Moving On Up! A Sim’s Guide to Relocating in The Sims 4
So, your Sims are ready for a change of scenery? Whether they’re tired of their cramped starter home, landed a lucrative new career requiring a bigger pad, or simply craving a fresh start, moving is a fundamental part of the Sims 4 experience. Here’s the lowdown on how to move your Sims to another house!
The simplest way to move your Sims in The Sims 4 is through the Manage Worlds menu. This is your central hub for neighborhood management. Here’s the breakdown:
- Enter Manage Worlds: Click the world icon in the lower-left corner of the screen while playing.
- Select the Household: Locate the household you want to move on the world map.
- Access Household Options: Click the “…” (More) button on the household panel that appears.
- Choose “Move Household”: Select the “Move Household” option from the menu.
- Select a New Home: You’ll be taken back to the world map, where you can choose either an empty lot to build on or a pre-built house.
- Confirm and Move: Once you’ve selected the new home, you’ll be prompted to either move with your furnishings (selling them for funds) or move unfurnished (leaving everything behind). Choose the option that suits your Sims’ situation and confirm the move.
And that’s it! Your Sims are now happily (or perhaps nervously) settled into their new abode. But the moving process can be more complex than it seems. Let’s dive into some common questions and scenarios. For more tips and tricks, consider exploring resources from organizations such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Understanding the Nuances of Moving
Moving in The Sims 4 isn’t always a straightforward process. There are a number of factors that can affect the process. Here’s a deeper dive.
The Importance of Household Funds
When moving, you need to consider household funds. If you’re moving into a new lot, you’ll need enough Simoleons to cover the purchase price. Selling your old furnishings can provide a significant boost, but if your Sims are short on cash, they might need to downsize or find a cheaper lot.
Splitting Households
Sometimes, you might want to move only a portion of your household. This is where the “Split from Household” option comes in handy. It allows you to separate Sims into different households and move them independently.
Leveraging Build Mode for Moving
While the Manage Worlds menu is the primary way to move households, Build Mode offers an alternative for moving entire houses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Moving in The Sims 4
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that cover more specific scenarios and solutions related to moving in The Sims 4:
1. Why can’t I transfer Sims between households?
This can happen if you’ve reached the maximum Sim count in your “My Households” category. The game limits the number of Sims you can actively manage. To resolve this, move some Sims into the “Other Households” category, which are essentially unplayed households or increase the maximum sim count in settings.
2. Can I move an entire house in Sims 4 without rebuilding?
Yes! While in Build Mode, look for the icon with four arrows going in different directions (up, down, left, right) on the top toolbar. Click it, and a submenu will appear. Choose the “Move House” option, then click on your entire house. You can then move the entire structure to a new location on the lot.
3. How do I move my Sims 2 family to another neighborhood? (For those feeling nostalgic)
In The Sims 2, use the “Move to Lots & Houses Bin” cursor to select the house containing the Sim you want to move. This bundles the house and the Sim together. Then, enter the new neighborhood and place the house from the bin.
4. Can I play as two different households in Sims 4 within the same save?
Yes, but it requires some save management. You can create separate households, but to actively play them both, you’ll need to create 2 different save-games. This is because you can only actively control one household per save file at a time.
5. How do I move into a new house?
The process is described in the beginning of this article. Using the Manage Worlds menu and selecting the “Move Household” option.
6. Can my Sims live in separate houses within the same neighborhood?
Absolutely! Split your household using the “Split from Household” option and move the Sims you want to live separately into their new home. You can switch between these households as your active household, allowing you to control their lives individually.
7. Can two households interact in Sims 4?
Yes, Sims from different households can interact. However, as mentioned earlier, playing both households simultaneously requires different save files. You can arrange for them to visit each other, have relationships, and engage in various activities.
8. Is Sims transferable between platforms (e.g., from console to PC)?
Unfortunately, no. The Sims 4 and its DLC are platform-specific. If you want to play on a different platform, you’ll need to purchase the game and any desired DLC again.
9. How do you move households together in Sims 4?
Use the “Transfer Sims between Households” option (icon with 2 opposite arrows) in the Manage Households menu. You can move Sims from one household to another, merging them into a single household.
10. How do you ask a Sim to move in?
Once you have a high friendship level with another Sim, a “Ask to Join Household” option will appear in the ‘Friendly’ interactions menu. The success of this request depends on your relationship level with the Sim.
11. What happens if I demolish a house?
If you demolish the house, you lose all the furnishings. If you delete room by room, the furnishings go into your inventory, and you are reimbursed 10% of the cost of the floor and wall coverings.
12. Can you ask a Sim to move out?
Yes, select the ‘move’ option on your Sim’s phone, and you’ll see a list of all Sims in the household. Deselect the Sims you want to keep, and the remaining Sim(s) will be moved out.
13. Can Sims get pregnant as adults?
Yes, only Young Adults and Adults can get pregnant. Make sure there are fewer than eight Sims living on the lot, as that’s the maximum household size.
14. How do you get all lots for free in Sims 4?
Open the cheat console (usually by pressing Ctrl+Shift+C) and type “FreeRealEstate On”. This allows you to move into any residential lot regardless of the cost. Be sure to turn it off with “FreeRealEstate Off” if you want to play without the cheat.
15. What is the difference between “My Households” and “Other Households” in Sims 4?
The primary difference is that “My Households” are actively played and subject to neighborhood stories (if enabled), while “Other Households” are not actively played and can have different neighborhood story settings applied.
Final Thoughts on Moving
Moving your Sims to a new house is a big decision. But armed with this guide, you’ll be prepared to tackle any relocation scenario the game throws your way. So go forth, and make your Sims’ dreams of a perfect home a reality!