Are you California dreamin’ or in a New York state of mind? Are you a Louisiana woman or Mississippi man stuck in Iowa or Wisconsin?
Then you need to figure out how to move to another state, pronto, and start living your best life.
Moving out of state is never easy. You likely have friends, family, a home, and a career in your current location. But if you feel like you’re in a rut with your living situation, spreading your wings could be the best thing you ever did.
But planning a move to another state is not easy and can get overwhelming. So, here is your complete, step-by-step guide to help you prepare for this exciting next step in your life and all the moving tips you need.
Step 1: Choose the State
It is likely that you already have your dream state in mind. Or, that you are moving to a specific state because of family/a career/personal circumstances.
But if not, the US of A is your oyster!
Consider moving to California if you love the sun and healthy living. Consider Ohio if you want a low cost of living and to live a simple life. Oregon is perfect for hikers and craft beer lovers.
To find out what state is the best fit for you, write down your perfect week. Then, lose hours and hours researching every state to find one that offers what you are looking for. Every state has something unique to offer, so there is no doubt you will find the right place for you.
Step 2: Budget for the Move
Pretty early in figuring out how to move to another state, you will realize that moving is expensive. If you do not plan for these costs, you could find yourself in a financial pickle or, worse, debt.
Play it safe and budget for these common moving costs:
- Housing deposit, fees, and first few months rent upfront
- Interstate movers fees
- Furniture and decoration costs
- Transport to your new home state
- Moving materials
- Cleaning costs
Some of these may not apply to you, but having a larger nest egg than you need will remove all the money stresses of a big move.
Step 3: Find a New Job
You may be moving out of state because you have a job there. If so, you can skip this step!
But if you are job hunting, here are some of the best national job search sites:
- Indeed
- Monster
- Glassdoor
- Craigslist
- Ladders
Start the search early, so you don’t need to stress later. And don’t be afraid to take on a contract or part-time service role as a short-term solution while you look for a more ideal job.
Step 4: Find a New Place To Live
Finding the perfect apartment or house is essential to settling in when moving out of state. You may want to stay in Airbnbs in different neighborhoods or cities to get a feel for each place before you commit.
But if you are ready to dive in, here are some of the best national real estate sites, whether you want to rent or buy:
- Realtor.com
- Zillow
- Trulia
- Apartments.com
- FSBO.com
Since you are already overhauling your life, why not look into out-of-the-box options like tiny houses or off-grid living?
Step 5: Update Your Records
As with everything in life, there is a lot of paperwork that comes with moving out of state.
These are the records you need to update with your new information when you move:
- Update the DMV with your new details
- Update your new information with your banks
- Update insurance policies and contracts
- Update your new details with the IRS
- Cancel magazine subscriptions, gym memberships, etc.
It is also a good idea to give your current landlord (or neighbor) your forwarding address for any rogue pieces of mail.
Step 6: Clear Your Clutter and Pack
Moving is the perfect time to cut back on your belongings and simplify your life. Your old furniture may not fit or suit your new apartment. And you likely won’t need your down-insulated winter coat (that is essential for Chicago winters) in Houston, for example.
Ask yourself for following questions as you sort through your stuff:
- Have I used this item in the last year and will I need it where I’m going?
- If I lost this item tomorrow, would I replace it?
- Does this item add value to my life?
- Does this item have sentimental value?
- Does this item of clothing fit me right now?
If you are honest with yourself, you could likely cull over 50% of your belongings.
Step 7: Prepare for the Transition
You need to prepare for the emotional parts of the moving process as well as the logistical stuff. It’s natural to have mixed emotions even though you know you are doing the right thing.
Organize video chats with your local family and friends in advance, so loneliness does not have a chance to kick in. Teach Grandma how to use FaceTime or promise to send old-school letters.
Throw a going-away party so you can say goodbye to your loved ones as a local resident one last time. If you are moving by yourself, and are struggling with the transition, book a flight back in three months.
The trip will give you enough time to settle in while having something to look forward to during the down days.
Step 8: Move to Another State
All that’s left to do is move! Organize a reputable interstate moving company to transport your belongings from your current home state to your new one.
Or, better yet, make everything you own fit into your car like you did in college and hit the road yourself. Don’t forget to wave out of the window as you drive towards the sun setting on the horizon.
How To Move to Another State in Eight Steps
Figuring out how to move to another state can be difficult. There’s a lot of t’s to cross and i’s to dot. But if you don’t let that get you down and do the hard work, you could be living in California sipping margaritas on the beach in a few short months.
And then all the teary goodbyes, budgeting, and trips to the DMV will have been 100% worth it.
If you want to read more helpful articles like this one, browse our website for tons of home and real estate advice!