Moving to a new city, state or place is one of life’s most exciting events. It will give you new opportunities, new culture and gain new friends. However, moving can also be challenging, especially when you need more preparation. Therefore, we list the top 10 essential things you should do to make your move as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
1. Plan your budget for moving
One of the challenging parts about moving is planning your budget. It would be best if you figured out how much is the overall cost of your move.
Here are some tips for building a budget:
1. Write down all the possible moving costs from moving supplies to storage.
2. Check how much it will cost to live in a new place for at least three months, including rental, utility bills, groceries, and other necessary things.
3. Add up those two numbers—one for what it will cost to move your stuff, and one for how much it will cost for three months’ worth of living expenses—and divide by three months; that’s how much money per month you have available for rent or mortgage payments!
2. Search for a reliable moving company
After you plan your budget, it’s time to search for a reliable moving company. You may be tempted to hire the first company that comes along and offers a reasonable price, but this can be a mistake since some companies may need to do a better of a job.
You may be tempted to hire a company offering lower moving prices, but this can be deceiving. Choosing a company that has a cheaper price might give you a huge problem in the future.
How to choose a reliable moving company?
- A moving company with long years of experience in your state
- With a 5-star review on Yelp and Google Reviews
- A company that is fully licenced and insured
- Ask for referrals from your friends and relatives
- Watch out for red flags – beware of moving companies eager to ask for upfront payments.
- Check With the Better Business Bureau – check the moving company’s track record with BBB.
3. Research or visit the new state
You’ll want to explore the new state before you move. You can do this through research or even by visiting for a few days. This will help familiarize you with the area so there are no surprises when moving.
One of the most important things to research is the weather in your new location. Make sure it’s something that works for you, whether that means warm winters or cool summers! Also, check out how much it costs to live there: housing prices vary widely from place to place; transportation costs vary as well (gas mileage varies by state); utility bills may be higher or lower depending on where you live.
One of the most important things you need to research is the weather in your new location. Also, check out how much it costs to live there:
- Housing prices vary widely from place to place.
- Transportation costs also vary (gas mileage varies by state).
- Utility bills may be higher or lower depending on where you live.
4. Learn about your new neighborhood.
Yes, this seems like a no-brainer, but getting out and exploring the area is essential before you move in. Find out what is around the neighborhood and make sure there are things for you and your family to do after work or on weekends.
You should also check out the local schools to know which ones your children will attend if they stay at home or attend a local university when they finish high school.
5. Check out housing options in other states (if applicable).
If you’re moving from another state, it’s essential to see what housing prices look like where you’ll be living compared with where you used to live before making any decisions about whether or not this is something worth considering financially as well as emotionally (and we’re not talking about just buying).
6. Transfer utilities, cancel memberships, and end subscriptions.
- Update your address with the post office. Please update this before you move so you can receive mail at your new address.
- Cancel memberships and end subscriptions. If you have any memberships or subscriptions that auto-renew, cancel them before moving out of state. This prevents unwanted charges from showing up on your credit card statement once you’ve moved away, which could affect its rating (and thus how much interest rates cost).
- Change your address with the bank and credit card companies. These two things are linked together because if someone were to use an old debit/credit card number after it’s been canceled due to a change of address, they would be able to access funds in an account when they shouldn’t be able—which isn’t ideal!
7. Consider donating or selling unwanted things.
Before you pack up your things and start looking for new places to live, consider donating or selling the stuff that no longer serves your needs—and then use the money to buy some new things!
Donate.
Donating unwanted items is a great way to give back while saving yourself the hassle of moving all that extra stuff. If you want to donate at least some of your belongings, check with local charities in advance to see what they accept.
Sell.
If you’re moving out of state or even the country, selling your unwanted items could be a great way to get back money on something already paid for. You can also sell on Craigslist or eBay if those are more convenient for you.
8. Research state tax laws.
State tax laws vary, so it’s essential to research these laws before you move. To find out your state’s tax laws and whether or not you have to pay state income taxes, check with your local tax office or look at its website.
If there are certain things that you do need to do before moving across state lines, make sure to get them done in advance so that your move goes as smoothly as possible. For example:
Make sure to file any necessary documents like quarterly estimated tax payments for the state where you currently live if it differs from where you’re moving.
9. Find a new doctor and pharmacy.
Find a new doctor and pharmacy. When you move, finding a new doctor and pharmacy is always the most challenging part of the transition. The good news is that it’s easier than ever to do so online from your computer, tablet or phone.
Make sure to ask friends for recommendations for their doctors or if they have any ideas for finding one in your area. Search through reviews and ratings on websites like Yelp or HealthGrades.
These sites provide ratings from patients who have dealt with specific doctors before, so you’ll know exactly what to expect when going there yourself!
10. Update your address
Once you’ve decided to relocate, it’s time to update your address with government agencies, credit card companies, utilities and insurance companies. These are the essential services that will require access to your new home. If you move out of state and don’t update your address with these entities first, they might not be able to reach you in an emergency or send important notices.
If you work in a field where your employer needs updated contact information at all times (such as healthcare or legal), make sure that they know about your move before it happens so that they can keep their records up-to-date. Remember friends and family members!
Moving out of state is a big deal and can be stressful. But all you have to do is make a plan and search for reputable moving companies in your new area, and you’ll be fine. Plus, if you drive with friends or family members who are also relocating there, the transition will be that much smoother!
