January 2, 2023 Posted in Moving Tips

How to Plan a Move to Another City Along the West Coast?

If you’re considering a move to one of the stunning cities along the West Coast, you will want to make sure that your relocation is planned to the fullest. But how to plan a move to another city so that everything goes smoothly and stress-free? To help get your adventure off on the right foot, we have put together a simple guide – so keep reading.

Woman making a checklist before long-distance moving
How can I plan a move to another city? We have all the right tips

First of all, you need to choose the place that fits you the most – and find an area and housing you like in it. Next, you need to ensure the move is completely organized with the help of a relocation checklist. You also need to decide whether you wish to move on your own or get help from a long-distance moving company (and plan accordingly). Once your belongings are relocated, you’ll need to establish yourself in a new location and set up your new apartment or house. In the end, you also need to put yourself out there and meet new people in order to build your support network.

How to Plan a Move to Another City? First, Choose the Place That Suits You in All Aspects

Relocating to a new city can be exciting but also an overwhelming process. With so many cities and towns out there, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. That’s why it’s important to take the time to research different possibilities and consider all the factors before making a decision. Remember – choosing the right location is one of the most important steps to moving to a new city.

The first thing on your to-do list should be determining what type of metropolis or town best suits your lifestyle. Consider weather, cost of living, job opportunities, amenities, and recreational activities that you might enjoy. Use online resources such as blogs and reviews from other people who have lived in certain places to get more insight into what it’s really like in those locations.

It’s also important to consider location when choosing a place to live. Is it close enough (or far enough away) from family and friends? Are there convenient transportation options available? What kind of access does the city have to other areas? Is it considered safe? These are all important questions that will help you decide if a particular location would bring you relocation benefits – or worries.

However, don’t make a final decision before visiting the place that’s your first choice – you need to see if it feels like home or not! Sometimes what’s the best option on paper isn’t so in real life, so it’s a good idea to examine if the city’s vibe truly matches yours by visiting it.

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Hidden Gems of the West Coast You Should Consider Calling a Home

Choosing the West Coast doesn’t mean you need to move to Los Angeles, plan a relocation to San Diego, or choose any other of the Pacific Coast’s (in)famous cities. There are many other interesting places you can choose from – here are our top three choices:

Tacoma, Washington

Tacoma is a city located in Pierce County and sits on Commencement Bay near Puget Sound. If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, then relocating to Tacoma is the perfect place, as it has plenty of hiking trails and beaches to explore. It also has an impressive culinary scene, with restaurants serving up some of the best food around. Plus, Tacoma has a vibrant art scene with galleries showcasing some incredible works from local artists. In the end, don’t forget that it’s a part of the Seattle metro area. You can enjoy all the benefits relocation to Seattle offers without having to suffer through its high expenses.

San Clemente, California

San Clemente is a relaxed seaside community located in Orange County. It is known as The Spanish Village by the Sea due to its Mediterranean-style architecture and stunning coastal views. This city offers plenty of outdoor activities, such as surfing – and it doesn’t hurt that it’s located halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles.

Eugene, Oregon

Eugene is situated in Lane County on the Willamette River near Eugene Lake. It has long been known as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise due to its abundance of green areas where hikers can explore miles of trails surrounded by lush green forests. Additionally, Eugene offers plenty of entertainment options like movie theaters or performing arts centers such as the Hult Center for Performing Arts. Those who visit or move to Eugene can experience live music or theater performances year-round.

Start Searching for an Apartment or House

You can start looking at apartments once you’ve decided on a few areas that interest you and calculated your relocation budget. Use websites such as Zillow to begin your search. At the same time, you should create a list of all things you look for in an apartment or a house – it will really facilitate your search and make sure you stay within your spending limit.

So, what should this move-to-another-state checklist include? When making relocation day preparations, consider the following:

  • Cost (which shouldn’t be more than one-third of your monthly income),
  • Area of the apartment,
  • Apartment layout,
  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms,
  • Amenities.

When you come up with an idea of how your place should look (and where it should be located), you may enter this information into a website search and start exploring the results you get.

Woman happy after cross-country moving
The better your new place suits you, the happier you'll be

When Planning a Move to a New City, Think About Sharing the Expenses With Roommates

One of the main advantages of having a roommate is that it can help you save money after relocating to a new city alone. Splitting rent and utilities with someone else can make living in an expensive metropolis more affordable than if you opt for living on your own. Not only will there be more money in your pocket each month, but you can find a person you truly get along with, which will help you start making friends. It can be difficult to find friends in an unfamiliar place, so having someone live with you who can provide company and support during this transition is invaluable.

However, note that having a roommate isn’t without its drawbacks either. Even if two people have compatible personalities, conflicts can arise over cleaning habits, noise levels, or shared living space. It’s important to discuss expectations up front and agree on acceptable behavior before signing any paperwork.

If you wish to share your space after the move and need some relocation tips on how to get along with the people you’re living with, take a look at the video below:

Organize Your Move to the Fullest

There are many different relocation details that need to be taken care of before you can start settling in. To make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible, it is important to stay organized.

One of the best ways to stay organized is by starting early and making a list of any tasks that need to be completed prior to the move day, such as canceling utilities, creating a relocation budget, organizing important documents, getting quotes from cross-country movers, and so on. Having everything written down will help ensure nothing gets forgotten before the big day arrives.

You can also create an inventory list of all the items you plan to take with you. This will help when packing and unpacking, as well as when deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. It can also help you quickly create a new apartment checklist of things to buy.

A person making a checklist before cross-country moving
Checklists will be your biggest ally when organizing a move

Decide How to Move Your Belongings

Relocating out of state comes with its own unique set of challenges. If you decide to take matters into your own hands and move by yourself, there are some important steps that need to be taken in order for everything to go smoothly. First, ensure you have proper packing materials such as boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and tape. You should also plan out how much space each item will take up in the truck or trailer so that everything fits properly and nothing gets left behind. Lastly, ensure you have enough people helping with the move so that no one has too much work on their plate.

However, most of the time, a DIY long-distance move is not a good idea. If you have a last-minute move, possess a lot of items that need to be moved, or just don’t want to hassle relocating all your stuff yourself, then getting long-distance moving services may be the best option. Getting movers from Seattle to California (or movers from California to Seattle, depending on the direction of your move) can help make sure that your items arrive safely and securely at their destination. Moreover, you’ll be able to get additional services, such as professional car shipping or, for example, packing service, and ease your move even more.

Still, make sure to avoid relocating scams by doing proper research before choosing a cross-country moving company. Researching online reviews and checking the company’s license and insurance status can also help ensure that you select the right movers for the job.

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Set Up Your New Place

The obvious first actions are to unpack boxes and move furniture inside – or let long-distance movers do it for you. After everything has been moved in, you will need to decide how you would like to organize your new place and make it feel like home. Therefore, count on several trips to different stores to obtain all you need.

In addition to the actual furnishings in your residence, note that you’ll also need to arrange some services, such as internet and utilities – if they aren’t already set up and come with the rent expenses. Also, consider setting your rent to automatic payments so you’re never late. In the end, consider getting the renter’s insurance as additional protection for your belongings.

Update All the Necessary Information

There are still things you must remember to do after the move ends. Therefore, don’t forget to:

  • Update your address at USPS, but also with other institutions you have a relationship with, such as banks, IRS, insurance providers, and so on,
  • Update your driver’s license and register your car – you’ll need to do it 30-90 days after the move, depending on the state you’re relocating to,
  • Change your voter registration.

Although it’s pretty easy to overlook these tasks, ensure you don’t do it – and avoid unnecessary trouble down the road. While unpacking and exploring a new place, make sure these tasks are your priority.

A woman talking on the phone after long-distance moving
Once the move is done, you'll need to establish yourself in a new location

Plan On Meeting New People After the Move

It’s important to make an effort to meet new people and build a support network in your new community. Plan on attending local events, introducing yourself to your neighbors, joining clubs or organizations, volunteering, or doing some similar activities. By taking the initiative to meet new people and possibly even make new friends, you’ll be able to ease the transition, adjust to a new place faster – and start feeling right at home in your new city.

Milly Andrews

Milly is a Portland prodigy of packing and relocating! She has been on the move her whole life, and she's got the moving boxes and stories to prove it. With her vast experience in the art of relocation, she's like a human GPS, always finding the most efficient way to navigate the moving process.

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