According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American’s move an average of 11.7 times in their lifetime. By the fifth or sixth move you would think moving would be a piece of cake – but as we all know, that’s not the case. Each move comes with it’s own obstacles, anxieties and frustrations. Transitioning to a new city, state or country can present many challenges for everyone involved.
But there’s good news! With the advancement of technology, our world has become more connected. Moving interstate is no longer as mysterious as it once was. By educating yourself on the latest trends in technology, you are guaranteed to feel more in control and stress-free about the transition ahead. Here the top tools that you should leverage before you move:
- Online Organizational Tools: When moving half the battle is just staying on top of your timeline. If you’re like most of us, hiring a personal assistant is probably out of the question, which is why I recommend the using Remember the Milk. Not only will this tool help you stay on track of your moving timeline, it can send reminders the way you want to receive them — e-mail, SMS or IM. There’s even have a slick phone app that can integrate with your calendar
- Social Media: Gone are the days when you have to call Aunt Millie’s brother-in-law for advice about living in a new city. Get advice directly from living and breathing locals, real-time with new social networking platforms and blogs. For instance, I like using facebook.com as I can search for chamber of commerce pages or city pages to connect directly with city residents.
- Video: With sites like YouTube becoming so saturated with ‘how-to’ videos, there’s no excuse for not knowing how to pack everything in your house to perfection. Learn from the pros and avoid unwanted breakage at your final destination.
- Online Data: If you know where to look, you can access some of the most in-depth and thorough city and community data available. Here’s an example of a site that offers great city stats and general information. It also hosts a forum, so you can see reviews of each city for an even more personal perspective: http://www.bestplaces.net
- Geo-tracking: Now when you arrange a preview trip to a new city, geo-tracking technology like Tripit, FourSquare and Facebook Places can help you find friends in the area. Meeting up with a friend in a new city is the best way to test-drive what life would be like living in there.
Jess Powell, Allied Van Lines Moving Company