What to Know When Moving Out of State

Moving is always hard, but the further you go, the harder it becomes – the extra miles add extra challenges to the relocation endeavor and make it much more difficult to deal with.

Moving long distance involves a lot more than simply taking your belongings from one house to another – you need to find a safe and efficient way to transport your items to your faraway destination, secure reliable moving help, take care of tons of paperwork, organize your trip to your new home, and complete hundreds of other less or more important moving tasks.

In a word, moving across state lines requires careful planning, meticulous organization, and perfect execution. And to achieve all of this, you need to be well informed and well prepared.

Here is what to know when moving out of state so you can have a streamlined and successful interstate relocation.

1. Moving out of State Is a Complex, Multi-Aspect Process

Moving to another state is much more complicated than moving within your area – from packing for a long haul to dealing with piles of paperwork, there are countless aspects of the relocation process to take care of. And you need to get it all right, or your interstate move may turn into a relocation nightmare.

To be able to work it all out and not miss a single detail, you need to have a master plan – a smart out-of-state moving strategy that will allow you to keep everything under control and easily overcome any challenges that may come your way.

So, how to plan to move out of state? Figure out the best time to move, decide if you’re going to use professional moving services or move yourself, plan your finances, create a moving timeline, follow a detailed moving out of state checklist, make a moving inventory, enlist reliable moving help, and determine how to get to your new home yourself. You can find more details on how to plan a long distance move here.

Start planning your move as early as possible so you have enough time to consider all relevant factors, research all available options, make informed decisions, iron out the details, and devise the perfect relocation strategy for you.

See also: The greatest moving checklist of all time

2. You Will Have to Dig Deep into Your Pocket

Cross country moving costs are based on the distance of the move, so it’s only logical that the further you go, the more your relocation is going to cost you. Considering that even local moves can be rather expensive, you should expect to pay a few thousand dollars for an interstate move. (See also: Average moving costs)

It is, therefore, advisable to start saving for your relocation well in advance. You can get an idea of how much to save to move out of state by following this link.

The cost of moving out of state depends on the weight of the shipment, the relocation distance, and the required accessorial services. To find out your actual moving cost, you need to get an in-home estimate from professional out of state movers. Once the experts see the items you have for moving, assess potential difficulties, and discuss your relocation needs and preferences with you, they will be able to provide you with an accurate price estimate – and you will be able to plan your finances and make a realistic moving budget.

How to budget to move out of state? Factor in not only the costs of the necessary packing supplies, the movers’ rates, and the fees for the required additional services, but also insurance costs, vehicle transportation costs, travel expenses, living expenses for the first several months after the move, and contingency expenses. Make sure you have more money saved to move out of state than your calculations indicate as necessary – to be certain that you won’t experience any financial difficulties during your relocation adventure.

See also: How to make a moving budget

3. It Will Be a Whole New World

Moving to a different state will take you to a different world – to ensure a successful start of your new life, you need to know what to expect from this new world and to prepare accordingly.

Find out what to expect when moving out of state

• Gather as much information about your new area as possible – do internet researches, reach out to acquaintances who live in your new city, visit the place in person, etc.;
• Analyze the real estate market in your new state and look for an appropriate new home – one that suits your lifestyle, your needs, and your budget. Consider moving to temporary housing first, so you can get a better idea of where in the city you want to live, research the available housing options in person, and find the perfect new home for you and your family;
• Research the job market, carrier opportunities, and economic situation in your new area – even if you have already secured a job, it’s good to know the business climate and employment options in the region. And if you’re moving out of state without a job, it’s crucial to scout out the local job market in advance;
• Find out the cost of living in your new city, so you know how much money you’re going to need for food, transportation, utilities, medical care, and other everyday necessities;
• Get familiar with the local laws and regulations and learn as much as possible about the social practices and norms in your new community.

Know what to consider when moving out of state

In addition to the employment opportunities, housing costs, and cost of living in your new area (see above), there are a few more important things to consider when moving out of state:

• Weather – The climatic conditions in your new area will determine what kind of clothes and weather-related items you’re going to need, what kind of outdoor activities you’ll be able to practice, what precautions you’ll have to take to ensure the safety of your home and your family, etc.;
• Schools – If you have school-age children, you need to research the quality of the public school system in your new region, consider school districts and available extra-curricular activities, and choose a place to move to where your kids will be able to go to top-rated schools and pursue their interests;
• Healthcare – Research the health insurance options, healthcare providers, and medical facilities in your new area and make sure you’ll have access to quality healthcare and any specialized medical care you or your family members may need;
• Cultural life – Find out what cultural and social opportunities your new city has to offer to see if you’ll be able to pursue your interests, practice your favorite activates, and enjoy your favorite pastimes after the move;
• Traffic and transportation – Get familiar with the traffic patterns and public transportation options in your new city as they will determine your commute time and monthly transportation costs;
• Taxes – Make sure you know what state taxes, property taxes, income taxes, and other local taxes you’ll have to pay in your new area.

See also: Things to consider when moving

Once you have considered it all, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about your forthcoming relocation and will know how to prepare to move out of state in the most efficient way possible. Here are a few tips to get you started:

4. A Lighter Load Makes for a Cheaper and Easier Move

When wondering how to move out of state on a budget, you need to remember that long-distance moving costs are based on the weight of the shipment – so the fewer items you relocate, the cheaper your interstate move will be. Besides, your relocation will be much easier, as there won’t be so many things to take care of.

You’re, therefore, strongly advised to declutter your home and pare down your possessions before the move – sort out your belongings and get rid of unneeded items, worn-out or damaged items, outgrown or outdated items, and everything else you don’t like or don’t use anymore. It may even be a good idea to leave behind some useful items that are too difficult to move and buy new ones after the relocation (unless they’re very expensive or have high sentimental value, of course).

See also: How to decide what to take and what to throw away when moving

Once you’ve settled on what to take to your new home, be sure to make a detailed inventory of the items you have for moving.

5. Out of State Moving Companies Are Not Made the Same

When planning to move out of state, one of your first priorities should be to secure reliable moving help – you can’t possibly perform a cross-country move on your own. And even if you have good friends willing to give you a hand, you should still think twice before deciding on a self-move – the risks of DIY moving skyrocket when relocating to another state. Hiring professional out of state movers is your best bet for a smooth and successful relocation.

The experts have the rich experience and specialized equipment to perform your interstate move in the safest and most efficient way possible – just make sure you find trustworthy professionals who will provide you with quality out of state moving services for a reasonable price. Keep in mind that there are unethical movers out there who try to rip off unwary customers, as well as incompetent movers who may ruin your relocation experience, and be careful to avoid moving scams and unqualified movers:

• Ask for recommendations, read online moving reviews, and check movers’ ratings to get an idea of which companies can be trusted;
• Fill in a free moving quote form to get in touch with several reputable long distance movers and request in-house estimates from three or four out of state moving companies that seem to best suit your needs and your budget;
• Discuss the details of your move with the moving company representatives who come to survey your home and find out how much any required extra services are going to cost you (See also: Fundamental questions to ask when hiring movers);
• Compare the offers and carefully research the movers you consider hiring for your relocation – verify the companies’ USDOT numbers, research their complaint histories, ask for references, etc.;
• Watch out for red flags of moving fraud (over the phone quotes, lowball estimates, large deposits, insurance issues, incomplete or inaccurate paperwork, etc.) and choose licensed, experienced and reliable moving partners to work with.

See also: How to choose the best movers for you

6. Your Items Will Be on the Road for a Long Time

In the event of a long-distance move, your items will have to travel many miles – they may have to stay in the moving truck for several days, may be subject to adverse weather conditions and/or extreme temperatures, and may even be transferred from one moving vehicle to another. To survive the long trip safe and intact, your belongings need to be well protected.

So, when packing for moving to another state, make sure:

• you have a smart packing strategy – start early so you have enough time to take good care of your items and provide them with optimal protection, follow an efficient packing timeline, and steer clear of packing mistakes;
• you use quality packing supplies – clean and sturdy moving boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, foam sheets, anti-static packing peanuts, etc.;
• your items are perfectly immobilized and well cushioned in the moving containers;
• all boxes are tightly sealed and properly labeled with your name and destination address, as well as with their contents and important handling instructions;
• your larger household items are safely wrapped in bubble wrap, moving blankets, and other appropriate protective materials;
• no perishables, hazardous substances, or other non-allowables have been packed with the rest of your goods;
• your items are properly insured (it’s best to get full value protection for your belongings when moving out of state).

See also: Fundamental packing rules for a successful move

If you’re not up to the task (or don’t have enough time to pack all your household, or prefer not to risk it), consider hiring professional packing services – the specialists will ensure the best possible protection to your items and will save you a lot of time, effort, and headaches. If you prefer to pack your belongings yourself (or can’t afford to pay for professional packing), at least leave your most delicate and most valuable possessions to the experts – the extra cost will be worth it.

Related: To pack or not to pack: self-packing vs professional packing services

7. You Will Have to Survive Without Your Items for Quite a While

When moving out of state, your items may take several days to arrive – and, in most cases, the movers won’t be able to guarantee a specific delivery date. It’s standard practice for cross country moving companies to give a delivery window – an interval of a few days for a shipment to arrive.

This is so because out of state movers often use one big trailer to ship multiple customers’ belongings going along the same moving route (to maximize efficiency and lower moving costs) and, therefore, make multiple stops along the way. It may take several days until the truck is fully loaded and then several more until it arrives at its final destination (depending on the move distance, current weather conditions, road conditions, etc.).

This means that you will have to do without your belongings for a while – from a couple of days to a week or more. So, be certain to pack all the essentials you’re going to need to survive that time in a separate box and make sure it travels with you. You can find more details on how to prepare an essentials box for moving here.

Don’t forget to take your important documents with you and, if possible, move your valuables yourself as well. (See also: What not to entrust to movers)

Bonus tip: Before the movers depart with your shipment, exchange contact information with the truck driver, give them your exact new address, and ask them to call you immediately if anything happens on the road or if there’re any changes to the delivery schedule – so you know what is going on and when to expect your shipment.

You can find some more bonus tips for moving out of state below.

8. You Will Need Your Moving-Related Receipts

As difficult to believe as it may be, your relocation-related receipts can help you save money on your interstate move:

• If you donate some of your unneeded items to charity before your move, you might be able to write off the value of your donation on your taxes – as long as you have the receipts to prove it (See also: Where to donate used items when moving);
• If you’re moving for a job, your employer may be willing to cover some of your relocation expenses – but they will want to know where their money is going;

If you’re moving for work, some of your expenses may be tax-deductible. To be able to write off moving expenses on your taxes, you need to have the receipts for those expenses, of course;

Last but not least, your receipts will help you keep track of your finances so you can avoid overspending on your move.

Therefore, when moving out of state, you’re strongly advised to keep all the receipts related to your relocation.

9. Laws and Rules Vary from State to State

Laws will be different in your new area and there will be plenty of paperwork to take care of when moving to a new state, so make sure you:

• Know the state laws and all the local rules and regulations that may concern you;
• Collect and organize your personal documents, financial records, and property-related papers, and retrieve yours and your family members’ medical records, your children’s school records, and your pets’ health certificates. (See also: Important documents when moving);
• Transfer utility accounts – contact service providers in your new area and arrange to have the utilities running in your new home on move-in day (See also: How to transfer utilities when moving);
• Change your address with the USPS and notify all the people and institutions you have dealings with of your move and your new address (See also: Who to notify when moving);
• Update your voter’s registration;
• Update your driver’s license and your car’s registration;
• Update insurance policies.

Keep in mind that there will be a specific timeframe for putting your paperwork in order and be sure to meet the deadlines.

See also: Important things to do after moving to a new state

So, now you know how to organize a move out of state. But what about your own trip to your new home?

10. Your New Home Will Be Miles Away

As already detailed above, using professional moving services is the best way to move out of state – the experts will take care of every aspect of your move, will deliver your items to your new address safe and intact, and will ensure your smooth and successful relocation experience. All that remains then is to find the best way to get to your new home yourself.

When moving out of state, your final destination will be far away – you can’t just get in your car and arrive at your new home in a couple of hours. You need to research different travel options (weigh the pros and cons of driving your car across the country, check travel sites for cheap airfare, consider taking a train or a bus to your new city, etc.), consider your available time and the specific circumstances in your case, and make an informed decision about the most convenient, economical, and advantageous way for you and your family to get to your new area.

Be sure to plan your trip and make the necessary arrangements well ahead of time:

• book your flight (or your train tickets or bus tickets) and find a reliable auto transport company to ship your car to your new city (See also: How to ship a car to another state); or
• book your hotel stays and have your vehicle serviced prior to your move to reduce the risk of troubles on the road (See also: How to have fun during a long-distance move).

Once you arrive at your new place, you’ll find a whole new world waiting for you. Be sure to make the most of it – make your new house or apartment feel like home, explore your new surroundings, make new friends, take advantage of new opportunities, and enjoy your new life!

Must-read: How to move out of state – costs, steps, and tips

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In a word: What you need to know when moving out of state is that your relocation will be extremely challenging and just as exciting. Get ready for the adventure of your lifetime!