Moving house is stressful enough without the added worry of getting lost on moving day! Luckily, Google Maps offers fantastic tools to help you familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood and plan the smoothest possible transition. This article will guide you through the process of “moving house” on Google Maps, enabling you to explore your new surroundings from the comfort of your current home.
Why “Move House” on Google Maps?
Before we dive into the how, let’s consider the why. Using Google Maps to explore your future home can help you:
- Locate essential services: Find the nearest grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors, schools, and post offices.
- Plan your commute: Visualize the quickest routes to work, school, and other frequently visited destinations.
- Explore local amenities: Discover parks, restaurants, gyms, and other places of interest nearby.
- Get a feel for the neighborhood: Use Street View to walk around virtually and get a sense of the atmosphere.
- Calculate distances: Accurately estimate travel times and plan logistics for moving day.
- Share information easily: Send locations and directions to friends and family who are helping you move.
Step-by-Step Guide to “Moving House” on Google Maps
Here’s how to make the most of Google Maps for your upcoming move:
Step 1: Locate Your New Address
- Open Google Maps: Go to maps.google.com in your web browser or open the Google Maps app on your smartphone.
- Enter the address: Type your new address in the search bar at the top of the screen. Make sure you include all necessary details (street address, city, state/province, and postal code/zip code).
- Confirm the location: Verify that the red marker appears in the correct spot. If the location seems off, double-check your address and try searching again.
Step 2: Explore the Surroundings with Street View
- Drag the Pegman: Look for the little yellow “Pegman” icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen (desktop version) or tap the map and select “Street View” on the mobile app.
- Drop the Pegman: Click and drag the Pegman onto the map and release him onto a street you want to explore. You’ll see the view switch to a first-person perspective.
- Navigate the streets: Use the arrows on the screen (desktop) or swipe (mobile) to navigate along the street. You can also click on different areas to change your perspective. Look around 360 degrees to get a full view of the neighborhood.
- Explore other streets: Move the Pegman to different locations on the map to explore other streets and areas.
Step 3: Find Essential Services and Amenities
- Use the search bar: Type in what you’re looking for (e.g., “grocery store”, “pharmacy”, “school”, “park”) into the search bar.
- Explore the results: Google Maps will display the locations of relevant businesses and places, marked on the map with red pins. Click on a pin to get more information, including the address, phone number, website, and user reviews.
- Create a list: Note down the locations of the services and amenities that are important to you. You can use Google Keep or a notes app to store this information.
Step 4: Plan Your Commute
- Click “Directions”: On the Google Maps interface, click the “Directions” button (usually represented by a right arrow in a box).
- Enter Start and Destination: In the left-hand panel, type in your current address in the first field (A) and your new address in the second field (B).
- Choose Transport method: Select your preferred transport method (car, public transit, bicycle, or walking).
- Explore Routes: Review the suggested routes, distances, and estimated travel times.
- Modify: You can customize the departure or arrival time, or add waypoints to further refine your travel plan.
- Save for Later: Save frequently used routes for easy access.
Step 5: Measure Distances
- Right-click: Right-click on a location on the map (desktop) or long-press (mobile).
- Select “Measure Distance”: Choose the “Measure distance” option.
- Measure: Click/tap to mark points on the map and measure the distance between locations. This is useful for planning furniture placement, walking distances, or evaluating the distance between your new home and your workplace.
Step 6: Save Important Locations
- Create lists: Save specific locations to custom lists in Google Maps for easy access.
- Use the save button: Click the “Save” button, usually a flag icon, when viewing the information card of a place on the map.
- Organize: Organize places into lists like “New Home Essentials”, “Local Businesses”, or “Commute Routes”.
Conclusion
Using Google Maps to “move house” is a powerful tool for a smoother and less stressful transition. By taking the time to explore your new neighborhood virtually, you can gain valuable insights and plan ahead, ultimately making your move a lot easier. Happy (virtual) moving!