What priorities would you have moving into a new house and town?

[mysteryowl]

What would you do first, second, third... when there are so many tasks just freshly moving.

Thanks!

[Phoenix61]

1. Get the kitchen up and running

There is something very comforting about having a full fridge.

[mysteryowl]

2. Oooohhh, nice. I like it!

[safeinOhio]

3. Moved about 3 years ago to a town where didn't know one person.

Started out by going to every near by yard sale and got to know a lot of people. Then joined the local Democratic Party and met more like minded folks. Local Saturday night auctions, I became a regular and part of the local community. At this rate I can run for mayor in a few more years. I've really enjoyed it.

[mysteryowl]

4. I like it! thanks!

I am chuckling you have gotten to know everyone, just as though you are campaigning.

All good suggestions I will try, except, I don't know what this "Saturday night auctions" is.

[2naSalit]

5. Will I have to buy

drinking water?

If you mean around the house, I agree that kitchen, bath, bed in that order. Make sure you have food, restroom/washup and a place to get some much needed rest. You can find your clothes later.

[mysteryowl]

6. Yep, a big priority is to hook up the water purifier.

I will make sure to have a new filter ready to go. I can't stand the taste of chlorine, all the chemicals and junk that comes off the pipes. I don't understand how people can drink water from the tap. YUK!

[2naSalit]

7. In the last 30+ years

I have only lived in two places where I could drink the tap water and I'm trying to move back to one of them now. Both are in remote mountain areas and the water is awesome, it's my first thing when I consider a location. If I have to obtain water, there better be some other things that outweigh the cost of that.

[Piasladic]

8. must be nice to have money

Having to buy drinking water does not compare to having a job.

[hlthe2b]

11. True. Most of us don't have that luxury. I assume the move came with a week off before

starting or returning to a job.

[samnsara]

9. unpack the Keurig

[hlthe2b]

10. In between the massive unpacking exercise, find a good dog-walking trail nearby and

doggy park. Whether you have a dog or not, finding a safe route will give you a nice relaxing break from the stress of moving.

Post a wipe off board to create your priority daily TO DO lists. Let half be the daily list and half be a running weekly/monthly list. Take the first cup of coffee each morning to create the daily list.

Within the first couple of weeks, driver's license and voting registration. Identify closest fire station and police station for your insurance. Consider registering for the local county/city emergency alert texts (for weather and crime related alerts).

[mysteryowl]

18. Great suggestions!

I will get a white for sure!

I did not not think about DL and voting registration. But...that certainly would have occurred to me soon after moving. I have to vote!

[IrishEyes]

12. Here is what I would do.

This list is not in order. It is just off the top of my head. I wrote it as someone who has moved to a new town in a different state.

1. Register to vote
2. Get a library card
3. Find a dentist, doctor and vet
4. Get information about the town and nearby town's tourist attractions
5. Get a drivers license or state Id
6. Find out if there is a food co-op. If not, find a nearby grocery store.
7. Make a list of repairs or improvements for the house.
8. Research where some good takeout/delivery places are.
9. Find out about trash pickup/recycling
10. Look up where the nearest police station, fire station and hospital is.
11. Unpack. I never feel totally moved in until all the books are on the bookshelves.
12. Open an account at a bank with convenient ATMs and locations within a reasonable distance to my new home and office.
13. Research gym and exercise classes nearby
14. Set up utilities/cable

[mysteryowl]

19. Fantastic list!

I am taking notes from this thread. I really appreciate everyone's helpful suggestions.

Food co-op is top of the list. Organic food!

[IrishEyes]

21. Thank you. I'm also planning on moving soon.

I'm taking notes on others suggestions as well.

[mysteryowl]

26. I know, right. It is a good thread.

I am so grateful people are participating.

Thanks everyone!!!

[Hotler]

13. First would be to smudge the place and get rid of any bad juju.

2nd would be to set up the stereo and get the jazz going to set a sweet vibe.
3rd would be to get some beer in the fridge.
and....

[mysteryowl]

20. Yes!!

I will keep my space clearing items handy. It will the first thing before anyone or anything enters!
I have chants I can play that help clear space too. Great to get me thinking of this!

[IrishEyes]

25. Smudging is a good idea. A republican could have previously lived there.

You want to clear out that negative energy.

[mysteryowl]

27. Yes!

Oh Yuk, that will be some energy to clear for sure!

[Baltimike]

14. Walkability...closeness to hospitals/medical centers...restaurants

you can check the political leanings by zip code, and enlightened people are kind of important to me...

[mysteryowl]

22. Yep, I need to find progressives right away.

People to celebrate with and cry with and rage with.

[ProudLib72]

16. I would start painting the walls

Seriously, I was painting as the movers were still unloading the truck. I kept painting until the day it sold. Looked completely different from when I moved in... for the better.

[mysteryowl]

23. Yes! No VOC, No Odor Paint!

I am currently pre-shopping for the best paints in the non-toxic category.

[ProudLib72]

40. I gravitate toward light orange and yellow

Warms colors make it seem warm and homey.

[Solly Mack]

17. Kitchen and bedroom. Kitchen first. Bedroom soon after.

Stock the bathrooms with toilet paper.

I'd set up the laundry.

I'd get boxes to their proper rooms.

Get to the clothes.

I'd actually get all that done soon after taking up residence. In the first few hours.

Then I'd go from there. Tackling a few boxes a day.

[mysteryowl]

24. Ah Yes, Toilet paper in the bathroom!

That is quick and easy, and necessary!

[Solly Mack]

28. Kitchen, because it's the life source, so to speak. TP cause no one wants to be without.

But I'd do enough of each - kitchen, bedroom, laundry, clothes and bathrooms to get me through the next week. Then I can get through the rest at a slower pace.

Always doing a little each day.

I'm actually making plans now for a move into our new house.

[mysteryowl]

29. Good suggestions, thanks

This is a nice thread to help any of us moving.

[Solly Mack]

32. It is! Thank you for that!

I'm taking notes.

[mercuryblues]

30. A must

When I move, I label a box. Open ME 1st.

In it is TP. Windex. paper towels, furniture polish, coffee maker, filters, coffee, cup, Hammer, nails, thumbtacks, screwdriver, screws, a cheap plastic shower liner, a towel.

[Solly Mack]

31. Yes! Excellent idea! An open me first box or boxes. Must haves.

[mercuryblues]

34. yup

if it isn't labeled OPEN ME 1st, it looks like any other box coming off the truck.

[mysteryowl]

37. perfect! I will do it!

Mine will include the smudging supplies.

[tazkcmo]

33. Is pot legal in this hypothetical town?

If yes unpack. If no, find some weed then unpack.

[mysteryowl]

38. Ha!

[mysteryowl]

39. Unfortunately, no legal recreational weed.

Yet, it might end up on the 2020 ballot. A lot of people want it.

[Generic Brad]

35. Well, I can speak from experience

I just bought a home three weeks ago. This was my fourth move in four years - two of those were interstate moves!

Pre-move, I make a list of all the services I will need to disconnect, all the address changes that need to be done, and all of the services I need transferred or initiated. We price movers and start tossing unneeded things and packing.

Once the date is confirmed and things are signed my wife and I divide duties and go down our list - bang, bang, bang. That takes about two hours. Then we take a week to pack and move the following week. I also pack a bag for the final few days as if I were going on vacation and for the weeks pre-move and post move, I keep all most important papers and mail in a briefcase with my laptop so I still have every criticaal thing at my fingertips.

I find it really helpful to make sure you get internet/tv service hooked up on your move in day. That way you can relax the first night in your new place by reading DU and streaming videos linked through the Lounge!

We have been here less than two weeks and we are completely organized and settled in. All we have left to do is change our driver's licenses and voter registration and I have time off scheduled soon to do just that.

[blur256]

36. This is actually a very timely thread

My minister wife just applied to a job in Cleveland. We currently live in Connecticut. We are both from Missouri. I have only driven past Cleveland. She has a really good shot at getting this position. She went to school with the main minister. Plus this would be a good move for us considering we would be much closer to our families still in Missouri. But it is scary moving!!!! Thank you for starting this thread. There are some great suggestions!

[pansypoo53219]

41. good water. seasons. hmmm. bakeries.

[Lars39]

42. Change out the locks!

Good thread!