Relocation cross-country can be a stress-free experience you will gladly remember. All you need is great moving to another state checklist to help you keep track of the move. Having all the tasks written down will ensure you don’t skip any important steps.
When creating the list, write down all the essential things that should be done before the relocation, then break those into smaller tasks. This way, you will easily have answers to questions like What to do before moving to another state? Or What is the average cost of moving to another state? To help you, we wrote down all the necessary tasks you need to complete in order to relocate cross-country successfully.
There are so many things to do before you actually get to enjoy your new home. Not only will you have to organize everything but you will have to do it without going way over your budget. Don’t let this predicament cause you moving stress. If you crunch the numbers and figure out how much money you have and how much you’ll need for the relocation, it will be easy to find the cheapest way to move out of state.
Let’s be honest; relocation is a long process that takes time and manpower. If you are considering doing it on your own, be prepared for a long few weeks. After all, boxing everything you own, loading trucks and unloading them takes time. Additionally, you will have to disassemble bulky furniture and later drag heavy boxes to the truck. Everything else will have to be put on hold while you are packing and relocating. If you want to avoid that, consider hiring professional long distance movers. Take some time and research companies, in the end, it will be easy to choose the best one. Make sure you hire a company that can offer you a variety of moving services, from packing and auto shipping to storage service. Having professionals do the grunt work may seem like an expensive option, but in the grand spectrum of things, it is one of the most efficient and stress-free ways to relocate.
When you opt for hiring a professional company to help you relocate, you will probably wonder how much do movers cost? There is no right answer to this question because each company forms prices individually. Questions like how much do movers cost for a two-bedroom apartment or how much do movers cost for a one-bedroom flat, are not simple to answer. However, when you decide which company you want to hire, you can go online and ask for a free quote or call and ask for an estimate. Additionally, companies offer insurance that will reimburse you in case your valuables get damaged.
During the whole relocation process, you might be too busy to realize that there are some items movers won’t move or pack. Those objects may be dangerous for the environment or the crew, and to avoid uncomfortable situations, go over the items professionals won’t move:
However, just to be sure, contact a relocation company and ask about all prohibited items that professionals won’t transport.
Before you even start to think about how to adjust to a new town, you should get to familiar with it. Even prior to your official relocation, travel to your future area if possible, and check it out. If you have already landed a job, get to explore the area around the office. Check out neighborhoods, entertainment, education, and transportation options. Knowing the city’s layout will make house-hunting more efficient, but it will also be easier to overcome relocation depression because your next destination won’t be completely unfamiliar.
If you are relocating with kids, while you are getting to know the location, you should check out the best educational institutions in the area. Go online, read the reviews, and look into school rankings, websites like GreatSchools can help you narrow down your search. While you are at it, don’t forget to contact and notify the current school about your relocation.
No matter where you are going, you will need a roof over your head. Look for your next residence early into relocation. That way, you will have enough time to research real estate and find the one that fits all of your needs. If you decided to move into an apartment, it would be logical to focus on high rise areas. However, if you are relocating with pets, don’t forget to check if buildings are animal friendly.
Having a stable income is a goal of most adults. If you don’t already have a job lining up for you, start looking for one, as soon as you decide to move. Sometimes job hunting can be a long and tiring process but don’t despair. Go online, set up a LinkedIn account, and contact companies in your future location. Depending on an entry-level, sometimes, the selection process can last for a while. That’s why you should apply as soon as possible. When you have a job waiting, you won’t have to worry about finances and making a dent in your savings.
Start your planning early in the game, and try not to procrastinate. Eight weeks is not a lot of time, but it is enough to make your relocation possible. By now, you probably managed to land a job or at least began searching for one. Also, more likely than not, you looked into housing options. Now it is time to create a relocation binder where you will keep all store receipts and records related to the move. Since we live in the digital age, this can also be a digital Google Drive file.
Before you print out your plan, make sure you wrote down everything, from scheduling appointments to obtaining essentials. With a comprehensive list in your hands, you are ready to tackle cross country relocation with ease.
If you are relocating on your own, you should begin by sorting through your belongings. Create three piles along the way – stuff you want to bring with you, those you wish to sell or donate, and those you want to throw away.
There are many reasons you may need to declutter; for example, if you are relocating to a smaller home, there is less space for your belongings. Furthermore, when you know what kind of objects you need to pack, it will be easy to find the best-sized boxes. On top of that, if you organize a garage sale, you will earn some extra cash, and that is always a good thing.
When you are done decluttering, you can sell the stuff you don’t want to donate or throw away, but the question is – how to have a successful garage sale? Let people know what you are planning to do; you can use your yard sign, online, or ads in local newspapers. When you decide on the date, make sure similar items are bundled and that the prices are visible. All of this will ensure that you earn some extra money.
There is not a lot of wiggle room when it comes to dealing with utilities when you are relocating. Begin by contacting your utility companies and canceling the services. Basic utilities include cable, electricity, internet, heating, water, and sewer, so you will have to cancel them all. Luckily if you have a landlord, you can skip this step. Furthermore, contact companies in your new location and arrange for them to activate utilities at your future place.
Due to all the tasks that should be done, people forget some essentials during the relocation. If you plan on becoming a resident of another city soon, you should know how to change your address when you move.
Firstly, confirm the exact street name, zip code, and apartment number. Secondly, visit the Official USPS Change of Address website and follow the instructions. When you are done, notify your bank, doctor, insurance company, or any other person that needs to know your exact address.
If you want to change your location information online, go to the official USPS website and fill out Form 3575 online. Here’s a step by step video guide to help you do it without a fuss.
Almost 85% of Americans have a driver’s license, so it is more likely than not that you drive. If that’s the case, consider bringing your car with you. However, if you are not up for the long drive on your own, use cross-country car shipping services, and let professionals ship the vehicle to the desired location. Depending on your car’s model and your finances, you can even choose between open and enclosed trailers. With the car in the garage, you can cruise around and quickly get to know the location.
The big day is finally here. You planned and prepared for it, and it is lastly the time to load things into the truck and head out to your new residence. Before you do, start the day on the right foot, set the alarm and get up early. Lay down protective materials all over the floors, so that they don’t get scratched while professionals handle the boxes. When professionals are done with the boxes, all you have to do is grab your essentials and head out.
When you get to your place, there will be a lot of boxes, and after a long day of traveling, you should rest before unpacking everything. To avoid rummaging through crates looking for bedsheets or toothbrushes, make a list of essentials you need to pack and carry with you. That bag should contain items like flashlights, some cleaning supplies, phone chargers, snacks, and water.
You already know what items professionals won’t transport and essentials you should have in one separate bag. However, some things are not prohibited cargo, and are not essential for the first day in the new house, that you should still keep by your side at all times:
Your relocation doesn’t stop when you transport your belongings to your new location; there are a couple of things left to do that will make the new property feel like a home. Start unpacking and decorating, and when you are done, post leftover supplies online or give them to someone who can use them. Clean the place and install a security system. Hook up your electronics and leave a review of your experience with the long-distance relocation company, and that’s it. You are finally done. Now you can sit back and enjoy life in the new location.
