South America has always been a popular destination for people looking to experience new adventures, natural beauty, and a different culture. And now, with people from the North seeking a different lifestyle, South America has also become a popular destination to move to. According to the 2022 United Nations population estimates, South America represents 8.2% of the global population.
One major reason North Americans are moving to the South is the lower cost of living. The cost of housing, food, and other necessities is considerably lower as compared to the South. Especially if you’ve lived in Miami – the least affordable place to live in America. With a 21% higher cost of living than the national average, living here represents significant financial challenges for its residents.
Still, leaving your home to move to a new country is hard. Not to mention, the moving process will be one of the most stressful times in your life. Packing up your life in boxes and moving to a new place will be physically and emotionally taxing.
Things To Do Before Moving to Your New Home
Home improvement projects are necessary whenever you move to a new place. These may include some repairs or remodeling certain parts of the house to make it more to your liking. In addition, you should also make some changes to your home as houses in South America are quite different from those in the North.
It is also recommended to complete home improvement projects and repairs before moving so that you can easily unpack and settle down without any additional tasks to worry about. So, here are some projects to tackle before moving from Miami to South America to make settling in your new home easier.
- Get rid of popcorn ceilings
Old homes usually have popcorn ceilings, a design that seems like textured popcorn. These ceilings can make your place look old and outdated. So, to give your home a modern look, you’ll need to remove these ceilings by hiring a professional.
In addition, if the house was built before the 80s, there is a high chance that these ceilings might have asbestos. So, hiring a professional to test the ceiling before removing it is recommended.
- Upgrade the electrical system
Upgrading the electrical system is important to properly place your appliances such as toasters, fridges, TV, etc. In addition, an upgrade is necessary, especially if you are buying an older house. You can:
- Add more outlets near your bed, near your bathroom sink, or for your gaming system
- Fix bad wiring
- Change your wall plates and lighting fixtures according to the new look of your home
- Change outdated fuse boxes
- Change the locks
Changing the locks before moving in is essential to maintain your family’s safety. So, you can arrange for a locksmith to come by and change all the locks, especially the ones on your front, garage, and back door. You can also get other locks changed, such as the ones on the bedroom doors and windows, to have complete peace of mind.
- Add a fresh coat of paint
Adding a fresh coat of paint to your house is one of the simplest yet most effective ways of giving your home a brand-new look. Painting the house’s exterior and interior can help add color to your home and make it more to your liking.
However, choosing the color is not the only thing to keep in mind while painting your house. You can also choose from different finishes such as matte, semi or high gloss, satin, etc. You can also find several eco-friendly options in the market. Apart from that, it is recommended to use weather-resistant or weatherproof paint for painting the exterior of your house. This will help protect the exterior from weather damage such as peeling, rusting, and fading.
Getting the interior painted before moving in is also better, as it can make the process and the clean-up afterward easier.
- Change the flooring
Floors don’t need much attention when moving in, as a good professional scrub can leave the floors looking shiny and new. However, if the house is carpeted, you might want to remove it. You can remove the carpet and keep the original floors, but remember to clean all the carpet wax left behind.
- Add fencing
If your house does not have a fence, this is the perfect time to add one. Fencing can be extremely beneficial for your family. It can:
- Give children a safe area to play
- Conceal a swimming pool or hot tub
- Offer privacy
- Protect your property
In addition, fencing is a bonus when selling your house, as many buyers prefer a house with fencing. So, it can act as a good investment down the line.
- Add storage
Proper storage is crucial for keeping stuff organized, especially for bigger families or for families with children. So, if your new place does not have enough storage, you can add storage options before moving in to make unpacking easier and quicker.
You can:
- Add storage baskets to drawers and cupboards to keep things sorted
- Add shelves in the pantry or other places you need
- Add built-in cabinets in the kitchen
- Get furniture that elevates your home’s look while providing storage like ottomans
- Find dead space in your home and add shelves or cabinets
- Add storage space under the stairs for shoes or coats
- Deep clean your house
Deep cleaning is much easier before moving in than doing it afterward. So, you can either perform a deep cleaning session yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. It is important to clean your kitchen and bathrooms to maintain hygiene. It is also necessary to deep clean cabinets and drawers beforehand and add shelf liners before unpacking.
Concluding Thoughts
Being a homeowner is an amazing accomplishment in this economy. However, it also comes with other responsibilities, such as maintenance and home improvement projects. So, if you’ve recently moved to a new place in another country, completing as many projects as possible before moving in is recommended. This can make the whole process of moving in much easier.
