When you make the decision to move to a different part of the country, you'll certainly have a lot on your plate before the big day. In addition to hiring a moving company, packing up your belongings and saying goodbye to your loved ones, you'll need to ensure that your house will have everything your family needs to transition into your new home. If you need a list of pre-moving tasks to finish off, the following tips could help you avoid any potential problems when you move in.

Set Up Your Electricity

To ensure that you're not paying the previous owners' bills and that everything works correctly when it's time to move in, consider contacting your new electric company beforehand. Provide them a date when you'll be in the house to make sure that all of your lighting and other appliances will be in working order.

Get Your Home Heating System Checked

Inquire with your real estate agent or the previous tenant to see whether you'll need a home heating oil or natural gas purchase in the coming months. This is one less job that you'll have to work on.

Hire A Landscaper

With all of the tasks you'll have to worry about after your move, yard work is probably not at the top of your list. Hiring a landscaper in the late fall will ensure that your lawn and the rest of your yard is in tip-top shape when spring rolls around.

Whether your family keeps growing or you've been promoted over the past few months, hiring a moving company and getting started off in a bigger house can be an exciting time for you and your loved ones. With such an abundance of space, you may have a room or two that you may not know what to do with. If you're a working professional or simply want a place to handle the many important tasks of being a homeowner, designing a home office could be a wonderful use of your space. Here are few features you should keep in mind when designing the room.

Design Your Computer Station

The decision between a humble laptop and a multi-screen setup will have a serious impact on your furniture choices, so make this one of the primary decisions when putting together your office, suggests Inc Magazine. Try to find a desk that is as small and streamlined as possible to reduce negative space that could harm your productivity.

Add Functional Storage

To keep clutter to a minimum and stay organized, include a variety of storage options. Floating wall shelves are great ways to build upward and maximize your use of space, as well as non-obtrusive bookcases with baskets for files and other important documents.

Have Your Office Double As A Guest Room
 With the inclusion of a small sleeper sofa, your home office could become a guest room in a snap. Additionally, this setup could give you a place to take occasional breaks from your work, which could improve your productivity in the long run.

After finally finding the right moving company and settling into your new home, one of your most important roles as a parent is finding a way to speed up your kids' transition into your new community. Moving can certainly be tough on your children, but looking into after-school activities and other creative outlets is a surefire way to help your kids make new friends and hit the ground running in their new school. Here are a few ways to get started.

Research Your School's Clubs And Student Organizations

Whether your kids are entering high school or grammar school, there's most likely a variety of groups available for them to join, even during the middle of a school year. Consider logging onto the school's website or contacting it directly for a list of clubs and student groups that your kids could possibly join. Having a list in front of them could help them gain an organized approach to finding activities that suit their interests.

Indulge Your Child's Hobbies

According to SchoolFamily.com, if your child is a bit undecided about what to do with his or her spare time, looking for particular hints can help you find a niche. For instance, if your child has an interest in drawing, suggest an art class. If he or she has always been interested in music, see if your child would try picking up a musical instrument. A bit of encouragement may help your child discover a talent that he or she never knew existed.

Research Community Organizations

Extracurricular activities that offer a specific skill or unique social aspect can be very beneficial, and there are probably a variety of organizations in your community that offer these types of programs, reports Scholastic.com. Consider contacting town recreation centers, museums, parishes and libraries for great after-school opportunities.

As you start putting the finishing touches on your new home after your moving company has departed, one essential space to keep in mind is your medicine cabinet. With all of the medicines and remedies available today, you may not be sure what's essential and what's not. Here are four products that you won't want to be caught without. 

1. Pepto-Bismol

Oprah.com recommends keeping some Pepto-Bismol on hand in case you or your guests ever experience stomach discomfort. This will prove to be helpful during a dinner party or barbecue.

2. Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers

No matter how healthy you or your children are, you're bound to get a cold or headache sometime throughout the course of the year. Make sure you keep pain relievers and fever reducers such as Tylenol, aspirin or ibuprofen in your cabinet so you can get back in action as soon as possible.

3. Cough Drops

Sore throats are an unfortunate side effect of many colds, but the discomfort can be quelled with a simple cough drop. Keep a handful in small dish so you can grab some on the go if you're in a rush. You may also want to get cough drops in tasty flavors if you have fussy kids.

4. Antibiotic Ointment

Whether you're cooking in the kitchen or the little ones are playing in the yard, scrape, burn or skinned knee is always a possibility. Before you put a bandage on that wound, apply some antibiotic ointment to reduce the chance of infection.

Safety is undoubtedly your biggest concern when it comes to your family. While you and your little ones may be excited to explore the great outdoors once your moving company has left you to your own devices, you might be wary about mosquitoes. Here are a few ways to protect yourself from the pesky bugs.

Light Layers

FitSugar.com recommends wearing clothes with light hues, because mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors. The best way to prevent them from gaining access to your skin is to cover up with long sleeves. Try to find clothes made with breathable materials that will cover your arms, legs and neck.

Insect Repellant

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that if you're outside, you should put insect repellant on any exposed areas of your skin. It should have an ingredient that's registered by the Environmental Protection Agency.

No Perfume

According to FitSugar.com, mosquitoes are attracted to floral scents, so you may want to pass on that perfume, even if it leaves you smelling like a bed of roses. Your detergent also might have a pungent aroma that will make you a prime target, so go with an unscented solution next time you do your laundry.

Standing Water

Pools of standing water will attract mosquitoes, so the CDC recommends that you eliminate any that are around your yard. These could include ditches, bird paths or kiddie pools that don't have fresh water.

While Asheville, North Carolina, may be a small southern city, it has a large love of great dining. If you consider yourself a foodie, then you may want to check out these three great establishments after your moving company has left.

1. Tupelo Honey Cafe

The Tupelo Honey Cafe was rated one of the top 25 restaurants by RomanticAsheville.com. It serves traditional southern fare, but puts its own twist on each dish to offer a unique dining experience. You'll love indulging in a plate of their sweet potato pancakes with peach butter as you watch the downtown foot traffic from the patio area. Each bite you take is for a good cause - Tupelo Honey Cafe is an active participant in the Chefs Move to School effort and other non-profit organizations.

2. Laughing Seed Cafe

While the Laughing Seed Cafe is a vegetarian establishment, it's sure to appeal to omnivores as well. The dynamic menu draws inspiration from dishes all over the globe with items like the Tempeh Reuben, Tico Burrito and the Korean-influenced Bahn Mi. You can end your meal with sweet-tooth satisfying desserts like the Vegan Pecan Pie, Vegan Aztec Brownies with Caramel Sauce and Sea Salt and Fresh Fruit Cobbler du Jour.

3. Early Girl Eatery

The Early Girl Eatery is a hip spot with an eye for eco-friendliness. You know you're always getting the freshest fare because their ingredients come from local North Carolina farms. The casual environment is the perfect place to enjoy their Vegan Tofu Scramble, Baked Local Tempeh or Early Girl Platter.

Richmond, Virginia, is a metropolis filled with learning opportunities. After your moving company has finished helping you settle in you might want to check out some of the local attractions that can give you and your family a history lesson or two.

Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier

You'll be transported back to the 19th century at the Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. You and your family will learn all about the military tactics used at the Field Fortifications Exhibit, the Breakthrough Trail and the Military Encampment, all of which provide realistic reenactments of the civil war.

You can take a guided audio tour through the museum and learn about the personal lives of the Civil War soldiers at the Duty Called Me Here exhibit, which uses life-sized dioramas, interactive computers and videos. There's also a remembrance wall for all those who served during the war. You can have a memento of your visit with souvenirs purchased at the gift shop.

Maggie L. Walker Historical Site

Maggie L. Walker was an influential African American bank president, newspaper editor and educational advocate who helped paved the way for the Civil Rights movement. At the Maggie L. Walker Historical Site, you and the kids can take a guided podcast tour and learn about her life and achievements as you see photos of Walker, her colleagues and friends.

After all the traveling and unpacking with the help of your moving company, you may be anxious to get back to work. Start off your employment experience right with these four healthy habits at your new office.

Eat Breakfast

Begin your day with a healthy breakfast of whole grains and fruit. This won't only give you an initial energy boost to start your morning, but it'll help stave off hunger cravings that could send you to the vending machine for an unhealthy snack.

Switch Up Your Activities

According to ABC.net.au, repetitive motions that force you to keep the same posture result in a muscle imbalance, where certain muscles get overworked and tighten while the others don't get worked enough. If you find yourself sitting at a computer for hours, get up and move around, meet with a coworker or take a trip to the water cooler.

Take the Stairs

When you're in an office all day, every bit of exercise helps. FitSugar.com recommends taking the stairs to help get your blood flowing and burn a few calories. The source also notes that going down the stairs helps reduce blood-sugar levels and decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated will keep your body in tip top shape and allow you to concentrate. Don't be afraid to go to the water cooler several times a day and if you're busy, bring a water bottle that you can keep at your desk. Be mindful of the coffee you drink - HealthMeUp.com suggests keeping it to two cups a day.

Once you and your moving company have finished getting your new home set up, you may be eager to fill your abode with delicious aromas as you prepare home-cooked meals in your kitchen. To make sure that everything goes according to plan (besides following the recipes), you may want to take these safety tips into consideration.

Keep Surroundings in Mind

While you're cooking, look for any surrounding objects that can easily catch fire. If you're utilizing the stove top or a griddle, be aware of any papers or flammable substances like liquor or cleaning solutions. When cooking on the grill, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends keeping it away from deck railings and exterior siding and to be mindful of overhanging branches.

Stick Around

The best way to prevent a fire is to be there to prevent it. Whether you're baking something in the oven or grilling outside, don't wander away. If you need to excuse yourself, ask a family member or friend to keep an eye on your dish.

Keep it Clean

Always make sure your cooking area is clean. Old food can fall into the flames and catch on fire. After each use, wipe everything down with an abrasive sponge and a recommended cleaning solution.

Watch the Little Ones

For the safety of your children and home, keep your kids away from your stove and grill. FredriksenFire.com notes that you should have a 3-foot perimeter around your cooking device that pets and kids should stay out of. You may want to mark the area with some colorful masking tape on your kitchen floor.

Shelves are a convenient way to free up space and reduce clutter while keeping your house organized. They also have aesthetic appeal that can add a decorative flair to your new abode. Here are a few fun shelving options you may want to incorporate into your home after your moving company has left.

Overhead Option

Have your books and trinkets within reach with an overhead bookshelf option. These can go anywhere on your walls and you can get at your goods without having to bend over. Overhead bookshelves also allow for more wall space, so you can still choose fashionable wallpaper or a custom-painted color scheme.

Wall-to-Wall

Wall to wall bookshelves lend an air of intellectuality to your living space. If you have the room, you may want to get a wheeled ladder that can go from one end to the other. This shelving option works best without empty space, so if your book collection isn't big enough to fill it, visit a used bookstore for inexpensive finds.

Perfectly Repurposed

If you have some older wood lying around or other building materials, you can turn them into shelves with just a few wall brackets and a screw gun. You'll save money on buying a store-bought shelf, assembly is easy and you'll show off your penchant for eco-friendliness.

Modern Model

Add some chic modernity to your living space with a sleek, shiny shelf. Go for a stark white that has a metallic trim and rounded edges. The Swedish do it best, so you may want to head to your local IKEA store.