresser, but try your best.
  5. Hands off. Prop open doors and consider the stairs instead of the elevator.
  6. Wipe down. Try to wipe off anything you are going to have to touch or have touched.

If your headed to a Decker Properties apartment, such as Catalina Crossing, let me be the first to say welcome home.

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5 Common Repairs You Need to do When Moving out of Your Apartment

apartment living1 - 5 Common Repairs You Need to do When Moving out of Your Apartment

Editor’s note: Here’s a guest post from our friends at Omega Industries (www.omegaindinc.com). Just an added word to the wise – in Wisconsin, landlords can’t require their tenants to clean their carpets. Additionally, at Decker Properties, we’re very concerned with how someone untrained might do repairing their own drywall. If your repairs aren’t going to be perfect and invisible, it’s better to leave them to us. Yes, you may get charged. But you could get charged, potentially even charged more, for a botched drywall repair. – Dave

All your boxes are packed and you’re ready to move out. The last thing on your mind is cleaning and repairing the apartment you’re leaving. But, as a tenant, you have the responsibility to leave the place as you came.

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