When you are moving to a new city or an unfamiliar place, then safety needs to be the top priority. While it may be exciting to have a big adventure, if you don’t take the proper steps, then you could make yourself vulnerable to danger or an attack. It is important that you plan accordingly so you can be ready for anything.
If you are thinking about moving to a new city, consider these tips to feel comfortable in your new surroundings.
Determine If Your New Home Is Safe
Although you may have fallen in love with the idea of moving to this city, it is still important that you do your research ahead of time to ensure that you are renting or buying a home in a safe neighborhood. Ask your potential landlord or the real estate agent about the safety of the area. You can also look at crime statistics online to learn about the crime rates of the neighborhood.
It is also a smart idea to visit the property a few times before you commit to moving in. Many people make the mistake of only visiting a potential home or apartment once during the day. However, consider taking a trip to the area at different times of the day. During a weekday in the morning and at night and also come by on a Saturday or Sunday. You can get an idea of how safe and busy the area really is during all parts of the week. Everything may seem good during the day, but once the people of the neighborhood return home, it may be a different story.
Even if you do determine that your new neighborhood is safe, it is essential that you lock your door at all times, especially when you are not home. Even if you are leaving for a quick trip down the street, don’t take any chances. When you do go out, avoid carrying cash because if you are robbed, then that money is gone for good. Carry a credit card instead, and you can cancel it immediately if it is stolen.
Save For Emergencies
Moving across the state or the country can be a costly endeavor. But, you do not want to spend all of your money and not have anything left over for safety purposes. Before you pack, create a budget to determine the potential costs you may have along the way.
Find an online moving cost calculator and input your starting location, the type of property you are moving to, and how much stuff you are transporting to get a good idea of the cost. Then compare that with how much income you have. If you can tell that money will be tight, then you may need to make an adjustment. So, you don’t put yourself at risk of falling short. You can save cash by researching moving companies ahead of time. Ask for quotes so you are sure that you can find a service you can afford.
The goal is to have enough money left over so you can create an emergency fund. This is a lump sum that you keep to the side, and you don’t touch it unless absolutely necessary. You can use the money in this fund to make unexpected home repairs, get yourself out of a jam if your car breaks down, and pay for unanticipated medical bills.
You should also budget properly so you can save enough money to buy a security system for your home. If possible, get an alarm with motion sensors and cameras so you can turn over the footage to law enforcement if an incident were to happen at your house.
Build Healthy Relationships
If you are moving to a city and you do not know anyone, then you will need to take the right steps to form healthy relationships and avoid predators. It is important that you try to meet people because having friends that you can hang out with and talk to is important for your mental health. Since mental health care is already harder for many women to find, we can use all of the help we can get.
It is important that you properly vet the people that you do meet to ensure that they are safe. Then, work on strengthening good relationships. You can do that by asking questions to learn more about each other and build a deeper relationship. It is also important that you support each other in times of need while also respecting each other’s boundaries.
While you may want to meet new people, it is important that you are safe when you go out. Try to avoid going places at night when you are alone. If you must, then go with a friend. An attacker is less likely to go after a group of people. Plus, if you are in danger, then you have someone there to help. Try to make it a point to meet new people at safe places. Local club, a class, or by volunteering in your community are good options.
As you can see, there are many considerations you should make before moving to a new city. Make the proper plans before you relocate, and you can enjoy your new setting while staying safe and sound.
About The Author
Ainsley Lawrence is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys writing about the ways technology, education, and wellness intersect and impact our everyday lives. She is frequently lost in a good book.