Glen Hall
Are you moving home soon? Either to your new family home, military posting, moving out your parents for the first time, or even to your college/university dorms? Welcome to the Club! It sucks…
I ain’t going to sugar coat it. It’s the most stressful time for everyone involved and by the end you wish you just travelled 4 hours every day for work and stayed at your current home… okay maybe not to that extreme.
In this listicle, we’ve curated a collection of seven video games that can help you prepare for the big move. These games not only provide practical lessons for handling the logistics of moving but also offer valuable insights into the emotional journey of starting fresh in a new space. So, whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or a casual player, it’s time to level up your move with these titles that will make your transition to a new house smoother, more organized, and maybe even a bit more fun.
Each game will be in order of the process too, so you can be extra prepared!
The Sims
Perfect staring point. The Sims series helps you practice the logistical aspects of moving, from budgeting to interior design. It also highlights the importance of daily routines and maintaining a balanced life during a move. You have a budget, for new furniture. You’ve already gathered stuff throughout the years, but where to put everything? Do I have enough space? Will I have enough money to buy a new sofa?
With the Sims, especially in sandbox modes, you can work out exactly where to put everything based on the exact dimensions to the house. So, when you it comes to packing your items, you can mark each one with the rooms to put each item.
Moving Out
Moving Out is a hilarious and chaotic cooperative game where players work together to move furniture and items from one house to another. Actual moving day can be hectic and physically demanding, requiring teamwork and coordination. So might as well make a game based on the back ack you are going to get from moving everything. Or you could spend some money on a company to do the move for you!
Moving Out teaches players how to work efficiently as a team, plan the arrangement of items in a moving truck, and handle fragile objects with care. It’s a fun way to practice moving logistics. Remember, lift with your knees!
House Flipper
You’ve now moved out and dropped all your stuff in the new digs. But apart from your bed and a few essentials, you don’t want to unpack just yet. Instead you need to do some renovating. House Flipper lets you renovate and decorate houses to increase their value and appeal. Or, in our case, make this new home more your own.
Out with the pink bathroom and green wall paper and in with the colours and décor your heart desires and those skills can be achieved with this game.
House Flipper not only hones your interior design and renovation skills, it helps you understand the process of making a space your own and how to increase its value, similar to what you’d do in a real move.
Unpacking
Ah, the fun part! Some people find this part annoying, but honestly, I love it! I guess that’s why I have personally played and completed this game on every platform it’s been released on. Unpacking is a meditative puzzle game that explores the emotional journey of unpacking boxes and setting up a new home over several years.
The emotional aspect of settling into a new home, making it feel comfortable and familiar. Unpacking helps players reflect on the sentimental value of their belongings and understand the importance of creating a cozy and organized living space, which can ease the transition during a real move.
Power Wash Simulator
Right, the inside is looking great! Good job! Time to move onto the exterior, if you have one. Power Wash Simulator allows you to clean various surfaces using high-pressure water jets. It sounds boring, but if you are looking for an ASMR, OCD mind orgasm, this will certainly get you in the mood to do it for real!
The game is exactly what you expect from the title, cleaning and preparing your new house, including patios, driveways, and outdoor areas.
Power Wash Simulator helps you develop your cleaning skills and attention to detail. It’s particularly useful for sprucing up outdoor spaces, making them more presentable for potential buyers or renters.
Lawn Mower Simulator
I wont lie to you, the task of cutting the grass and maintaining the garden areas is to tedious…but that doesn’t mean a game based on it has to be.
Like Power Wash Simulator, I’m not playing Lawn Mower Simulator for a dopamine kick, but I’m playing it to shut off my brain and try to relax, perfect if you are stressed from all the previous house moving tasks.
This game teaches you how to care for outdoor spaces, which is essential when moving into a new house with a garden. It’s all about keeping your curb appeal intact.
Animal Crossing Series
In Animal Crossing, you live on an island or in a village, decorating your home and interacting with anthropomorphic animal villagers.
But why Animal Crossing when you have already moved? Well, the start of the game isn’t exactly what makes this series so memorable, but how you interact with your new neighbours and community.
If you are like me and struggle with interacting with strangers, this series has helped me set my expectations for the day. Like planning your work load, remembering to take care of yourself. Going shopping etc.
Remember, moving is not just about transporting belongings; it’s a chance for a fresh start. Games like “Unpacking” and “Animal Crossing” remind us of the emotional aspects of the journey—turning a house into a home and making memories along the way.
Now, it’s time to power down the gaming console and start packing those boxes. With your newfound gaming-inspired skills, you’re well-equipped to handle the challenges and joys of your upcoming house move. Happy moving, and may your new home be filled with adventure and happiness!
