The Best Ways to Stay in Touch After Moving Long-Distance

Thanks to today's technology, it's pretty easy (and getting easier all the time) to stay in touch with family and friends after moving long-distance.

Free Address Change E-cards
Before you move, send an Address Change E-card to friends, family, and even co-workers to share your new address information. In one step, you can send an e-card announcing you're moving and you can personalize it by selecting from a variety of images. Then simply enter a message along with your new address, phone numbers, email addresses, etc.

Social networks like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace make staying connected just a click away, and it's a quick and easy method to share recent photos of your new home, the kids' soccer game, or the holidays. You can even opt to have notifications sent by email when you get a new message so you can respond more quickly.

Email. If you're not a letter-mailer…or you don't want the expense of buying stamps, email is the obvious solution. It's a slower way to communicate than a phone call, but a great way to send pictures of your new digs.

Cell Phone. If you don't have one, check into it. You'll probably find that it's less expensive than a landline with a long-distance carrier. It's just a bonus that with a cell phone you can make and receive long-distance calls at your convenience— whether you're at home or out at the park.  And, if text messaging is more convenient, add it to your plan.

Voice over internet protocol options. If you have a high-speed internet connection, this might be a great option. It doesn't interrupt any other online activities, and you won't use up your cell phone minutes if you're on a limited plan. Basically, it's an online voice messaging application – or web calling.  Skype is one of the most popular options for this type of long-distance communication. After downloading and installing Skype on your computer you can do Skype-to-Skype calls, video calls, instant messaging and screen sharing.  You'll just need a microphone or headset for your computer if you don't already have one. Video calls are a little more personal since you can see each other face-to-face— you can even get the family together for a group video call. So virtually, you can get together in a room despite being miles apart. Screen sharing allows you to share pictures and other media over a Skype call. Very cool.

Another great option is Ooma.  It works through your high-speed internet so it eliminates your land-line phone bill all-together.  With this service you can call anywhere in the 50 states for free.  Just purchase a hub device, hook it up to your internet connection and telephone, and set it up. If you prefer something more complex or if you run a home business, Ooma also offers a Premier service to add advanced calling features and further personalized options for a small fee. This really makes staying in touch after moving much easier and cost effective. With no long-distance fees, and by not using up limited cell phone minutes, you're much more likely to keep in touch with family and friends regularly.

One thing to keep in mind when calling friends and family from long-distance is the time change. So before you call or when you're scheduling a phone-date, don't forget those time differences. It's a good idea to schedule a convenient time to call for yourself and the person you're contacting ahead of time. If you can keep a regular call schedule, you'll stay in touch!

Of course, if you're not as technologically savvy or if you just prefer the more traditional methods to stay in touch, there's always a pen, some paper, and an envelope. Cards are nice too, especially for birthdays and holidays. Physically sending a letter or card is much more personal and shows you put more time into it. It's always exciting to get something in the mail other than bills…