Moving is no walk in the park. And the longer the distance, the daunting the relocation. Moving across the state border presents a wide array of challenges that you wouldn’t otherwise experience. If you are planning of moving to another state and don’t know how to go about it, don’t fret, as we have you covered with this out of state relocation checklist.

Create a Budget

Budgeting is apparent, but its importance cannot be overstated. Moving is not cheap, particularly when going to another state. Even if you decide to make the move on your own, you will need the right budget for the truck and storage rental, gas, and any accommodations in between the journey.

Also, you will need to plan for any cost of living changes in the new state. Ensure you know the major expenditures such as rent, insurance, and grocery costs. Also, research taxes in the state you are interested in relocating.

Do Research on the Job Market

Ensure there are career opportunities in your field where you intend to live and what the commute looks like. Check the average salary in your niche and ensure it is sufficient for your cost of living. While it is not necessary to secure a job before relocation, if you do, your employer may provide relocation benefits, thus easing the cost of moving. If you do not have a job lined, ensure you have at least three months’ worth of living expenses in savings. Also, consider a remote role as it will allow you to move around with ease.

Visit the Place You are Planning To Move

Even with the help of the internet, you can only learn so much about a place online. If you have never been there before, plan a short trip to the location so that you can explore several neighborhoods and converse with the locals.

Factor in what every neighborhood offers, including recreational activities and school ratings if you have or plan to have kids. If you are relocating to a place with a climate you are not used to, consider this as well.

Choose Where You Want to Live

It is best to determine a place to live before the relocation or have at least a short-term living situation figured out. When you visit the city beforehand, ensure you go through several apartments to see whether any matches your needs.

If you are nervous about signing a year-long lease before knowing the region, you can try negotiating a six or month to month lease or even an Airbnb before settling in.

Hire Reputable Movers

Relocation always comes with certain risks. However, moving to another state comes with an even higher risk level. When moving that far, ensure the movers are well equipped to handle the move comfortably and safely.

A reputable moving company should have the following information available:

• Up to date registration
• A United States Department of Transportation ID number
• Information on liability insurance, vehicle insurance, and workers compensation

Most companies will have this information readily available on their website, and if one can’t provide these details, do not work with them. Also, you can check on review websites for customer reviews to help you gauge the quality of different movers. If you decide to take the DIY route, ensure you research the truck or moving pod rental company.

Cancel the Current Utilities and Plan for Those at the New Location

One of the essential things to do when planning to move is to get in touch with your utilities and cancel your subscriptions. These include electricity, cable, and internet. However, if your landlord handles these things, you do not have to fret about it.

When moving to a new state, you’ll want to make further arrangements to activate utilities at the new house. Some apartments might make these arrangements on your behalf, but in some situations, you’ll be the one to handle them.

If you are using a real estate agent, consult them or look up online for local information for setting up utilities such as gas, water, electricity, and telecommunication services.

Transfer Your Medical Records

This is probably the last thing on your mind when moving to a new place. However, if you prepare beforehand to transfer your records to a new state, the entire process will be a lot smoother. Rather than scrambling to get your medical records sent to your new location when you need them, pay your general practitioner or dentist a visit before you relocate.

And there you have it, a simple and straightforward checklist for when you are moving out of state. If you follow the tips in this read, the move will certainly be smoother.