November 28, 2022 Posted in Housing Tips

7 Important Things You Should Know About Moving Out of State

If you’re moving to another state, you already know that it comes with many challenges and considerations. However, our tips for moving out of state can be helpful if you wish to have a good plan in place and achieve a more enjoyable relocation experience. Make sure to memorize them if you want to set yourself up for a successful transition to your new home.

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#1 Making a Checklist and Following It Every Step of the Way Will Help You Get Organized

By making a moving out-of-state checklist and writing down all the tasks and responsibilities that need to be completed, you can make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Additionally, referring back to the checklist regularly ensures that you stay on track and don’t get sidetracked by distractions.

There are many things people forget to do during this process, and forgetting something important can turn into a big relocation mistake fast. Being organized is essential when relocating to a new state because there are many variables to consider. Using a physical tool, such as a hand-written to-do list or one of the best online checklist apps on your phone, will enable you to stay organized as much as possible.

Some of the important things to do include packing up belongings, canceling utilities at the old address and setting them up at the new one, forwarding mail, and notifying others about the move. Of course, keep in mind that complicated tasks, such as packing, can always be divided into smaller tasks in order to manage them more efficiently.

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Tasks Concerning Finances Will Be Among the Most Important Ones

Budgeting for the move and any necessary expenses at the new location is crucial in ensuring a smooth transition financially. Taking care of financial tasks before the move will help to alleviate stress and ensure a successful relocation. So, what do you need to do? When the time to move comes, consider the following:

Making a budget

Creating a relocation budget is important because it allows you to plan and allocate funds for all the potential expenses associated with a move. This may include hiring cross-country movers, rental truck fees, packing supplies, and temporary housing costs. Creating a budget ahead of time can help you plan the move, so you have all the necessary funds and can avoid any unexpected financial difficulties during the process.

Figuring out the new cost of living

This research can help you make decisions such as where to live, what kind of housing to search for, and how much you’ll have to spend on groceries, utilities, transportation, and entertainment. Without this research, you may end up in a city with higher costs of living than you can afford, leading to financial strain.

Exploring the taxes

State taxes can have a significant impact on your overall financial situation. Different states have varying income, sales, and property tax rates. For example, keep in mind that Washington doesn’t have an income tax – it’s good news for those who want to get movers from California to Seattle. On the other hand, those who plan to hire movers from Seattle to California will need to consider the burden of an income tax when budgeting for the move.

#2 Hiring Long-Distance Movers Will Help You Move Without a Fuss

There are several compelling reasons for getting long-distance moving services that may make the additional expense well worth it. One of the biggest benefits of getting professional help is that it will save you a significant amount of time. Packing up your belongings, loading them into a truck, and driving to your new home is a time-consuming process – it can take days or even weeks. Hiring relocation experts means that someone else will handle the packing and driving for you, which will allow you to get to your new home much faster.

At the same time, if you plan on getting additional services, such as car shipping or professional packing services, most of the hard relocation work will be taken off your back. Remember – professional movers are experienced in packing and transporting both your belongings and vehicles, and they have the necessary equipment to help you move efficiently and safely.

In the end, if you’re planning to drive your car or rent a truck, you’ll have to pay for gas and tolls and prepare yourself for many hours lost on the road. Additionally, if something happens to your belongings, you won’t be covered by the moving insurance every reliable cross-country moving company provides. Therefore, if you see a DIY move as a financially much better option, think again.

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#3 When Moving Out of State, Visiting a New Home Is Always Advisable

When you decide where to live, you also take the time to explore your new surroundings and get to know the area before you make the big move. After all, you don’t want to end up somewhere that you’re not happy with. Getting to know the area is especially important if you’re relocating to a new city alone. By visiting ahead of time, you can explore different neighborhoods and get a feel for which one would be the best fit for you.

You can also check out local amenities and see where you’ll find most of what you need. Additionally, keep in mind that it’s one thing to read about a place online or in a book and another to experience it for yourself. You may find that the city isn’t what you thought it was or somewhere you would be happy living. So, it’s better to find out ahead of time rather than after you have already relocated.

Research Your Neighborhood

Once you think you’ve found the perfect area, make sure to research it to ensure that it is the right fit for you. This may involve looking at the crime rate, nearby schools and amenities, and the overall atmosphere of the neighborhood. Additionally, researching your future community can also help in terms of practical considerations such as finding a place to live within your budget and determining the commute to work or other frequently visited locations. Taking the time to thoroughly research the neighborhood before relocation can save you from potential frustrations and regrets down the line.

Find a Home You Like

Researching the housing market in a potential new location is important for finding a home that both fits your preferences and is within your budget. This may involve looking at listings online, talking to real estate agents, and visiting houses and apartments in person. At the same time, it can be helpful to research the average prices for different types of homes in the area in order to have a better understanding of what is considered affordable.

Realtor showing a house on sale before cross-country moving
House-hunting is an exhausting but necessary task on your to-do list

#4 If You Have Kids, Figure Out Where Are the Good School Districts in the New Area

If you’re relocating with kids, you’ll want them to attend a school that will challenge them and help them grow into responsible, productive citizens. But how do you figure out which schools are the best? It can be tough, especially if you’re relocating to a big city. That’s why it’s important to do your research and figure out where the good school districts are before you make your final decision on where to live.

Start by looking into standardized test scores for the schools in the area. This will give you a good indication of how well the students in each school are doing academically. You can also talk to other parents in the area. They’ll be able to give you first-hand accounts of what their kids’ experiences have been like and whether or not they would recommend the close-by schools.

You should also consider the extracurricular activities that each school offers. If your children are involved in theater arts, sports, or other extracurricular activities, you’ll want to make sure that they’ll be able to continue those activities in their new school. Some schools have better programs than others, so it’s worth looking into this before making your decision.

a-child-smiling-at-school
If you're a parent, the well-being of your children will be your number one priority

#5 You’ll Be Able to Find a Job Even Before You Move

With the rise of technology, it’s now easier than ever to find a job even before you’ve relocated. First, take advantage of online tools such as LinkedIn. These days, many employers are using these tools to post open positions and recruit candidates. Therefore, be sure to create profiles and update your resume – and start searching for jobs that match your skills and interests.

In addition to online tools, another great way to find a job before you move is to network with people who live in your future city. Attend local events or join professional organizations related to your field. This will not only help you meet potential employers but also give you a better understanding of the local job market.

Lastly, don’t forget about traditional methods like print advertisements and word-of-mouth. Although they may not be as popular as they once were, these methods can still be effective in helping you land a job before you move.

If you need some good relocation tips on how to conduct a long-distance job search, take a look at the video below:

#6 Organize Documents on Time to Avoid Last-Minute Mistakes

Relocating to a new place is always a chaotic affair. No matter how many times you have done it before, there is always a chance for something to get left behind or forgotten. Mistakes are especially common with last-minute moves when you need to move in a hurry and rush to complete all of the tasks from your move-out list.

That being said, organizing important documents might seem like a tedious task, but it is necessary to ensure a smooth transition – you don’t need a costly trip back to get ahold of forgotten papers. Here are a few long-distance relocation tips that will help you get started:

  • Make a list of all the important documents that you need to move with you – these include birth certificates, passports, visas, driver’s licenses, insurance policies, and the like. Keep this list handy so that you can tick off each document as you pack it.
  • Get started early – start gathering all your important documents at least two weeks before your move date. This will give you enough time to track down any missing papers and get them in order.
  • Pack everything up safely – use sturdy materials to protect your documents from damage during the move. Although documents are not on the list of items movers won’t move, it would be best to pack them with the rest of your relocation essentials.

In the end, try to stay organized at your new place. Once you have all your papers gathered, create a filing system that will help you keep track of everything. You can either go old-school with physical folders or use an online organizing tool. This will help you stay on top of things and avert any last-minute disasters down the road.

A person organizing important documents before long-distance moving
Make sure your papers stay organized even after the move

#7 It’s Possible to Choose a Moving Date That Suits Your Possibilities and Needs

The date you choose to move can have a big impact on your overall relocation experience. So how to choose it? First of all, consider your relocation budget. Did you know that relocation in winter, during the off-season, is the cheapest time of the year to move? If you’re on a tight budget and have total freedom to choose the date, consider organizing a move between October and March – if you’re not opposed to a bit colder weather.

However, if you’re relocating with family, you’ll need to think about your kids’ schedules. You don’t want to disrupt their schooling or extracurricular activities more than necessary. In this case, a good solution is to choose a date during summer break or another holiday break when they don’t have school.

Hire Relocation Experts, and Leave All the Hard Work to the Professionals

Choosing a long-distance moving company to help you move can alleviate a lot of the stress that comes with an interstate move. These professionals have experience in all aspects of the process and can handle many relocation-related tasks. Therefore, if you wonder how to move out of state efficiently and without too much hassle, remember that leaving the hard work to the professionals can make for a smoother and more enjoyable relocation experience.

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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