Moving on January 1st: The Ultimate Clean Slate
Most people spend the first day of the year sleeping in or watching football on the couch. For military families, January 1st often looks very different. It might mean standing in a cold driveway in a city you have never lived in before while a moving truck backs up to your new front door. It feels a bit strange to be unpacking boxes while the rest of the world is taking down their holiday lights. But there is a real benefit to this timing. You are starting a new chapter at the exact moment the calendar flips. It is the definition of a fresh start.
At Dorazio Real Estate, we have lived through this ourselves. Our team is led by a veteran and we have several veterans on our staff. We know what it is like to land in a new place when the weather is at its worst and you do not know where the closest grocery store is located. If you are moving to the Chicago area, you are dealing with a big city and even bigger weather. We are currently the only MIL-estate affiliated team in the Chicago area. We specialize in these transitions. Whether you are coming to Great Lakes or moving away to a new duty station, we know how to make it work.
Survival in the Cold
The first thing you have to deal with in a January move to Chicago is the temperature. It is cold. The days are short. This changes how you approach your first few days. Do not worry about the guest room or the boxes in the garage yet. You need to focus on the basics of daily life. You need to find the nearest grocery store, the pharmacy, and a gas station that is easy to navigate.
Check your utilities as soon as you get the keys. You do not want to find out the furnace is struggling at 8:00 PM on a holiday when repair shops are closed. Make sure the water is hot and the lights work. It sounds simple, but these small things make a house feel like a home. If you are moving into a neighborhood with a homeowners association, check their rules about snow removal right away. You do not want a fine during your first week in town because you didn't shovel the sidewalk.
Your First Week in Chicagoland: A Practical Checklist
To help you stay organized during the chaos, here is a list of things you should try to finish within your first seven days.
Test the furnace: Make sure it is actually hitting the temperature you set on the thermostat.
Buy ice melt: Keep a bag of salt or ice melt near the front door and the garage.
Locate the essentials: Find the nearest hospital, urgent care, and 24-hour pharmacy.
Check detectors: Test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector in the house.
Order local food: Give yourself a break from cooking and find the best local pizza place.
School registration: If you have kids, get their paperwork to the district office by January 2nd.
Update your address: Change your address with the USPS and your bank so you don't miss important mail.
Check the snow blower: If the house came with one, make sure it starts and has gas.
Find the shut-off valves: Know exactly where the main water shut-off is in case a pipe freezes.
Setting Up Your Command Center
Routines are what keep a military family grounded. When you move, that routine is gone. To get it back, you should set up your "command center" first. For most families, this is the kitchen. Get the fridge stocked and the coffee maker running. Even if you are eating off paper plates, having a place to sit and talk about the day is important.
Next, focus on the bedrooms. Kids especially need to feel like they have their own space. Get their beds made and their favorite blankets out as soon as possible. It helps them feel safe in a place that still feels like a construction zone. Do not feel pressured to have a perfect house in the first week. It is much more important to have a functional house where everyone can find their winter boots and a warm coat.
Helping the Kids With a Mid-Year Move
A January move usually means your kids are starting a new school in the middle of the school year. This is tough because social groups are already formed. But here is the thing. Most schools have a natural break for the holidays. Your kids might be starting at the same time everyone else is coming back from vacation. It feels less like being the "new kid" and more like a fresh start for the whole class.
Reach out to the school liaison officer at your new installation. They are a great resource for understanding the local school districts. In the Chicago area, the difference between districts can be huge. We often help our clients look at school data long before they ever see a house in person. If you arrived on the 1st, take a drive to the school before the first day of class. Walk around the building and find the playground. It makes that first morning much easier for everyone.
Finding Your Community in the Winter
One of the hardest parts of a PCS move is the isolation. In the summer, you meet neighbors while you are out in the yard. In January, everyone is staying inside to stay warm. You have to be more intentional about meeting people.
And that's why January is actually a good time to join things. Most people are looking to start new habits. Join a local gym or sign up for a class at a community center. Look for military spouse groups on base or local neighborhood groups on social media. Just saying "we just moved here and don't know anyone" is usually enough to get a warm response. People in the Midwest are friendly, but they might not see you if you stay in your house. You might have to be the one to send the first message.
Navigating the Referral Flow
Whether you are moving into the Chicago area or being stationed somewhere else, you need a team that understands the military lifestyle. We handle a high volume of incoming and outgoing referrals. If you are leaving Chicago, we can connect you with trusted agents at your next destination through our network. We make sure they understand things like the VA loan and the reality of military timelines.
If you are arriving, we help you find a home that fits your BAH and your lifestyle. Being a MIL-estate affiliate gives us access to resources that typical agents might not have. We know that when the military says you move, you move. Our job is to make sure the housing part of that equation is the easiest part of your move.
Patience and the Long Game
Finally, give yourself some grace. Moving is exhausting. Doing it during the holidays is even harder. You are going to have days where you miss your old house or your old friends. That is normal. Celebrate the small wins. Maybe you found a shortcut to the base or you finally remembered which light switch goes to the hallway.
Adjusting takes time. In a few months, the snow will melt and you will see a different side of the city. You will have a routine and the kids will have friends. January 1st is just the starting line. It might be a cold start, but it is the beginning of something great. If you need help finding your way in the Chicago market, we are here to help you get settled.
