Deciding to start a new life in a new state is a bold move! It can also feel a little overwhelming – but with smart planning and proactive thinking, it can also be a smooth and satisfying transition. Use this guide from MINIFIED to help make your move across state lines as exciting and stress-free as possible.
1. Find Work First
Where you will be working is going to have the biggest impact on where and when you move, so getting your new job in order needs to be your first step. Using online websites such as Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter can help you see what positions are available and what salary and benefits you can expect in your new state.
Interviewing over Zoom or Skype may be necessary given the distance, so set yourself up for video call interview success. The Best Schools recommends preparing by testing out the platform you’ll be using ahead of time, ensuring your internet access is up to par and having a plan B in case an issue arises with your internet when the time comes. Consider what your background will be, and if you don’t have a professional-looking background available to you, look into virtual backgrounds you can use to enhance your interview.
If you’re planning on starting your own business in your new state, thoroughly research its laws around business formation and registration. Next, develop a business planto help keep you on track as you launch your business. While your business plan can be uniquely expanded or simplified to your needs, a solid business plan usually includes plans for how you’ll sell your goods or services, how your business will be structured, your plans for funding, and financial projections.
2. Start House Hunting
When you know what area you’ll be moving to, you can begin looking for your dream home. House hunting states away comes with some distinct challenges, the most common of which is not being able to view homes in person until later on in the home buying process or at all. Because of the distance, it’s particularly essential that you have a real estate agent you can trust and rely on to answer your questions and paint you a complete and accurate picture of the potential homes you are viewing.
Take advantage of technology such as Google Earth that allows you to explore neighborhoods at ground level. Connect with community members using Facebook groups and other online communities where you can interact with people who already live in the area and can give you firsthand information about it. These connections will also help you adjust to your new home post-move since you won’t be going into a new place knowing no one at all.
3. Arrange Your Move
A highly-rated long-distance moving company will make all the difference in your transition. Secure one as soon as you can so that together you can make plans for how to get your belongings across state lines in good condition.
Make a pre-move checklist that divides the things you own into distinct categories so that you can more easily manage to transfer things to your new home. When you’re moving across the country, you won’t be able to double back and drive a few minutes down the road to retrieve anything you’ve forgotten, so make your list early on, assess it often as you work through the packing, and quadruple check it before you begin moving in earnest.
Don’t forget a few important logistical matters, as well. Those include changing your address, getting set up with utilities in your new location, and getting a new doctor. Luckily, these days, most of that can be done online – including getting an online doctor visit set up.
The life of your dreams is waiting for you! With a little help and planning, you’ll be living well in your new state in no time.