Whether you’re moving out of state for better schools or better job opportunities, relocating is a massive undertaking. Preparing for a long-distance move requires coordination, forethought, and patience. With the help of a moving out of state checklist, you can take some of the stress out of planning for your move.
Take the nerves out of relocating when you have a proper plan in place. Use this checklist to help prepare for the biggest move you’ll ever make.
Buy or Rent a Place To Live
Make a smart move when you secure housing in your new state. Visit the town to shop for houses or apartments, so you have a place to live. Use Zillow to find a house or apartment that’s in your budget and which includes what you need. Even if you find a place online, you should visit prior to signing a lease or mortgage.
Pro-Tip: Secure employment in your new town to guarantee you’ll have an income. It’s a common mistake to assume someone will hire you in the field of your choice when you move to a new place.
Choose a Moving Date
Part of planning a move is deciding when you’ll do it. Knowing when you’re going to sign your lease or buy your home may make the decision easier since you’ll want to move in as soon as possible. Once you know your move-in date, plan around it. Have your bags and boxes packed by that date, and make sure you inform anyone who is helping you.
Hire Professional Movers
Moving long-distance is different than moving across town. You’ll most likely need to take all your items with you at once, so you don’t have to make an expensive return trip. When you work with professionals, you can enjoy less stress on moving day. Allow experts to move your heaviest items. Movers have the skills and tools to pick up bulky items and maneuver them out of any space.
Money-Saving Move: Ask close friends or family members to help you move. Enlist your strongest loved ones or those who have the biggest vehicles—and try to compensate them for their help in some way.
Ship Your Vehicle
Driving to your new home may seem like a cheaper option until you consider the cost of stopping. You may save time and money by shipping your vehicle and flying to your new state due to the amount you would spend on hotels, food, and gas. Arrange to have your van, truck, or SUV shipped prior to your move. You can ship your car by train using Amtrak or another company.
Order Packing Supplies
From boxes and tape to markers and bubble wrap, you can get all the packing supplies you need from a hardware store. Order more supplies than you think you’ll need to avoid running out.
Pro-Tip: Stores like Home Depot and Lowes allow you to order online and pick up your items the same day!
Start Packing a Month in Advance
Knowing when to start packing for any move can be tricky. When moving long-distance, though, you should begin sooner than you expect. Start packing at least a month in advance, so you have time to organize your items. Further, packing early will help you see if you have enough boxes.
The sooner you start packing, the more likely you are to get everything packed in time. Especially if you can’t return to your house or apartment after moving day, you must remove everything from your home and place it in a bag or box to take with you.
Downsize Your Items
While you’re packing, decide what items to leave behind. An interstate move is easier when you have fewer items. Consider getting rid of things you can repurchase when you get to your new place, such as:
- Furniture
- Appliances
- Televisions
- Pools
- Vehicles
- Yard equipment
Pro-Tip: Donate or throw away things you aren’t using anymore. Chances are good you won’t use them in your new place either.
Label Your Boxes
Make life easier on yourself and your movers by labeling your boxes. It’s a common mistake to negate this important step. Choose a simple system that is easy to understand. You can write the name of the room in which the box belongs or use a simple color system.
Change Your Address
Before you move to your new place, set a date for your address change. Visit the USPS’s website to apply for a change of address. They will forward your mail for a year. You should forward your mail, so others don’t receive it.
Change your address on accounts you keep as well. The most important accounts you should change your address with include:
- Bank
- Credit card companies
- Insurance company
- Cell phone company
- Internet provider
- Subscriptions
Tell People You’re Moving
Don’t forget to tell your friends and family you’re moving. Especially once the holidays come, they may try to send something to your old address. Those who know the intimate details of your life won’t need a big announcement. Still, some fun ways to tell people you’ve moved are:
- Posting a picture of your new place on social media
- Sending a card to your loved ones
- Texting friends and family your new address
Discuss Moving With Your Children Early
If you have kids, tell them about your plans to move as soon as possible. Even if you’re just looking at houses, try to keep them looped in. It’s better to start preparing your children for a move that doesn’t happen than to spring one on them.
Cancel Memberships
Letting go of old routines is key to developing new ones. Make sure you cancel active gym or social club memberships that you can’t use in your new state. Once you move, you can find new places to exercise, play golf, and enjoy spas.
A moving out of state checklist should guide you through more than planning for your move. Prepare for your new state and city by visiting it before moving. The best way to ensure your long-distance move is successful is to hire professional New York interstate movers. Contact Simply Moving as soon as you start planning to relocate to ensure you book the best for your moving day.
