Moving Out of State 

Are you moving out of state? Here are ten great tips for relocating to a different state! 

It is one thing to move to a new neighborhood, but it is a completely different thing altogether to pick up your life and move out of state. Moving out of state requires tons of preparation and planning, and it is often a huge endeavor that is not without stress. 

Whether you are moving to start your new dream job or simply want a fresh start in a new state with different experiences, there is much to do to prepare before move-in day. 

In North Carolina, there has been a net gain of 376,000 people since 2020 to the state's population due to state-to-state migration. In 2022, approximately 8.2 million people in the United States decided to move between states. 

If you and your family are among the many people in the country who are following moving trends and moving out of state, we have compiled a list of tips to help make it a seamless transition. 

Here is what you need to do when moving out of state 

1. Consider Cost of Living Differences 

Depending on which state you are moving to, it is important to consider the cost of living and how it differs from the one you currently live in. The cost of living is also one of the biggest factors that people move states to begin with. It is important to pay attention to the least and most affordable states. 

As the cost of living across the United States continues to increase, many families are choosing to relocate to more affordable states to have the money to buy a house and afford other day-to-day living expenses without hurting for cash. 

Many people from California and the Northeast are moving to Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area since it offers a lower cost of living, plenty of job opportunities, and no shortage of outdoor activities and fun things to do for all ages. 

Planning ahead and knowing about the cost of living of the state you are moving to will ensure you have enough money saved and are not surprised by how much things are once you get there. For example, the cost of a home for sale in Raleigh is much more affordable than a home for sale in San Francisco, California. 

If you are moving to an expensive area, you might have to consider saving money by renting before buying a home. 

2. Find a Job and Housing 

One of the most important things you need to do is find a place to live and find a job to make money before moving out of state. Most of the time, people move to a different state because of a new job opportunity and must relocate when they get the job. In this case, some jobs might offer moving assistance. 

On the other hand, if you are moving to a new state without a job lined up, this should be one of your first priorities. Getting a job will ensure that you can pay your living expenses. Plus, it is a great way to meet new people in your new state. 

You will also need a place to live, preferably in a safe area. Raleigh is home to many beautiful up-and-coming neighborhoods, all of which are located close to the city center and employment opportunities. 

Whether you buy new construction or a single-family home in a well-established community, research beforehand and determine your budget when starting your home search. 

3. Tour Your New Home 

Moving states is not as easy as a local move, which is why touring your new home in person might not be an option unless you visit the area beforehand. With the help of an experienced real estate agent, you might be able to tour your new home virtually if you do not have time to visit before packing and making travel plans. 

If you are moving across the country, it is recommended that you visit the new area you are moving to at least once. At this time, you can tour homes and get a good feel for the neighborhood. 

4. Choose a Professional Moving Company 

Hiring a professional mover is one of the best tips for moving out of state. Moving is an exciting time that can bring new experiences, but it is also one of the most stressful life events that someone can go through because it brings lots of new changes all at once.  

With the help of a professional mover, all of the stress of having to pack and transport your belongings to a new state no longer falls on your shoulders, leaving you with more time to complete other items on your moving checklist. 

Depending on the number of belongings you will be moving, it might also be a good idea to inquire about packing services or consider renting a self-storage unit. As one of the best packing tips for an efficient move, most professional moving companies offer packing services, and it is a great option if you want to avoid packing and labeling everything yourself. 

5. Make Travel Arragnements 

Moving long distances is a lot to plan for since it always requires making some form of travel arrangements. How far you move might determine how you will arrive in your new state and the overall moving cost.

Will you pile the whole family in the car and take a road trip? Or will you buy plane tickets and ship your car to your new home? These are all things to consider. As long as you hire professional movers, you will only have to worry about how you are traveling and not how you are transporting your belongings. 

The average cost to ship a car is $1,150, but it could be less or more depending on the distance the vehicle needs to travel, the vehicle type, and the transportation method. Open carrier shipping is often the most budget-friendly option and should typically take a few days to a few weeks to reach its final destination.

6. Say Goodbye 

One of the hardest parts about moving out of state is saying goodbye to all of your friends and family. If you are moving out of state for a new job or for necessary financial reasons, closing a chapter in your life to start a new one can be difficult and emotional. 

Meeting new friends as an adult can be challenging, which is why it is important to remember that it is not a goodbye but rather a see you later. Throw a farewell party before you move and make plans to visit again in the future. 

Now that technology is such a part of everyday life, staying in touch with friends who live in different states can be easy. Promise to always keep in touch and updated with all the important things happening in your life. 

7. Contact Service Providers 

After any move, you need to make sure to contact service providers to set up your utilities and home services. When moving out of state, ensure that all your utilities and essential services will be active and effective starting your move-in date. 

Calling your service providers beforehand will eliminate any unwanted stress so that you can hit the ground running as soon as you arrive at your new home. Although most phone services offer coverage nationwide, some companies might offer better coverage in different states than others. Consider this when moving out of state and check with other providers to see if they can offer you a better deal, which is a great money-saving tip. 

8. Forward Your Mail 

Though this might be one of the least exciting parts of your move, handling all of the necessary paperwork and notifying necessary services that you have moved will only help you in the long run. 

When moving, it is important to change your address by notifying the United States Postal Service in order to avoid missed bills or any other important mail. If you forget to let someone know you have moved, the United States Postal Service will forward you mail, which will come in handy. 

Changing your address is easy and can be done online through the Post Office by verifying your identity and paying the $1.10 identity verification fee. 

Do not forget to change your address for billing information, subscription services, or memberships. This is also a great time to cancel any services that will not transfer to your new state. 

9. Think About Your Kids and Pets 

If you are moving with kids or are moving with pets, moving to a new state will be hard on them. Often, kids will have no say in the move and be upset about leaving their friends, school, and all they know behind. 

In order to make the moving process less stressful for all involved, talk to your kids and explain why you are moving, let your children participate, establish a routine, and allow them time to process their emotions. 

Before your kids start a new school, transfer their records from their old school so that they can complete their enrollment. You will also want to transfer their health records from their current doctor to a new one. 

Pets will be very confused about moving to a new house in a new state, and you should consider them during your move. Moving is a huge change for you and your pets, so keeping their routine as normal as possible and giving them time to adjust will help ease the transition. Much like you will transfer your kid's health records, you will also want to transfer your pet's vet records to a new veterinarian. 

10. Make it Official 

Once you have settled into your new home, you will want to make your move to a new state official by changing residency and getting a new state driver's license. 

Updating your documentation might seem like a lot, but the sooner you get it done, the smoother your transition will be. Once you become a resident, states require you to get a new driver's license, which can be obtained by making an appointment at the local DMV. 

If you own a car, this is also the time to transfer the title and car registration to your new state. Residents of North Carolina who plan to operate a motor vehicle will have 60 days from the time of establishing permanent residency to get a North Carolina driver's license, transfer their car title, and register their vehicles with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.  

Methodology 

We used data and information from multiple reliable sources, including the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Forbes, the United States Postal Service, and the US Census Bureau, to determine the best tips when moving out of state. 

FAQs 

Is it hard to move to another state? 

Moving out of state is much more difficult than moving locally since it requires extensive planning. Still, the process will not seem as stressful and overwhelming with the assistance of professional movers and friends and family. 

How much money should you save when moving to another state? 

Since the cost of living varies from state to state, a good rule of thumb is to save up at least three months' worth of living expenses. It is always helpful to have extra money on hand in case of an unexpected expense or an emergency. 

Will I be happier if I move to another state? 

Happiness might not be determined by the state you live in, but if moving to a new state improves your living situation, social life, and career, then it could be a necessary change. 

Moving Out of State - Final Thoughts 

No matter which state you are moving to, following the above tips will help your relocation go smoothly. If you are moving to Raleigh or the surrounding area, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help and answer any questions.