Finding Your “New Normal” after Moving + Giveaway

***This post is sponsored by TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.***Moving to a new town can be very exciting! I know all about it. I’ve moved at least 15 times.  Maybe this spring or summer you’re moving for a new job opportunity, to prepare for growing your family, or just to see a new part of the world.  But even the most adventurous family craves some sense of normalcy at home, and it can be tough to become settled in your new neighborhood.For this post I’ve teamed up with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK–  Nashville’s local moving professionals for over two decades –  and they’re ready to share all of their secrets on finding your “New Normal.”

First, find your nearest must-haves.

These include a new primary care physician, the nearest emergency room, convenient grocery store options, a pharmacy, and even a veterinarian clinic if you’re moving with pets.  If you’re living in a Nashville suburb, you may only have a few options for each of these categories.  However, anyone moving to the more condensed regions, such as the Gulch or Midtown neighborhoods, will have a ton of options for doctors, grocers, and vets.  To narrow it down, search online for reviews about how attentive and timely certain hospitals and doctors are, as well as the convenience in office hours for each.  You’ll also want to check with your health insurance company to see which local offices are considered in-network for your plan.

Next, start scoping out the “dailies.”

What makes up your morning routine?  Maybe you like to always visit the same coffee shop, walk your dog along some trails, or bring the kiddos to a nearby playground.  At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Nashville, all of our movers like to start off the day with some weight lifting at their favorite gym.  Later in the day, you may want some regular lunch spots to choose from, a cheap gas station, or a laidback music venue where you can bond with your new coworkers.  Think through these rituals so you can start researching your new daily visits.

Finally, make your children the top priority!

Moving to a new town means finding new schools, and this can be complicated, as every city has different regulations regarding zoning.  In metro Nashville, elementary and middle school students are zoned by location, but high school students can choose their school based on the Academy they wish to join.  Nashville also has traditional, magnet, and charter school options in the public school system, as well as specialty schools for families with nontraditional needs.  For further information on schools (including the Academies of Nashville in high schools), check out Metro Nashville Schools. If you’re looking for pre-Kindergarten options for your little tikes, Nashville offers public early childcare options through MNPS, as well as private day cares and pre-Kindergarten programs.  You can find the best private childcare for your young one by finding a provider with a high “star rating.”  Through the Star-Quality Program in Tennessee, private childcare providers can opt to be rated by the state with 0-3 stars.  3-star schools offer the highest quality of care based on attributes like staff education and training, parent involvement, and on-site program assessment.  You can find more information on the Star-Quality Program here.  Another way to shape your child’s “New Normal” is through finding enriching activities they can become excited about!  If your child isn’t old enough or skilled enough to participate in sports programs through school, every community center in Nashville offers plenty of team sports options.  You can find your nearest community center by visiting the metro government website.

Other after-school programs are available through the awesome Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA) with partners like the Nashville Children’s Theater and Nashville Public Library.  These options can be explored at https://NashvilleZ.org.  The Volunteer State also has a plethora of local non-profit organizations, such as the Nashville Humane Association and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, that love engaging young volunteers.  To find the right volunteer opportunities for your family, visit HandsOnNashville.org.

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