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How to Prepare for an Out-of-State Move


— May 27, 2021

Packing up can be overwhelming at first glance, but following these tips should help make it easier on both parties involved in an out-of-state move.


Planning to move out of state and wondering how to make the transition as smooth as possible? If so, then this blog post is for you. It will cover what steps need to be taken before making an out-of-state move.

Moving to a new state is an exciting time, but it can also be a stressful and daunting process. Most people don’t know how to prepare for the move, where to start, or what they need to take care of before their big day. This blog post will help you figure out what items you should pack up first and provide some tips on how to make the transition easier.

Visit your New State or City

When you decide on a state or city change, it is important to visit that place first hand as it will help you to figure out if the move is what you want or not. The place you are planning to move to is suitable for you or not. When you visit your new state or city, it will be easier for you to figure out what kind of housing is appropriate for you and how much a monthly rent would cost. It’s the best way to get an idea about the place before actually moving there.

Is the weather there appropriate for you? Is everything accessible around there, and are the people friendly? If it’s all yes, then this is a place worth moving to.

It helps if you find out how much living in that area would cost before deciding where to live. When visiting your new state or city, try not getting too attached yet as it may change your mind later down the road. It would help if you visited more than once to make an informed decision when choosing between states or cities to move into.

Plan your Move

Once you have decided about the state or city you want to move to, the next thing you need to do is plan your move. This can be done by deciding on a budget, securing a new home and employment, selecting between DIY vs. Hiring a Moving company, researching the moving company, and preparing for moving your car.

It’s important that when choosing whether or not to hire professional movers for them to pack up all of your belongings with care and deliver it safely at their destination, which will cost more but save you time & effort as well as ensuring everything arrives intact. It also saves energy since removalists are experts at packing heavy items like furniture, so they don’t have much work left over after they’ve finished – meaning less sweat equity required from yourself!

Doing this homework will help you make an informed decision.

Select between DIY move vs. Hiring a Moving Company

Decide whether you want to go for a do-it-yourself move or hire a professional moving company that does everything for you. This will help you to decide on your budget and what’s most important for the move.

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For a DIY move, make sure that you have all of the materials necessary to pack up everything in an efficient manner before the time comes for the big day. Ensure that every box is labeled with contents inside, so it doesn’t get mixed up with other boxes. You should also hire professionals who can help load and unload when it comes time for the move (if required). A good rule of thumb is one mover per truck because many heavy objects such as furniture and appliances require two people each to carry or lift safely; this means more money!

Do Research on Moving Company you Hire

If you have decided to hire a mover for moving out of state, do thorough research about them from many perspectives like licenses and reviews. Hiring companies without these may be risky since they will not offer insurance if anything goes wrong.

Make an Inventory of Your Stuff and Declutter

You must make a list of all the items you’ll be talking about with you. Ensure that this inventory is detailed and includes measurements, weight, and condition (if applicable).

This will help you declutter your home before moving day and save time on packing what’s necessary for your move.

Buy a New Home and Secure Employment

Buying or renting a new house for you before you move is a good idea. This will give you time to find employment in your new town so that when it comes time for the move, you’ll be able to pack up and go!

Work on your Budget

Moving out of state can be expensive, so you must work on your budget before making the big move. This will help you to decide what can be packed up and shipped with a moving company or DIY versus hiring professional movers for everything.

Cost to Move Out of State

One of the most important factors to consider when planning an out-of-state move is cost. Long-distance moves can be expensive, and the cost will vary depending on several factors. It’s important to get multiple cost estimates from reliable moving companies and compare them before deciding which one to use. The cost to move interstate should include all associated charges such as packing and loading, unloading, fuel cost, and other related charges. It’s also important to ask the moving company if they provide any discounts or special offers that could help reduce costs. Additionally, movers may offer insurance on your move – this is typically an optional cost you can choose to add on but depending on the circumstances it may be a good idea to consider. Finally, if you are moving out of state, it’s also important to factor in costs for things like hotel rooms and meals along the way. The overall cost will depend on the size of your move and the distance being traveled, but cost estimates can help you plan before committing to an out-of-state move.

Make Travel arrangements and Shipping arrangements for your vehicles

If you are moving by car, then this is an important step in preparation. But, first, you must make arrangements for the transport and shipping of your vehicles before the move date.

Your vehicle may be transported with you, or it might need to be stored until after the move (to save on cost).

Check for Utilities

Before you move, make sure to check the utilities of your new house. It is important to pay attention to the utility providers, see what type of service they provide, and if there are any fees for having them. For instance, you may have to get a new gas or power provider after your move in some states.

In addition, it’s best to contact all of your utilities (electricity, gas, etc.) before moving day as many companies require 30 days’ notice before canceling services.

What else should be done? 

You should also check with businesses that offer utilities like cable TV/Internet so that you know how long these will be needed at the old home address until your move-in date arrives. This can help avoid unnecessary cancellation charges on these accounts from past dates when they

Start Packing

So now it’s time to start packing for your move. This may seem like a daunting task, but it is easier than you think if you start with the big items first and work to smaller ones last.

First things first: pack everything up in boxes! You can buy them or use cardboard boxes from stores that already have their goods packaged inside of them. Once all of your belongings are boxed, label each box with what type of item they contain before stacking the boxes neatly in an organized fashion by room, so they’re easy to unpack when you arrive at your new location.

Move all of your smaller items into a large box, fill it with packing peanuts or bubble wrap to keep everything from shifting, and then seal the lid shut with tape. This will provide extra protection for fragile goods such as glassware and dishes that you’d rather not find broken in transit! Pack any big-ticket items like televisions up separately–as they’re usually heavier than boxes filled only by clothes and other small objects–and place them securely at the bottom layer of your stack, so they don’t get jostled around too much during transportation.

The last step is to pack your car: if you intend to drive yourself there and back again, bring along some snacks (even something as simple as granola bars) and some water to drink. Bring a battery-operated radio or another form of entertainment for the ride, too–anything that will keep you from getting bored!

Packing up can be overwhelming at first glance, but following these tips should help make it easier on both parties involved in an out-of-state move. You’ll save time because your belongings won’t need unpacking when they arrive at their destination;

Make an emergency Moving Bag

First, pack up a bag with the essentials that you’ll need for your first few days at the new location. These items should include clothes, toiletries, basic kitchenware, and any supplies necessary to make it through day one. You can also throw in an extra set of keys on a key chain, so they’re immediately accessible when arriving at your destination. Once this has been done, don’t forget to take out these same necessities from your suitcase before traveling!

Now comes time to pack all of those last-minute little things that would be too difficult or impossible to find once arrived–like special light bulbs for lamps or important documents like social security card, ids, etc., which might get lost during travel if not properly packed into a carry-on.

Get New Drivers’ License

After you move to a new state, make sure to get your driver’s license as soon as possible. Check with your local DMV for the particular process you must follow and how much it will cost.

The last thing you want is to be in an unfamiliar place without any way of getting around!

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