Moving to a different location is usually a challenging experience, but relocating to another state adds to the complexity of the process. Nonetheless, you may need to make such a change to start a new life, get a better job, be closer to your family, or for other important reasons, so it is worth the effort.
To make this process easier, it is important to plan it carefully and not forget about any important aspect. To help you with that, we have prepared a moving-out-of-state checklist enumerating all the most commonly taken steps in such a process. Take a look at it!
Checklist for Moving Out of State
Enlisting all the things you have to do can reduce the stress associated with moving to a certain extent, so we recommend familiarizing yourself with the actions we suggest taking and customizing the list in accordance with your individual circumstances.
Set a Budget
Knowing what exactly you can afford during your move will reduce the risk of running out of funds, so take a moment to make the necessary calculations. List all the costs you need to cover, such as:
- Long-distance moving service
- Packing materials
- Car shipping
- Transportation (including pet transportation, if applicable)
- Possible repairs
- House cleaning service
Importantly, if you are moving because of a new job, check whether the employer offers relocation assistance, as it can be helpful in cutting costs.
Prepare a Moving File
To stay organized and sane, you can gather all the documents you need for your move in one file or box. It can be hard during the preparations, but it will help you avoid a lot of stress associated with searching for papers that are urgently needed.
Such documents can include, for example:
- Bill of lading
- Moving estimate
- “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet
- Inventory documentation
Tour Your New Neighborhood
Whether you have already purchased or rented a new place or simply decided on a particular city or neighborhood, take your time to familiarize yourself with it. If possible, visit your new house or apartment in person, and while you are there, locate crucial places nearby, such as the nearest pharmacy, hospital, grocery store, gas station, or school (if you have or plan to have children).
If you are not able to take such a trip before the move, do your research online. Use Google Maps to take a virtual tour of the neighborhood. You can also browse your city’s or county’s website for important information.
Update Your Address
Taking care of the paperwork may be exhausting and boring but inevitable when moving to a different place. First, request the address update through the United States Postal Service (USPS) website or in the post office nearby. From this moment on, USPS will forward your mail to the new address for 12-30 months. It’s really helpful because not everyone may be aware of your move straight away.
Then, think about all your accounts, bills, subscriptions, and memberships, and update your billing address with each provider. Take into account that not all the services can be transferred to a different state, so you may need to cancel some of them and look for a new provider at your destination.
Most importantly, do not forget about updating the address on your bank account, credit cards, driver’s license, and insurance policies.
If you are a parent, you also need to contact both your children’s present and new schools. Ask what you need to do to transfer your records and complete their enrollment.
Pick the Best Moving Company
Make sure to choose the best moving company you can find because the quality of their service will strongly influence how smoothly the process goes. Check the rates, service range, customer testimonials, etc.
Importantly, choose fully insured and licensed movers to make sure your belongings will be secure, and the service won’t be a scam. Also, if you need help packing, make sure they can assist you with that. Moreover, if you have to move a piano or another massive item, pick movers who are experienced in dealing with such challenging tasks.
To be informed in advance about the cost of a particular moving service, be sure to always get a quote first and check if it’s affordable to you.
Arrange Your Journey
Apart from hiring movers to transport your belongings, you need to organize your own journey. If you are moving to a neighboring state in summer, it may be easiest to travel by car. However, if your move is scheduled for winter and it involves a more significant distance, a plane may be a better option.
If you have a car or any other vehicle and you are flying to your new home, make the necessary arrangements for your moving company to transport it.
If the trip is very long, it may be a good idea to book an overnight stay. Moreover, temporary accommodation may also be necessary if your items will arrive in a week or so.
Provide Packing Supplies
To protect your belongings from getting damaged in transit, provide the necessary packing materials such as moving boxes, bubble wrap, foam pouches, or packing tape.
To see if what you bought is sufficient, start packing less frequently used items in advance. Then, you will still have time to replenish your supplies if it seems that you have underestimated your packing needs.
Declutter Your Home
It may seem like an unnecessary step, but getting rid of the clutter in your home before you start packing is a great way to make the moving process less exhausting and time-consuming.
If you throw away your old, unnecessary, or even broken possessions, you will have less to pack, transport, and unpack. As a result, you will spend less money on packing supplies and waste less time and energy on items you don’t need anyway.
To make the process easier, you can also request a packing service at your moving company.
Take Care of Your Pets
Pets can be as stressut about moving as their owners, or even more. During your preparations, they will likely feel that something is changing. If you notice they’re exhibiting any signs of anxiety, take them to the vet, who will most likely prescribe medication or suggest other calming measures to help them survive the move with less discomfort.
If you are not traveling to your new place of residence by car, consider investing in professional pet relocation services. In both cases, try to stick to your pet’s regular routine as much as possible during the move, and remember about its favorite toy or blanket during the journey.
You can also take your pets on a plane, but you must first complete all the required paperwork and vaccinations. Also, make sure you are well informed about a pet license in your destination state.
Remember About Self-Care
With all the things you have to remember and take care of when moving to a new place, it can be hard to slow down and take a break.
However, to avoid an energy crash and mental fatigue, always include self-care on your checklist for moving out of state.
Remember that you’re human, not a packing machine, so take some time for yourself during the whole process.Â
It can be a break for a long walk, a gaming session, some Netflix chill, or a dinner date, depending on what helps you to relax and stop thinking about the moving stress for a while.
Say Your Goodbyes
It may seem a low-priority activity on your moving out of state checklist, but saying goodbye to the people and places that are important to you can be significant to your mental health.
Therefore, in addition to all the packing and formalities, find some time to visit your favorite coffee shops, parks, restaurants, and other places that bring back great memories.
Even more importantly, meet with all the people who have been close to you. You can still stay in touch with them online and visit each other sometimes, but it won’t be the same as when living in the same city. Let them know you appreciate their friendship and hang out together before you go.
Important Considerations Associated with Moving Out of State
Apart from following all the steps from the moving-out-of-state checklist, the following considerations can also be helpful.
Cost-of-Living Variations
Apart from the change in your monthly rent or mortgage payments, you may also experience a significant difference when it comes to living expenses. It is most clearly visible when moving from a rural or suburban area to a big city.
To be better prepared for such a change, do your research online. You can, for example, look up average gas prices by state. What’s more, you can change your location on grocery apps like Walmart or Instacart and compare the prices.
Climate and Disaster Risks
When moving to a different state, research average seasonal temperatures and the rate of natural disasters. These conditions can significantly affect your clothing choices and insurance costs.
Knowing what to prepare for can help you secure your family and your belongings properly before something bad happens.
Importantly, be aware of how moving to a different state will affect your health care costs, taxes, insurance rates, etc.
Real Estate and Job Markets
If you plan to buy some real estate in the near future, check how this market looks in the state you’re moving to. Moreover, find out whether its value is likely to grow or fall in the coming decade.
Apart from that, if you don’t have a job yet, check whether it is difficult to find an occupation there or if it is worth starting your own business. Also, identify the most profitable niches in the area.
The Final Note
Overall, a checklist for moving out of state is pretty long and requires a lot of preparation. Fortunately, hiring professional movers can make this process easier and less stressful.Â
At Qshark Moving Company, we offer both residential and apartment moving services, helping our clients relocate no matter the distance.
