Moving to another state isn’t the same as moving to a new place across town or even to another city in the same state. It comes with its own unique opportunities for excitement, adventure, and overcoming challenges. 

And surmounting those challenges all comes down to preparation. What’s the best way to prepare for your out-of-state move? Organize a moving to another state checklist.

In this guide, we’ll outline everything to include on your agenda for your long-distance move. 

#1 Research and Visit Your New State

This moving tip may seem obvious, but the first thing you should do before moving out of state is to visit the state you’re planning on moving to. Visiting in person is a fantastic way to get a sense of an area’s outdoor amenities, nearby restaurants, and nightlife offerings. So, if possible, plan a trip well in advance of your move.

If you can’t fit in a physical visit, you’re not without options. You can also use the internet to get a fairly decent sense of your new location, utilizing resources like:

  • Websites to learn about your new state
  • Social media sites and apps to connect with residents in your community
  • State and civic websites for detailed information about schools and amenities near your new house
  • Google Street for exploring local neighborhoods

If you’ve already committed to a move, you can also use your visit to track down self-storage units in the area to house your items while you clean, organize, and tailor your new home, and also to find moving companies that can help move your belongings to your new address.

#2 Plan a Budget 

Budgeting is a necessary component of any moving process, so when it comes to your moving checklist, make sure you put it near the top. Planning out a feasible and efficient budget is the best way to account for each moving cost you’ll encounter during your move—and avoid any last-minute surprises. 

The average cost of moving out of state is about $4,300.1 When figuring out your budget, be sure to factor in common out-of-state moving expenses, such as:

  • A professional moving company
  • Moving trucks and containers
  • Hotel costs
  • Moving supplies such as moving boxes
  • Gasoline and other travel expenses

Your budgeting should also take the average cost of living in your new state into consideration. If it’s higher than the state you’re leaving, you may need to make adjustments to your previously established living expenses, in addition to your moving budget.

#3 Look Into Employer-Funded Relocation Assistance

If you’re moving out of state for work, your moving out of state checklist should include checking with your employer to see if they offer any sort of relocation assistance funding for your interstate move. Many companies are willing to cover a certain amount of your moving expenses to attract and hire the best employees, no matter where they’re located.2

Many employer-based relocation packages also include things like:

  • Moving service reimbursements and packing supplies
  • Temporary housing
  • Financial bonuses

#4 Research the Schools In Your New Location

If you have school-aged children, be sure to do some research into the education options where you’re going before your upcoming move. You’ll want to explore factors that affect the quality of local schools, such as acclaimed districts, extracurricular activities, curriculum, and diversity. 

The best resources for this information are: 

  • The Department of Education in your new state
  • A real estate agent in your new city
  • Local schools and PTAs 
  • Local newspapers3

#5 Arrange for Self Storage 

Many people who make long-distance moves include arranging for self-storage as part of their moving to-do’s. When you don’t have a long-term living situation set up, having a reliable option for storing your personal belongings is a must-have. 

Booking a self-storage unit for your out-of-state moves is beneficial because they offer:

  • Easy access to your stored belongings
  • Short-term rentals
  • Time to find a long-term home

But what are the features you should be looking for from your storage provider? 

  • Open seven days a week, so you can access your things whenever you need them 
  • A wide variety of storage unit sizes to accommodate your storage needs 
  • State-of-the-art security systems for increased peace of mind
  • Zero deposits
  • Ground floor accessible units for easy loading and unloading 
  • Mont-to-month rentals 
  • Vehicle, RV & boat storage 
  • No deposits required
  • Climate controlled units 

Also, check to see if your storage solution comes with a concierge service. That way, you get access to storage experts who can address any questions or concerns you might have. 

#6 Start Packing Early

When most people think of moving, packing is probably one of the first things that come to mind. It’s a necessary part of moving, and though it can be time-consuming, jumping into the job well before your moving date is a good idea to help streamline your cross-country move.

Here are some tips for packing for your out-of-state move:

  • Declutter before you pack – Decluttering before you pack can help you make a note of everything you own. From there, you can decide which items are most important, which you’ll need right away, and which should go straight into storage. If you have multiple rooms, give each room’s items a different colored packing label.
  • Invest in quality moving boxes – You can purchase heavy-duty containers like plastic boxes. This gives you peace of mind, knowing that your items are safe inside a durable container. You can also opt for transparent plastic boxes. These are a real time-saver when you are unpacking! Protect fragile items with bubble wrap, paper, and padding.
  • Spread it out – You shouldn’t feel like you have to rush around to get all of your packing done in a single day. Instead, spread your packing out over the course of several days or even weeks, packing your least-essential belongings first and saving everyday items for last.

Move Easily With Price Self Storage

If your long distance moving checklist makes no mention of arranging for a reliable self-storage unit, add it to the list right away. Self-storage is an indispensable tool for out-of-state moves, whether you need a place to store your belongings while you stage and sell your old home or a unit in your new state while you get settled. 

If you’re in Northern or Southern California, the reliable option is Price Self Storage.

Price Self Storage provides affordable, quality self-storage units in a range of sizes so you can store your items with confidence until your moving day. Plus, we have a variety of resources available to help you store your belongings with peace of mind—before, during, and after your move.

Our resource center has you covered for your next move. Whether you need a checklist for moving into an apartment or a checklist for moving into a home, rely on our related articles to get you in a better spot for your next move.

Book online today to save 35% and get one month free.

Sources: 

  1. Moving.com. Moving Out of State: What It Will Cost & How to Prepare. https://www.moving.com/tips/moving-out-of-state-what-it-will-cost-how-to-prepare/#
  2. Business News Daily. What Should an Employee Relocation Package Look Like? https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15842-costs-of-employee-relocation.html 
  3. Baby Center. How to Research the Public Schools In Your Area. https://www.babycenter.com/child/learning-and-education/how-to-research-the-public-schools-in-your-area_67267 
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Ryan Majors

Author

Ryan Majors is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Price Self Storage. He oversees Price Self Storage locations throughout California, focusing on efficient and functional storage solutions. He integrates his passion for smart design and organization into his management approach, ensuring a commitment to excellence and organized living.