Considering the move to Alice Springs? Packing up and moving interstate or to a new country can be an exciting and stressful time. Not only can it be difficult to leave your family and friends behind, but making the move and settling in can be a challenge too!
To help you reduce the stress and anxiety of making the move to Alice Springs, we have put together a list of tips to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible!

1 - Get your accommodation situation locked down
This may seem like a basic idea, but finding decent accommodation in Alice Springs can be a harrowing ordeal! In Alice Springs the rental demand far exceeds supply, meaning you need to have everything organised so your rental application hits the Property Manager’s email as soon as possible! Ensure you have your references prepped and bond ready to go, because agents here won’t even consider your application if you are not prepared to sign up when a property becomes available.
If you are looking at securing a room in a share house then be pro-active in your enquiries. Again, with demand high some people won’t bother to respond to enquiries that have little effort. When you message the person advertising the room be sure to include some information about yourself, when you are looking to move in and what your level of commitment might be. This will show you are serious and help you stand out among the tidal-wave of messages that people get.
2 - Bring Furniture – if you can
Packing up the family antiques may not be a practical idea for everyone, but if your new job is offering you a relocation package TAKE IT!!!
When you arrive in Alice Springs you will realise it is not only expensive to buy furniture, but challenging to get it into your new home in a reasonable timeframe. Even if you buy from a store in town, same-day delivery is often rare and that’s IF they have the item in stock. Some furniture items need to be ordered in and this can take over six weeks!
Of course, because furniture is hard to get a hold of here, when you move away or want to upgrade, selling your things for a reasonable price is relatively easy!

3 - Consider opening a PO Box
The post in Alice Springs can be a bit on the slow side. Not only does it make redirection easier (and free), but if your accommodation situation isn’t long-term then it can save you the hassle of changing your address with all your service providers every time you move.
You are also likely to get your mail and parcels a little faster too. A PO Box will (hopefully!) ensure that your parcels are more likely to make it into your hands, and not be snaffled by light fingers.
4 - Sort out your insurance
When it comes to insurance, there are wins and losses to be had for moving to Alice Springs.
Unfortunately, when you move to Alice Springs, you may notice an increase in your Home and Contents Insurance! There are many factors that contribute to this such as the potential for major flooding events, and anti-social behaviour. Shop around for the best deal and try your bank too as they can be surprisingly competitive.
As for vehicle insurance this can be a bit hit and miss, but generally you will pay more for that here too. If you don’t usually comprehensively insure your vehicle perhaps now is the time to consider it, and don’t hold back on the window cover – it could save your thousands of dollars if you are unfortunate enough to become a target of vandalism.
Now the good news is you are going to save considerably on health insurance, and while this may be a huge relief, there actually aren’t any private hospitals here in Alice Springs. If it’s important to you to have a private room though it can be still worth it. You will still be able to access your elective surgery benefits, although this is likely to include interstate travel at your expense. Check out your policy and read the fine print!
5 - Need Childcare? Apply ASAP
Childcare in most places can be hard to secure, and choosing the right provider is such an important decision. Sadly, day-care is another service where demand outstrips supply in Alice Springs. Apply as soon as you know you are moving to avoid disappointment.