Moving out of state? 30 things to keep in mind

Moving out of state is perhaps one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life. You’re not just moving to another city where you may have been a few times and know the layout already, or somewhere within close enough proximity to people, you see regularly.

There will be a complete shift in how you live, the people you will come to know, and even how you go about your day-to-day.

While the process of moving hundreds, or even thousands of miles away is a lot of work, nonetheless, it’s certainly easier if you’re prepared.

In preparation for moving out of state, it is not as simple as just packing your belongings and hitting the road. Considering the small details will end up saving you a lot of time, expenses, energy, and provide you with peace of mind.

In order to ensure a smooth transition in your moving process, the importance of organization and pre-planning should not be overlooked. By incorporating a proper moving strategy from the get go, your move will feel more manageable and you may be surprised by how much easier it really is, as opposed to how you think it may be.

In this article, we’re going to be providing you with a checklist for moving out of state so you can begin the moving process on the right foot.

Let’s start strategizing.

Stay organized

There are a lot of factors that come into play while moving out of state so staying organized will be key. As simple as it sounds to ‘not forget,’ one of the most common mistakes while moving is forgetting. Using something tangible like an app on your phone or pocket calendar will allow you to create checklists, reminders for important dates, and organize your budget for moving. Think of these as your personal moving assistant:

1. Cell phone apps

Including Google Task. Most of us have our phones with us at all times. Using an app on your phone allows you to quickly jot down tasks that come to mind, check things off your ‘moving supplies’ or ‘things to pack from the kitchen’ lists, remind you to get specific tasks done on certain dates, and help you stick to your budget.

2. Calendars

Can help you organize specific dates and hold you accountable for completing your task by a certain time. Google Calendar allows you to specify how far in advance you want to be reminded of an important date or a task you need to get done. This calendar is also accessible through your phone and if you’re not alone in the moving process, you can easily share the calendar with people via email.

Color Coordinating will be useful whether you’re using a digital calendar or paper. Color coordinating your calendar will help you clearly see your commitments. For example: using the color orange to label your most important tasks or dates like: hire movers on x date, sign the new lease on x date, finish packing on x date, and so on.

3. Small notes or planners

Can also be useful if using a digital tool isn’t your cup of tea.

Plan ahead

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” When moving out of state, nothing will make you feel more at home than the relief of knowing everything is in place. We’re not just talking about your furniture being in place but other aspects of your life being in place:

4. Find somewhere to live

You wouldn’t want to add hotel rooms to your moving budget as you’re looking for a new home. Even if you do have someone to stay with while you’re in search of a new place, sleeping on the couch can be strenuous on your back and can be burdensome in various ways.

5. Transfer utilities

Transfer utilities, change of mailing address and establish domicile in the new state. Doing this before you move into your new home will save you the hassle of having your everyday resources like the internet and cable set and ready to use. Ensure all your subscriptions, billing companies, and so on has your updated mailing address. Use a change of address checklist to keep you on track.

6. Be aware of moving policies

Depending on where you move there are different policies such as parking restrictions, the number of cars per unit, and pet restrictions. Knowing this before you move will help you make proper accommodations.

7. Request a job transfer

If your employer has a branch in the state you are moving to, ask your manager to request a transfer. Also, if you are moving specifically for a new job, see if your employer can help with relocation expenses.

8. Research the professional license transferring process

Different states have different requirements that may entail additional schooling or costs. This will help you adjust your budget and be financially prepared.

9. Find a new job

If you’re starting fresh, try looking for a job in advance. You can request to have a video chat interview to save you an additional trip. If you do it this way, by the time you finish moving you’ll be ready to start work in no time.

10. Register for school before you move

If you have children, do some research on potential schools and select one. Once you have chosen a school, have the administration email or mail you registration forms. This is important especially if you’re moving in the middle of the school year, you wouldn’t want your kids to miss a lot of school days.

11. Cost of living

You already know how much your new place costs, however, using the cost of living calculator will show you how much your new bag of groceries will be, the cost of transportation, and so on.

12. Transportation

Cars come in all shapes and sizes for specific reasons. If you’re moving to a state with severe weather conditions like snow or heavy rain, you may need to invest in a new vehicle that will keep you safe.

13. Public transportation

Is different in all states. Familiarize yourself with the subway system, bus schedules, and bus stops, and how much it will cost.

14. Commute time

Calculate how long your commute to work or school will be so you won’t be late on your first day!

15. Apply for a new license and license plate

This way, if you run into any inconveniences on the road it will be far less troublesome.

16. Check the weather

The weather is a big factor while moving. If possible, schedule your move-in date when the weather is good. Driving a vehicle full of boxes can be especially dangerous in heavy rain or snow. Additionally, moving into a new home is physically strenuous already, you wouldn’t want to be moving around boxes in the heat or potentially getting your valuables wet in the rain.

Your movers

Hiring professionally trained movers when moving out of state will be beneficial. Moving can already be mentally stressful, the last thing you want to do is physically strain yourself and get hurt attempting to move heavy boxes and furniture. If you are a busy person and don’t have time to pack everything, consider having your items professionally packed.

17. Get a quote

Many people refrain from hiring movers because they think it could be quite costly. By getting a quote, your moving company can easily work with your budget and even offer financing plans.

18. Give your movers special instructions for your high-value items

Things like art pieces, fine china, or any other fragile artifacts should be handled accordingly. You wouldn’t want these pieces getting placed unknowingly underneath your huge collection of books or toolbox.

19. Communicate with your movers

If you are set to move out on a certain date, ask them when can you expect your stuff to come. If you have a lot to move and it takes more than one truck, make sure you let them know which load to prioritize. Having your bed first will be far more important than your Christmas decorations.

20. Moving for senior citizens

Meathead Movers offers a professional senior moving service, in which our movers help move belongings to and from the residence and make the job much easier to manage.

Packing

Packing takes a long time, especially when preparing to move out of state. Doing this early will prevent you from forgetting anything and feeling rushed when the move out date comes along. Packing efficiently will not only help you move out with ease, but it will also help you move in a lot faster too.

Meathead Movers offers an amazing packing service for our customers that complementary removes the stress and hassle of having to make sure everything is packed up correctly and safely. Our professionally trained packing specialists use high-quality supplies, are prompt, and have your belongings’ safety in mind.

Check out the following packing tips and stay ahead of the game.

Here’s how to get started:

21. Organize and label all of your boxes

For example, the label for your kitchen items can be KITCHEN: SPICES, KITCHEN: SILVERWARE, KITCHEN: POTS AND PANS, and so on.

22. Figure out what to pack

Moving out is a great opportunity to declutter. It will give you a chance to tidy up and overcome any hoarding habits. You don’t want to spend the extra time and costs packing up things you don’t need or care about.

23. Sell things you want to get rid of

If having a yard sale is too much work, phone apps like Offer Up make it easy to sell used items. Selling items can also help contribute to other moving expenses.

24. Donate

Donating is also an option. Goodwill is a great place to donate things like clothing and Habitat for Humanity is a great place to donate large items like furniture or refrigerators. You can even donate your items to a local church or homeless shelter.

25. Extra storage solutions

If you have collectibles or other things worth keeping, consider several self-storage options. Meathead Movers offers storage solutions to make the move even easier.

26. Hold onto irreplaceable items

These include important documents, jewelry, or even prescribed medications. It would be inconvenient if you lost your passport and unfortunate if you misplace a sentimental piece of jewelry. Also, if your travel time is far, you want your medications to be accessible.

27. Don’t forget to pack your car

Using an on-site moving service can help you effectively get your belongings to where they need to go, and safely. Also, our on-site moving services can also help you secure a rental truck or portable storage container.

Find your new go-to places

Once you get to your new destination, you may want to start looking around and familiarizing yourself with places you see yourself visiting regularly.

28. Medical professionals

These include family physicians, dentists, hospitals, and local pharmacies. Anything can happen at any moment. You will want to be able to locate where your nearest medical professionals are.

29. Gyms and fitness

Shop around local gyms and find one that fits your budget and is close to your new home.

30. Grocery stores and restaurants

We can all agree that food is important. If you have specific food allergies or restrictions it would be helpful to know which markets carry your needs. Also, as you’re moving into your new home you may not have your fridge or stove ready to use. Knowing the best local restaurants around your new home will be helpful when you’re taking a break from unpacking!

Now that you have a strategic moving checklist for moving out of state and know what steps to do first, you are now ready for your big move!

Looking to move out of state? Meathead Movers is an athlete moving company with several locations across California. With award-winning services including local moving, long-distance moving, commercial moving, and senior moving, our team of dedicated professionals can handle anything you need. Need moving supplies? Check out our extensive list of products. Contact us over the phone or online for a free quote and see how we can remove the stress from your out of state move!