subject: Tips For Moving Out Of State [print this page] Moving is stressful and even more so when you’re moving out of state to a community that’s unfamiliar. Planning ahead can make your move a smoother transition. Here are some tips for moving out of state.
The number one reason most people move out of state is for a job offer or job transfer. But there are still some folks who just want a change of scenery or pace. If you fall into the “change of scenery” category, you’ll want to research your career field before moving. Job security is crucial and you’ll want to secure your next position or at least have many interviews lined up before you start packing. Finding the right job takes time so save enough money to live without a steady cash flow for a few months in the event that you don’t find a job right away.
Timing is everything. It’s better to earn your college degree or job certification first before moving out of state. The last thing you want to do after earning three years of college credit is make a transfer to an out of state school that won’t accept any of your classes, wasting all your time, money and efforts spent so far. If you’re in the middle of earning your college degree, make sure your classes will transfer before moving out of state.
Another money saving tip is purchasing affordable furniture in your new state. Hiring movers can be fairly expensive. Living with a few essential furniture pieces for a couple of months in your new place allows you to see how you’re using its space. And it’s a lot less expensive to move furniture from a store that’s a few miles away rather than from a residence that’s hundreds of miles away. Having friends or family to help you move will also save you money and because they know and care about you, they will be more careful with your furniture, can help you paint rooms and help with other tasks to get you settled.
If you’re single, divorced, or widowed and moving out of state alone, make sure you visit the area you want to live before you move. You may have always been in love with the idea of living in San Francisco, but if you’ve never visited there and you don’t like cooler summers living on the coast or the occasional earthquake, it may not be the place for you. Another good idea for people who move out of state alone is adopting a pet, especially if you’re used to living with other people and think that you may become lonely those first few months before you make your new friendships. While a pet’s companionship is helpful, you’ll want to find ways to make new friends as soon as possible. Taking a class, joining a gym or online dating are all ways to meet people in the community.
People who are alone and moving out of state should consider moving to a state where a friend or family member currently resides. You should also avoid telling too many people in your area that you live alone, especially if you are a woman, to avoid making yourself more vulnerable to crimes.
