Ensuring a smooth landing -- Things to do in that first week or so

I bought a hairdryer and a cell phone.

Ditto

The first thing I bought when I got here, besides dinner, was a map.  The ones the university handed out were awful.

I haven't moved abroad yet, but I have moved around quite a bit in the US.   Moving to a whole new region here can be a bit disorienting as well. 

One thing I do right away in a new place is go to the grocery store.  I found this experience traumatic when I first moved to Boston from Michigan.  Now I think of it as an adventure. I like seeing what's the same and what's different, and trying new local/regional specialties.  I also feel more at ease trying to plan meals, etc., once I know what's available.

I would also second the suggestion of unpacking right away.  I think getting everything out of boxes and finding a spot for it makes a new place feel like home.  Living out of boxes always depresses me.

The first thing I bought when I got here, besides dinner, was a map.

Skimming over new responses, I first read that as you took a nap, and I was like - right on, sister! 

Grocery shopping which, as has been mentioned, Oyster card/travel card, sorting out the bank situation, library card, new keys, and learning where the basics are (post office, grocery shops, smaller food shops, cafe (especially important if you're living with family and need an escape hidey hole), a local pub (important even if you don't drink much), doctor and dentist, vet if you have pets. 

In smaller areas, a big effort might not be that important, but I think not only does it help people find their way around, it helps people get used to an area.  In my case, I am not from anywhere that had a lot of samey samey housing.  When I moved to Westminster which has a lot of Cubitt designed housing which most of the time hasn't been modified much on the outside from the early 1800s, I would get totally disorientated.  Now, I am totally used to it, and I think the buildings (and even streets) look very individual.  People from places with a lot of subdivisions might not have this problem, but those of us who aren't, might need a little extra adjustment.

Skimming over new responses, I first read that as you took a nap, and I was like - right on, sister! 

I've been here for 2 1/2 weeks now....

First things I did:

-Went to Tesco and bought bathroom type stuff (he already had groceries)
-Went with my husband to buy house stuff- furniture, pots/pans, etc.
-Went and registered at the GP, and made an appointment to get a prescription for my asthma inhaler
-Opened a bank account (which was fairly easy since my husband could "vouch" for me- otherwise you need proof of residence i.e. council tax bill, utilities bill, etc)
-Have spent time with my in-laws
-Applied for jobs/registered at employment agencies
-Called about getting a NI number
-Have walked around our town a lot, getting familiar


I've also spent loads of time with my husband who I moved here to be with, but also we've spent every working day apart, which has really helped with being independent in a new country.

The other thing I will say is that we didn't immediately go out to the pub either.  Which was weird since in all my previous trips that was the first thing we did.  However, it really made moving feel like it was different than a trip, and I was really happy about that.  (if that makes sense).  Basically what I'm saying is to help your family adjust keep routines that you would've in the US ex: dinner by a certain time, family game night, whatever it is you do.

Best of luck!  It's a crazy but exciting transition!