Moving Out of State Checklist
Moving to another country requires some serious planning and organizing since it’s a pretty complex process. To plan with ease, follow our simple moving out of state checklist.
Plan a budget
The first task on your out-of-state checklist is to plan a budget. Moving can be expensive, especially when moving to a new country, so you should know in advance what your limits are. You should write down all the expenses related to moving and add at least 10% to your total to be on the safe side and avoid surprises. Knowing your budget will help you tailor the best plan and figure out how and where to cut expenses. Also, follow professional money-saving tips for moving and increase your moving budget. Always hire the best interstate moving company your pocket allows – you won’t regret it.
Book moving services
You may want to have a DIY move but fight the urge and look for licensed and insured movers NYC for your long-distance move. Moving on your own locally is often possible but moving out of state is pretty complex – trying to DIY is almost impossible. To get the best moving rates make sure to schedule services way ahead. A few months before moving is a good time to start searching for the best option and it will allow you to get several different quotes and compare a few different movers. Always get at least three quotes so you could compare prices and services included – if possible, get even four or five quotes. By hiring experienced movers you can also get many useful tips for a long-distance move.
Keep in mind that hiring a trustworthy moving company takes time, so don’t delay your research but start as soon as you learn about your relocation.
Get familiar
The next step is to get at least an idea about your new home and get familiar with new surroundings, so if possible, go and visit your new city. Walk around your neighborhood and see your new home in person – it will be much easier to get used to it if you know what to expect. You can buy a guidebook or even take a hop-on hop-off to learn more about your future city. You can also figure out how far the grocery store is, as well as the police station, the hospital, etc. If you’re moving with kids, research new kindergarten or school options to narrow down the choices and see what’s best for your kid. In case it’s not possible to visit a new state in person, follow the next step.
Explore online
While visiting in person is the best way to get familiar with a new state, it may not always be possible − perhaps it’s too expensive or too far away. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t visit at least virtually. Check out your new city’s official website because they may have an online tour, or use Google Maps to “walk” around your new neighborhood.
Arrange for utilities
When you’re moving out of state, you’ll be traveling for a while and you’ll want to be as comfortable as possible once you arrive at your new home. Just imagine finally getting there only to find out there’s no electricity or water. To avoid such an unpleasant experience, contact your utility company in advance and arrange services for your new place. In case you’re renting, your landlord may be the one to take care of it, so contact them beforehand to check what’s the best solution.
Transfer your records
You may be too busy packing and organizing so many details regarding your move and you may forget that you’ll also need to transfer medical records and other important documents. If not possible to bring originals, at least make sure to bring copies.
Update your documents
One of the most important things on your moving-out-of-state checklist is updating your documents. You’ll have to change your address – it’s pretty easy to do online through USPS. You should also notify your bank about the change of address and update your info on any other documents like personal ID, passport, etc. You’ll also have to do so for tax and vote purposes. Plus, by changing your address, you’ll get various moving discounts which can be very beneficial considering all the expenses relocation includes.
Pack like a pro
Having a plan is always smart, especially when you’re moving out of state. Your moving out of state checklist should include a packing strategy, so take some time to think through and create a plan to pack like a pro. You may think there’s enough time but as the moving day approaches you risk doing things in a rush, so start packing as soon as you learn about your move. Firstly, you should go through your entire household and declutter it – get rid of everything you don’t use and be diligent about it. There’s no need to bring clutter to a new state, especially when you’re paying moving services based on the shipment weight. Think twice before you bring that old couch to another country – it’s probably more affordable to get a new one. Ask your movers how they calculate the moving cost and pack according to their answer.
For example, if they charge based on the weight, then you’ll want to leave some items behind; if they charge by the size of the shipment, then you can use professional packing strategies to minimize the space your items take up in the moving truck. By packing strategically and on time, you’ll save a lot of money and you’ll be happy you didn’t overspend. Don’t forget to pack an essentials bag with necessary toiletries, clean clothes, medications, personal documents, and cash. Sometimes, your belongings may arrive later than expected, so you want to make sure you can “survive” for a couple of days in your new country until your things get delivered.
For the best out-of-state moving experience, hire licensed and experienced movers NYC, that provide packing and unpacking services, like Rabbit Movers. Contact us and receive a free quote for your upcoming cross-country move.