Nothing beats lying on the couch and gazing about with pride at the new home you just moved into. That is, unless the reason you're lying on the couch is because you strained your back moving furniture. If you aren't used to picking up heavy things (and even if you are), it's pretty easy to wreck yourself trying to get your bed or couch in place. You bend, lift, twist, lurch, and crack! A bolt of lightning hits your spine and lays you low for the rest of the day. Or maybe the next six months.

So you're in your brand-new apartment or house. Some of the boxes are still waiting to be unpacked, but you're so excited about making this space into a home that you're spending hours at IKEA comparing couch pillows and loading up shopping carts to see how much everything you might want is going to cost.

You have problems, I have advice. This advice isn't sugar-coated - in fact, it's sugar-free, and may even be a little bitter. Welcome to Tough Love.

Dear Lovehacker, I moved to a new city recently and don't know anyone locally. Do you have some advice on how to meet new people? (I'm single and looking!)

Moving house is a time of excitement. But it can also be a time of great stress. As someone who works from home much of the time, a smooth move is critical as every day that I spend messing around shifting boxes, furniture and services is a day when I'm not working and not earning any money. I thought I had everything planned perfectly. And then I wanted an Internet connection.

No one enjoys packing clothes for a move. And for formal dresses, shirts and other articles that need to stay on the hanger, the process is even more annoying. Luckily, If you have some garbage bags handy -- particularly ones with the discrete straps -- you can pack and protect your fancier clothes in quick fashion.

Home improvements often mean moving things around, which involves measuring to make sure everything fits. You might jot your window or wall measurements on paper when you move into a new space, but if you want to change something later on, you'll probably have to take the time to measure again. Luckily it's easy to immortalise your numerical handiwork: just set it and forget it with a label maker.

Despite the fact that they're ridiculously expensive, cities such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco are also hugely populated and growing. They're great cities with a lot to offer, sure -- but how much should you earn if you want to make the move?

Dear Lifehacker, I'm moving soon, and I want to make sure my beloved computer makes the trip safely. I could trust the movers with it, but is that wise? What's the best way to move a computer and all my gear?

Dear Lifehacker, I'm getting myself organised to move out of home for the very first time in a few months. I was wondering if you had tips for the kinds of things I won't realise I need until I move in? Apart from the obvious essentials (bed, fridge, etc.), what should I be buying?

Smartphones and GPS devices make it easy to get around, but they can also inhibit your natural sense of direction if you rely on them too much. If you want to be a master navigator of an area, you need to put the screens away.

Anyone who has bought a home will tell you: it can be a long, drawn-out process. Sometimes what seems like a done deal, even going into escrow, can backfire and you have to start shopping for a home all over again. For the sake of your finances and your loan, hold off any moving plans until all the closing documents are officially signed.

"Hey, wouldn't it be cool if you modelled and 3D printed your apartment to figure out where all the furniture will go?" A tongue-in-cheek question from a coworker turned out to be one of the greatest nerd snipes I have ever fallen victim to.

Hey Lifehacker, I work in IT with a core skill set as a .Net Developer. I have noticed a slowdown in work and there has generally not been many jobs advertised. I started looking for work overseas in New Zealand and south-east Asia -- but how does anyone get a job overseas, let alone uproot themselves and move? Especially when we have commitments here such as mortgage/car/other half. Any suggestions?

Dear Lifehacker, I'm planning to move out of home for the first time with some mates into a rental property. Do you have any tips for someone living out of home for the first time? And can I customise my house without breaking the lease? Thanks, Rental Virgin

If you're lucky enough to work from anywhere, you can take advantage of your freedom and work while you travel. Our own Stephanie Lee just spent the last nine months as one of these "digital nomads", with just a couple of suitcases and her laptop. Here are some practical things to consider if you want to be one, too.

Chances are, your biggest expenses are housing, transportation, and food. In most high cost of living cities, all three of these already large expenses are even larger. If you're planning a move to an expensive city, prepare your budget for the hit with a trial run.

There are a million factors that go into choosing a new city to move to. Teleport can help by comparing the city you live in to others that might suit your needs better.

Moving can be fun, but packing sucks. The lustre and optimism of a new home quickly diminishes when you're busy shoving your stuff in boxes so it doesn't break on the way. Here are some tips to make it all easier.