Whether you’re moving just a few streets away or right across the county across the states, moving needs to be planned right to avoid stress and worry on each side.
Moving States has become popular in the last few years, especially with different states having different attitudes to things like health care and income tax. Job opportunities and the new work from home culture are also opening different opportunities up for many people who thought that moving between States wasn’t an option for them.
Moving to a new house is a big decision and, for many Americans, this is a decision that they only make a few times in their lifetime, but if you are considering moving between States, there are a few things that you should know before you sign on the dotted line.
Get A Plan Together
The first thing you need to do when planning any house move, but especially one that is between States, is getting a plan together.
Your plan must include the basics such as your new employment opportunities (if you are working from an office, etc.), the kids’ schools, and updating your documents.
Your plan should also include how to move your belongings karma when you are going to move and how you are going to deal with perhaps a few weeks where all of your belongings will not be in the same place, which is common when using a moving company, especially between the States.
Planning this out beforehand will help you to visualize your move and identify any areas in which you will need extra help or the help of professional services such as professional movers or storage units to hold your belongings.
Minimize Your Stuff
It’s no secret that most families have a lot of stuff and a lot more junk in the US.
Before you consider any move, and especially a big move such as cross state lines, it’s critical that you and your family go through your belongings and really minimize what you have and only keep what you want to and need to keep.
Moving your belongings, whether you do it all in one go or use a storage unit as the halfway point, is an expensive task, and the fewer belongings you have, the less money you will be spending on both movers and storage.
Coupled with saving money, minimizing your stuff also has the benefit of giving you a fresh start, and throwing away old junk is great for your mental health.
Some Moving Days Are Cheaper Than Others
When most people think about moving states, such as moving from Raleigh to Tampa, they are considering moving many hundreds if not thousands of miles across the country.
No matter whether you are moving 1000 miles or just 10 miles across state lines, some days are cheaper than others to officially move on.
Most state moves are fairly simple but crossing States could mean that your move takes a few extra days, and if these are midweek rather than over a weekend, you will find that the price of moving is reduced significantly.
Some Moving Companies Subcontract
Did you know that your moving company may subcontract your move out to other moving professionals throughout your move?
This is very common, especially if your move is across a long distance.
It’s worth discussing with your moving company whether or not they will be subcontracting out your move to another company or other companies as you cross state lines; while most of the time this goes without a hitch, the additional people and resources needed can cause headaches for movers who are not prepared enough.
Plan for Your Delivery Spread
Along with subcontracting out your move, many professional movers will use a system which is known as ‘delivery spread’.
Delivery spread is when a moving company takes between 2 days and 14 days or more to deliver your items to you at your new home.
This is actually a good way for many people to move at the same time, but it can be frustrating for new homeowners to be waiting on their belongings if they didn’t realize it would take longer than a couple of days.
You’ll Need an Essentials Bag
When you are moving across States, especially if you are moving a fair distance, such as from the West coast to the East coast, it’s good to pack an essentials bag to go with you.
There is a chance that you won’t have your car during your move, especially if your car needs to be shipped to your new address, so packing a suitcase with essential items that are TSA compliant is a good idea.
Items such as a few clothes, medical supplies, electronics and charging devices, and any other items that you feel you need on an everyday basis that you will be able to take on an airplane should be packed in an essentials bag kept with you at all times.
Don’t Forget Your Car or License
Speaking of your car, it is common for many people moving between States to have their car shipped between States rather than driving all of the ways.
Shipping your car reduces the mileage you need to do, and it can reduce the risk of accidents and breakdowns, adding to an already stressful time.
It’s worth noting, however, that shipping a car can take up to 2 weeks; you should plan for this eventuality and plan for how you are going to get around without a car while you wait for yours to arrive, as you may not be able to get a car rental until you have moved into your new property.
As an added note, don’t forget that many states require you to update your driving license to be compliant before you drive in that state.
We’re Here to Help
Here at Storage Area, we have helped many new homeowners find storage solutions across the country and have a huge amount of experience in interstate moves.
Our friendly team is always on hand to help; if you have any questions, call us today on 877-269-476 to discuss your move.