How to Move to Another State: 21 Important Tips

Whether it’s because you’ve got a new job that requires you to relocate, or you’re no longer comfortable in your current region, moving isn’t easy, and even more arduous is moving to another state. If you’ve come across people moving out, you’ll know that relocating involves lots of time, effort, and money.

If you’re concerned about considerations to make while moving out of your state, don’t be alarmed. This article will provide you with all of the information you require concerning how to move out of state. Without further ado, let’s get into the details.

Important Tips to Help You Move to Another State

The following are various tips on how to move to another state:

• Visit the New State

It’d be best to visit your new city at least once before moving to another state. Doing this familiarizes you with the new area, so you don’t feel like a total stranger after moving in.

While visiting, a guidebook might come in handy, especially if you don’t know your way around the city. Another alternative is to explore the tourist center for brochures, maps, and recommendations. If you booked a hotel, ask the receptionist for recommendations.

• Do Online Research

Don’t be discouraged if, for any reason, you are unable to complete your research during your visit. You can always get more information about your new community on the internet. While needing to be physically available provides a better experience, the internet is perfect when you can’t be there.

With internet access, you can observe local crime rates, population density, and other vital information you may need before you move to another state. Be sure to include this tip in your moving out checklist.

• Identify the Perfect Schools for Your Kids

Do you have school-aged children? Prioritize investigating schools in your new location or state on your moving out checklist. If you intend to send your child/ward to a public school, it’s wise to determine the neighborhoods affiliated with your desired schools.

Furthermore, with school ratings, you can secure information that will help you identify top-rated schools in your new neighborhood.

• Create a Moving Budget

Moving to a different state isn’t inexpensive. The costs incurred when moving to a different neighborhood within a state are nothing compared to what you’ll spend on hiring professionals for an out-of-state move.

Remember that even if you’re handling the move yourself, you’ll need to pay for a truck rental or container, moving supplies, and other costs. Start by defining how much you can and are willing to spend on transportation. Then, list out all the essential relocation expenses.

Remember to include unexpected costs in your budget, as they can make or mar your move.

• Estimate Living Expenses

While budgeting, don’t forget to calculate your cost-of-living adjustments incurred by the move. The expenses to consider include utility fees, your new rent or mortgage, transportation, new furniture, etcetera.

Remember to account for homeowners insurance, maintenance and repairs, and property taxes when purchasing a home. These calculations will assist you in comparing living differences between your current and desired locations to help you determine if you can afford to live in your new state.

• Inquire if Your Employer Grants Relocation Packages

If you’re relocating for work, make sure your company will pay your relocation costs. Although it’s not required, many organizations provide a job relocation package to their employees. A company relocation package partially or wholly covers an employee’s moving costs and these bundles are often negotiable.

Whether you’re a new employee relocating for a job or an established employee being moved to a new location, it’s in your best interest to negotiate a work relocation package with your company.

• Save Up for the Move

Moving isn’t easy, and it isn’t inexpensive, as you’ve undoubtedly already realized. When relocating to another state, accompanying costs may rapidly pile up. You don’t want to find yourself in a financial bind during this already demanding and stressful process, so start saving early.

You can set aside funds, especially once you figure out how much it will cost to carry out the required moving procedures—think about the cost of a professional mover, transportation costs to your new state, the difference between buying or renting a house, your new expenses related to real estate, etcetera.

• Change Your Vehicle Registration and Driver’s License

Visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to renew your license. It’s strongly recommended that you take such action within the first month of moving. Contact the DMV almost immediately to ask if you need an appointment to renew your license, including associated fees. You’ll also need to make changes to your car registration, so don’t forget to check and fill out the relevant documents.

Since the DMV will also guide you through updating your license plates, it’s a smart move to have all of your papers and information available so you can swiftly sort everything out without wasting time. You’ll also need to update your car insurance information to reflect your new city. Depending on where you’re relocating to, you might experience a favorable pricing change.

• Change Your Mailing Address

You must notify the US Postal Service of your relocation date and include your new address to update your postal address. Fill out the required form to have your mail forwarded from your previous mailing address.

Don’t forget to update your contact information and address with your credit card company and other relevant agencies or businesses as well. However, you’ll need to call customer support or change your address information online for each account.

• Hire a Moving Company

You’ll encounter difficulties when moving out of state without professional movers. Make sure you hire trustworthy and reputable movers to help you relocate. The United States has numerous reputable moving companies, so finding a suitable one won’t be a time consumer.

Contact at least three to four professional movers to get an estimate of what a long distance move will cost. Before providing you with a price, movers should do an in-person examination or a video audit of your items.

Steer clear of a mover that provides you with an estimate over the internet without seeing your things or if the quote appears too good to be true. If you consider hiring a mover expensive, then be sure to include this next tip in your moving out of state checklist.

• Consider Cheaper Alternatives to a Moving Company

Hiring a moving company when relocating out of state is expensive. Rest assured, there are alternatives to hiring less expensive movers. Renting a portable moving container, for example, is a fantastic idea. When relocating, these moving containers can also serve as temporary storage containers.

• Choose a Date to Move

When relocating to another state, keep the moving company’s availability, your work schedule, family issues, and the weather in mind. Remember that the timing affects the cost of the move.

Moving on weekends, during holidays, or during the summer will almost certainly experience increased demand, and fewer opportunities to move, thus increasing moving costs. On the other hand, you might save money if you move on a weekday when the moving season is less busy.

Need more tips on how to move to another state? Read on.

• Notify Schools About the Relocation and Transfer of Student Records

When relocating with school-aged kids, it’s crucial that you let their present school know that they’ll be leaving. Obtain transfer school records because you’ll need them when enrolling your children in a new school.

Furthermore, medical records, recommendation letters, birth certificates, and proof of vaccination are a few other vital papers you may need to provide to the new school. Make sure you request a list of required textbooks and extracurricular activities from the new school.

• Learn the New State’s Child Support and Custody Laws

Moving to another state with shared custody usually needs authorization from the other parents and judicial clearance. You might face sanctions, revisions to your custody arrangement, and even jail time if you don’t have these clearances.

It’s generally preferable to consult an attorney familiar with child relocation regulations well in advance. The same holds true for child support.

It’s enforceable once authorized by the court and lasts until the kid reaches the age of 18. The responsibility doesn’t change if one parent moves out of state. Noncompliance penalties include fines, jail time, driver’s license suspension, inability to travel overseas due to passport refusal or revocation, and income garnishment.

• Notify Folks That You’re Moving Out of State

Remember to inform your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers that you’re relocating! There’s a strong chance you won’t have time to sit down and notify everyone about the transfer in person. Instead, write a short text or email with your new address and any other information you’d like to offer about the transition.

• Perform a Move-Out Cleaning

If you don’t plan to clean the house yourself, you’ll need to pay someone to do a thorough cleaning. If you’re renting, make sure you perform necessary repairs before the move. Before a tenant moves out, most landlords often request that tenants fix holes and repaint walls.

Before you go, double-check with your landlord to see what has to be cleaned and replaced. Don’t forget to include these repairs in your budget when accounting for relocation expenses.

Make New Friends

When you first relocate to a new place, meeting people and forming new acquaintances takes time and effort. However, making friends is crucial to your comfort in a new environment. Begin with your neighbors and coworkers at your new job.

Your new acquaintances can give you information about the neighborhood and handy tips to help you adapt to your new life. So, when you see someone new, introduce yourself and tell them you’ve recently relocated to the region.

• Hire an Auto Train or a Car Shipping Service

If you’re not planning to drive your vehicle to your new house, you’ll need to hire a car shipping service to do the job for you. Shipping the car through an auto train company, hiring a professional driver to drive it for you, or engaging an auto transport firm are all choices to consider.

People that use an auto transport business to relocate their vehicles can choose an open-air or enclosed carrier. The open-air carrier is the most common choice, as it can store many automobiles and is typically less expensive than the alternative.

Take a Suitcase and Essential Items With You

A long distance move possibly means that you won’t get your possessions for at least a week following the relocation. Even if you relocate yourself, most of your belongings will be in boxes, which complicates finding what you need before and after moving.

We recommend bringing at least one week’s worth of basics in luggage. Ensure you include clothing, toiletries, shoes, a first-aid kit, and a snack.

• Consider Temporary Housing

Dealing with a stressful relocation? You may need to locate temporary accommodation until you’re ready to move into your new house. Temporary housing often serves as a makeshift alternative for people transitioning from one house to another when the new home isn’t available or ready for occupancy.

• Discuss the Move With Your Children

When relocating a long distance with children, it’s crucial that you talk about the move with them beforehand to ensure there are no surprises. Involving your children in the discussion early on helps allow them time to digest the significant change. Telling them beforehand also gives them ample opportunity to say their goodbyes to their friends.

Conclusion

As we previously mentioned, moving to a new state isn’t inexpensive, and neither is it a walk in the park. However, with the 21 tips you’ve absorbed from this article, you’ll save money and time while skipping all the unnecessary stress accompanying relocating to a new state.

Ask a neighbor or friend who has recently relocated to another state for helpful tips on how to move to another state or go through this ultimate guide on moving out of state.

Steph Wilkinson

In her 25-year career, Steph Wilkinson has been involved in the acquisition, marketing and sales of over $3 Billion dollars of residential real estate. A number of years ago, Steph transitioned into Brokerage Leadership for National real estate brands and tech start-ups. She has served as a Business Strategist for real estate agents and brokerages alike and is also a real estate coach and trainer. In her new role with the Iconic Team, Steph will be responsible for the growth of the team and will be working with all of our agents to increase their productivity and bottom line.