Things to Consider When Moving Out of State

Moving to a new state is a life-changing decision that should not be taken lightly – and once it’s taken, it entails a number of other important decisions and careful considerations.

Your move will take you to a brand new world and you can’t just dive into it unprepared – you need to find out as much about your new area as possible, plan your move, and think through all the details of your relocation endeavor before you take the big step. You need to take all relevant factors into consideration and find answers to a number of crucial questions:  

“What is my new city like? What does it have to offer?”

“What is the job market like in my new area? Will I be able to find a good job, progress in my career, start a successful business, etc.?”

“What is the real estate market like in my new city? Will I be able to find – and afford – an appropriate new home for me and my family?”

“What is the cost of living in the area? Will I be able to live comfortably there and save money?”

“What is the climate like in that part of the county? Will I enjoy it? Will it pose any risks or difficulties? ”

“Will I be able to adjust to the new environment?”

“How much will it cost to move across the country? How to find trustworthy movers?”

“How to say goodbye to my dear friends and favorite places and start my life afresh?”

The list goes on and on – there are a lot of things to consider when moving to a new state and each one is just as important as the other. You need to think about it all and gather as much information as possible, so you can prepare well for your new life.

Here is what to consider when moving out of state so you can organize a successful relocation and ensure a smooth start to your new life.

The peculiarities of your new area

There is no doubt that the most crucial things to consider when moving to a new area are the opportunities you will have there and the lifestyle in that area:

Employment opportunities

The first thing to think about when moving to a new state is the economic situation, business opportunities, and employment options in that state.

Even if you have already secured a job in your new city, you’re strongly advised to research the job market and get a sense of the business environment in the area before the move:

• What is the economic climate in the area? Are there any big companies? Are salaries higher or lower than in other states? Are small businesses prospering? What is the unemployment rate?
• What industries are hiring in the area?
• Are your skills and professional qualification in demand in that particular part of the country?
• Will you have the chance to advance in your career? Or to start a successful business of your own?

Being aware of the available business and career opportunities in your new area will help you navigate any work-related challenges you may encounter after the move much more easily and successfully (especially important if you’re moving without a job). 

Must read: The ultimate guide to relocating for a job

Cost of living

The cost of living varies significantly from state to state, so you need to carefully research the situation in your new area before the move and make sure you’ll be able to live there comfortably with the money you make. (After all, it won’t make much sense to move to a new city for a better-paying job only to dig deeper into your pocket for housing costs or living expenses.)

There are two major factors to consider:

The real estate market

The housing costs in your new area and the available housing options are among the first things to research when moving to a new city.

You need to find an affordable property that suits your needs and preferences – a house or apartment that is big enough for your family, located in a safe and pleasant neighborhood, in a good school district (if you have children), close to your workplace and within easy access to shopping centers, green areas, recreational facilities, and entertainment venues. And the monthly rent or mortgage of the place you’re going to buy or to rent shouldn’t be more than 25% of your disposable income.

The living costs

Once you have an idea of what your housing costs are going to be, you need to consider your living expenses too – the costs of utilities, transportation, food, medical care, and other everyday necessities. Find out how much money you’re going to need per month for living expenses, look at the state taxes (income tax, property tax, etc.), and don’t forget about insurance costs, either.

Related: Cheap states to move to

Climate

While the climatic conditions in your future state are unlikely to change your decision to move there, you should be well prepared for the whims of the weather in your new surroundings.

If the climate there is similar to what you’re used to, the transition will be easy. If the temperatures and humidity level differ significantly, however, you may experience some difficulties – drastic changes in your environment may result in various health issues. Besides, if you have lived in an area where certain weather phenomena (tornadoes, dust storms, hail, etc.) are not common occurrences, you won’t know how to protect your home, your family, and yourself against the adverse climatic conditions. You need to prepare in advance, so that the weather doesn’t pose risks to your health and your property.

Keep in mind that the weather in your new location will impact your utility bills too – you need to know the average temperatures in different seasons so you’re prepared for changes in heating or cooling costs.

The climate in your new area will also help you determine which of your clothes, shoes, and weather-specific items to take with you. If you’re moving to a place with year-round mild climate, for example, you will no longer need heavy winter coats, fur-lined boots, snow shovels, space heaters, and thick blankets.

See also: Tips for moving to a warmer climate; What to know when moving to a cold state

Healthcare

The cost and quality of healthcare is different in different states and cities, so you need to carefully research the situation in your future area beforehand, especially if you need specialized, regular medical attention – research the healthcare system, check hospital ratings and doctors’ ratings, find out what specialized medical centers are available in the area, see what medical insurance costs are typically like in the state, research your health insurance options, etc.

Must-read: How to find a good new doctor after moving

Education

The educational opportunities in your new area will be among your primary concerns when moving with children. You will want your kids to go to a good school, so you will need to find an educational institution in your new city that offers quality teaching and friendly and motivating learning environment and suits your child’s interests and aptitudes – and you will need to buy or rent a home in that school’s district.

Even if you don’t have children, it’s still important to research the educational opportunities in your new city before the move – you may want to continue your own education, you may have kids after a couple of years, etc.

Related: How to find a good new school when moving

Cultural issues

The lifestyle in your new area is among the most important factors to consider when moving to another state.

The laws in your new state may not be exactly the same as in your old one, the social practices and norms in the area may be a bit different from what you’re used to, the established way of life may be unfamiliar or even confusing to you, you may encounter believes and points of view that clash with your own, etc.

It is, therefore, advisable to get familiar with the local rules and regulations in advance and gather as much information about the cultural practices in the area as possible. It may also be a good idea to explore your new city’s demographics, paying particular attention to local age brackets and ethnic communities, so you can choose a neighborhood where you will be able to adapt more easily and befriend the locals.

Bonus tip: Be sure to check the crime rate in the city as a whole and the crime rates in different neighborhoods – you need to find a safe place to live. (See also: How to choose a good neighborhood to move to)

Cultural and leisure activities

Last but not least, you need to consider whether your personal interests align with what your new city has to offer. See what indoor and outdoor activities you can practice in your area, explore the cultural scene of the city (festivals, concerts, operas, movie theaters, art galleries, museums, etc.), search for sports events and sports clubs in the area, check out restaurants and shopping centers, find hobby clubs, etc. You need to know if there will be enough recreational opportunities and entertainment options available in your new area to allow you to relax and recharge with positive energy.

When you know what to expect from your new area, you will be able to properly prepare for your new life. To ensure the successful start of that new life (and stress-free relocation), however, you need to be financially comfortable with your move.

Financial considerations

There is no doubt that the relocation costs top the list of the most worrisome things to consider when moving across country.

Moving is an expensive affair – in order to achieve its successful outcome and avoid financial problems, you need to create a good financial plan and set up your moving budget with great care:

Moving expenses

Moving to a new place incurs a lot of costs – packing expenses, movers’ charges (or truck rental fees and fuel costs), insurance costs, travel expenses, etc.

Depending on the specific circumstances in your case, you may also need to pay for specialized moving equipment (moving dollies, moving straps, furniture pads, etc.), additional moving services (packing, furniture disassembly, hoisting services, shuttle service, storage in transit, etc.), car shipping costs, protective materials (carpet film protectors, corner guards, etc.), professional cleaning services, and various other moving-related expenses.

If you’re not careful, you may even have to pay some hidden moving costs – or, even worse, fall victim to moving scams and get ripped off or lose your cherished possessions. (See also: Moving fraud prevention guide)

In order to avoid unpleasant financial surprises during your move, you need to account for all the related costs and set up a realistic moving budget – determine your specific moving needs and requirements, get a free moving quote to get an idea of how much it will cost you to hire professional movers, research truck rental costs and other DIY-moving expenses, and make an informed decision about your relocation.

Must-read: How to cut moving costs

Post-relocation expenses

In addition to your moving costs, you need to consider your post-relocation expenses, too:

• rent and security deposit – or down payment for your new home and mortgage payments
• repairs and renovations
• new furnishings
• fees and deposits for connecting utilities
• fees for updating documents or issuing new documents – insurance policies, driver’s license, car registration, etc.

Needless to say, you will also have to buy cleaning supplies, toiletries, medicines, groceries, and many other everyday necessities during the very first days after your move. And you need to have some contingency funds as well – to cover emergency expenses.

So, when assessing your finances and making your moving budget, make sure you have enough money saved to cover your relocation costs, your urgent post-relocation expenses, and your living expenses for at least 2-3 months after the move.

See also: How much money to save for moving; How to save money after moving to a new city

Once you have developed your financial strategy, you need to turn your attention to another important factor – the time-period of your move.

Timing

The timing of a house move also ranks among the most important things to consider before moving – it affects the cost of the move, the available moving help, the risk of adverse weather during the relocation, and the personal plans of the home movers.

So, when planning your move, you need to take into account a lot of factors:

• Do you need to be in your new city by a specific date?
• How soon and under what conditions can you leave your current job (if applicable)? What about your spouse/partner?
• When does your lease agreement end (if you’re renting)?
• Will it be better for your kids to move during the school year or to wait until the summer vacation (if you have school-aged children)?
• Can you afford to move in peak season? If not, can you handle a winter move?
• Are there any previous engagements or previous-planned planned events you need to account for?

The answers to the above questions will help you decide on the right time for your move.

See also: What to consider when deciding on a moving date

Once you have thought through the three major aspects of moving house – where you are moving to (area), how much it will cost you (money), and when to perform your move (time), you have one more crucial factor to consider – the human factor.

Social connections

Moving may be difficult and expensive, but what makes it so hard and so stressful is the sentimental aspect of the process. You have to face it – you are about to give up the comfort of your home, leave favorite places behind, and part with dear friends and relatives. You will be able to stay in touch, of course – after all, the people who matter to you will be just a phone call or a video chat away, regardless of the actual distance between you. However, your lives will go in different directions and things will never be the same.

Moving to a place where you don’t know anyone will give you an opportunity to try new experiences and make new friends, but may also result in loneliness, isolation, or even relocation depression. You will have to find a way to adjust to your new environment, establish new social contacts, and find your place in your new community.

Must-read: How to make friends when you move to a new city; How to adapt to a new environment after moving

If you have children, things will be even more difficult – you will have to help them accept the change, get used to their new surroundings and their new school, and find new friends. (See also: How moving affects children)

There are many other things to consider when moving states, of course – which of your belongings to take with you, how to ensure their safety during the move, how to get your pets to your new home, whether to fly to your new city or drive across the country, who to notify of your move, etc. You need to think through all the details and plan your cross-country move as well as possible.

The better prepared you are, the easier your move will be and to a brighter future it will take you. All the best!