The complete guide to moving to Carmel, IN

Sally Norton

Guest Blogger

   ​Carmel is a wonderful city to move to! Ripe with opportunities and beautiful to boot. However, if you are planning your move or struggling with indecisiveness, it can be a tricky process all the same. To help you with this, we present the complete guide to moving to Carmel, IN. With essential parts of planning a move and Carmel-specific knowledge that will reassure you!

Things to keep in mind when planning your move

Plan well in advance

    If you are even remotely thinking about moving, start planning months in advance. Quite besides the purchase of a home, there is a lot to do before you can relocate. Packing, letting your friends and family know, changing your address, handling your subscriptions and utilities, fetching your family's school and medical records, etc. Not to mention the things you need to buy for a new house, which should always be done beforehand to avoid needing something at an inopportune time. In other words, you cannot decide you want to move and then do it in a week, even if you somehow managed to hire decent movers on such short notice.

Hire a reliable moving company

       When moving, particularly to another state, it is essential to find a good, reliable moving company. Mover databases such as Best Cross Country Movers can help immensely with this task. But you should still not rush through the process. Get an estimate of how much the entire ordeal would cost you from multiple companies. Ask for referrals, check out online reviews, and do everything you can to find the right company for you. Even when you are almost certain one is perfect for your needs, try not to rush the decision until you have narrowed your selection down to at least three moving companies that seem promising.

Pack essentials first

    It is always best to pack all the essential items first. Things such as hygiene products, a few clothing items, ID, driver's license and other personal documents, chargers, etc. You are unlikely to have the energy or will to unpack immediately. So, when packing, put all of this in a duffel and carry it with you. It would also be very helpful to know what is in each box. Try to pack things by type and leave little sticky notes attached to the boxes.

Do not forget to take extra good care of your pets – moving is stressful for them too!

Things you should do immediately on arrival

    If you want to avoid interstate relocation difficulties and problems that can be prevented, there are a couple of things you should do immediately upon arrival in your new home. First of all, you should update your ID and driver's license with your new address as soon as possible. Doing so can help avoid awkward situations where your documents are counted as invalid. Furthermore, you should try to find your in-house and main shut-off valves for water and gas. This way, if there is an accident or an emergency, you can shut them off quickly. Finally, make sure to spend some time with your kids! They can easily get upset, anxious, or stressed over a long-distance move. And the only way to help them is by spending time with them.

Carmel cost of living

   Interestingly enough, Carmel has been voted one of the best places to live in the U.S. this year! And for a very, very good reason. The price of living, including that of housing, is ridiculously affordable here. No matter how much square footage you need, you will be able to get it here! This, in turn, makes it easier to afford a high-quality education and start putting aside money for your kids' college fund. Even if you are single, being able to afford more spending money for outings or fun activities is always a plus!

Things you should know about Carmel

    You would be forgiven for thinking that Carmel does not have much to offer as a city. It is, after all, relatively small with its count of under 100 thousand citizens. However, you would be wrong to underestimate Carmel! The city is very well equipped with all the necessary amenities. The schools are competitive, and the city seems to be growing in importance in the corporate world, quickly becoming the corporate center of the entire Indianapolis area.

Fun things to do in Carmel

To truly get to know a city, you need to enjoy it! And while there are many ways to spend a weekend in Carmel, here are some we recommend for winding down and de-stressing after a move. 

Clay Terrace

Over seventy retailers offer a dazzling variety of shopping opportunities in Indiana's first outdoor lifestyle center. The vintage storefronts will grasp and keep your attention with their exciting and unique aesthetic. 

Carmel Caffeine Trail

For all the coffee lovers out there, Carmel has you covered! Embark on the quest to hit every stop on the Carmel Caffeine Trail and sample all the blends the city has to offer. There are many, many different ones to try!

You will get to try all kinds of traditional and new coffee blends!

Carmel Central Park

As the name implies, this is the biggest and most vibrant of the parks in Carmel. It stretches over 161 acres and features boardwalks, a lagoon, and even a skate park. The park also hosts all kinds of seasonal events, which will keep the experience fresh and encourage you to continue visiting regularly.

The Ice at Center Green

​A fun place to visit during winter, The Ice, is located in the heart of Carmel. The skating sessions are very affordable and last up to 75 minutes. The location also makes it easy and convenient to visit, so you will be able to take advantage of the opportunity often!

Christkindlmarkt

​If Carmel loves to celebrate anything, then it is the fast-approaching holiday season! This Christmas market draws its inspiration from Germany, and this is reflected in its old-world aesthetic. You will be able to enjoy a whole host of performances, decorations, holiday food and drinks, and even shop for gifts.

Reminder

We have already laid out most of the important stuff in the complete guide to moving to Carmel, IN. You should already know what is essential when planning a move. And just a bit more about the city itself! However, you should also remember to take the time to be with your family. Moving is still stressful, no matter how smooth. Being together with your loved ones can help bridge this period of tension and anxiety.