Regardless of why you’ve decided to move out of your city, an out-of-state move is a big deal. Stress is inevitable if you’re moving across the city or country.

You might find everything a bit too overwhelming as you get ready to relocate. Have a look at our top 10 tips to ensure a much smoother out-of-state move.

1. Visit your New State

Whether you’re moving for work purposes or just a change of scenery, taking a trip to your new city beforehand can help. Visit the location at least once to familiarize yourself with the highways, shopping centers, neighborhood, etc. Doing so can help you save a good amount of future stress.

2. Plan Ahead

Planning ahead of time is a great way to kick-start your new journey. Pre-planning has numerous benefits, from ensuring you don’t miss anything important to prevent last-minute stress. To get you started, draft a list of everything that you wish to accomplish as you move between states. Look at the big picture and then break it into small, achievable steps.

3. Conduct Research for Schools

If you have kids in school, it is important not to disrupt their educational life during your move. Looking around at schools should be one of your first priorities. Your house, neighborhood, and the children’s school all depend on one another. Search for top-rated schools, and don’t hesitate to plan visits.

4. Downsize Your Belongings

An out-of-state move means a long-distance move. In such a situation, you can’t take all your current belongings with you. Think about what’s really important, can you afford to carry large loads and pay extra for things you really don’t need? If you’re unwilling to do so, lighten your load beforehand.

5. Separate Your Valuables

There are certain things so precious that you can’t put them in the same boxes or suitcase as your clothes. This increases your chances of losing or breaking them. So, collect all those family heirlooms and one-of-a-kind items in a single place. Don’t forget to keep them close to you when traveling.

6. Pack Strategically

Don’t pack just to get there. You’re not just moving down the street but out of an entire state. Be more careful about how you pack your luggage and belongings to lesson the risk of damage in transit.

7. Involve Your Kids

Moving out of a familiar place affects children in more ways than you might think. If your kids are still young, their perception of the world is likely to be restricted to your current home and neighborhood. Involve your kids in the moving process as much as you can, keep it fun and have a supporting attitude.

8. Plan Your Budget

Moving to a new state is never inexpensive, which makes it extremely important to plan a budget. Plan your entire budget and make sure you include every little expense. You may need to, cut corners where possible. This will help you save some money.

9. Understand Tax Implications

The tax rate is different in different states, so changing states means a change in taxes too. Make sure you understand the tax implications of your new state beforehand. You might be responsible for taxes in both places if you’re moving mid-year.

10. Don’t Forget the Essentials

Forgetting the essentials during an out-of-state move can cause various troubles. So, make a moving-day bag that contains all the important documents like school records, passports, tax information, birth certificates, and national security cards. You can also add a first-aid kit, deodorant, and snacks to this bag.

Bottom Line

Moving to a new city never comes easy, but our list of tips can help reduce any unnecessary stress you may face. Make sure you plan thoughtfully and pack strategically. Oh, and don’t forget to involve the kids as much as possible.

---

The Best Local and Long-Distance Moving Company

Call Major Moving DMV at (703) 789-4773 for a free quote on moving, storage facility, packing services, and our full lineup of professional moving services. Count on us for all your local and long-distance moving needs. Our guys are ready to make your next move the best yet – that’s what drives us.