Before your next move, there are plenty of obvious things to set up: housing, utilities, packers/movers, kids’ schools and more. All of these will be on the top of your radar. But then there are things that are far less obvious. Where is the closest dollar store to your new address? Where will you find the best burger? Where’s a scenic place to walk? These are some of the amenities you may need but that we rarely plan out before we get to the new location.
However, doing so can not only leave you more prepared, but get you more excited about the next stop that will serve as your home.
Check out these simple ways to get more involved (and better prepped) for your next town.
Get online and start searching
With the Internet, you can find virtually anything you need to these days. Get on Facebook and join local town pages, for-sale groups, and more. (After all, you may need a quick and cheap way to get new items once you’re settled in.) Here you can ask for advice, find out about the local stomping grounds, and gain key insights to where you can get the best townie information.
Social media isn’t your only stop, however. Start putting in keywords and searching. Town + best eats, town + walking trails, and more. Check out Google reviews, find events, and more. The more you read and search, the better view you will have of the next town to call your own.
Maps is another key feature to plan out routes, find the nearest eateries, and more.
While you’re at it, don’t overlook city websites and images. Sure, they’re there to show the location in its best light, but they will also break down all the stops and what they have to offer. Because such sites are geared toward tourists (or newbies), they will include information you may not find elsewhere.
Ask others
Next, consider anyone you know who may live in said town/base, or who has lived there in the past. The more folks you ask, the more you’re likely to learn about a location. All before you ever even arrive. Another trick is to filter your Facebook friends by location, so you can determine who may live near your next duty station without having to rely on your memory of who was stationed there more recently.
Stay calm and be ready for change
Another important aspect of your travels is to stay calm and go with the flow. No matter how much research you do, you can’t be ready for everything that may come your way. So be sure to sit tight and roll with any changes. Work with your family and communicate cleary – especially as everyone becomes stressed – to avoid any backlash or unnecessary fights. This is just one way you can help to arrive to a peaceful setting.
As things change through the trip, all you can do is react. Being prepared for anything – and then handling it in the moment – is a great way to keep a disaster at bay.
PCSing is always a big event – even for seasoned spouses – but prepping your entire family can help it become a smoother, less stressed occurrence for all.