Moving to Palm Beach: Tips to Getting Settled

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by Beverly D. Roman

Moving is an exciting time as you begin new opportunities. 

Everything is new. In a new city you’ll have new favorite restaurants, a new sports team to cheer on, a new grocery store, new routines, new neighbors and new friends. In this section you’ll find some tips and resources that hopefully make your transition as seamless as possible, and help you get established and reconnected, to make your new city feel like home.


A Positive and Enriching Moving Experience  

The Palm Beach Relocation Guide is designed to provide those new to the Palm Beach County area with a wealth of information. And, as excited as you may be with your relocation decision, it is still a challenge to settle into any new community. With this article, I will share with you my relocation tips, based on more than thirty books and extensive personal experience, to smooth your adjustment into Palm Beach County.


Learn About Your New City

You may find yourself lodged in a hotel or temporary housing until your belongings arrive, and that’s a nice opportunity to become familiar with the Palm Beach County area. The Palm Beach Relocation Guide is the perfect place to start learning about what this wonderful city has to offer. You can also find additional information at the Chamber of Commerce, the Visitor’s Center, hotels/motels/airports, real estate offices, and The Realtor's Association of the Palm Beaches for additional resources.

A walking or bus tour, while fun for the whole family, actually serves to help you become acclimated and learn about the city. You can also visit local points of interest such as museums, parks and exhibits; enjoy a concert; and try out restaurants featuring local cuisine. Check out any services, activities or organizations that are of particular interest to your family.


Spouse Career Considerations

One of the biggest challenges of moving is relocating a “second” career. If you, as a spouse, are transferring your job to a home office, then a computer, telephone, and email account may be all that you will need to get started. However, if your job was not “portable,” you might consider a new career, part-time or temporary employment, or perhaps even start your own business.

Evaluate your skills, accomplishments and greatest strengths when you are planning your next endeavor. A few resources to tap are your spouse’s employer, local organizations, real estate offices with “Partner Career Assistance Programs,” independent career counselors, your university/college alma mater and of course the local employment websites. If you are searching for a job, start networking by telling those you meet that you are looking.

If you have chosen to take a break from your career, consider volunteering your time and talent. Volunteering to a charitable organization is a wonderful effort as well as a way to meet new people and learn more about the community. Volunteer activities add depth to résumés, but the experience needs to be documented so that the service equates to business expertise. Before you again become fully employed, use any free time to enjoy your new community. Refer to the Advice for Volunteers website for guidance in selecting a volunteer position and Monster.com for spouse assistance in the Helpful Websites sidebar.


Relocating with Children?

Click on the above link for a comprehensive article about relocating to a new city with children in tow.  The article discusses important considerations, dealing with common challenges, and special safety precautions to keep in mind. 


Medical and Safety Precautions

It is a fact that moving places additional stress on individuals and consequently, they are more vulnerable to accidents or illness, not to mention unexpected flare-ups of chronic health conditions. If an emergency occurs, every second counts; therefore, as a precaution, locate hospitals, pharmacies and physicians that will meet your family’s needs before an emergency arises.

Learn the procedures, telephone numbers and access codes for emergency care and always carry medical identification with you. Also, in an emergency, you may forget your new telephone number and/or address so before an emergency arises, program them into your cell phone and place written notes near each telephone in your home, as well as basic directions to your residence. Directions will not only be useful for family members in the early days at your new home, but they will also assist babysitters and visiting relatives.


Embrace the move

Whether or not you have children, or you are married, single or retired, relocating to a new community can ultimately become a wonderful and enriching experience. The suggestions in this article have worked for many relocating families, and they can also help your family become comfortable in your new home.

As an aside, when people learn that I’ve moved 19 times, the response is often “What place did you like best?” My answer is always the same: “Where my family was.” I wish you all the best!


 

About the Author | Beverly D. Roman founded BR Anchor Publishing in 1990 and has written more than 30 international and domestic relocation books. Two of her books won the Employee Relocation Couns Achievement Award for Special Purpose Programs. Her international newsletter has supported corporations and the military in over 140 countries for more than18 years. Beverly served from 2002-2004 as founding chairperson for Families in Global Transition, Inc. (FIGT) an organization that focuses on the most critical issues associated with international cultural transitions. Contact her at broman@branchor.com, 904.641.1140 or visit www.branchor.com. 

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