Are you considering a move across state lines? Whether it’s for work, school, or family reasons, there are many things to think about before making the big jump. This guide will help make the process easier and less daunting. From packing your belongings to reading AmeriFreight reviews when looking for car shipping companies, the tips below should cover everything you need to know.
Tips to Make Moving to Another State Easier
1. Ship Your Car
If you’re planning on making a long-distance move, you’ll want to ship your car ahead of time. This will provide you with more flexibility and help avoid any last-minute hassles. To get the best rates possible, reserve your shipping space as early as possible—at least 30 days in advance. This is the best way to ensure that you’ll get a spot on your preferred moving company’s truck and won’t face any additional charges.
If you don’t have a car shipping company yet, make sure to give yourself plenty of time for research. You can go online and search reviews of car shipping companies to learn more about how these companies conduct their business.
2. Formulate a Master Plan for Moving Out of State
Moving to another state is no small task. It’s essential to have a plan in place before making the jump. Take the time to give serious thought to numerous decisions before making them, such as whether to hire professional movers or go the DIY route, or get moving insurance or not. Having a carefully constructed plan will help ensure you don’t forget anything and lessen the stress on the big day.
3. Take Inventory of Your Belongings and Bring What You Need
It’s a reality of life that we accumulate a lot of stuff. However, moving across state lines is a pretty good reason to finally start getting rid of belongings you don’t use anymore. If you’re thinking about making this big jump, ask yourself if the items you’ve been holding onto are worth dragging along with you or if they would be better off left behind. You’ll thank yourself later for not having to lug your excess baggage across the country.
When paring down your belongings, you can use a system where you’ll decide on whether they’re worth packing, purging, or donating. Then, follow your plan and pack what you’ll truly need.
If you’re trying to figure out if something is worth packing or not, ask yourself if it’s something that you’ve used in the past year or will be able to use during your relocation. Also, keep in mind that massive items like furniture may require additional moving costs, so avoid taking those you won’t need.
4. Secure Employment at Your New State
Job hunters should take every step possible to increase their chances of landing a job in their new state. For example, if you’re moving to another city, you’ll want to take the necessary steps to tailor your resume and cover letter for that specific location. You can do this by including pertinent information such as who you’d be working for and why you’d be a good fit.
Also, if you’re moving out of state, ask your potential employer if they offer relocation assistance benefits. Some companies may also provide financial assistance to help offset the cost of housing for new hires, so it’s worth looking into this option as well.
5. Investigate Local Schools and Housing Costs
Whether you’re moving with children or not, school quality is something you’ll want to research thoroughly before making the final decision. The best place to begin your search is by speaking with locals in the area and finding out which schools they recommend. They may even provide information on how much it typically costs for homes in the community.
Finally, if you have any school or housing questions that need immediate attention, look online, as there are plenty of websites that provide adequate information.
6. Pack as Early as Possible
It’s prudent to start packing as soon as possible rather than rush when moving day arrives. This will help ensure that you don’t accidentally leave something you’ll need, especially if you’re doing this yourself. You can start by taking inventory of all of your belongings to see how much packing supplies you’ll need to order.
Then, once the moving company is scheduled, let them know what boxes and supplies they’ll come to pick up from you. Finally, be sure to pack your moving day essentials early on so that you have everything together for when you need it.
7. Hire Professional Movers
The pros know how to get you where you need to go without damaging or losing your belongings in the process. If you don’t feel like getting your hands dirty on moving day, find a company that offers full-service packing and moving services. These movers will pack everything for you, load your belongings in their truck, and safely get them to your new home.
8. Make Copies of Important Paperwork
If you’re driving to your new home, make copies of important documents like your driver’s license, car registration, proof of insurance, and photo ID, like a passport. Copies of these documents will be helpful to have on hand whether you get pulled over. If you’re flying to your destination, make sure to take pictures of your important documents so that you can access them if necessary.
9. Update Your Accounts
Speak to your bank about your new address and any other significant changes that need to be made. For example, you’ll want to make sure that your checking and savings accounts are set up with the correct information and transfer over automatic bill payments. You can do this by filling out a change of address form or visiting a local branch if necessary.
Takeaway: Make Your Cross-State Move Less Stressful
Whether it’s for a new job, to be closer to family, or simply for a change of scenery, moving is an exciting adventure. But before you can start packing your boxes, you must consider the tips above. These will go a long way in making the cross-state move process more efficient and less stressful.