Moving to another state? Your ultimate survival guide

Learn everything about moving to a different state. From budgeting advice and finding a place to live to the things to do when moving to a new state.

Ivandzhelin

6 minute read

·

23 Sep 2024

·

Moving

So, you’ve decided to pack up and start fresh in a new state—how exciting! Whether you’re dreaming of sunny California, the bustling streets of New York, or the mountain views of Colorado, this is a huge milestone in your life. But now you’re likely wondering, “What do I need to do before moving to another state?”

Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with our comprehensive out-of-state moving checklist. From planning your budget to organizing your move, here’s everything you need to know to make this transition as smooth and stress-free as possible.

You probably have an idea of what state you plan on moving to. But before you start packing, you need to take care of a list of things to do before moving out of state.

Step 1. Make a relocation budget

The first step in moving out of state is to make a budget. On average, a mid-range move to another state costs between $3,000 and $6,000 if you opt for a moving agency. But you can also save a lot of money if you move by yourself, which typically ranges between $1,500 and $3,000. These costs vary depending on the distance, the size of your move, and the services you’ll need. When you’re calculating your relocation costs consider the 2 main expense categories for move out of state:

• Relocation expenses
• Living expenses

When it comes to the relocation budget, look into how much it will cost to ship your belongings, buy plane tickets, or pay for gas. Depending on the distance, moving to another state can cost between $1,000 (moving locally) and $8,000 (cross-country move) only for the moving company. If you’re moving by yourself, you’ll need to factor in expenses like:

• Renting a truck: $1,000 - $3,000
• Gas: $300 - $600
• Packing supplies: $200 - $500
• Travel expenses: $200 - $500
• Shipping your car: $700 - $1,500

When calculating the cost of living in a new state, consider the cost of renting, groceries, transport, healthcare, childcare, and entertainment. You can use the 50/30/20 method, where 50% of your salary goes towards your ‘needs’ (expenses), 30% is for your ‘wants’ (treating yourself), and 20% you put towards your savings.

To maintain realistic expectations, compare living costs between the city you’re currently living in and the city you want to move to. We have several guides on the costs you can expect in some US cities, including:

• Cost of living in New York
• Cost of living in Los Angeles
• Cost of living in Boston

Step 2. Find a place to live

Once the budgeting is done, it’s time to find an apartment in the US. You can expect to spend between 30% and 40% of your expenses on rent in the US. In bigger cities like New York and Los Angeles, your rent can take up to 50% of your monthly expenses. Figure out things like:

• What type of property you’re looking for, e.g., apartment or studio
• Your rental budget
• Do you want roommates
• Should the place be furnished or not
• What parts of the city do you want to be close to, e.g., Downtown or the Financial District

To get a better idea of what you’re looking for you can read up on online guides for the best neighborhoods in New York or the cheapest areas to live in Los Angeles. You can even find more niche neighborhood guides to that will give you the best places to live in Boston for people in their 20s, for example. For a more visual and immersive view, you can watch vlogs or TikToks of people living in the area or check the cities on Google Earth. Another thing to consider when moving to another state is the rental market.

Generally, it’s better to have something secured prior to your move, especially if you’re exploring homes for rent in New York, Los Angeles, or any other big American city since the rental markets there are more competitive.

Always book through trusted platforms like HousingAnywhere. This way, you book from verified landlords and enjoy perks like Tenant Protection, which protects your money and ensures a stress-free move-in.

Step 3. Make a list of things you want to bring

Making a list of things to bring when moving to another state will make your move much easier. It keeps you organized, ensures you don't forget any must-haves, and makes unpacking easier once you're in your new place. Plus, having everything you need right away saves you from unnecessary stress and extra trips to the store.

It also helps you declutter your house before moving. Going through your stuff and deciding what to keep, donate, or toss out will cut down on the things you need to pack and move, saving you time and money. To help yourself ask youself:

• How often do I use this?
• Does it have sentimental value?
• Is the space in my new place worth it?
• Can I easily replace it?
• Does it fit the new lifestyle I'm aiming for?

Step 4. Organize the logistics of your move

Once you’re done budgeting and booking accommodation online, it’s time to figure out the logistics of moving to a different state. Since you already have a rough idea of how much you plan on spending on relocating to another state and the size of your new home, this step should be easy.

Think of things like the dates of your tickets, when you should hire a moving company or a van, or when you need to ship out your belongings. Ask yourself the following questions before moving to another state:

• Do you need plane tickets? What about checked-in luggage?
• Do you need to ship your belongings, or will only checked-in luggage suffice?
• If you’re shipping your belongings, are you shipping them by air or water?
• Which route is most effective if you go by car?
• Do you need to hire a moving company or a truck to move your stuff yourself?
• Can your friends and family help you move?
• Which day of the week will be best for your move?
• Do you need to take time off from work to move?

To help yourself, you can plan the layout of your new home since you know its size. This can make it easier to decide on what to bring and what to donate. It’s best to schedule your move close to or on the first day of your new lease. This way, you won’t have to pay for a hotel or additional accommodation.

Step 5. Take care of administrative tasks

Taking care of the admin stuff before moving to a new state is important to make sure everything goes smoothly. Getting your documents and responsibilities sorted out ahead of time can save you from a lot of last-minute stress. Here are some things to check off your list before moving out of state:

• Get your documents in order: Gather all your important papers like your birth certificate, passport, academic records, driver’s license, and medical history documents. You'll want to keep these handy.
• Update your driver’s license: If you’re planning on driving after your move, you’ll need to update your driver’s license. Check the new state’s DMV website for specific requirements and deadlines.
• Cancel or transfer utility bills and subscriptions: This helps you avoid late fees and saves some money. Also, arrange for utilities to be set up at your new home for the day you move in.
• Inform important contacts: Inform your landlord, employer, and any relevant government bodies about your move.
• Take care of your car registration: If you’re taking your car with you, make sure to update its registration and get new license plates.

Check out our guide on moving to the US if you’re relocating from abroad as you'll need some additional documents.

Step 6. Pack your belongings and move

It's time to pack everything you want to take on the plane and those you plan on shipping. Make sure you put your most valuable possessions in your carry-on as sometimes luggage can get lost or arrive later. Here are some tips for packing your belongings when moving to a diffent state.

• Organize your things by rooms or types of items like textiles and pillows.
• Make sure some boxes aren’t too heavy while others are too light.
• Wrap any breakable things in bubble wrap or in socks. Use towels or shirts for plates or framed paintings/photos.
• Pack your most valuable items in your carry-on.
• Label the boxes by the rooms they will go in. If you want to be even more precise, label them by the cupboards and storage places you plan on putting them in.
• Have a random box for things you don’t know where to put.
• Put your pillows, winter jackets, blankets, or duvets in vacuum bags to save on space and keep them clean.

So, there you have it - moving to a new state in just 6 simple steps. Now that you know what to do, you’re ready to embark on this new adventure.