You made the move—now what?

The boxes are stacked, your Wi-Fi isn’t set up, and everything smells vaguely like cardboard.
Welcome to your new life.
Whether you moved for work, a fresh start, or just needed out, here’s your step-by-step list of what to do right after landing in a brand-new city.

🔑 Essentials (1–10)

  1. Change your address (yes, officially)
    Do it with USPS, your bank, employer, and Amazon at the very least.
  2. Set up your utilities
    Electricity, internet, gas, water. If you forgot one, you’ll find out fast.
  3. Unpack your “life” box first
    Toiletries, bedding, chargers, meds, pajamas. It’s your survival kit.
  4. Walk your neighborhood
    It sounds basic, but it helps reset your brain. Map it out. Learn the nearby landmarks.
  5. Find the closest grocery store
    Not the fancy one—the one you’ll realistically go to at 7 PM in sweatpants.
  6. Transfer prescriptions
    Don’t wait until you run out. Set it up ASAP at a nearby pharmacy.
  7. Locate urgent care + vet (if needed)
    Just knowing where they are makes you feel grounded.
  8. Label your keys
    They all look the same when you’re exhausted.
  9. Create a “fix-it” list
    Light bulbs, Wi-Fi issues, broken drawer? Note it. Don’t let small problems pile up.
  10. Take photos of your apartment (just in case)
    If you’re renting, document everything now. Future-you will thank you.

🧠 Life Setup (11–20)

  1. Set a new daily routine
    Even if it’s: coffee → 10 min walk → unpack. Give your days structure again.
  2. Join a local Facebook or Meetup group
    It’s awkward—but it works. Start with niche interests (dog parks, foodies, etc.).
  3. Drive/public transport test run to work or grocery store
    Do it before you’re late and panicking.
  4. Create a local emergency contact list
    Even if it’s just your landlord and a new friend. It matters.
  5. Buy cleaning supplies + toilet paper
    Shocking how many people forget this one.
  6. Make one “feel like home” corner
    Your bed. A chair. A candle. Just one space that feels finished.
  7. Update your location on phone apps
    Google Maps, DoorDash, Uber Eats, even weather apps.
  8. Introduce yourself to your neighbor (if you feel safe)
    Could be awkward. Could save your life. You’ll know which.
  9. Pick a go-to food spot
    You’ll need it for the first breakdown meal.
  10. Create a mini budget
    New city = new expenses. Track them early before they spiral.

🌀 Emotional Resets (21–30)

  1. Expect homesickness
    Even if you wanted the move. It doesn’t mean you did the wrong thing.
  2. Write down why you moved
    Keep it somewhere visible. It helps on the hard days.
  3. Give yourself permission to not have friends yet
    You’re not behind. You’re just adjusting.
  4. Don’t romanticize where you came from
    Your old city had issues too. Don’t forget them.
  5. Try something new within the first 2 weeks
    Bar class, thrift market, new food. Plant a memory fast.
  6. Make a list of local spots to explore
    Use it when you’re bored, lonely, or need to remember why you moved.
  7. Let go of the pressure to “love it immediately”
    Give your new city a chance to grow on you. That takes time.
  8. Text someone back home
    Just because you left doesn’t mean they’re gone. Stay connected.
  9. Celebrate the move
    You did something brave. Even if it’s just with ice cream.
  10. Tell yourself: “I’m not lost. I’m just new here.”
    Say it again if you need to.

Final Thoughts

Moving is more than changing your address—it’s changing your whole rhythm.
And while it feels like your life is in limbo, every little task you cross off this list builds your next chapter.
You don’t need to feel settled yet. You just need to keep going.

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