Settling Into Chicago After You Move

Moving to Chicago can be stressful. It's a big city and you may not be used to the atmosphere. However, there are some ways you can settle into Chicago easier.

When you move, it's usually an exhausting process. There's plenty of packing and unpacking to do. Add in a big city you're not used to and it could become even more exhausting. Here are a few tips to help you with settling into Chicago once you arrive.

• Get Acquainted with your Neighborhood

Many neighborhoods in Chicago are very walkable. A great place to start when you arrive is with the places closest to your home. Check out a local bar or restaurant within walking distance and start to get the lay of the land.

• Discover the Transportation System

The CTA or Chicago Transit Authority will become your best friend when you move to Chicago. You want to get used to using this system and learn how to get to and from the places you will frequent. If you're starting a new job, it may be a good idea to do a dry run to learn the transportation before you go in for your first day.

• Remember the Streets are a Grid

Chicago has one of the best grid systems in the world for the streets. However, it can still be confusing if you're not from here. The center of the grid is where Madison Street and State Street intersect.

From there, it's important to understand all east-west street addresses and north-south addresses are labeled as such. Odd numbers are on the south and east sides of each street and even numbers are on the north and west side. In addition, the addresses will increase or decrease depending on how close you are to the State and Madison Street intersection.

• Get Out and Mingle

Chicago is filled with great events happening every weekend and all year long. If you happen to arrive at the right time of year, you can enjoy a big event right from the beginning. If not, find a smaller event and get out and mingle.

Going to any type of event could be a great way to meet people and start to settle into the city. It will help you understand what Chicago is all about and you may just make a couple new friends.

• Take a Tour

If you really want to get to know Chicago, there are several great tours you can take. From an architectural tour to a historic tour, you can tour the city and get an idea of where you are in comparison to things to do and places to see.

• Be Prepared for the Weather

One of the biggest mistakes new residents in Chicago make is not being prepared for the weather. Chicago has four seasons and winter can be harsh. However, summer can be very hot and you want to be prepared for the season. Prepare before you move and you will be happy you did when you arrive.

While settling into Chicago can be difficult, it doesn't have to be. You can start by hiring a moving company to make moving day easier. Then, when you arrive, get out and enjoy the city the first weekend you are here.

Working With Your Movers

When you hire professional movers to help you move, you need to be willing to work with them. Your move is vital and your movers will help with all types of moving tasks. You will spend many hours with these people, so you want to make sure you keep a few things in mind.

• Don't be Late

Movers have a schedule and it's usually very busy. Make sure you're on time whenever you're working with movers. They will appreciate it if you're a little bit early to ensure you can let them in when it's time to pack and load the truck. Any delays could end up costing you extra, as well.

• Make Your Movers Comfortable

While movers are not exactly your guests, they will be doing a job for you. Make sure you're polite and friendly. Introduce them to everybody in your family and ask if they need anything. You should also try to remember their names throughout the day.

• Provide a Few Basics

Moving is a very labor intense job and everybody should be comfortable during the process. Make sure you have water on hand for movers and if you're moving early in the day, make some coffee. The temperature in the home should be checked, as well. You can also offer to provide a light lunch for movers if it's going to be an all-day type of thing.

• Communicate Throughout the Day

Your professional movers have already been prepped for the day, but you need to keep the lines of communication open. This will help to ensure no errors are made and nothing is lost. If they have concerns, they should be able to tell you, which can help to keep you in the loop, as well.

• Finish Packing before the Movers Arrives

Working with movers means you need to be on their schedule. If it's not an all-day job, they have other jobs to get to. Regardless, you should make sure you're done packing before they arrive. If they are packing for you, make sure the things you want to pack yourself have already been packed.

If you want to make moving day easier, working with professional movers is a great choice. The right movers will help make the day less stressful for all involved. Just make sure you follow these basic tips and help your movers in any way you can. If you make their job easier and keep them happy, they will work hard for you during your move.

Planning a Move to Chicago

When you decide to make the move to Chicago, you don't want to be stuck unprepared. Moving, alone, is a very stressful thing. When you're planning a move to Chicago, you should understand these few things first.

• The Neighborhoods Make or Break You

Chicago has 77 unique neighborhoods all throughout the city. Choosing the right one for you will make or break you in Chicago. In many ways, the neighborhood will define you.

It's also important to understand the street pattern in Chicago is known as the simplest in the world. There are eight city blogs per mile with 10 address numbers on each block. The center of the grid is Madison Street and State Street.

• Access to Great Transportation is Vital

Chicago isn't known for cheap or easy parking. You could pay as much as $200 per month for garage parking. Many Chicagoans take the train, use the CTA, ride their bike or take a cab or Uber. Make sure you become familiar with the transportation system in Chicago. It will make a big difference when you first arrive.

• Prepare for Harsh Winters

If you're coming from a warmer climate, be prepared; winter in Chicago is harsh. You need to make sure you understand what you're getting into. Walking in the winter isn't pleasant, but it can be bearable with the right supplies. Get prepared for winter before it arrives.

• Get Out and Mingle ASAP

When you're planning a move to Chicago, you want to make sure you get out and mingle ASAP. Of course, you need to plan your packing, the actual moving day, unpacking and plenty of other things. However, getting out and seeing the city and meeting new people is very important. If possible, get out and see something in Chicago the first weekend after you move here.

• Hire Help

A moving company will go a very long way to making your move to Chicago easier. You can hire a professional moving company to do far more than just transport your belongings. They can pack for you and unpack, making it much easier to get settled once you arrive in Chicago.

When you're planning a move to Chicago, make sure you plan the actual move and the way you will get to know the city. Chicago is a wonderful place to call home and the sooner you get out and see the city, the more you will feel settled in your new home.

How To Prepare For Your Move

When it comes to proper moving preparation, you need to know how to get your home ready. There are several tips you can use to help with preparing for your move. Here are just a few of the most important tips.

• Assign a Notebook to the Move

You will have plenty of notes to jot down during this process. It's best to keep them all in one place. Get a notebook specifically for the move. You can also use a binder with blank paper, if that works better for you.

When you have a place to write down all the notes you have throughout the move, it will make life easier. You never known when you will need to remember something you forgot to write down. Write down everything and you won't need to worry about it.

• Know your Moving Costs

Unexpected expenses happen when you move, but you can still plan for many of the costs. Make sure you know all the expenses from the total you will pay your professional movers, how much you will spend on supplies, the cost for cleaning your prior home, travel cost, cost for vehicle maintenance and any other costs.

It's best to leave a spot in your moving budget for an emergency fund. You never know when something unexpected will happen. Make sure you have some money set aside for emergencies.

• Prepare Your New Home Ahead of Time

While you can't do everything before you move in, some things can be done. If you plan to renovate or make repairs, do it before you move in. In addition, you should take the time to inspect your new home before you move in. Make sure you know what you're moving into before you pack up and head down the road.

• Label Boxes Properly

You will have the same types of rooms in your new home, so make sure you label your boxes properly. You want to make sure the kitchen boxes start with the title "KITCHEN" and list what's in the box. If you label boxes this way, you will know where to find everything you need when you need it. This can make moving in a bit easier.

• Don't Move with Food

Be careful to move with packed up food. It can spoil and attract pests. The best thing you can do is consume all perishable food items before you move. In addition, eat up as much of the rest of your food as possible before you move.

If you have a large amount of food to eat up, throw a farewell party and feed everybody you know. This will allow you to use up the food without wasting it. If you do have some non-perishable items left, you can pack them in a box and let that travel with you on moving day.

Proper moving preparation will go a long way to making sure your move is easy and smooth. Hiring the right professional moving company can certainly help. Make sure you use the tips above and you'll be much happier on moving day.

Family Moving in Chicago

Moving as a family can be a very exciting endeavor. It can also become stressful on you and on the children. There are several things you can do to make family moving easier. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Understand the Possible Stress

Before you move, it's important to understand the stress each family member may feel. Both physical and psychological stress are possible during a move. Physical stress is the easiest to manage and deal with.

You can reduce physical stress by staying organized, packing a little at a time and keeping up with a normal routine. Psychological stress is a bit harder to manage. However, you can manage it by allowing each person in the family to feel the way they feel. Don't discount their feelings because they are children.

It's important to keep your family focused on the positive with the move. When dealing with family moving, focus on the chance for new adventures, the possible attractions and things to do they will love, and the possibility of a larger space or nicer weather.

Work Together and Stay Organized

Moving as a family may come with stress, but sticking together can keep it to a minimum. If you're well organized and you work together, you can accomplish plenty more than fighting each other and going into moving without a plan.

You can even turn the packing process into a fun game. It can be a race to pack, but you will need a few rules. Maybe the parents are the ones labeling the boxes and while speed matters in this game, getting the right items into the box also matters.

Remember, you’re the Adult and the Leader

Children of all ages will look to you for guidance and ques throughout a move. Younger children often want to be just like you. If you're negative and complaining about the move, they will likely do the same thing. Even when things get frustrating, keep your complaints between you and your spouse. Don't complain, fight, bicker or spread anything negative in front of the children.

Staying positive will help you to keep your children positive and on task. When you're calm and positive, they have an environment to become calm and positive about the move, too.

Give Your Children Decisions to Make

Children want to be included, at any age. They may act out because they had no choice in the move. Giving them things to decide about will help. They could approve your choice for bedding, rugs or paint for their room or you may finally need to give in and let them have a pet.

Use Age-Appropriate Books for Moving

There are several great books you can read to your children before a move including:

• Big Earnie's New Home, By Teresa and Whitney Martin - Ages 3 to 5

• Maybe Yes, Maybe No, Maybe Maybe by Susan Patron - Ages 6 and up

• The Bernstein Bears' Moving Day, by Stan and Jan Bernstein - Ages 3 to 5

• Where I Live, by Eileen Spinelli - Age 6 and up

By sharing these books with them, it may help your children relate better to what to expect.

Family moving isn't easy, especially if you're moving across the country or to a new city. You can relieve some of the stress by hiring a professional moving company to handle the packing, loading, unloading, and loading.