How to Move to Another State: The Ultimate Guide

Looking for a fresh start? Moving can seem overwhelming, but what if you are relocating to a new state altogether?

Whether you have to move fast or are contemplating the pros and cons, learning how to move to another state can build confidence. Keep reading to find out some basic moving tips when you are relocating to another part of the country.

Check Out the Area You Want to Move To

The math is pretty simple — the more people move into a certain area, the more housing prices go up. If you want to find a place to live where swarms of other residents aren’t hopping on the bandwagon to move to, check out the current migration trends by state. It’s the basic principle of supply and demand, and if you don’t want to land yourself in a fiercely competitive housing market, look into some more affordable and less popular areas first.

Don’t be duped by what you see online, either. Sure, the swaying palm trees of Florida look tempting, or the majestic mountain scenes of Oregon make you swoon. But visiting and living in another area are two totally different things, and you want to know what you are getting into.

The biggest hurdle some have is securing a job in your new area. This could require multiple trips for interviews, and looking into factors like commute time. Make sure you have a stable job in place before you move to another state because you would not want to get stranded somewhere first without knowing you can pay your new mortgage or rent.

If you are looking into buying a home, there is another factor to research — property taxes. Some states’ tax rates are higher than others, and if a certain state has lower property taxes, their state sales or auto-tag taxes may be higher to compensate. So get a good idea ahead of time of what your budget needs to be if you lived there.

Make a Plan and Budget

Once you have selected where you are moving, start constructing a plan. Make a checklist of things that need to be done and when right up to moving day. And check these things off your list as they get done.

Right away, you want to make the phone calls to transfer necessary services like phone, internet, and electric utilities to your new home. You also want to make arrangements to forward your mail and transfer all your bills (such as credit cards) to your new address as soon as possible.

Have a budget in place to sock away money into small savings account set aside for moving expenses. Even if you decide to rent your own truck and move your things yourself, truck rentals, packing materials, and the like all require money. 

And what if you would rather hire a professional moving company? Get quotes from various companies, and check out the small print with each company. Find out how much of a deposit they require, if they carry adequate insurance, and if they will lock in their price with their estimate.

Checking out the customer reviews of professional moving companies is a great way to plan a move successfully. You can gain insight if they fulfilled promises with past customers and if you can rely on them to protect your valuable property.

Don’t Take Unnecessary Items With You When Moving to Another State

Are there items lying around your house that you haven’t used in years? What about your closet — is it busting at the seams with shoes, clothes, and accessories that have not seen the light of day since 2002? 

Moving to another state is a perfect opportunity to downsize and organize. After all, everything you decide to keep will be packed and take up space in your moving truck. This takes more time for the move and could even mean the need for renting a bigger truck.

Why not cut costs and go through items in your home? Decide what to keep, what can be donated, and what needs to go into the trash. There are even some big-ticket items that you may want to consider getting rid of.

For example, are you moving from a rural area into a bigger city where transportation like cars is not needed? Will all your furniture fit into your new space? And what about all those electronics that are sitting in drawers or in storage not being used because they’re out of date?

Checking these items off your list as early as possible will give you enough time to sell what is of value and clear out the rest.

Have a Moving Day Itinerary

Are you going to go with the moving truck or will you be flying separately to your destination? If you have pets, how will they safely reach their new home? 

And if you are hiring a moving company that has to cover a large distance, you may arrive in your new state several days before they do. Will you need temporary housing accommodations while waiting for your stuff to arrive, like a hotel or temporary house rental?

Do you have a suitcase packed with what you and your family will need the first couple of weeks? Are you prepared with the basics of settling in, like towels, soap, shampoo, and bedsheets?

Having all your travel and destination plans in place ahead of time will make the transition go a lot smoother.

Figuring Out How to Move to Another State Is Worth It

When you’re figuring out your game plan on how to move to another state, it may be overwhelming at first. But stay organized, stick to your game plan, and before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your new digs and a fresh start.

Are you looking to sell your house fast in the Austin area? Contact us today to learn what your options are!