Top 7 Tips for a Hustle-Free Move out of State

Millions of Americans relocate within or out of state each year. An average US resident moves more than 11 times in a lifetime, according to the US Census Bureau data. While 85% percent of the 10.1% of Americans who relocated in 2018 moved within the same state, 15% percent of them moved to a different state.

But why are most Americans always on the move, and where are they relocating to? To answer that, let’s look at the state of moving in America. According to a report by Forbes, 14% of Americans are moving each year domestically. Whether it’s in a new city, in the woods, or on an island, people move for different reasons.

Location, money, love, and community are the top four reasons behind these movements. According to research, 16.4% moved in search of an affordable housing or better home and apartment, 12.6% wanted to establish their household, 10.3% got new job offers, and 11.1% moved due to family reasons. 80% of the moves occur during the peak season, which is from April to September.

Idaho, Arizona, South Carolina, Tennessee, and North Carolina are the top five states that most Americans are moving into. The top five states where most people are moving out of Illinois, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Apart from giving you those statistics, here are seven tips for a hustle free moving-out-of-state that you should know.

1. Create a Savings Account

Moving requires several upfront expenses that can drain your wallet. Shipping, gas, insurance, and hotel costs can pile up pretty quickly. Not to mention other costs, including household furniture, security deposits required for starting and renting utilities in the new home, and closing costs if you’re buying a home in the new state.

Saving some money in advance can help ease the whole ordeal. These savings will help cater to various expenses such as transport, rent, and at least 3 to 6 months’ worth of living expenses. Therefore, making sure that you have enough money to facilitate the move will help make it hustle-free.

Creating a budget to help you plan for the finances that you have set aside for the moving is also crucial. The budget can help you spend your money wisely or keep your finances in check.

2. Craft a Master Shipping Plan

Having a well laid out plan for the relocation process is essential. A shipping master plan will help you to strategize and make the right decisions.

Shipping your stuff from one state to another requires careful planning based on time, budget, and the types of goods being transported. Therefore, it will be helpful to consider several things, including:

• Mode of transportation
• People to help you with the loading and offloading
• Convenience
• Insurance

Also, the shipping plan can help decide whether to hire movers or to do it yourself. According to AMSA 2018 report, 19% of Americans opted for professional movers, 34% rented a truck, and 47% moved their items themselves. Whatever mode of transportation you pick, make sure you have organized your trip up to the last detail to help make it trouble-free.

3. Secure Employment Before Moving Out of State

If you are not moving because of getting a new job offer or a job transfer, securing a new job in your new destination before you make the move is crucial. While landing a job out of state can sometimes prove difficult, relocating when you already have one can take a considerable load off your mind.

You can search for a job through the internet by checking out various sites such as Indeed and Glassdoor. Alternatively, you can reach out to relatives and friends who live in the area to help you find an opening.

Sometimes, seeking employment in a different state can be difficult. And, the big day can roll around when you still haven’t been shortlisted. If that happens, don’t panic. Just be sure that you have enough savings to sustain you in the meantime as you keep on searching.

4. Find a House Before you Move Out

Another crucial step you must not skip is finding a house before moving out of a particular state. You must identify someplace safe where you can stay as soon as you relocate.

If you have a place to stay for a few weeks, then it will be easier to search for a better house after arriving.

If again you have little kids who are still schooling, then you need to narrow down the specific schools or school districts you want to enroll them into. This should also be done before the shifting date.

5. Declutter when Packing

The fewer items you have, the cheaper it will be to move them. Reducing the number of things that you must move with can help you to reduce the moving costs significantly.

First, take an inventory of the stuff that you need to transport to your new destination. Focus mostly on the necessities such as bed frame, personal items, and dishes. Once you have packed everything that you will need, donate, or sell other things.

Pack your stuff well in cartons and containers to reduce breakage while in transit. Also, make sure that everything is well protected when packing.

6. Make your Accounts Updated when Moving Out of State

Updating all your accounts before you move out is also very important. It would be best if you would transfer all your utilities before relocating. This will help to reduce inconveniences when you get to your new home.

Nothing is worse than having your cable disconnected, finding no running water, or not being able to access the internet in your new house.

Also, make sure that you update the mailing address before you move out. This way, you’ll not miss any mail after your move.

7. Set Aside an Emergency Bag

If you are planning to hire a professional mover, then you are likely to get to your new destination before they deliver your stuff. This will happen if you don’t get the luxury of escorting your possessions safely to your new home. For this reason, you will need to have a survival kit for carrying the essential items.

In most cases, various professional movers will give you a window of 1 to 14 days before getting your items to the new destination. The 14 days window helps them to collect and move things for different people. This is a necessary process that helps to reduce the cost of moving, both for them and for you.

Therefore, if you have a bag with some essentials, you’ll manage to get through a few days before other items are delivered.

Conclusion

Although moving out of state can be a daunting process, these seven tips can help to ensure that you have a hustle free move. Whether you are shifting because of a family situation, a job, or a desire for a fresh new start, these tips will make the process smoother than you can imagine.