Moving out of state is daunting. From finding a new place to relocate, packing your belongings, making new friends, and weighing moving options, moving out of state is an overwhelming process that needs proper planning and patience.

If you are unsure how to move out of state, this article is for you. The moving checklist below makes moving to another state seamless and easy. Here’s how to move effectively and smoothly to another state.

Research Your New State

Before relocating to a new state, it is essential to know where you will be living. You can a trip to the city to get familiar with it and its neighborhoods. Whatever neighborhood you want to live in will either break or make your experience in the new state. Do not forget to research about the state on research sites and looking for the city’s attractions.

Come up with a Budget

Moving to another state is costly, even if you consider a DIY move. You will have to pay for moving supplies, rental containers, and other expenses. Come up with the right budget that includes how much you are able and willing to spend on moving.

Remember to include additional money in your budget for unanticipated expenses. If you are moving to another state for a job, ensure you check whether your employer will cover all or part of the moving cost.

Find a Place to Live

You will need to find a place to live before moving out of state. Unless you know the area and its neighborhoods, it is advisable to rent a place for the first six months as you get to know the place better.

You can hire a reputable realtor to find a safe and cost-effective home in your preferred neighborhood. Hiring a realtor when moving out of state is essential as they are knowledgeable and should be able to guide you in the process of house hunting.

Research and Hire a Reputable Moving Company

Moving to another state is overwhelming without professional out of state movers. You need professional help to move your belongings to another state but ensure the moving company is trustworthy and reliable.

Check their company ratings and reviews on moving company directory websites when looking for moving companies. In the directory, you will find customer reviews, Better Business Bureau rating, US DOT number of the moving company, and FMCSA’s official filed complaints. Remember the rule of three that include reaching out to at least three companies to get their quote. A moving company should give you the quote after an in-home survey. If a moving company gives you the quote before looking at your items or a quote that seems too good, that’s a red flag, and you shouldn’t ignore it.

Consider Cost-effective Alternatives to Hiring Out of State Movers

Hiring out of state moving company is expensive compared to moving to a different neighborhood. However, the good news is that there are cheaper options to hiring out of state movers. You can opt for a portable moving container that acts as temporary storage when moving out of the state, which may cost around $2000 monthly. However, the cost may vary depending on the container size and rental duration.

The other cheaper alternative to consider is renting a moving truck and transporting your items out of the states yourself. The moving trucks save you a lot of money when moving to a different state and are easy to access. There are cheaper alternatives to consider, like freight moving trailers when moving your belongings over a long distance instead of hiring out of state movers.

Come up with a Moving Date

Moving date is vital in your moving checklist. Moving out of state needs proper timing and flexibility. You have to consider your work schedule, the availability of the moving company, family issues, and the process of packing and unpacking. The time you choose to move can also affect your moving cost.

There is greater demand when you move during holidays, weekends and summer as fewer movers are available, and you have to incur high moving rates. If you choose to move during weekdays, on the other hand, when it is an off-peak moving season, chances are the cost of moving will be minimal.

Order Moving Supplies

When moving out of state, you will need many moving supplies, including moving boxes, packaging tapes, and foam pouches. Ensure you order the moving supplies a month before moving to start the process of packing and unpacking immediately. To know the number of boxes you need, use a packaging calculator on different moving websites for estimation.

Moving out of state can be one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking things someone can do. Moving to a new state can be a huge change in scenery, friends, and family. It can also be an expensive process. However, with careful planning and preparation, moving out of state can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

The moving checklist above helps you know what you need to do for easy and convenient moving. A reputable, licensed, and insured out of the state moving company also comes in handy in making your moving more accessible and safer.