There are a lot of things to consider when you’re moving to another state. From exploring the city to finding a new job, you’re going to have to do a lot of planning ahead.
One of the best ways to prepare is to visit your new home town. This way, you can get a feel for your new surroundings and decide whether it’s the right fit.
Find a Moving Company
Moving to a new state requires extensive preparation. You need to learn about schools, crime rates, neighborhoods, city amenities, and more. You also need to know how to find a new job and re-establish your bank accounts.
You can begin by finding a reputable moving company that offers a number of services, including professional movers and moving truck rentals. Make sure you read their customer reviews and get a few price estimates from them before committing to hire them.
Regardless of the type of move you plan to make, you should always choose a moving company that is licensed and insured. Any company can call themselves a moving company, but only licensed and insured ones are legally responsible for protecting your possessions.
Another way to protect yourself and your belongings is to avoid using moving companies that require large deposits upfront. Reputable movers usually don’t ask for such large amounts of money.
Make a Moving Checklist
A moving checklist is an excellent tool to make your move go smoothly. It will help you avoid forgetting any important details, keep track of the contents of your boxes and ensure that your movers don’t pack anything wrong.
You can use a home inventory app or pre-made template, but you can also write down all your belongings on paper. This helps to identify duplicate items, outdated or damaged items that you could donate or dispose of before the move.
Another option is to take photos or record videos of all your belongings. If you choose this method, remember to print out and attach the pictures or video to the corresponding page of your inventory list.
You should also update your inventory as you receive new items, especially high-value ones. It will save you a lot of hassle in case you need to file an insurance claim later on.
Take Inventory
A good inventory is critical to a smooth and safe move. This can help you and your movers identify which boxes need special attention, and it can also help you file a claim if something happens to an item during the move.
Another great reason to take an inventory is that it can help you create a moving estimate. Knowing how much you have to move can help you determine the size of truck you need and how many movers you need to hire.
Taking an inventory can be a time-consuming process, but it will be worth it in the long run. This is especially true if you are doing a cross-country move, as it will make estimating the cost of your move easier. It can also be helpful to purge items that you don’t need for your new home. You can sell these items or donate them to charity if you are not planning on using them in your new space.
Do Your Research
Moving to another state can be a huge undertaking, and it’s important to do your research. This will help you find the best movers, the most cost-effective housing and make sure everything gets off to the right start in your new home state.
Whether you’re looking for a beachfront condo in Florida, a suburban retreat in Texas or a thriving sports scene in the Bay Area, there are plenty of resources online to help you find your dream place. For example, you can check out Walk Score to see how easy it will be to get around on foot, bike or public transit, sign up for Nextdoor to meet your future neighbors and check out the livability score on AreaVibes.
It’s also a good idea to do your research on the laws, opportunities and culture of your new state. This will help you avoid any trouble down the road. For instance, if you’re planning to make improvements to your home, check out local ordinances and codes before making any changes.
