Before leaving your old home behind, it’s important to help you children prepare to say goodbye to it. Here are some tips to help their relocation go as smoothly as possible:

Keep your child involved in the moving process.

Moving is difficult for everyone, but your relocation will go much more smoothly if your kids are kept in the loop about the details.

Write the date you’re moving on the family calendar, so your child is well aware of when it’s happening. Also, write the date that you’ll need to start packing. If your children are older, have them pack up their own rooms or favorite items. Supply them with markers, crayons, stickers and labels so they can decorate their boxes.

Ask your children to draw a picture of how they will arrange and decorate their new room. You could even help make a floor plan.

Help your kids get familiar with their new surroundings.

Take pictures or video of the new home or town, so they become familiar with the new surroundings.

Leslie Levine, author of Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home?, suggests giving your children a camera to take pictures before leaving the old house. They can document their favorite parts of their old home, and they can take pictures of the new house to send to old friends. Levine says this “helps kids make sense of a move.”

You can also get a large map of the new area. Locate and mark several of the places you have discussed as well as where the new house will be. They’ll recognize these landmarks when you arrive!

Help them get involved in their new school and community.

Making friends and doing activities they enjoy will help ease the transition for your child, so give them a head start! Put together a folder for each child that includes brochures about the new city such as theaters, libraries, parks and sports teams. Be sure to include information on activities they enjoy.

Another tip from Lori Collins Burgan, author of Moving With Kids: 25 Ways to Ease Your Family’s Transition to a New Home, is to explain to teachers, coaches and any other adults who are going to be part of the child’s life that the move is going to be tough on your son or daughter. You can recommend things that will help with the transition. Burgan says, “I’ve found adults to be very willing to help, they just sometimes don’t know how.”

The last time Collins Burgan’s family moved, her daughter was in the fifth grade. The author explained to her daughter’s new teacher that the girl was athletic and asked if the teacher could pair her with another girl with similar interests. Her daughter, now 16, became best friends with the girl her teacher paired her with that year.

If your children are too young for school, Collins Burgan recommends spending time outside with them, even in bad weather, so that they are visible to other kids in the neighborhood. Leave toys on the front lawn and go on walks with your children through your neighborhood. “If I see a child go in a door, I’ll even go up and knock on it,” Collins Burgan says.

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No move is completely hassle-free, but certain circumstances bring their own logistical snags. Here’s how to simplify the process.

• MOVING INTERNATIONALLY
  Contact the consulate or embassy of your future stomping grounds for info on necessary work permits and visas. Then find a mover with international experience, and book them as early as possible. When you’re crossing borders, less is more — it may be cheaper to buy new furniture than to ship yours overseas. Pack everything else in boxes with as little wiggle room as possible.
• MOVING WITH PETS
  Animals are on the no-go list for moving companies, so you’ll have to take Spot’s relocation into your own hands. If you’re flying, notify the airline before you check in — otherwise your pet may not get past the gate. If you’re driving a long distance, crack open a window and have Spot sit next to it so he won’t get car sick. Once you’re at your new house, you may want to lock your pets in a quiet room while you unload the moving truck so they’re not frightened by the flurry of activity.
• MOVING WITH CHILDREN
  A move can be stressful for kids, so keep them informed and address any questions or worries they may have. If you have school-age children, obtain copies of their transcripts for enrollment at their new school. While packing, save their rooms for last to minimize disruption; on moving day, pack a bag of toys and essentials to keep them busy.
• DOWNSIZING
  Movers base their prices on the amount of stuff you’re shipping, so don’t waste money hauling furniture that won’t fit into your new home. While packing, be honest about how much you really need and which items are most important to you. If an item doesn’t make the cut, donate it to a family member or sell it.

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If houses are like spouses, a neighborhood is like the extended family. But while you can have a good marriage and still dread holidays with the in-laws, you’ll never love a house if you don’t like your neighborhood.

How can you choose the right community? Become a neighborhood detective. Figure out what you’re looking for, do research and find a neighborhood that fits your description. You don’t even have to wear a trench coat — but it probably wouldn’t hurt.

STEP 1 — Profile Your Perfect Neighborhood

Before you start scrutinizing neighborhoods, turn the magnifying glass back on yourself.

Think about what you’re really looking for in a new neighborhood. Remember, you’ll probably have to make compromises, so put the “must-haves” at the top and the “would- like-to-haves” at the bottom. Not sure what fits your lifestyle? Here’s a list of 12 types of neighborhoods to get you started.

Here are some things to consider:

* Do you have children or are you planning to have children anytime soon? Parents know that the first thing to do when looking at a neighborhood is to research the school system. Even if you’re single, living in an area with a much sought-after school system raises your property value. If you have kids, you’ll also want to live close to parks and community centers.
* What type of home do you want? Are you interested in a single-family home or an apartment, townhouse or co-op? Read more about the different types of homes.
* How far are you willing to commute? Do you plan to drive, walk or take mass transit to work? Do you have a car or would you be willing to get one?
* Do you want to be in a historic neighborhood or a new development? Historic neighborhoods have tons of character, but often require lots of repair work and are governed by community associations with strict standards. Newer developments have more modern features, but are typically far from the city center. Read more about the different types of architecture styles.
* What is your current community lacking? If you’re currently landlocked, but have always wanted to live on the waterfront, put that at the top of your list. If you’re a coffee junkie, having a Starbucks down the street may be a dream come true.
* Do you want to be able to go places on foot? Would you like to be within walking distance of shops, restaurants and bars? Or would you be willing to drive to nearby businesses?
* Think about what you don’t want in a neighborhood, too. If you can’t stand late-night noise, you’ll probably want to steer clear of the college area or an area with a lively bar scene.

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Where to find it:
Downtown, the heart of major metros

What you can call home:
Aging single family homes and apartments, modern luxury lofts and condos converted from old warehouses and above businesses

Your Neighbors:
Ethnically diverse mix of young single professionals, low to middle income families and seniors

Why You’ll Like It:
Affordable housing, eclectic mix of high-end and modest, close to nightlife and city attractions

Why You May Not:
Little to no public parking, typically has higher rate of crime, transients

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Now that you’ve settled into your new home, emerge from your moving cocoon and share the good news with friends and family. If you have the energy, celebrate with a housewarming party! Find inspiration in these websites.

• www.partycat.com — simple, chic, and cheap
• www.celebrate-moving.com — tons of choices from a wide range of companies
• www.einvite.com — bulk pricing and no-frills options for businesses
• www.storkavenue.com — not just for birth announcements
• www.vistaprint.com — budget-friendly, customizable announcements
• www.evite.com — fabulous and free; check the “special announcements” section under ecards

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Congratulations — you’ve made it to the final stretch! By now, your prized possessions are shrouded in bubble wrap and cardboard, and you’ve enlisted a team of professionals (or a strapping group of friends) to help you whisk them to your new home. You’re almost done, but there are a few final steps you can take to ensure that tomorrow is a breeze.

1. Call your moving company or rent-a-truck to confirm your reservation.
Keep your contract handy, along with that inventory list you prepared. If you’re hiring a moving company, you’ll want to compare your inventory list with theirs before you sign off.

2. Print out directions to your new abode.
Keep a copy for yourself and a copy for your movers. If you’re renting a truck, print out directions from your new address to the drop-off point, and locate the closest gas station to avoid fuel surcharges.

3. Clean.
It may seem more intuitive to tidy up after all your stuff is out of the way, but do it now anyway. If you manage to find a few minutes of downtime tomorrow, you probably won’t want to spend it scrubbing the toilet. Besides, your cleaning products could end up on the moving truck before you’ve had a chance to use them.

4. Clean some more.
Get the dirt, cobwebs, and grease off your outdoor gear, since it’ll probably be mingling with your indoor goods on the truck.

5. If you’re leaving your freezer behind, be sure to unplug it the day before.
It needs time to defrost before the power is shut off. Otherwise the next inhabitants could find a soggy surprise.

6. Make sure you have access to the elevator.
If you live in a high-rise apartment or condo, call your property manager.

7. If you’re taking appliances or lighting fixtures, unplug them.
Most movers won’t disconnect anything that’s hard-wired into your house.

8. If you’re going to settlement on a new house, print out directions to the settlement office.
If you’ll need a cashier’s check for closing costs, make sure you have that ready and within reach.

9. Pack a “last-to-go” box.
This should have all the essentials you’ll need for the first night in your new place. Refer to this last-to-go box checklist.

10. Take care of yourself.
Drink plenty of water, because dehydration can impair your decision-making skills. And go to bed early. Moving is much easier after a good night’s sleep.

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1.Clear things out. If you haven’t used it, get rid of it by creating a “charity” and a “recycle” box to help in sorting.

2. Always prepare a “load-last” carton that contains items you want access to right away, like a coffeepot, filter and coffee grounds; paper plates, cups, and napkins; paper towels, telephone, flashlight, basic tools and anything else you may not want to hunt for on moving day. Place difficult-to-locate items such as hardware and the remote control in a plastic sandwich bag. Add a label and put it in your “load-last” carton.

3. Get the children involved. Have them decorate a sign with their name on it and hang it outside the bedroom at their new house. Not only does it help get them involved in the moving process, it will also help movers identify where the boxes should be placed.

4. Be sure to mark each box, clearly indicating the room it belongs in as well as the contents on both the top and side of each box. Use a dark-colored marking pen that is easy to read.

5. Protect your mattresses and furniture by covering them with old sheets. Fitted sheets work especially well.

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Relocation is stressful because you change more than your address. You’ll begin to navigate a new way to be a friend, coworker, and more.

Here are ten tips to a help you tune in to your inner compass when your world is spinning.

1. Ask, “Who am I? What do I need to be happy?”

The secret to a successful move depends on how you answer the question, “Can I still be me?

To answer this question, write ten “I am” statements about yourself — anything from ”I am a dog-owner” to “I am friendly and outgoing.”

Before you move, ask yourself, “How will this list change after I move?” You may still be a dog-owner…but will you create that role the same way?

2. Take a test drive.

When you buy a car, you don’t just go around the block. You try the freeways and the rough roads.

Considering a move to Seattle or Syracuse? Study the culture as if you were an anthropologist. What do people do? How do they dress? How do they talk to each other?

Most important, how do you feel? Did you develop new allergies, headaches or back pain during your visit? Or did you find yourself wishing you cold stay forever?

3. Pack an emotional first aid kit.

Most hikers pack a first aid kit with sunblock, band-aids, and insect repellent.

For relocation you can pack
Coping phrases to repeat when you feel frazzled:
“Let go and relax.”
“I can deal with this.”
“I face the future with confidence.”

Tapes of meditation and visualization (for unexpected bouts of anxiety)
Favorite photos of friends, family, places and pets (so you remember who you are)
Phone numbers of trusted confidantes (for moments when you really need to hear a familiar voice)

4. Develop ceremonies to honor your new life.

As you unpack boxes or begin a new assignment, play your favorite music and enjoy your favorite foods. Arrange one room -or one corner of the room-to look familiar. Some people create a special ritual of settling in to make the new life their own.

5. Plan for downtime.

For the first few months you’ll probably have gaps in your calendar. Maybe you had a standing dinner date with the neighbors on Wednesdays. You held office in civic organizations and you took classes.

Plan to fill downtime with meaningful projects. I recommend taking on a challenging creativity project. Write a novel. Complete a painting. Join a dance group.

And I would add a physical activity, anything from weight-lifting at the gym to running marathons to walking the dog extra times.

When you nurture yourself, you communicate strength and confidence to others. If you are seen as vulnerable and needy, you will attract negative people and negative experiences.

6. Take your time as you make new commitments.

Most newcomers need two to five years to make lasting friends. During your first six months, avoid joining organizations (let alone running for office). Sign up for short-term options so you can test the waters.

You won’t know the hidden dimensions of joining. Once I eagerly joined a group, only to learn that their meetings were held in out-of-the-way places – and that’s where most members lived! A huge waste of time and dues.

7. Celebrate everyday life. Think small. A walk around the lake. A perfect cup of coffee in a nearby coffee shop. A friendly face at the trade show. Listen for the moments when you say, “I could get used to this…”

No matter what happens, you will find at least one pocket of joy in your new life…usually something wonderful you never anticipated.

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