Travel
5 Steps To Relocating To The Right Small Town
By Henry Moore
Small town life in northern Michigan might sound enticing if you’re ready to escape the non-stop action of a big city. If you’re curious about moving to such a location, let the Topinabee Development Association inspire you! To get ready for this big move, follow these tips for finding the right town, making a sustainable income, and meeting new friends after settling in.
Decide Which Amenities You Need
While researching different towns, think about your personal needs and how well each town meets them. If you have kids, you’ll specifically want to seek out family-friendly areas with good school districts. To spot a kid-friendly neighborhood, Mr. Cooper recommends looking for parks, hospitals, playgrounds, walkable areas, and, of course, lots of other families around!
Understand Employment Opportunities
Small towns often have limited employment opportunities compared to big cities. Therefore, it’s important to explore what kinds of job options would be available to you wherever you choose to live.
Because small towns have fewer employers than cities, some small town residents choose to start their own businesses instead! If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, spend some time researching the local business community.
Maybe you already have a business, and now, you need to figure out how to relocate your company to a new state. You can tackle this process on a budget by using an online formation service – they will ensure that you submit all of the required documents for you new state.
Explore The Surrounding Area
If you’re moving to a small town, you might enjoy the convenience of living near a bigger city. This will give you more options for shopping and entertainment. Luckily, no matter where you live in northern Michigan, you’ll probably be within easy driving distance of a vibrant, historic city. Living close to Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, or Escanaba can give you the best of both worlds!
Research The Housing Market
You’ve found a town that you love, and now, you’re eager to start touring homes and putting in offers. But before you make a final decision on where to move, you need to thoroughly analyze the local housing market and determine if you can comfortably afford to live there.
To kick off your housing search, book a trip to the town for a few days to a week to get a feel of the different neighborhoods. You’ll learn the best places to shop, dine, run errands, and more. This will also give you the chance to meet with a local real estate agent who can help you navigate your home search.
Expand Your Social Circle
Making friends in a small town can be challenging! But if you previously lived nearby, you can start rebuilding your social circle by looking up former classmates. For example, you can use a search engine to find high school graduates from Topinabee and nearby town and cities. Just type in their name, school, and graduation date, and you’ll get results with the option to reach out if you want.
If you want to meet new people, there is no shortage of options in small towns. SocialSelf recommends joining a local board or council, attending lots of neighborhood events, and volunteering.
Handling the transition from living in a big city to a small town can be challenging. But northern Michigan has so much to offer that you’ll have no trouble finding your place in your new community! From exploring the great outdoors to checking out quaint local shops to getting plugged in with volunteer efforts, there is no shortage of things to do. With these tips, you’ll feel comfortable in you new town in no time!
Ready to explore the Topinabee area? Check out the resources provided by the Topinabee Development Association! Visit their website today to learn more about the community.
A Beginner’s Guide to Budget-Friendly Nature Excursions with Your Dog
By Henry Moore
Ready for vacation? Many of us were forced to cancel our summer vacation plans due to the pandemic. After settling into this new normal, we all have a better idea of which activities are safe. Heading out into the woods for a socially distant vacation could be a great way to relax, get away from everything, and enrich your days with some adventure. Better yet, take your dog along and enjoy some time together out of town. There are numerous fun things to do in the Topinabee area! Before you head out, make sure you’re properly prepared. The wilderness can be a hazardous place for beginners and experienced adventurers alike. But with some good planning, you can keep your vacation safe and fun — and budget-friendly! Check out the following money-saving tips to stay safe on your wilderness excursion. Be Prepared with the Right Supplies You don’t need to spend a lot on supplies, but a few key items will protect you from the elements and keep your dog comfortable on your vacation. For example, make sure you have the right clothing for the weather you expect to encounter on your trip. The weather can change quickly, especially in mountainous regions, so even if the forecast predicts full sun, be prepared for rain! If you’re going camping, pick up a tent, sleeping pad, and an inexpensive camping stove. Consider also buying a few supplies for your dog. For example, you will need a long tie-out so you can keep your dog from running after wildlife or disturbing other campers. If the weather is going to be cold, you may want to pick up some dog outerwear to keep your pup warm. And if you’ll be embarking on an overnight hike, purchase a dog backpack so your furry friend can haul their own supplies. You should be able to find everything you need from major pet retailers like PetSmart. Just remember to pick up some PetSmart coupons to save money on your supplies! Keep it Simple When it comes to camping, it’s easy to fill your car to the brim with all of the luxuries of home. But if you want to save money and avoid stress on your trip, The Dyrt recommends keeping things minimal; you don’t need special gear and trendy camping gadgets. If you don’t want to splurge on supplies, bring along some blankets from home and sleep in your car — this works great in SUVs with folding seats. If you’ve got your heart set on an overnight hike, rent some lightweight supplies or borrow from an outdoorsy friend. Stay Close to Home It can be tempting to get in your car and drive as far as the road will take you, but for this trip, consider staying close to home. Visiting nearby state parks, beaches, and hiking destinations is the best choice for wilderness beginners, especially those on a tight budget. Plus, a shorter trip will be less stressful for your dog. You can even camp in your backyard! Do Your Research Doing plenty of research is the best way to save money and ensure everything goes smoothly on your first wilderness adventure. For example, you’ll want to research the pet policies and leash laws for any campgrounds or parks you intend to visit on your vacation. This can help you avoid conflicts and fines. Also, make sure you know how to steer clear of encounters with wildlife and other hazards that exist in the woods. Learn proper trail etiquette for hiking with your dog and start training your dog for the trail before you head out. You can never do too much research before trying something new! If you’re dreaming of an inexpensive, pandemic-friendly vacation with your dog, venturing into the wild may be a great option. With the right supplies and plenty of research, you will be ready to enjoy a fun and stress-free adventure with your furry friend.
How First-Time Travelers Can Prepare for an Unforgettable Adventure
By Henry Moore
There is so much to see in the world, and exploring the great unknown is one of the greatest opportunities any of us can ask for. That said, the thought of going on your first major trip can be both exhilarating and terrifying. Whether you’re traveling internationally or across the country, how well you plan and prepare for your journey will have a lot to do with how enjoyable your trip is over the long run. If you’re a young traveler about to embark on your first big adventure, these tips can help you make the most of your incredible opportunity. Apply for Your Passport Early If you’re traveling overseas, the first thing you want to do is apply for your passport. It’s never too early to start this process; it typically takes six to eight weeks to receive your passport once you submit your application. To be on the safe side, wait until you have your passport in hand until you book anything for your trip, as you can’t leave the country without it. However, if you’ve already booked some things, you can pay an extra fee for expedited delivery, which usually takes about two weeks. Once you’ve decided on a destination for your trip, it’s also important to check whether or not you will need a visa. Consider Your Destination You may already know where you’re traveling, but if not, it can help to carefully consider where you want to go. After all, the options are endless, which can be overwhelming for even the fastest decision-makers. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a destination: ● How far do you want to go? Do you want to visit the other coast, the other side of the world, or somewhere in between? ● What do you want most out of the trip? Are you looking to experience new cultures, see iconic natural attractions or architecture, or a little bit of everything? ● Will you need to learn another language? ● How much do you want to stay within your comfort zone and how much do you want to challenge yourself? Take Some Comfort with You
Whether you’re traveling internationally or nationally, it’s normal to experience homesickness. To help ensure your trip is enjoyable, anticipate being homesick by bringing along some items from home. For example, maybe you have a favorite shirt, pajamas, or photograph that could help you feel comfortable wherever you are. If winding down with TV at night is your favorite bedtime routine, grab a portable streaming player, as it will enable you to watch your favorite movies and shows while you’re on the go. If you find a streaming device that allows you to use your phone as a remote, you can cut down on yet another item taking up space in your bag — just be sure if you’re traveling overseas that you’ll be able to use your device, otherwise, it’s just an extra item to carry. Finally, remember to check your phone’s data plan to avoid any potential overages when you text or call home during your trip.
Book as Much as You Can Another way to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible is to book as many things as you can in advance. After settling on your destination, start booking your flights, hotels, dinner reservations, activities, and so on. If you’re spontaneous, you may not want to create a complete itinerary, but you can often find deals by booking a few months before you leave. Keep Your Money Accessible Finally, you want to ensure you can always access your money while you’re away. Otherwise, it can wreck your trip and even be dangerous. The good thing is that it’s now easier than ever to use money overseas. However, even if you’re traveling within the country, you should let your bank know that you’ll be traveling. That way, you don’t have to worry about them freezing your account because of multiple purchases away from home. Your bank should also be able to notify you of any partner banks overseas that can save you money on ATM fees. Planning and preparing beforehand will help your first big trip be the best experience possible. Remember to apply for your passport as soon as you decide to travel, and think carefully about where you want to go. Also, bring along a few creature comforts, book things in advance, and set it up to where you can easily access your money throughout the trip. Most importantly, stay safe and make it an adventure of a lifetime!