10 Contacts You Must Have for When You Move to a New City

10 Contacts You Must Have for When You Move to a New City

Moving to a new city is fun and exciting, provided the destination is safe. Your moving checklist should include searching and storing specific phone contacts and emergency numbers. This way, you know who to call whenever you need something while on the journey or in the new location. 

Several things can go wrong during your trip or when you are settled in the new city. Travelers often get mugged, become travel sick, experience jet lag, run out of money, or even lose their phones to theft. Knowing who to speak with will help ease the stress or discomfort experienced in a new city. 

Here are 10 key phone contacts you must save when moving to a new city. 

Local Emergency Number

The city's emergency number is often short and can easily be memorized. For instance, the emergency number is 911 in North America and 112 in Europe. The US Department of State provides a list of local emergency numbers for persons moving to a city in other countries. With the local emergency number, you can get an immediate response from either the local or state agency. Note that it is illegal to call a local emergency number like 911 in a non-emergency situation. You can call emergency numbers during:

• An ongoing criminal incident
• A life-threatening situation
• Traffic accidents
• Toxic chemical leaks
• Fuel spills
• Airplane emergencies
• Smoke and fires

Local Police Department 

Sometimes, the local emergency number may direct you to the police department, especially if it involves theft, arson, or vandalism. This is why it is necessary to find and save the nearest local police department's contact information. Doing this provides a sense of security and peace of mind throughout your stay in the new city. 

Most police departments in the US have websites where you can quickly obtain their phone number. Alternatively, visit the police department or local sheriff in person to request their contact information. 

Local Fire Department

Fire outbreaks are unpredictable, often resulting in physical and financial losses. According to the National Fire Protection Association, local fire departments respond to fire problems every 23 seconds in the US. Common causes of house fires include cooking, faulty home appliances, bad electrical systems, smoking, gas, and lightning. 

Staying prepared for fire outbreaks will help you avoid losses. As you settle in the new city, ensure you locate the closest fire department around you. Use the National Fire Department Registry to find a fire department anywhere in the US. 

Local Hospital and Primary Care Physician

Health issues like jet lag, traveler's diarrhea, and motion sickness are common among travelers. While some symptoms of these travel-related illnesses show up through the journey, other signs are only evident after a few months. This is why storing a primary healthcare provider's contact details is important. 

Since you are far away from home, your primary healthcare provider may not always be available to answer your questions. As such, you may need to locate a local health department or hospital if the health issues require immediate attention. Use the Health Directory Registry provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to find local health care providers in the US. 

Household Utilities

Utilities like cable, electric, water, gas, and internet are essential in any house you settle in the new city. You can find any company's contact information on the utility bill given to you. Save the number so you can call them when you encounter collapsed electrical lines or power outages. 

Keeping a local utility company’s number will help you avoid utility scams. Fraudsters pretending to be from your utility company may threaten to cut your power if you don't pay. You can avoid this scam by calling the utility company's official line. 

Home Maintenance and Service

People often carry out general home maintenance every 12 months. However, several repairs or replacements may be necessary before significant maintenance. Damages like water leaks, creaking floorboards, or clogged toilets occur unexpectedly, requiring the regular attention of a local handyman licensed by the state agency.

You can find phone contacts of licensed handypersons on the Better Business Bureau or get recommendations from your neighbors. Keeping contact details of your home maintenance company can also shield you from home repair scams. 

Next-Door Neighbors

Your neighbor is your closest resource when staying in a new city. Since they are familiar with the area, they know the best restaurant in town, the dangerous places to avoid, and great social spots. Meet your neighbors and share numbers so you can get in touch with them if necessary. Then, add the contact information to your phone and also write them close to your landline if you have one.

A good reason to keep your neighbor's contact details is to socialize. Many people report long bouts of loneliness from living in a new place. Having a companion to call, see the local environment, and chat with can help reduce the loneliness associated with moving to a new city. 

Friends and Family

Moving to a new city often involves leaving all your friends and family behind. This may result in homesickness, loneliness, and depression. With contact details of your long-distance friends and family, you can maintain communication regardless of how far you are away from home. 

Apart from maintaining family connections, your friends and relatives can help with financial assistance whenever necessary. Talking to a relative about your financial burden will ease the stress even if they do not offer any money.  

Employers and Co-workers

Whether in a new city for a long trip or as a permanent relocation, saving your boss and co-workers’ numbers will help you stay in touch with work-related information. Even if you are in the area, keeping in touch with work colleagues for up-to-date information on work is advisable.

School Administrator

Having your school administrator's number is essential whether or not your move is permanent. You should request and save the school administrator's contact information on the day you enroll yourself or your child in a school. 

Generally, most schools will request your phone number to pass on any necessary information. Most colleges and universities have web platforms where you can obtain their contact details. If you have an infant, ensure you collect and save the babysitter's phone number. This way, you can easily pass on and receive information when necessary. 

How to Handle Unwanted Numbers

When moving to a new city, you should be careful of strange or unwanted callers. However, you don't have to save unwanted and unfamiliar numbers to avoid picking up their calls. Unknown callers will use several techniques to reach out to you even if you avoid picking up their calls. You should install a call blocking tool or reverse phone lookup application on your mobile phone. With these applications, you can identify who the callers are and stop them from disturbing you. 

You can also include your number on the National Do Not Call Registry to stop all automated calls from telemarketers. If a strange call is from a scam caller, report the fraudster to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately.