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According to reports, at least 27 million Americans move each year. Further reports show that more than 33% of Americans wish they could move out of state. So if you are planning to move to another state, you are not alone. It might even be that you’re moving to the US from the UK, in which case you’ll have even more to think about! Being organised beforehand is key to keeping your move as smooth as possible and keeping your stress to a minimum.
Perhaps you are moving to start a new life? A new career? Or just exploring? Moving to another state is exciting, yes, but it also comes with some challenges. It becomes harder when you have a family, kids, or pets to relocate with.
There are so many things to consider when planning to relocate your family. Where will my kids go to school? Do I hire a moving company or not? Do I have enough budget/resources? If you’re moving to the US from the UK then a lot of the preparation is going to be in streamlining your possessions and figuring out exactly what you do and don’t want to take with you. Now is the perfect opportunity for a good clear out, and it’s worth considering skip hire to help you manage unwanted or broken items that you’ve accumulated over the years in the garage, garden or attic.
All this can be overwhelming, but with adequate planning, moving to another home or state can be less daunting.
As you get ready to cross state lines for a new home, the following tips will ease the burden:
- How Much Work Can You Do Yourself?
Assuming you already know where to relocate to, the next question is, how will I get there? The key elements to consider here include packing, lifting, and transportation.
Consider all these elements individually. Decide what you can pack and load into the truck on your own. Also, will it make more sense for you to drive your items yourself, or you’d rather hire someone to do all these things for you?
Remember, you still need to sort other things like travel documents, kid’s school reports, etc. So as much as you would like to save more and do all these things yourself, sometimes, you just have to seek external help. Luckily, there are many moving companies to choose from.
One of the best things about hiring a moving company is that you get enough time to attend to all other important matters. Also, moving companies are experienced and know precisely what they are doing. This minimizes the risk of accidents/damages. In case of an accident, most of these companies will be insured.
According to Mike Glanz, CEO of HIREAHELPER, most families are creating a hybrid strategy by hiring professional packers to help them load and unload rented trailers and trucks. This is much cheaper than hiring a full-service mover.
- Do as Much Research on Your New State as Possible
Once you have decided on your new state/city, it’s time to find out as much information about it as possible.
Where are your kids going to study? How much taxes are you going to pay? How will you get to work?
The answers to these questions should determine where you relocate to.
The next step is to search for a new home.
Depending on where you are relocating to, you might either have to downsize to a small house or get a bigger house for the same amount.
Regardless, you should not move until you have secured a house to live in. If it’s possible, make a trip to your new neighborhood before the actual move. This will give you a chance to familiarize yourself (and the kids) with the new environment, the shopping center, the health center, etc.
- Make Your Kids Part of the Process
The truth is, you are not the only one who’s affected by the move. Your kids, no matter how young they are, will feel the impact too. Remember they are leaving behind their friends, familiar surroundings and the things they have grown to love. It’s even worse if the move is as a result of a separation or a divorce.
Here are a few tips for moving with kids:
- Let them know about the move early in advance. Explain to them why you have to move. Let them express their emotions and take everything positively.
- If possible, take your kids on a tour of their new home and school. This will give them a chance to start adapting to the changes.
- Engage them in the planning and packing process – if donating some items, take your kids with you. The goal here is to make them feel part of the decision and not just some youngsters being controlled.
- Remain positive for their sake – no matter how hard it is for you, you have to remain positive for the sake of your kids. If you keep complaining, your kids will be negative and cause more trouble for you.
- Let them say goodbye to their friends and old home.
- Rent First, Buy Later
If you are moving to a state or an area you are not very familiar with, it would be better to rent first.
Renting a place for at least six months to 1 year will give you a chance to learn the neighborhoods, figure out what matters to your family and work out which housing purchase plan will work better for you.
Trying to figure out the ‘perfect’ place to own immediately after the move may be overwhelming and prone to mistakes.
- Moving With A Pet
Pets often become part of our families. When planning for your kid’s next school or your next job, you will also want to know what it takes to move across state lines with a pet.
Different states have different policies regulating pets relocation. Generally, however, most states will require you to have some form of a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for some animals. This certificate helps ensure that only healthy animals move into a state.
You will, therefore, need to take some time to learn which certifications are required and for which animals.
Wrapping Up
Moving to a new state is a chance to start anew. However, with no proper preparations, the process can be hard and sometimes discouraging.
Always ensure that you only carry the items that you need, instead of taking everything in your old home.
When choosing a moving company, take your time to ensure you get quality services, and your items don’t get damaged or lost.
Get all the necessary travel documents early in advance to avoid delays.