If you are planning to move to Chicago, you want to know that you have chosen the best neighborhood to live in. If you do not currently live in or near Chicago, you do not have an idea of the neighborhoods that are around and it is a good idea for you to take some time to learn about them. Below, we will go over some tips to help you choose the best neighborhood to suit your needs.

1. Tour the Neighborhood

If you want to get a good idea of the neighborhood you are considering, take a walk around it. You can tell a lot about a neighborhood and your neighbors by how they keep their home, lawn, and even garbage can on trash day.

As you walk throughout the neighborhood, pay attention to the road and whether or not it is paved. Also look around that the trees to find out if there are any potentially problematic areas or if the trees provide enough shade coverage along the sidewalks.

When you do walk the neighborhood, wave hello to others and see how they respond to you. Friendly neighbors will quickly engage you and say hello, sometimes before you can get it out first.

With your move coming up right around the corner, you likely are dreading the entire thing, especially if it is your first move and you have no idea where to begin. Below, we will provide you with some expert tips to make the entire day easy and go smoothly.

1. Get Rid of Stuff You Don’t Need

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is they take a bunch of stuff with them that they do not need. This not only means you need to move more things; it helps slow down the day. Before you even think about packing your items, go through them and throw out anything you know you do not need or will not use.

2. Take Pictures of Cords Before Unplugging Them

If you want to easily remember where all of your cords go and what plugs in where, take a picture of the cords in place BEFORE you unplug them. You will find this works wonders when it comes to your computer and other electronics. Once you are moved into your new place, you can reference the photos and quickly have your items setup and running in no time.

If you want to move somewhere new, but you do not want to go broke in the process, it is important that you evaluate your money situation and evaluate how much it is going to cost you to live somewhere. If you do not have the funds to move, it is suggested that you do not move until you have enough saved to sustain yourself. Below, we will cover some of the most affordable places to live in 2016.

1. Cedar Rapids, IA

Cedar Rapids is a newly revamped city with major plans in the works. The best thing about the new renovations to the city is that tax payers do not have to pay for it. In fact, investors and the city have given over one million dollars to help rebuild and revamp the downtown area. If you plan to live here, you can expect to pay about $2.45 per gallon of gas and $1.76 per loaf of bread.

2. Bloomington, IL

Bloomington is on the list of places that are affordable to live in. If you are looking for a place to live and work, then you will enjoy being able to afford your monthly payments and housing in this city. The average price of gas per gallon in the city is about $2.72 and the average cost for a loaf of bread is $1.55.

Did you know that there is moving etiquette? If you did not know, you are not alone. With all of the craziness that is going on around you, it is no surprise that you have probably let a few things slip by. Before you let too much slip right on by, let’s go over some of the basic moving day etiquette that you need to have to ensure a smooth move for you, the movers, and your neighbors.

1. Do Not Block Driveways or Access Ways

Blocking driveways and access ways is a great way to start a negative relationship with your new neighbors. You should be mindful of where you park your vehicle and the moving truck. If you do need more space than you have, consider asking your neighbors if it would be okay if you park your vehicle in front of their house for a couple of hours. The worst that can happen is they say no, but you will never know unless you try.

If you or your loved one is in the military, you are probably used to the fact that there is not much stability and you may move from one location to the next quite often. In fact, you may move every few months depending on the contract or job that your loved one is assigned to. While it may be fun to move the first couple of times, you will likely start to hate the idea of having to pack up and move again and you may just simply keep a majority of your items in a storage unit or packed in boxes. Below, we will go over some helpful moving tips that have been shared from military family to military family.

1. Don’t Plan the Move Until You Know the Date

One of the hardest things you will have to do is wait until you have received orders before you start to pack and plan. It can be difficult to wait during this time, but it will help you be fully prepared because, after all, you know that the plans could change at any minute.