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Relocation professionals agree that there are two different types of moving, mainly local and long-distance moving. Before you begin the moving process, identify the type of move you’re undertaking.

You need to know whether your move is a local or long-distance because categorizing your move will help you achieve most of your moving goals. Let’s see what local and long-distance moves include and how they differ from one another.

What is a Local Move?

Distance is obviously the most significant difference between a local and long-distance move. Simply put, you move locally when you’re moving homes within the same city or state. This means that you will be moving only a short distance away.

But, it becomes an entirely different moving criteria when choosing a long-distance move.

Time is the second-most important thing that sets apart these two types of moves. You are likely to not use more than a day when moving locally. However, a long-distance move can take much longer depending on how far.

Local moving is your most common type of move. All credible moving companies have a local moving service in their portfolio and offer sheet.

Domestic or local moving will not typically require any sort of permit. So, you will not need to wait until you get a permit before you start the moving process.

A local move will cost less than a long-distance move. Moving locally means that you will pay for the hours it takes the moving company to transport your belongings to the new house.

Many local movers do offer a full-service moving option, which means they’ll pack and unpack the entire house for you for a fee. If you have a large crew, they will be able to complete the task in less time. So, you will pay less overall. But, make sure you hire movers on the basis of the quality of service rather than the pricing.

What is a Long-Distance Move?

A long-distance move is usually one that requires crossing state lines. If you’re moving over a long distance, it is very likely that you’re shifting to a new state or country.

A long-distance move can be much more stressful, time-consuming, and costly than a local move. Not to mention, long-distance movers take more extended care of belongings, and if they are crossing state lines, they’ll need to have insurance that covers different areas and policies. In some cases, long-distance movers also require special permits for specific situations.

Before you begin your long-distance move, it is essential to consider what you will do with all your possessions. So, it all starts with de-cluttering the things not needed and packing only the essentials.

Long-distance relocations take much more time. In fact, it takes quite a few days and sometimes even weeks. Your stuff is likely to arrive at your new place much later than you. So plan for this period of time and be prepared with things to do and enough of your belongings to make it comfortable while waiting for your movers to arrive.

Wrapping Up

According to the experts, there are numerous factors that set local and long-distance moves apart from one another. For the most part, these include:

Distance
Time
Costs
Permits/No permits

You must also make sure that you’re choosing a credible moving company to carry out your moving, local, or long-distance needs.

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.

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.