13 THINGS TO DO WHEN RELOCATING TO SOUTH JERSEY

Are you relocating to The Garden State from out-of-state? Welcome! We’re glad to have you! There will be lots to do once you arrive. Here’s a checklist of 13 things you need to do when relocating to South Jersey. Each to-do will help you settle into your new home.

Things You Need To Do Before, During and After Relocating To South Jersey:

1. Set up your utilities before relocating to South Jersey
Setting up utilities is at the top of this to-do list. You’ll need lights to see, especially if you arrive after dark. You’ll also need power to check your electronics and keep warm if it’s cold at night. Set up accounts for electricity, gas, water, trash pickup, cable and Internet before relocating to South Jersey. Get more information on setting up utilities here.

2. Register your new address with the post office
Make sure your mail is being forwarded to your new address. Use this change of address checklist to notify everyone that you are relocating to South Jersey and what your new address will be.

3. Set up new bank or credit union accounts
Transfer money and order new checks with your new address before relocating to South Jersey.

4. Contact your home, auto and health insurance companies before relocating to South Jersey
Are you currently covered? Do you need to create new policies with a new company? Find out. This is important to check especially when you’re moving to a new state.

5. Conduct a home inventory after relocating to South Jersey
Check every box. Look over all your furniture and major appliances immediately. Make sure nothing was lost or damaged during relocation. Make sure your major appliances are working. If you discover that something is lost or damaged, contact the moving company and your insurance company. Then submit a claim right away. Failing to conduct a home inventory and submit a claim immediately after relocating, could mean your insurance company won’t reimburse you.

6. Gather all moving-related receipts
Gather and store all moving-related receipts and documentation before, during and after relocating to South Jersey. Keep it all in one file. Your Bill of Lading and payment receipt should be included. You’ll need your moving-related receipts and documents for tax time.

7. Find new health and service professionals after relocating to South Jersey
This to-do should be done ASAP just in case an unexpected emergency arises. You’ll need to find physicians, a dentist, a pharmacist, a veterinarian and a mechanic. Try to find them as close to your new home as possible.

8. Register your children in school before or soon after relocating to South Jersey
You can research schools near your new home before relocating to South Jersey. If you didn’t have time before relocating, get on it and register your children soon after you move into your new home. Establishing a routine early on will help your children settle in.

9. Register your vehicles
Since you’re relocating to South Jersey, you’ll need to register your car and get a New Jersey driver’s license, tags and/or plates for your vehicles. Check your local South Jersey DMV for more information.

10. Register to vote in South Jersey
Make sure you’re on the voter’s registration for your local area and update all important files and documents with your new address.

11. Create an emergency contact list after relocating to South Jersey
Take the time to create an emergency contact list with all your local South Jersey information. Should something happen, you’ll be glad you did.

12. Start building a sense of community with your new neighborhood
Get up to speed with everything that is going on in your new neighborhood. Buy a subscription to the local newspaper.

13. One last to-do: Get a library card for each member in your family
Once this to-do is checked off the list, you can begin to relax. You’re home!

What do you think the hardest part of relocating to South Jersey? Is it to-do #5 or #7? There’s plenty to do before, during and after relocating to South Jersey. Work through this checklist right down to getting a library card, and you’ll be able to relax. You’ll begin to feel like you’re home once again.

Sam Lepore of Long and Foster Real Estate in Moorestown, New Jersey is a proud resident of the Burlington County and Camden County areas. If you need help with or have questions about items on this checklist, call Sam at (856) 297-6827. He can be reached by email at sam@samlepore.com or visit his team‘s site at samlepore.com