How To Prepare for a National Move
Moving across the country is a big step, so you want to make sure everything goes smoothly. With a bit of planning and preparation, your interstate relocation can be a happy and stress-free experience for everyone involved.
Before you start packing up all your belongings, take some time to consider what you need to do before that big day arrives.
Find New Accommodations
While this may seem obvious, housing is often one of the most overlooked aspects of moving to a new city. Finding housing in your new state before arriving is important if you want to have somewhere to live when you get there. It also ensures you won’t have to spend time searching for a home after you’ve arrived, which gives you more time to settle into your new environment.
Sort Out Your Finances
Another important thing to do is clear all your debts before you go. This includes utility bills, credit cards, and anything else that might have a balance on it. Once they’re paid off, close those accounts and open new ones in the area where you’ll be moving to. This will ensure that all your bills are paid on time and that there’s no risk of late fees or penalties. It will also make it easier for you if there’s an emergency and you need some cash in hand quickly.
Change Your Address
Make sure you change your address with the post office and any companies or businesses you work with. You don’t want to miss any important mail or paperwork. Most people also find it helpful to set up forwarding for themselves for about a month after their move. That way, if something does get lost in the shuffle, you’ll still have a way to retrieve it.
Choose the Right Moving Company
Hiring a moving company can help you streamline your move. Professional movers will handle all aspects of your move for you, from packing up your belongings to loading them onto a truck and transporting them from one end of the country to another. They’ll even help unload your belongings — and they’ll do it all while keeping your property safe and secure along the way.
Get Organized
When it comes to making the actual move, being organized is key. If you can break down which items will go where and have that information laid out before your movers arrive, they’ll be able to get right down to business and complete the job much faster.
Take Inventory of Your Belongings
The first thing most people forget when moving is just how much stuff they own. Take some time to go through your entire house and make a list of everything you’ll be taking with you. This will help you to stay organized and ensure that nothing gets accidentally left behind.
Arrange Your Utilities
You don’t want to arrive in your new home and find yourself without power or water. If they’re not already set up, contact your utility companies as soon as possible and make sure everything is ready for when you move in. This will also be a good opportunity for you to figure out how much your bills will cost. Try to get an idea of how much electricity and water you’ll be using — if it’s much more than what you’re used to, you might want to consider getting a different plan or even switching providers.
Bottom Line
Moving can be a stressful experience, and it only gets worse when you don’t feel like you have a handle on the process. When you’re moving to a new city or state, hiring national movers is a great way to make sure you’re able to focus on your new home and not on packing up your old one.
It’s an investment, no doubt — but when you consider the time and money that could be wasted if you try to take care of everything on your own, it’s worth it.