Last Updated on July 11, 2024 by Asfa Rasheed
There are many reasons people choose to move hundreds of miles to another state. Some have successfully landed a brand new job, while others take the leap and join their significant other in a new city. Some decide to move just for a chance to start over after a series of frustrating life events.
Moving to a new state is more complex than simply moving to a new neighborhood. There are many things to consider, like hiring movers and packing up your belongings. The list can seem endless, making it easy to forget some items.
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Preparing for an out-of-state move
There is plenty that you need to know if you’re going to have a relatively painless moving experience, including planning your move, transporting your belongings, and finding new employment and housing. Here’s your “this side up” guide to interstate moving.
Get a headstart, if possible
Although the choice to start over can come on rather spontaneously, the sooner you can start planning your move, the better. It’s a massive project with dozens of moving parts, after all. It is generally advisable to start getting your ducks in a row at least eight weeks before your scheduled moving date.
Book auto transportation services
One of the things you may not have considered yet is the logistics involved when shipping cars from state to state. First, you should look at different shipping companies for quotes and compare their rates and the type of shipping offered. Make time to take your car to a mechanic to ensure that there aren’t any leaks or faults before your car shipping company loads your vehicle, and leave about a quarter of a tank of gas in the car for loading and unloading.
Throw away or sell unnecessary belongings
Moving to a new state is not only an emotional undertaking but a logistical one as well. You will need to move all of your belongings, from furniture and clothing to the miscellaneous pots and pans you’ve collected over the years.
However, not all belongings are worth keeping. You may have outgrown items or items that have negative memories associated with them. A t-shirt from an ex, for example, or a stained futon you’ve had since college might not make it onto the moving truck. You don’t need to hold onto belongings that won’t serve you in your new life or trigger a negative emotional response, especially if you’re trying to start over.
Once you’ve gone through all of your belongings and determined what you want to keep and what you don’t, there are numerous ways to discard anything that isn’t moving with you. You could throw unwanted items away or consider donating them to your favorite charity if they’re of good quality. You could also host a garage sale and earn a little extra cash to help fund your move.
Hire movers you can trust
Moving to a new state is challenging without the help of a reputable moving company. It may seem romantic to pare all of your belongings down into a car’s worth of suitcases, but that isn’t realistic for most.
You probably don’t want to hire the first company you find online without doing a little bit of research. That path could lead to working with an unprofessional team that adds more stress to your move than necessary. It could also lead you straight to scammers.
To find movers you can trust, research three or four companies by looking at customer reviews and obtaining quotes from each to ensure the prices are fair and their work is transparent. You can compare companies through the Better Business Bureau, the FMCSA, or the American Moving & Storage Association.
Find housing in your new state
Once you arrive in your new state, it stands to reason that you’ll need a place to live. Before you pack up your life into boxes and travel across state lines, make sure that you set up some form of housing so you have somewhere to go. It could be temporary, like a sublease or short-term rental. Just someplace you’ll be able to rest your head at night until you find a more permanent home.
If possible, acquire a new job
In the same vein, you’ll likely need a job to make your new life successful. If possible, try to apply for jobs in your new area before you move, so at the very least, you’ll have several interviews set up when you arrive. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to land a new job before your moving funds run out.
Organize important paperwork
Starting over in a new state doesn’t mean you can abandon necessary paperwork. Before you move, ensure that you have organized all of your valuable documents and licenses, including diplomas and transcripts, birth certificates and social security cards, your marriage license, and other related items.
Keep in mind that there are documents you’ll have to get new versions of when you move. It will be essential to put together a plan for acquiring a new driver’s license once you arrive in your new state, as well as various registration and insurance policies.
Are you ready to start over in a new state?
Moving can be stressful, but that doesn’t mean it has to be impossible. Do your best to plan so that you can account for all of the logistical aspects of moving and make time for donating or selling unwanted items. Most importantly, have faith that this move is the right thing for you.
