Moving is a pretty big life change, and it comes with a lot to think about. For some people who have recently lost a loved one, it’s often not advisable to make such big plans soon after the devastation that a death can bring. That said, for many, moving to a new home or city can be therapeutic and can assist in the process of healing and moving forward. In order to do so, however, you’ll need to consider many factors so that stress and anxiety aren’t added to your feelings of grief, anger, or sadness.

Whether you want to move into a new home or travel to a completely different state for a change of scenery, you’ll have to prepare in advance as much as possible. Selling and/or buying a home is a big milestone in a person’s life that comes with many details, and the process can be overwhelming if you aren’t ready. The expense of a move is often underestimated, so be careful when it comes to figuring out your finances and how to handle the costs.

Read on for some tips on how to make a big transition after experiencing a loss.

Make the Right Choices for You

One of the most important parts of moving on after losing a loved one is making decisions that will benefit you. For instance, if you’re going to be moving to a smaller home or to a new city, it might not be practical to take large pieces of furniture with you, no matter how much sentimental value they hold. Think about where you might donate these items, or ask family members if they’d like to take them off your hands. If you’re unsure about what to do with them, you can always rent a storage unit near your new home to keep them safe for the time being. Some items can be kept, but in a different way; for instance, if you have the clothing that belonged to your loved one, look into creating a quilt or pillowcase out of several of the items.

Ask for Support

It will be incredibly important for you to have the support of your friends and loved ones when you’re looking for a new home; not only will they help you get through the process emotionally, but they can also act as a second pair of eyes to help you look for all the things you want and need in a new home. After grieving, it can be difficult to make such a big change without emotions or memories getting in the way. Having someone by your side will help to ensure that you can get through it all without the stress.

An experienced and committed realtor can help you during these trying times. Our team of expert agents at Charleston Property Group can provide you with exceptional service for all your selling and buying needs.

Stay Organized

Packing and moving can be a very stressful process, so it’s best to keep stress and anxiety at bay by staying organized. During such a difficult period in your life, the last thing you want is to add more worry to your plate. Think about the details involved in moving to a new place — changing your address at the post office and on your driver’s license, pet tags, and credit card statement, for instance — and make a list of the tasks you need to accomplish so nothing gets left out. This is the best way to prevent any issues that could cause problems during the move. It’s also a good idea to hire movers to take care of the heavy lifting. Before hiring a service, be sure to read customer reviews for movers. A local company typically charges$30 – $50 an hour per mover. 

Making a big change after losing someone you love comes with its own unique set of problems, and they’re different for everyone. Talk to a counselor or therapist if you’re feeling overwhelming grief or anxiety; otherwise, keep things organized to reduce stress, and remember that this new path is what’s best for you.

This content is not the product of the National Association of REALTORS®, and may not reflect NAR's viewpoint or position on these topics and NAR does not verify the accuracy of the content.