There are many reasons to have homes in two different
cities. Your job may have multiple headquarters and require constant travel, you
and your partner may reside apart due to work or school obligations--perhaps you
just crave a variety-laced lifestyle.
Whatever the reason for maintaining
two households, the frequent migration, double bills, and duplicate shopping and
chores can be frustrating, exhausting and expensive. Staying organized and
productive is the key to making life in two places a success.
Travel light
If you have dual residences, you will travel often.
Keep your sanity by packing minimally to avoid hauling cumbersome, heavy luggage
through the airport or piling unnecessary items
into your car every trip. Packing light will also save time
and make frequent travel easier and less exhausting. Keep enough clothes and
other essentials in both homes to avoid lugging your whole life back and forth.
Buy two of any basic items that are used in your daily routine, such as
cosmetic, toiletries,
vitamins and medications to keep at both homes.
Shop smart
Always plan your shopping trips in advance and make
lists of what you will need for each home. Never buy more than you can consume
during your stay and keep an ample amount of non-perishable food to ensure your
cabinets will never be bare when you arrive.
If you move frequently, it
may be hard to keep track of what you need in each home. You may clearly
remember buying coffee for your home in Los Angeles, but when you arrive and
open the empty can, you realize you had bought it in New York. Keep lists to
constantly jot down when you are running low on anything, and label the lists by
residence to stay organized.
However, be practical-if an item you need in
your LA home is on sale in a NYC store, pick it up and cross it off the list.
Stick to routine
While living in two places will surely add
variety to your life, adhering to routines will help you stay organized and
productive. If you move back and forth between your two homes frequently, you
may find yourself frazzled and lacking time to clean, shop, or complete other
important tasks. Keep a schedule and assign goals to each day of the week for
both homes- such as vacuuming Monday and Wednesdays and grocery shopping on
Tuesday. This will make it easier to get things accomplished and prevent
forgetfulness in your fast-paced day-to-day life.
Make checklists
When you are packing to travel to your home,
there are certain items of which you may not have duplicates. To remember to
bring these necessary belongings, keep a "packing checklist" of items you must
always have with you. Examples include laptop, cell phone, power cords, camera,
credit cards, I.D., prescriptions, keys, or a favorite pair of shoes or
outfit.
You should also construct a "leaving checklist"-a list of tasks
to complete before leaving either residence, such as lock all doors and windows,
check the stove, unplug all electrical items or turn off the heat or A/C. Modify
the list for both homes and keep a copy of each at the appropriate
residence.
You may also want to create an "arrival checklist" to remind
yourself of anything that needs to be done when you reach your destination.
Examples of arrival tasks include unpack, make plans with friends, turn on
utilities, pay bills and rent, and make travel arrangements for your return to
your other home if you only intend to be away briefly.
Rent out rooms
If your stays in each city are lengthy, you may benefit
from
renting out the vacant residence while you are gone. If you
own a home, advertise to tenants seeking short-term
housing-either month-to-month or a pre-determined lease length. If you have a
rental, speak with your landlord about the prospect of subletting your unit and
inquire about any guidelines that are outlined in your lease agreement. Make
sure to thoroughly research any potential tenant’s background and check
references before signing an agreement.