How to Stay In Touch When Moving Away

Undoubtedly, one of the hardest parts about moving is leaving behind friends and family. Tearful goodbyes are something I am all too familiar with. I’ve learned over the years that even though you are moving away, it doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected with the loved ones that you leave behind. Let’s chat more about how to stay in touch when moving away.

When we got married, we decided on a destination wedding because we had friends all over the country. No matter where we had the wedding, it would be a destination for most of our guests. So, we chose Cabo San Lucas as a fun getaway to celebrate with our friends and family. But that’s a story for another time.

My point is that even though you move away. You can still keep in touch with those you love most. Some of my most extraordinary relationships are with those who no longer live just down the street or across town. Here are some ways I’ve kept in touch with my village as we have moved across the country.

Group of people on their phones and bubble emojis show which platform they are on

Use social media

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter make it easy to stay in touch with friends and family, even if you’re far away. You can share updates about your move, post pictures of your new home, and stay up-to-date with your friends’ lives.

Even though I don’t chat with some of my friends as regularly as I’d like, I love getting to see what they are up to through their social media posts. If you’re concerned about privacy with social media, you can typically set your profiles to private and allow a specific audience to see your posts.

Woman, man and three children on the couch looking at an iPad

Make video calls

Video calls are a great way to stay connected with friends and family, especially if you’re moving to a different city or state. You can use apps like Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime to have face-to-face conversations with your loved ones. I remember when the pandemic started we did a lot of zoom calls with family across the country. It was so great to get everyone on a call together. Since things have calmed down since then, we don’t do those call anymore, but I wish we did.

Something about seeing people face to face makes the connection that much more meaningful. IMy boys are much better about talking on the phone when they can see the face of our friends and family on the screen.

Send regular updates

Keep your friends and family updated on your move by sending regular updates via text message, email, or social media. Let them know how the move is going, share pictures of your new home, and ask for their advice or input.

I love hearing how my loved ones are doing after they have moved away. Seeing their new home and neighborhood helps to feel connected to them, even though they are far away.

Plan visits

Make plans to visit your friends and family, or invite them to come visit you in your new home. This is probably the single most important thing you can do after moving away. Usually before moving away, I recommend setting a date for a future visit. Having something to look forward to can help you stay connected and maintain your relationships.

It can also help kids with the transition, knowing they will be able to see their old friends in the future.

Group of people gathered around talking at a party

Host a going away party

One last celebration can give everyone the chance to enjoy each other one last time and say goodbye. In the past, I’ve done a themed party at our house, gotten together at a restaurant or bar, and met up at the park. How and where you host will depend on the stage of the moving process you are in. If you want to give others time to say goodbye, host something at your house 2-4 weeks before you move. If things are all packed up and you leaving in the next few days, host something outside of your home.

Write a Pen Pal

This tip is specifically for your kiddos and their friends after the move. Have you child write a letter to a friend from their former town and send it over. Sending and receiving mail can help your kiddo feel connected to the friends in their former town.

If you want to make it extra special, get a notebook and have your child write a letter to their friend. Mail the notebook to their friend. Then ask the friend to write a letter in it and send it back. Having the memories of a conversation through the notebook could be a great memory for your child.

By staying in touch with friends and loved ones, you can make the transition to your new home a little easier. With today’s technology, we are fortunate to be able to connect with others who are far away. Which tip was your favorite?

If you’re looking for help staying organized during your move, check out the Move Mama Move Relocation Planners with all the checklists, tips, trackers, and logs to keep you on top of it all during this major transition.