|
Moving to NJ can be difficult and there is so much to do to help your relocation go as smoothly as possible. To help you move, relocate, and get yourself better situated in the Garden State, we have put this moving checklist together for you to help you whether you are in North Jersey, Central Jersey, or even South Jersey. Looking before you leap: Visiting New Jersey-
Pack up your bags and take the family with you to get a feel for your new home. Try to include a weekday visit so you can get a feel for NJ traffic and see the local schools in session. Try to make an appointment to tour the classrooms and other school facilities. Get a feel for the downtown and the amenities it offers. Do some work in advance to get to as many New Jersey open houses as possible. TRAFFIC: Are you planning on being a commuter to work? You may want to visit NJCommuter.com to learn all about NJ bus and train schedules, NJ E-Z Pass, NJ park and ride programs and much more. OR if you are interested in just getting real time NJ traffic information, visit the NJ Department of Transportation’s Live Traffic Report Page. It always makes sense to know before you go. SCHOOLS: To help make your family relocation to NJ more productive, find out more about NJ schools and school systems before you visit, check out the New Jersey Department of Education Home Page. This government resource has names, phone numbers, education statistics, and just about everything else you want to know about NJ schools. OPEN HOUSES: Want to know what local newspaper will have the NJ open houses you are searching for? Find the newspapers closest to the NJ town you are moving to. Many of these newspapers will have online versions of their NJ classifieds section. Or when you arrive pick up Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays local papers for the week’s open house information. Timing is everything: Moving to NJ with kids-
Try to make the move to New Jersey when the children’s schools start up in September. This can make the adjustment to their new surroundings easier. Also, if you move to in the summer, sign your kids up for local NJ summer camps and other activities so they can make friends in the neighborhood. Talk to your realtor, teachers, other parents, or local municipality to find out what summer camps are in the area. If your other commitments prohibit that time of the year, the next best time is to try January. This way they can begin in the second half of the school year. Help with the bill: Corporate reimbursement-
Many companies will reimburse or pay for relocation costs directly. Moving costs, temporary housing, spousal employment assistance, house-hunting trips and closings costs on a new home are typical expenses covered by many companies. Tip: Just remember to set aside some extra money since the IRS considers these benefits taxable (or your company may cover this expense too, it never hurts to ask). Make sure you speak to your tax professional about your New Jersey relocation before filing your federal taxes and New Jersey taxes. The last thing you need is moving PLUS an audit in the same year! The Big Question: To rent or to buy?
If you have to move within three years from this NJ relocation, you may want to consider renting an apartment in New Jersey. And even if you are planning on settling down in this new location, you should get to know the area well before you take the plunge to buy. This way you can ensure that your family is truly comfortable with their new surroundings before forking over your hard earned money on a major investment like your home. Plus, renting will give you the chance to shop houses and neighborhoods. APARTMENT INFO: For updated and relevant NJ apartment information, just come here, to GSA. We have tons of NJ apartment listings and a lot of them are free. We will even help you do some research on the New Jersey counties, towns, and cities you considering before you rent OR buy. Have patience
The relocation process can take over a year before your family agrees that your new NJ residence feels like home. Everyone in your family, including your pets, will adjust at their own pace. The sooner you get familiar with your surroundings, the sooner it will feel like home. So, carve out some time to explore places of interest in your new community. To help get you started on settling into your new New Jersey surroundings, visit New Jersey’s Travel and Tourism website to find out some of New Jersey’s attractions and events. Relocating can be stressful, but step back once in a while to enjoy the ride. Good luck with everything and welcome home. |
