Moving to another state is one of the most exciting and overwhelming adventures an adult can overcome. From packing, doing all the paperwork, and aligning everything to run smoothly, your process’s complexity can quickly become overwhelming.
In this blog, you will find a detailed checklist for moving to another state without missing a single detail. According to data, 22% of Americans have moved to another state since the Covid-19 pandemic and this trend doesn’t seem to be going down.
Whether you’re a senior relocating to a new state to enjoy retirement, a young professional chasing your dreams in a bustling metro city, or a student seeking the best educational opportunities, this checklist is relevant for everyone.
While each move has its own unique complexities, this guide covers the essential steps that apply to nearly every relocation scenario.
Prerequisites
Moving to another state involves careful planning and consideration of many factors. The most important being your current belongings versus the lifestyle you’ll adopt in your new location. It is important to build out a detailed budget to estimate your moving expenses. You won’t need everything with you.
For instance, if you’re relocating to a bike-friendly city or a place with excellent public transportation, selling your car might be a smart move. Not only would this save you the cost of transporting the vehicle, but it could also eliminate ongoing expenses like fuel and maintenance.
Your new home’s size and layout will also influence what you bring with you. If you’re downsizing from a spacious five-bedroom house with a garage to a smaller city apartment, it’s essential to evaluate what items are truly necessary, as you won’t have the same amount of space.
Moving Budget
Once you have a better understanding and real expectations of your new home, lifestyle, work, or anything in between, you can start building a moving budget. This moving budget will dictate how the entire process of moving to another state will be executed.
Things to consider in your moving budget are:
- Cost of Moving
- Travel Expenses
- Storage Expenses
- Miscellaneous Expenses
In the following sections, you will find a before and after checklist of how to move to another state.
Moving Out of State Checklist | Before & After
Before You Move
Start To Declutter
You won’t need everything with you. One of the most unenjoyable things to do is packing, loading, unpacking, and never using something. These include clothes, your old pc, old DVDs and so much more.
Decluttering a good start. You can donate the clothes you rarely wear or no longer fit to a local charity or decide to host a garage sale. It’s also a good way to say goodbye to all your old neighbors.
Another great benefit of cutting the clutter is cost. Your moving company of choice will have to work harder, use more space, and charge you more for the things you won’t use. If you decide to keep them in a storage facility you will still end up paying for something you will most probably never get back to.
Remember, keep important, sentimental, and or highly expensive items with you. The rest can go!
Pick a Reputable Moving Company
Picking a reputable moving company is highly important. You should be able to trust the moving company and let them do their process from A-Z. Make sure you find a locally owned company that is licensed for long-distance trips and also offers insurance.
The last thing you would want to hear in your long-distance move is your grand piano being smacked between your other possessions. Consider these 5 elements when hiring a reputable moving company:
- Ask for their DOT & Insurance Policy & Insurance Coverage
- Check Their Reviews
- Compare Different Quotes
- Don’t Hesitate Asking For Any Hidden Fees
- Avoid no contract estimates, unmarked moving trucks, no physical address or office
Last but not least, remember that a lot of the good moving companies get booked up pretty quickly. Make sure to plan your move with a moving company ahead of time. Not only will this cost you less but it will also avoid that last-minute panic nobody likes.
Legal Things to Do When Moving To a New State
If you have already sorted out the muscle by hiring movers, you will now need to tackle a not-so-enjoyable part that cannot be skipped, paperwork.
To streamline this process, start by listing all your recurring bills. Each service provider may require different steps, so it’s important to address each one individually since there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Just like with a local move, an out-of-state relocation necessitates updates to your legal documents. Here are the most important ones:
- Address Change in Your Local Municipality: Notify your local government of your new address to ensure you receive important mail and are correctly registered.
- Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration: You’ll need to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration to reflect your new address. Each state has its own requirements and deadlines, so be sure to check what applies in your new location.
- Voter Registration: Don’t forget to update your voter registration to ensure you’re eligible to vote in your new district or state.
- Health Insurance and Medical Records: Moving to a new state may require changes to your health insurance plan, and you should also arrange to transfer your medical records to new healthcare providers.
- Banking and Financial Institutions: Update your address with your bank, credit card companies, and any other financial institutions.
If you have kids, reach out to their current and new schools. Find out what you must submit to transfer their records and complete their enrollment.
After You Move
Put Your New Home Together
If you went the DIY route, putting your new home together might be slightly more challenging. Make sure to start with the essentials and unpack frequently. Remember, you can’t do everything in one day, so pace yourself to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Focus on the Essentials First
Begin by unpacking the items you’ll need right away, such as toiletries, bedding, and basic kitchen supplies. Set up your bedroom so you have a comfortable place to sleep, and organize the bathroom with necessary toiletries and towels. This will make your first few days more comfortable while you gradually work on the rest of the house.
Unpack Room by Room
Tackle unpacking one room at a time to stay organized. Start with high-priority spaces like the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Once these areas are functional, move on to less critical rooms like the living room and office.
Arrange Your Furniture
Plan out the layout of each room before you start moving heavy furniture. Consider the functionality and flow of each space, ensuring that key pieces like sofas, beds, and tables are placed thoughtfully. Don’t be afraid to try different arrangements until you find the one that works best for you.
If you’ve opted to use a moving company, the process of putting your new home together becomes much simpler. With the movers handling everything, from transporting your belongings to setting up your furniture, your involvement is minimal.
Just make sure to arrive a day ahead of the move to oversee the final arrangements. The movers will take care of the heavy lifting and setup, allowing you to skip the stress and start enjoying your new home almost immediately.
Settle, Explore & Get To Know The Area
With your new home arranged just the way you like it, it’s time to start enjoying your new surroundings. Begin by exploring local favorites, taking regular walks to get a better sense of your neighborhood, or visiting nearby parks with your kids or dogs.
Familiarizing yourself with the area in your first few weeks is crucial. It will help you build a connection to your new home, making it easier to embrace your new environment and move forward from any lingering emotions tied to your previous place.
Handle Legal Work, Start Your New Life
Remember all the legal things to do when moving to a new state we mentioned before you moved? You will have to do the same process here.
Start by updating your address on all important documents, including your driver’s license, voter registration, and insurance policies.
Don’t forget to notify your bank, credit card companies, and any other financial institutions of your move. If you own a car, you may also need to register your vehicle and adjust your tax information accordingly.
