An Essential Moving-Out-Of-State Checklist And Must-Know Tips

No matter the distance, you might feel a little nervous when moving or looking to move. It takes patience and planning to pack up and start a life in a new place, find your dream home and forge new friendships in an unfamiliar area. Moving out of state, in particular, can require a bit of work and money, but the good news is you can take an organized, cost-effective approach by doing the proper research and the necessary groundwork.

In just a moment, we’ll walk through a checklist of key steps for moving out of state and ways to set yourself up for success.

Important Considerations When Moving Out Of State

A state you’re unfamiliar with could turn out to be more suitable or more flawed than you expected. Whether you have your heart set on a certain state or you’re still exploring options, here are a few important items to think about when you’re thinking of settling down in a new state and embarking on the moving process.

• Weather-related challenges: Different kinds of weather can affect not only your lifestyle and mood but also your utility bills. Research the annual weather patterns in the state or states where you’re thinking of moving. Do the same for the average cost of heating and cooling bills and whether the state is prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.
• Housing market and real estate prices: Real estate market trends vary from state to state, and your income might allow you to afford a home in one state, or one area of a state, but not another. To avoid sticker shock, research an area’s home prices and the typical number of days that homes are on the market, and work with a local real estate agent in advance.
• The job market and economy: Some states have a more robust job market than others, resulting in a higher population and better opportunities for young professionals. Research where your new location ranks in starting salaries, unemployment rate and median annual income in relation to real estate affordability to determine if it’s a good place for you to grow.
• Health care quality: The cost and quality of health care vary across states and cities, so be sure to research typical insurance coverage costs in the new area. Also, consider your specific health care needs and whether you have any medical conditions that require a certain type of medical professional.

Moving-Out-Of-State Checklist

It might be tempting to not use a to-do list when dealing with the chaos of a move, let alone a move to another state. Going without a list isn’t a good idea, though. Next up is our checklist, featuring 10 action items focused on how to prepare for moving out of state.

1. Research And Visit Your New City

Getting a new start in a new city or suburb is exciting, but don’t forget to do your research before jumping in head first. Simply moving across town can be a considerable adjustment, so just imagine the adjustment you’ll face when you move from one state to another. Researching your new neighborhood and city can also be a great way to meet your neighbors.

You’ll want to feel confident that this move makes sense for you and any family members coming along, so consider the following factors before settling on a location.

Crime Rates

Neighborhood safety should be one of your highest priorities. Not only would moving to an area known for violent crime potentially put your safety at greater risk, but studies have shown that violent crime can lead to lower home prices. You’ll therefore almost certainly reap a greater profit from the future sale of a home if it’s in a relatively safe area.

Before buying a house, take the time to research crime rates in the cities you’re considering. We recommend researching your current area first to set a baseline for what you’re comfortable with before researching potential new addresses.

Local Schools

Families should also research local schools for their children or future children. Homes in high-performing school districts have been proven to increase in value over time.

Transportation Options

If you rely on public transit to get around, consider which transportation options will be available in your new location. These options will vary drastically between locations and may be different from what you’ve experienced where you currently live. For example, if you’re moving from a suburb to a city, you’ll probably need to utilize public transit more often than you’re accustomed to.

Local Traffic

Moving out of state can also bring about new traffic concerns, from frequent accidents to busier highways, so don’t forget to consider the commute time you’ll be facing.

Using Google Maps, you can get an idea of what local traffic looks like in another city. Simply pull up the map during rush hour and pay attention to which routes are the most red. Check estimated travel times for cars and public transit, factoring this into your planned commute times.

Entertainment And Activities

Lastly, you’ll want to ensure you’ll actually enjoy living in your new neighborhood. So, don’t forget to research the activities and attractions that will be available to you.

Malls, movie theaters, restaurants, beaches and theme parks are all good destinations to seek out, but you know better than anyone what your family enjoys, so look into the entertainment options you’ll have at your disposal. Leverage Google Maps to check the distance between your home and the places you’re interested in going for leisure. If your family tradition is seeing a movie every weekend but the closest theater is an hour away, this might not be the best location for you.

2. Estimate Your New Cost Of Living

The cost of living in a given area is the amount of money needed to cover living expenses in that location. Cost of living includes the total cost of housing, health care, transportation, food, taxes and other necessities.

Before deciding to move to a new state, it’s important to understand how your cost of living will change, or if it will. Multiple cost-of-living calculators are available online to help you compare two locations, but you can also do these calculations yourself. To compare the cost of living between your current city and a potential future city, use the following formula:

[($City B – $City A)/$City A] x 100

Research the cost-of-living index for your current city and the city you’re considering moving to. Subtract the index of your current city from the index of the city you may want to live in, then divide the result by the index in your current city. Multiply the resulting quotient by 100 to get a percentage. This percentage represents the increase you would need in your income to live comfortably in your city of choice.

3. Plan For Moving Costs

In addition to the money needed to buy or rent a place, you’ll need to prepare for the costs of moving and/or moving services. Moving out of state is a big financial undertaking, so building and sticking to a moving budget is important. According to MyMovingReviews, the national average cost of moving out of state with a long-distance move is about $4,000, with a price range from $2,200 – $5,700, depending on the exact distance and the amount of personal belongings you need to relocate.

Get started by finding cost estimates for the items on your moving list, which may include a moving truck, gasoline, packing supplies, travel insurance and hiring professional movers.

4. Sort Out Your Job Situation

If you plan to move to a different state and start a new job, it’s wise to get the job lined up as soon as possible – before you’re living there. Having the job squared away can provide additional guidance when deciding where to live and how to budget from then on. Start applying to job listings to kick-start your search and grow in your new career. Without a job, you should save enough money to cover at least 3 months of living expenses.

If you’re moving for a job, ask your employer if they offer a company relocation assistance package to new employees. When an employee moves for a work-related reason, many companies cover all or part of the moving expenses and offer perks that may include a free car rental and/or a cash bonus. You might be able to take advantage of a tax deduction as well.

5. Secure A Place To Buy Or Rent

Once you’ve decided where to live, consider whether you want to buy a house or rent a condo or apartment. Renting or choosing a shared housing option requires less of a long-term commitment, which could make you feel more comfortable if you’re not sure you’re ready to settle down. However, getting a mortgage will let you start building equity sooner than later. If you’re buying a house out of state, focus on finding an affordable place that closely aligns with your priorities, which may include hobbies, space and budget. Depending on the state, you might be able to get financial aid from a first-time home buyer program if you’re eligible.

Moving to another state might mean not being able to see housing options in-person before moving there. However, many REALTORS^® are available for virtual walk-throughs to help you find the best fit if you can’t visit in person. Having housing arrangements ready before arriving in a new city is almost always the best choice.

6. Set Up Your New Home Utilities

Getting set up in your new home – from lining up utilities to arranging internet service – will mean some costs, so it’s best to leave an extra buffer in your budget to cover these fees.

Before you pack up and move, house utilities like electricity, natural gas and water/sewage in your new home should be up and running. You can contact local utility providers ahead of time to set up your services so they’re ready to go when you move in.

7. Pack And Organize The Big Move

Your moving plan should include important dates, times, forms of payment, and insurance information, if applicable. It’s also wise to create a moving checklist to help you keep track of what’s been completed as you move through the process.

Creating and sharing a clear and concise moving plan with everyone who’s potentially involved – from family members and friends to, perhaps, a professional moving company – can help to minimize confusion and avoid miscommunication.

8. Contact Your Health, Auto And Home Insurance Providers

Be sure to notify all your insurance companies of your move out of state, as certain policy premiums will vary based on the state where you’ve living. Take time to update any policies as necessary and shop for new ones if needed.

Explore Natural Disaster Insurance Policy Options

Additionally, for your safety and the safety of any family members moving with you, it’s crucial to know if you’ll be in a state not known for natural disasters or a state where natural disasters are prone to occur. If natural disasters are a thing, find out which one or ones are most likely. While a traditional homeowners insurance policy may protect against some damages from Mother Nature, you may need additional coverage to protect your home.

From floods and earthquakes to tornadoes and hurricanes and everything in between, natural disaster insurance policies offer supplemental coverage based on the disasters most likely to affect a state. For example, standard homeowners insurance typically covers tornado-related damages, but if you’re moving to a state in Tornado Alley, the area of the country where tornadoes are most common is known, you may require additional windstorm coverage or hazard insurance.

9. Change Your Driver’s License And Vehicle Registration

One of the many tasks involved in moving to a new state is obtaining a new driver’s license and vehicle registration. Most states require this to happen within 10 – 30 days of moving, but you should look into your new state’s deadline ahead of time to be prepared.

Make sure to also research what documents are required, as they may differ between states. For example, some states may require proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, plus a Social Security card and proof of residence.

10. Update Your Mailing Address

As you’re settling into your home, don’t forget to formally update your mailing address. Depending on the state, you may be able to do this online or through a mail-in change of address form.

Also remember to update your address on all other important accounts, such as student loans, bills and insurance.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Fear The Unknown When Moving Out Of State

Whether you’re moving to be closer to family, chasing a new work opportunity or retiring in your favorite vacation destination, moving to a new state is an exciting life event. Rather than letting your enthusiasm potentially be dampened by uncertainty, take the time to follow the steps outlined above so your move can be as stress-free as possible.