The COVID-19 crisis changed our work and lives in profound ways. More people are working from home. Commute distances between homes and offices matter less. Many are choosing to relocate away from city centers. They are moving to more cost-effective and aesthetic housing options. Here is a short list of things to consider before shifting house.
Table of Contents
Work-friendly
The new house will be as much a home as an office. You may want a separate work area. Consider factors that may have a bearing on workplace efficiency and comfort. Sufficient space, enough lighting and ventilation, pleasing ambience, and good acoustics for those conference calls can be some of the considerations. See to it that your work area is insulated from the usual sounds at home, such as a TV in another room. You may choose to take your familiar work desk or get a new one. Some of us like to have a window with a pleasing view, while others prefer workspaces free of such needless distractions. Choose a house that matches your preference.
Connectivity
The speed and reliability of an internet connection is the keystone of work life in the post COVID-19 world of work. Being far from the city center can narrow down choices in terms of service providers and plans. Find out all you can about possible connectivity issues in the area you plan to move to. There would be little advantage in moving to a spacious and charming new house if you find yourself disconnected from your work.
Social life
Working online can disconnect us from our offline lives. Research conducted by the social media management platform Buffer found that loneliness is the most common risk faced by remote workers. Being mostly confined indoors is bad enough. Don’t relocate too far away from your friends. Physical distance might become a detriment to meeting them. Conversely relocating can create opportunities for making new friends. Consider the options for outdoor activities and sports in your choice of new home. Living close to a park or beach gives the added advantage of getting plenty of sun and outdoor time.
Costs and benefits
Most choices in life come with pros and cons. Moving homes is no different. By shifting away from the city center one can get a larger and place for the same price. Think of all the things you can do with an extra room. Make it a home gym, kids’ play room, study, workshop, guestroom, store, or even let it out on airbnb.
Alternately you may choose to get a smaller place and save money. Saving is currently a priority for many. Millions of migrant workers live and work in the US. They send money online to support their families back home. Saving allows them to send larger remittances.
Also consider that some houses need a little work before you can move in. This depends on the terms of the rent agreement, as well as the life choices of previous occupants. The additional work can involve cleaning, pest control, paintwork, general maintenance, and more.
Stuff
Moving homes invokes the all-important question of what to do with all your stuff. This includes your furniture, appliances, heirlooms, and souvenirs. Over time stuff can accumulate. Packing and moving all that stuff can prove to be expensive. There is also the question of whether the new house will have enough space for it all. Relocating creates a unique opportunity. You can sell stuff you no longer need. Hold a yard sale or use a platform such as eBay to sell. Deciding what to keep and what to let go is as symbolic as it is vital. It is an involving and introspective process which applies to not just physical possessions and stuff. Moving homes gives you the opportunity to reinvent yourself as a person.
Change of address
Let people know that you’re moving. Update your contact list with your new address. Key places to change your address are bank accounts, insurers, subscriptions, service providers, benefactors, and beneficiaries. Put your new address on the official USPS site to continue receiving your mail.
About the author:
Hemant G is a contributing writer at Sparkwebs LLC, a Digital and Content Marketing Agency. When he’s not writing, he loves to travel, scuba dive, and watch documentaries.