Falls Church, VA is in close proximity to Washington, DC which makes it a popular place to live and work. If you’re thinking of relocating to the Falls Church area, there are a few things you should know to make your experience a smooth move. Read on to discover six useful tips and a new resident checklist you can use to make your transition to Falls Church a pleasant one.
1. Plan Ahead for Your Moving Truck
The area of Falls Church, in Fairfax County, VA has a lot of homes. With plenty of options ranging from apartments to townhomes and single-family homes – you’ll be sure to find the right sized place for you and your family. But, unfortunately, it also has a lot of restricted parking. When moving day comes around, you’ll need as much space as possible so you can easily load and unload your moving truck.
To ensure you’ll have ample room, request a parking space reservation from the city in advance. This reservation will allow you to park on a city street at a specific date and time so you won’t need to worry about getting towed. If you’re hiring a local moving company, they will be able to help out or take care of this part for you completely.
If you’ll be moving everything with your own vehicles, the city of Falls Church recommends you make your request at least two weeks in advance to allow for proper processing. The police department of Falls Church must issue a parking permit for you to be able to park on specific streets within city limits.
2. Make it a Smooth Move for Your Pets
Have a furry friend? All dogs must have their rabies vaccination and a city license. You should get the license for your dog within 30 days of moving to Falls Church. This applies to all dogs over four months of age.
For your feline friend, all cats over four months old must also be vaccinated against rabies. The good news is that cats don’t need to be licensed in Falls Church. (You’ll be able to save some money there!)
Make sure you contact the Falls Church Treasurer’s Office to obtain your license. This will make the transition for you and your furry friends smooth and seamless.
3. Ensure Your Car is Up to Par
Every vehicle in Virginia must have an annual safety inspection. Your vehicle must pass inspection and have a valid sticker displayed on the windshield.
You must also pass an emissions inspection, which can be done at the same time you get your annual safety inspection. In Falls Church and throughout the state of Virginia, you must have proper auto insurance. This insurance must be effective from the date you register your vehicle forward.
When you move to Falls Church, make sure your vehicle is registered in Virginia within 30 days if you’re coming from a different state. Vehicles can be registered at any DMV customer service center. When your car is up to par, you’ll have a smooth move to the area with fewer hiccups.
4. Turn Your Utilities On
Before your move, it’s a good idea to get all of your utilities turned on in advance (typically 1-2 weeks in advance). Call Dominion Power to turn on your electricity, and you can contact Washington Gas if your home uses gas. The city of Fairfax, VA handles the sewer and water services for Falls Church. You will also want to contact a company for your cable and Internet connections.
In the Falls Church region, you can choose between Verizon, Cox Communications, or RCN for your cable and Internet services. Make a checklist with the name and number of all utilities so you can start getting everything turned on before you move in.
5. Get the Kids Prepared for School
One big draw to the Falls Church area is its exceptional school system, which is considered to be one of the best in the nation. Register your child in advance to ensure that they’ll be ready to start school right away. In Falls Church, school-age children should be enrolled as soon as they arrive. You can call the public school’s main number or visit them online to find out how to register your child.
There are two preschool options in Falls Church along with several private options. Falls Church has a total of five public schools in the area with almost 3,000 enrollees. Get your child prepared by making sure they’re registered before the day of your move.
6. Prepare Your Trash for Pick Up
When you move, you’ll probably have plenty of trash you need to get rid of. The Department of Public Works in Falls Church provides recycling services, bulk pickup, leaf collection, and more for townhomes and single-family houses.
Falls Church also offers weekly curbside compost collection. This service is offered by the Compost Crew at a cost of $6 per month. You can visit them online to sign up for this special service if you desire.
For residential customers, Wednesday is trash pick up day. If you have excess or bulk trash, you will be charged an additional fee. You can call the city to arrange for a special or extra pick up if you need it.
Get Ready for Moving Day
This simple moving checklist will help to ensure that your transition to Falls Church and the Arlington areas of Northern Virginia is a smooth move. From registering your children for the right school to getting your parking permit for the moving truck, scratching items off your list will make the big day a lot easier.
Whether you work in Arlington or Washington, Falls Church is a beautiful place to raise your family. Alternatively, if you are looking for a place to rent, check out our DC rentals.
Get these tasks completed before you move so you can spend time enjoying your new place.
If you need property management services in the DC area, be sure to visit our website for more information and contact us today so we can help you get started with your property needs.