Are you about to move to a new state? Well, you are just one of the 40 million Americans who are moving each year. So, welcome aboard! If you’ve already decided to say goodbye to the closest family and friends and you think the most difficult part is finally over, you have many challenges ahead of you. The journey has just started! So buckle up and get ready for the bumpy ride. If you gear yourself up with the right equipment, you have nothing to worry about.
First of all, you have to be aware that moving to another state isn’t just packing your stuff and leaving. There is a lot more into the whole process. So, sometimes it’s about getting the right moving professionals to help you out in the process. You also have to consider following a certain checklist to help you do all the things upfront and avoid facing unwanted consequences and situations.
In this article, we are sharing with you a useful checklist to go through before you move to another state or city. Read on and make sure you put a tick next to each section.
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#1 Make at Least One Trip to the City You’re Moving to
Moving into a whole new city you haven’t even visited is like going on a blind date. While you might be astonished by the outcome, there is also a chance for a big disappointment. You are risking a lot! So, make sure you do visit before moving. Try to escape all the major tourist attractions and experience the city like a local. This way you’ll know what to expect once you move to the new city you’ll call home.
#2 Do a Thorough Research for Schools and Kindergartens
If you have kids you want the best for them. However, when moving to a new country or city, you might not have an idea of what “the best” really is. Therefore, it’s your responsibility to do good research regarding the quality schools and kindergartens your children can go to. You can choose public or private and also consider checking the top-rated ones according to parents’ reviews.
#3 Plan Your Budget
Planning your budget upfront can save you a lot of nerves in the process of moving. You can use the Moving Cost Calculator for Moving Estimates to get an idea of how much the moving process would cost you. Have in mind that the farther you live from your future destination, the higher the price for airplane tickets you’ll have to pay. Consider paying for all the documents that are necessary along the process. Also, you should always save some extra money if there are any unexpected expenses.
#4 Find a Place to Live
At first, you’ll probably rent for about a year, until you decide in which neighborhood you’d like to buy yourself a new home. By renting, you won’t overburden yourself with unnecessary matters from the very start. Moving to a new state is stressful by itself, so don’t be hard on yourself that you have to immediately buy a house. Later on, once you know your way around, you can hire a realtor to help you out make the right decision and purchase a property.
#5 Research Moving Companies to Help You
The state of moving is what Americans are known for. Whether it’s for a job, a relationship or simply the need for a change in their life, moving is a part of their lifestyle. Even statistics speak about it. A typical American will move about 11.4 times in their life. This is the exact reason why there are so many moving companies that help people make this process easier.
So, if you think that the process of moving might be a bit too overwhelming for you, hiring a professional moving service would be the right choice. When researching a moving company that can help you out with the transfer, you should pick out a reliable one. You should check the reviews, comments, ratings, and recommendations left by other users. Also, when calling to get a quote from a trustworthy moving company, they should perform at least a video inspection of the belongings they are going to help you with. If the mover doesn’t check your belongings first or you get a price that is too low, you should avoid hiring that moving company.
#6 Make a Packing Plan
Before you start packing make a packing plan to speed up the process of boxing up your whole life. First of all, you should clean your home, throw away the “garbage” and donate all the stuff that’s been there in your home but has no real purpose. Then, pack all the things that aren’t essential such as home decor, books, etc. In the end, you should pack all the essentials, such as utensils you use every single day. The packing process could take up to 8 weeks, so planning is very important.
Photo by HiveBoxx on Unsplash
#7 Forward Your Mail
Don’t forget to forward your mail to your new address. This can be done whenever you have time, and it’s best to do it, around 1 week before moving out. All you have to do is go to USPS and choose a date when your mail should start being forwarded.
#8 Cancel Any Ongoing Bank Transactions
Make sure you cancel your gym membership, your Internet, cable plan, phone and other payments that are tied to the place you lived. Also, think about the insurance because you might need to cancel the insurance on your home and car.
Final Thoughts
Moving to a new state will be an exciting moment in your life. You’ll face challenges when it comes to living in a whole different city than before and adopting new lifestyle habits. However, if you prepare yourself well right before leaving home, you’ll reduce the chances of being disappointed.
In the beginning, make sure you rely on professional moving services to make this transition for you smoother. Then, as mentioned above, contact a realtor when purchasing a property. Apart from getting the help from these two services, make sure to make a lot of new friends along the moving process whose help will be priceless!
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